Author Topic: Buying a bike  (Read 23205 times)

  • Offline matt5cott

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Buying a bike
on: February 10, 2012, 08:56:37 AM
http://www.tekforums.net/sports-hobbies-cycling/going-to-get-a-bike!/15/


Some good advice at the end of here, but it's a year out of date now, £350/400 I should be able to stump up, more if it's worth it



Suggestions? :)

  • Offline matt5cott

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Re: Buying a bike
Reply #1 on: February 10, 2012, 11:32:06 AM
Will be for road and off-road use.

Perhaps moreso road as Nottingham has a work place parking levy coming into force  :thumbdown:

Re: Buying a bike
Reply #2 on: February 10, 2012, 11:43:34 AM
Advice from last year is still valid.  Don't buy a bike from Halfords though.
They may have a reasonable range, but their aftersales is shocking.

If you're wanting to go off road, get a mountain bike as you can ride road with them.  Can't ride off road on a road bike.

The Claude Butler Cape Wrath is always a good choice, with different specs to suit how much you want to spend.
http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/claud-butler-cape-wrath-3-mens-id57102.html

That's a good price ;)

Spend between £350 and £500.  The more the better.  The bike will feel better, last longer and generally be more enjoyable.
If you don't like it, you've got more of a chance of getting most of your money back if you sell it.  Cheap bikes lose money like an Alfa Romeo :D

Read this too,
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/best-mountain-bikes-under-500-29451/

Last Edit: February 10, 2012, 11:48:18 AM by soopahfly #187;


  • Offline matt5cott

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Re: Buying a bike
Reply #4 on: February 11, 2012, 11:10:59 AM
Cheers so far guys :) I'm 6ft1, and I don't mind if a bikes white, or green, or any colour really :cheers:

Re: Buying a bike
Reply #5 on: February 13, 2012, 15:20:56 PM
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=74272
Kona Blast.  Job done.

A few of my friends have had these, I've had a few higher end Kona's and they've been fantastic.
They ride nicely, the frame warrants upgrading to better bits when the cheaper stuff on it breaks.


http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=72861
Cube Aim, also a very nice riding bike.
You'd probably want an 18"

  • Offline matt5cott

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Re: Buying a bike
Reply #6 on: February 13, 2012, 16:36:13 PM
Thanks Soopah :D

That Kona looks and sounds like a great bike, but the Cube, omg that just looks sexual! :drool:

I am now completely confused even further! Wub

One thing to note though, if I do pull the trigger on one of these I'm unlikely to mod it any further from 'standard' tbh, not one to tinker much really, is this something I need to take into account?

Re: Buying a bike
Reply #7 on: February 13, 2012, 16:43:07 PM
Thanks Soopah :D

That Kona looks and sounds like a great bike, but the Cube, omg that just looks sexual! :drool:

I am now completely confused even further! Wub

One thing to note though, if I do pull the trigger on one of these I'm unlikely to mod it any further from 'standard' tbh, not one to tinker much really, is this something I need to take into account?

No, but bear in mind that the cheaper parts that adorn these bikes will wear out and break quicker than a more costly bike.
These bikes have cheaper components, as you are paying for a great frame.  It would be prudent to replace the cheap parts with better parts when the need arises.  No need to change the cheap parts if they are working perfectly well.

Re: Buying a bike
Reply #8 on: February 13, 2012, 16:49:38 PM

  • Offline matt5cott

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Re: Buying a bike
Reply #9 on: February 13, 2012, 20:24:53 PM
If it was my money, I'd take the Kona.

God damn it, I just cannot get on with that blue colour scheme, it reminds me too much of sweets I had as a kid :lol:

The cube in black and white is just gorgeous, this must be what ladies feel like when they see shoes/bags they want :lol: it's not in stock till March 5th so I have time to decide anyway :thumbup:
Last Edit: February 13, 2012, 20:28:43 PM by matt5cott #187;

Re: Buying a bike
Reply #10 on: February 13, 2012, 20:29:35 PM
I don't think you'd be disappointed with either tbh.
Try a couple of other bikes for size while you're waiting for that to come into stock.
Leisure Lakes have Cube bikes.

If you could stretch that budget, the Kona Fire Mountain is a classic, and is leaps and bounds above the Blast and the Cube.
http://www.konaworld.com/mtb_trail_allmountain_hardtail.cfm?content=fire_mountain

But as a novice, I wouldn't spend any more than that.
Last Edit: February 13, 2012, 20:38:13 PM by soopahfly #187;

  • Offline matt5cott

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Re: Buying a bike
Reply #11 on: February 14, 2012, 09:37:04 AM
Hmm, that Kona Fire Mountain does come in 'gay gold' which matches my car ;D

But it's £100/£150 more than the other two, just how many leaps and bounds are we talking here!  :panic:

Re: Buying a bike
Reply #12 on: February 14, 2012, 12:49:48 PM
It's more the level of componentry on the bike than anything.
The Cube and the other Kona have great frames and low grade components.  The Fire Mountain is more rounded with a great frame and good components.  Again, you wouldn't be disappointed with any of them.
The Fire Mountain would be lighter and the components would be more robust and perform better than their cheaper counterparts.

If you don't want or can't stretch, then don't worry.  It's not a massive job to upgrade when bits break. :ptu:

Re: Buying a bike
Reply #13 on: March 21, 2012, 08:46:10 AM
After the theft of my On-One the other week, I've replaced it with a '12 Cannondale Trail SL 5.  Got a cracking deal on it too.

  • Offline matt5cott

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Re: Buying a bike
Reply #14 on: March 21, 2012, 08:53:28 AM
After the theft of my On-One the other week, I've replaced it with a '12 Cannondale Trail SL 5.  Got a cracking deal on it too.

Shame it wasn't 3 less or you would have been on a ragga tip.

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