good bikes, cheap prices...

kelvinmead2

Ok, so following a stolen Kona 8 months ago, i have the bug to ride again, and am also in the unfortunate position of only having a small amount of cash to allocate...

so looking through the options and looking through the manufacturers websites, they stock ranges of what seem to be the same bikes, but with upgraded parts. is this a fair assumption?

taking a look at Cannondale, and the Trail SL1 to SL5, are these the exact same frames?
can i buy a 2011 SL5 at around £380 and then replace bits as time goes on, eventually earning myself a £1500 bike over many months!

do all the manufacturers follow this rule of thumb?

mcnultycop

Generally that is the case with many manufacturers. Buying the lower model then upgrading will be more expensive than just buying the higher model in the first instance.

kelvinmead2

dammit, someone decide for me!

2013 cannondale, trail sl1 £379
2011 cannondale, trail sl3 £400
2004 kona kikapu, £358

obvs, the cannondale is newer
the kona is full sus...

mcnultycop

Links?

kelvinmead2

kikapu
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121159539922? ... 1423.l2649

cannondale sl5
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b65s2p36 ... -SL-5-2011

cannondale sl3, just dropped to £380
and apologies for tinypic, but its on a private facebook sale page, which took me 2 days to be accepted to.
no description, but a chat with the guy selling it, is totally stock and is a young-un and wants to buy a car
http://i44.tinypic.com/2w5kajm.jpg

kelvinmead2

i've gone with the cannondale sl3, £370 in the end, and its in next to perfect nick.

the only thing i'm dubious of now, is if its been nicked...

its not got a number plate, so doubtful ill ever get stopped :?

kelvinmead2

ok, so i've checked on https://www.bikeregister.com/stolen-bikes and is an eye opener. 1888 red bikes stolen last year!

bike is either not registered, or not reported stolen.