Author Topic: MTB deals (Read 6863 times)

Sir Tifiable · « **on:** 18 February, 2009, 05:37:50 pm »

I'm selling a road bike (which hasn't been outside in 12 months), and am looking for a good deal on a MTB.

Ideally, I want a full-suspension but light bike, and as I'm more of a road-rider, I don't want to spend the earth (which with the way the job is going, it's money I won't have anyway). The MTB won't be required to be the finest piece of engineering, but nothing from Halfrauds either.

Any recommendations for deals people have seen recently please?

Zoidburg · « **Reply #1 on:** 18 February, 2009, 05:48:09 pm »

Cheap

Light

Strong

Pick two.

You wont be getting a decent full sus until you get to the £800 mark and it still wont be light.

Sir Tifiable · « **Reply #2 on:** 18 February, 2009, 05:54:49 pm »

Quote from: Zoidburg on 18 February, 2009, 05:48:09 pm

Cheap

Light

Strong

Pick two.

You wont be getting a decent full sus until you get to the £800 mark and it still wont be light.

Cheap and light then. As am I.

PhilO · « **Reply #3 on:** 18 February, 2009, 06:05:32 pm »

Quote from: Zoidburg on 18 February, 2009, 05:48:09 pm

You wont be getting a decent full sus until you get to the £800 mark and it still wont be light.

That's certainly true at RRP, but there are deals available.

Pauls cycles in Norwich specialise in NOS bikes, and have a few bargains. If it was me, I'd look at the Giant Anthem/Trance/Reign models on that list (I rode a Trance 2 when the model was new, and reckoned it was worth the £1750 RRP, then). Also the Kona Kikapu Deluxe 2006 looks good (if you're a giant - otherwise it's the 2007).

Winstanleys also offer old-stock bikes at knock-down prices.

Having said that, if you're primarily a Road Cyclist, I'd suggest you seriously consider a hardtail - less to go wrong, lighter, and more like what you're used to. Pedalling a FS efficiently takes a very specific technique, which may or may not come naturally.

tonycollinet · « **Reply #4 on:** 18 February, 2009, 08:09:48 pm »

I'd agree. When I got my second MTB I was convinced I wanted FS. However as a mostly road/trail rider, I was advised on the previous place to go hardtail.

It is definitely the right decision. Only on average once per year have I been on terrain where fs would make me better off. And for a given amount of money, you get much better components on a hard tail than a FS.

I have fitted a thud buster seat post which does everything I wanted fs for.

clarion · « **Reply #5 on:** 19 February, 2009, 10:03:28 am »

If you're going for a different style of bike from your normal, then it's hard to buy online. Nothing beats a test ride.

Whereabouts are you? Maybe we can point you towards sympathetic MTB specialists in your area...

ed_o_brain · « **Reply #6 on:** 19 February, 2009, 10:34:04 am »

If you are selling a road bike, maybe you should post an advert for a straight swap and see what crops up?

Sir Tifiable · « **Reply #7 on:** 19 February, 2009, 01:03:32 pm »

Thanks to all - useful info.

Already have a buyer for the Spesh, so not interested in a swap.

I can see how going hardtail allows for better components everywhere else, and I doubt I'll be riding anywhere too technical just yet.

I'm near Penistone, so Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester in easy reach.

clarion · « **Reply #8 on:** 19 February, 2009, 01:04:44 pm »

Hebden Bridge? Blazing Saddles aren't big, but they are clever

Sir Tifiable · « **Reply #9 on:** 19 February, 2009, 01:21:03 pm »

Hebden Bridge is possible, but quite a long ride. I'll have to call them to ask about deals before I cycle over there. There are far better cycle shops much closer than HB.

clarion · « **Reply #10 on:** 19 February, 2009, 01:24:37 pm »

Ah. Sorry. I assumed you might use other transport (there's a regular train route to HB from Manchester & Leeds).

Similarly, I suppose, Stif in North Leeds might not be so accessible.

JE James in Bramall Lane, Sheffield might be able to help?

I'm afraid I'm not familiar with any closer to you. Sorry.

Sir Tifiable · « **Reply #11 on:** 19 February, 2009, 05:27:17 pm »

Quote from: clarion on 19 February, 2009, 01:24:37 pm

Ah. Sorry. I assumed you might use other transport (there's a regular train route to HB from Manchester & Leeds).

Similarly, I suppose, Stif in North Leeds might not be so accessible.

JE James in Bramall Lane, Sheffield might be able to help?

I'm afraid I'm not familiar with any closer to you. Sorry.

Oh. I assume you aren't local then. Manchester and Leeds are plenty far away to go to catch a train! We DO have trains in Penistone, you know. It's almost sophisticated

Thanks for the list of dealers, but I'm already well aware of the names and reputations of the local shops. I was hoping for some more immediate tips on current deals people were aware of in any shops, local or otherwise.

αdαmsκι · « **Reply #12 on:** 19 February, 2009, 05:39:49 pm »

If you are prepared to build up a bike then Merlin are selling their 2008 frames with a 40% discount at the moment: Online Mountain Bike Shop - Merlin Cycles

Sir Tifiable · « **Reply #13 on:** 19 February, 2009, 05:41:40 pm »

Quote from: adamski on 19 February, 2009, 05:39:49 pm

If you are prepared to build up a bike then Merlin are selling their 2008 frames with a 40% at the moment: Online Mountain Bike Shop - Merlin Cycles

Brilliant! That's much more like it. More than happy with last year's (or before!) frame. Thanks

clarion · « **Reply #14 on:** 19 February, 2009, 07:52:44 pm »

Quote from: Sir Tifiable on 19 February, 2009, 05:27:17 pm

Quote from: clarion on 19 February, 2009, 01:24:37 pm
Ah. Sorry. I assumed you might use other transport (there's a regular train route to HB from Manchester & Leeds).

Similarly, I suppose, Stif in North Leeds might not be so accessible.

JE James in Bramall Lane, Sheffield might be able to help?

I'm afraid I'm not familiar with any closer to you. Sorry.

Oh. I assume you aren't local then. Manchester and Leeds are plenty far away to go to catch a train! We DO have trains in Penistone, you know. It's almost sophisticated

Thanks for the list of dealers, but I'm already well aware of the names and reputations of the local shops. I was hoping for some more immediate tips on current deals people were aware of in any shops, local or otherwise.

Not local to Penistone, but I did know that there's regular trains that would connect you. However, that's not what you're after clearly. I still think that a test ride will be better than going for a seeming bargain, if it doesn't suit.

tiermat · « **Reply #15 on:** 20 February, 2009, 08:18:03 am »

Quote from: Sir Tifiable on 19 February, 2009, 05:41:40 pm

Quote from: adamski on 19 February, 2009, 05:39:49 pm
If you are prepared to build up a bike then Merlin are selling their 2008 frames with a 40% at the moment: Online Mountain Bike Shop - Merlin Cycles

Brilliant! That's much more like it. More than happy with last year's (or before!) frame. Thanks

If you hunt around Merlin's site you can also find some groupset bargains, both road and MTB.

I got a full Ultegra set from them for ~£350, instead of ~£500 and a pair of the same wheels for ~£170.

Sir Tifiable · « **Reply #16 on:** 21 February, 2009, 02:33:27 pm »

Been in the (fairly) LBS today, and discovered they are prepared to build/tweak a MTB to whatever spec I want, and broadly will match pretty much any deal from the online retailers. Result!

They have available two particular bikes I'm thinking about:

Marin Nail Trail (last year's model) which they will sell for 200 off their price

GT Avalanche (this year's model) which they will discount by 150 quid.

Going to ride them tomorrow

Any comments about those bikes please?

clarion · « **Reply #17 on:** 02 March, 2009, 10:24:26 am »

How did the rides go? I don't know the two bikes you mention, so couldn't comment, but I'd be interested to hear your experience.

Sir Tifiable · « **Reply #18 on:** 02 March, 2009, 09:45:19 pm »

Ride was only moist to start, but it all got a lot more interesting the wetter and more slippery it became.

I have to say, this year's model is better than last year's, being a good deal lighter and slimmer, but more expensive.

I'm still thinking about it. If I haven't made a decision by this weekend, I'll have to toss for it. What do you think? Is there any benefit in the older, heavier build?

clarion · « **Reply #19 on:** 03 March, 2009, 09:00:11 am »

Quote from: Sir Tifiable on 02 March, 2009, 09:45:19 pm

...What do you think? Is there any benefit in the older, heavier build?

I'm the wrong person to ask that question of. All my bikes are older and heavier

Sounds like you've hit on a good pair for your type of riding. It might well be better to go for the GT. You did use the word 'better' to describe it. Maybe if it's easier to ride, you'll be out there in the muck on it more often.

You're getting decent sized discounts on either, so it might just be a matter of whether you want to pay the bit more for this year's bike.

Sounds good.

PhilO · « **Reply #20 on:** 03 March, 2009, 09:14:14 am »

Quote from: clarion on 03 March, 2009, 09:00:11 am

Quote from: Sir Tifiable on 02 March, 2009, 09:45:19 pm
...What do you think? Is there any benefit in the older, heavier build?

I'm the wrong person to ask that question of. All my bikes are older and heavier

Sounds like you've hit on a good pair for your type of riding. It might well be better to go for the GT. You did use the word 'better' to describe it. Maybe if it's easier to ride, you'll be out there in the muck on it more often.

You're getting decent sized discounts on either, so it might just be a matter of whether you want to pay the bit more for this year's bike.

Sounds good.

+1

The GT Avalanche is a good bike, and IIRC the frame is common to all models, so if you upgrade as things wear out you'll end up with a bike that is equivalent to the higher-spec models. Marin make good bikes, but the geometry doesn't suit everybody.

A heavier bike might be worth considering if you're a bit of a clydesdale or are likely to abuse it, but from what you said earlier ("cheap and light"), it doesn't sound like that's the case.

Sir Tifiable · « **Reply #21 on:** 11 March, 2009, 09:00:28 pm »

GT it is!

Very soon too....

Should be ready in time for me to be completely filthy this weekend

Sir Tifiable · « **Reply #22 on:** 12 March, 2009, 09:48:33 am »

...and a phone call has just confirmed that

clarion · « **Reply #23 on:** 22 April, 2009, 03:38:44 pm »

So...no news on the new GT?

Jacomus · « **Reply #24 on:** 23 April, 2009, 10:58:51 am »

From a dedicated FS road rider:

- Once you 'get' the required pedalling technique it is fantastic.

- Don't muck about with skinny tyres. Schwalbe SuperMotos are the way forward. They are outrgeously expensive, but easily the best tyre I've ever had. And they are FAST! (Way better than Conti Sports)

- Buy some Brunox Deo, and use it on your stanchions. It is a tiny can, but you use such a tiny amount mine is about 2/3rds full after 6 months use.

- Get used to hitting bumps in the saddle and letting the bike sort it out.

Author Topic: MTB deals (Read 6863 times)

Sir Tifiable

Zoidburg

Sir Tifiable

ed_o_brain

Sir Tifiable

Sir Tifiable

Sir Tifiable

Sir Tifiable

Sir Tifiable

Sir Tifiable

Sir Tifiable

Sir Tifiable