Cheap mountain bikes

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

15 March 2011, 02:01 PM

#31

dunx

Scooby Senior

iTrader: (3)

Join Date: Jun 2006

Location: Slowly rebuilding the kit of bits into a car...

Posts: 14,333

Likes: 0

Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Given how brisk it is a 2nd brake pedal is a thoughtful addition, I was lucky enough to chase Dave, driving mine in his VRs, it was smoggy fun...

dunx

Reply Like

15 March 2011, 02:16 PM

#32

Midlife......

Scooby Regular

iTrader: (2)

Join Date: Feb 2004

Posts: 11,583

Likes: 0

Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts

Should be able to pick up a ridgeback MX3 last years 2010 model online for your buget...

http://www.ridgeback.co.uk/bike/mx3

Shaun

Reply Like

15 March 2011, 02:23 PM

#33

alcazar

Scooby Regular

iTrader: (2)

Join Date: Jun 2002

Location: Rl'yeh

Posts: 40,781

Likes: 79

Received 27 Likes on 25 Posts

Quote:

Originally Posted by **************

Thanks for the replies so far. For example seen a Rayleigh mountain bike (an established brand with how long they have been around) shimano gears etc so is the issue with this the weight of it compared to the more expensive brands because it's a steel frame?

The trouble with Raleigh, Falcon etc, that USED to be British is that they are now specced DOWN to a price, and all components, including frame, sourced abroad. Very few are more than just put together in the UK

I live about 8 miles from the Falcon "factory". It's just a distribution centre now

Halfords bikes, Carrera brand name, are specced UP. Go and have a look.

Reply Like

15 March 2011, 02:33 PM

#34

Bravo2zero_sps

Guest

Posts: n/a

Quote:

Originally Posted by andythejock01wrx

Got a link Bravo?

Alcazar's post was good. And yes, cheaper bikes tend to be heavier, the lighter the better for those hills.

I would say the main thing is to keep it simple - don't get anything with full suspension on a burget as you will end up with a weighty pogo stick!

If it was me I'd go for a base level Giant for about £200, with front suspension fork and v brakes. The Raleigh may well be fine though.

HTH

Andy

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produc...xt%3EBIKES.htm

or

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produc...xt%3EBIKES.htm

had no idea that Rayleigh had been bought out though so thanks for the info coffin dodger.

Then are things like Muddy Fox which i've never heard of:

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produc...xt%3EBIKES.htm

Also at 6'3" what size frame/wheels do I need to go for?

Thanks again for all the helpful info

Last edited by Bravo2zero_sps; 15 March 2011 at 02:37 PM.

Reply Like

15 March 2011, 04:28 PM

#35

Flaps

Scooby Regular

iTrader: (1)

Join Date: Nov 2006

Location: Yorkshire

Posts: 2,966

Likes: 0

Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonto

Buy a second hand Carrera fury off ebay, then if you get bored quickly you can sell and i doubt you'll lose a penny.

I was in a similar position last year, I wanted a bike but didn't know if i'd use it and didn't want to spend £600+ like most specialists want to charge.
I had a look at a few reviews and each one had positive things to say about the Carerra range (Halford's own brand, one up from their 'Apollo' range). I ended up getting a Carrera Vulcan Disc Spec in red for £250. The reports I read were giving it 4 out of 5 and saying it compared to bikes twice the price.
I've been on quite a few long rides with some of my mates since (20-30 miles). One had an Apollo which looked and felt cheap, one had a supermarket special that broke twice on it's maiden voyage, the other had a £600 Kona which looked nice but was heavier.
Only problem with buying onlne is you might not know what size frame you want.

Reply Like

15 March 2011, 04:34 PM

#36

alcazar

Scooby Regular

iTrader: (2)

Join Date: Jun 2002

Location: Rl'yeh

Posts: 40,781

Likes: 79

Received 27 Likes on 25 Posts

Quote:

Originally Posted by **************

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3175028/c_1/1|category_root|Sports+and+leisure|14419152/c_2/2|14419152|Bikes%2C+cycling+and+accessories|144191 53/c_3/3|cat_14419153|Mountain+bikes|26350687/Trail/searchtext%3EBIKES.htm

or

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3322675/c_1/1|category_root|Sports+and+leisure|14419152/c_2/2|14419152|Bikes%2C+cycling+and+accessories|144191 53/c_3/3|cat_14419153|Mountain+bikes|26350687/Trail/searchtext%3EBIKES.htm

had no idea that Rayleigh had been bought out though so thanks for the info coffin dodger.

Then are things like Muddy Fox which i've never heard of:

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3322462/c_1/1|category_root|Sports+and+leisure|14419152/c_2/2|14419152|Bikes%2C+cycling+and+accessories|144191 53/c_3/3|cat_14419153|Mountain+bikes|26350687/Trail/searchtext%3EBIKES.htm

Also at 6'3" what size frame/wheels do I need to go for?

Thanks again for all the helpful info

Muddy Fox are from the far east too, plus not what they were, ditto Claud Butler.

DON'T take any sizes off here, go and sit on one, remember if it's amountain bike you want 3" or more CLEARANCE between the frame and your nads, when standing.

So ALSO check the seat tube will go up far enough for you to be comfortable, sitting on the seat, feet on pedals, knees should JUST be flexed.

Reply Like

15 March 2011, 04:49 PM

#37

Midlife......

Scooby Regular

iTrader: (2)

Join Date: Feb 2004

Posts: 11,583

Likes: 0

Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts

Alcazar.........I did some work with the Falcon Campagnolo team back in the late 70's. At the time they were based at Barton-upon-Humber and did manufacture bikes there.

I've still got a team Falcon road bike vintage 1977 but it's actually a rebadged Bianchi LOL

Is that your neck of the woods ?

Shuan

Reply Like

15 March 2011, 04:57 PM

#38

Jamo

Cooking on Calor

iTrader: (23)

Join Date: Oct 2001

Location: in a house full of girls!

Posts: 23,346

Likes: 5

Received 7 Likes on 2 Posts

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clarebabes

My God!

Are you saying you're friends with someone who likes BIKES???

one of my best friends is really into road bikes, its worth mentioning hes not a DICK on his

Reply Like

15 March 2011, 05:04 PM

#39

Bravo2zero_sps

Guest

Posts: n/a

Is this any better than the Argos ones I posted:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...Id_165499#dtab

I phoned my local store and the bloke who I spoke to said he weas about my height and he has a 20" frame on his bikes but I can go in and try out to see.

Reply Like

15 March 2011, 05:14 PM

#40

Clarebabes

Scooby Regular

Join Date: Sep 2001

Location: A big town with sh1t shops: Northampton

Posts: 21,366

Likes: 0

Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Quote:

Originally Posted by j4mou

one of my best friends is really into road bikes, its worth mentioning hes not a DICK on his

And neither are we and 99% of the people we know. You seem to have seen the other 1% and assumed we're all like that.

Reply Like

15 March 2011, 07:25 PM

#41

alcazar

Scooby Regular

iTrader: (2)

Join Date: Jun 2002

Location: Rl'yeh

Posts: 40,781

Likes: 79

Received 27 Likes on 25 Posts

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midlife......

Yes, mate, Scunthorpe is where I live, (well, someone has to), and the main Falcon factory is in Brigg, about 8 miles away, with work also being outsourced at one time to Barton-on-Humber, the old Elswick Hopper factory, long since closed. Falcons and Clauds were made in Brigg.

Reply Like

15 March 2011, 07:38 PM

#42

alcazar

Scooby Regular

iTrader: (2)

Join Date: Jun 2002

Location: Rl'yeh

Posts: 40,781

Likes: 79

Received 27 Likes on 25 Posts

Reply Like

15 March 2011, 09:32 PM

#43

Bravo2zero_sps

Guest

Posts: n/a

Quote:

Originally Posted by alcazar

Cheers Alcazar I like the look of those, i'll have a search for some closer to home and also a read up on the models.

Reply Like

15 March 2011, 10:07 PM

#44

Midlife......

Scooby Regular

iTrader: (2)

Join Date: Feb 2004

Posts: 11,583

Likes: 0

Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts

Alcazar

I used to visit Scunthorpe quite a bit as a lad..........not to far to travel on the ferry from Hull where I was born.

This is the bike team based in Barton all those years ago.........

http://www.internationalcyclesport.c...on_cycles.html

Shaun

Reply Like

15 March 2011, 10:19 PM

#45

what would scooby do

Scooby Senior

Join Date: Aug 2002

Location: 52 Festive Road

Posts: 28,311

Likes: 0

Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

buy cheap buy twice
buy Chinese buy thrice

New range of Japanese bikes don't need lights

Reply Like

15 March 2011, 10:23 PM

#46

Jamo

Cooking on Calor

iTrader: (23)

Join Date: Oct 2001

Location: in a house full of girls!

Posts: 23,346

Likes: 5

Received 7 Likes on 2 Posts

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clarebabes

And neither are we and 99% of the people we know. You seem to have seen the other 1% and assumed we're all like that.

1%? so the entire 1% rides in derbyshire do they?

I understand you are a great rider, you never ride side by side on busy roads and never hold up other road users.

great, you have to realise there are riders out there that do do it and on a regular basis. at no point have I singled you or your very pleasant partner, it was him and you that singled me out though!

Reply Like

15 March 2011, 10:36 PM

#47

alcazar

Scooby Regular

iTrader: (2)

Join Date: Jun 2002

Location: Rl'yeh

Posts: 40,781

Likes: 79

Received 27 Likes on 25 Posts

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midlife......

The FERRY? Ah yes, the old Lincoln Castle and Tattershall Castle. Those were the days.

Reply Like

15 March 2011, 10:38 PM

#48

dpb

Scooby Regular

Join Date: Nov 2003

Location: riding the crest of a wave ...

Posts: 46,493

Likes: 0

Received 13 Likes on 12 Posts

Bought the girlriend a bike outta Halfrauds for about 250 i think, its okay but actually heavier than my ten year old one which was probably only twice the price -she hardly ever gets on it

Hers is cheap ali and small mine is larger and steel . The extra weight is in the wheels ! various other components and maybe the discs ? , mine are just v brakes and the gear is pretty mediocre

Second hand definitely the way to go !

Reply Like

15 March 2011, 10:40 PM

#49

Clarebabes

Scooby Regular

Join Date: Sep 2001

Location: A big town with sh1t shops: Northampton

Posts: 21,366

Likes: 0

Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Quote:

Originally Posted by j4mou

1%? so the entire 1% rides in derbyshire do they?

This discussion has probably had its day now, so I'll leave to your hatred and not mention it again. I was joking originally, but never mind...

Reply Like

16 March 2011, 04:29 AM

#50

vindaloo

Scooby Regular

Join Date: Apr 2003

Location: South Bucks

Posts: 3,213

Likes: 0

Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

When I was looking for an MTB, the Specialised Hardrock seemed to review well and seemed a good deal.

Thing is, you could get the basic version for £269 last summer. Difficult to find that sort of a deal now.

J.

Reply Like

16 March 2011, 09:57 AM

#51

Bravo2zero_sps

Guest

Posts: n/a

Thanks guys but i'm only looking at around £100 (far too many other things to pay for) so may well go 2nd hand Carrera as they seem a lot of bike for the money compared to £100 in Argos/Halfords.

Reply Like

16 March 2011, 11:13 AM

#52

Bravo2zero_sps

Guest

Posts: n/a

Just a thought before I chuck it down the tip my old bike is a Rayleigh Kalahari mountain bike which if I remember correctly was about £300 back around 1990 which was a fair bit then. Is it worth getting overhauled? Chain is rusted to bits so assume that will mean the gearing has probably had it as well? It still works and rides but I wouldn't assume it to be safe being so old and never serviced in 20+ years and probably still original tyres and brake blocks.

This is a pic off a google search:

Reply Like

16 March 2011, 12:45 PM

#53

ChrisB

Moderator

Join Date: Dec 1998

Location: Staffs

Posts: 23,573

Likes: 0

Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

If you're not happy doing the spannering yourself, then labour charges from a shop are probably going to be £50 or more (assuming a couple of hours).

Assuming it's a 7 speed drivetrain, a chain can be had for £5 upwards but it depends on the state of the chainset and cassette as to what else you might need.

PS. Rayleigh is a town in Essex - Raleigh make bikes

Reply Like

16 March 2011, 12:48 PM

#54

Bravo2zero_sps

Guest

Posts: n/a

I didn't even know I typed that, must be my Essex routes coming through

Reply Like

16 March 2011, 12:55 PM

#55

fitzscoob

Scooby Regular

Join Date: Jul 2004

Location:

Posts: 4,000

Likes: 0

Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Quote:

Originally Posted by **************

I didn't even know I typed that, must be my Essex routes coming through

roots or routes?

One thing to prepare yourself for as I found out was the level of pain given via saddles! I Was on the bike for the first time in ten years this weekend, I'm just about clear of pain now!

Reply Like

16 March 2011, 01:13 PM

#56

Bravo2zero_sps

Guest

Posts: n/a

Quote:

Originally Posted by fitzscoob

roots or routes?

One thing to prepare yourself for as I found out was the level of pain given via saddles! I Was on the bike for the first time in ten years this weekend, I'm just about clear of pain now!

I thought i'd carry on my 'Essexness'

Yes the saddle is the one thing that I need to sort whether on a cheapo bike or getting my old one fixed. Do gel saddles make a big improvement or are all sadlles painful, just less so on the more expensive ones?

Reply Like

16 March 2011, 06:19 PM

#57

ScoobySteve69

Scooby Regular

iTrader: (13)

Join Date: Feb 2010

Location: North Wales.

Posts: 4,636

Likes: 0

Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Quote:

Originally Posted by fitzscoob

roots or routes?

One thing to prepare yourself for as I found out was the level of pain given via saddles! I Was on the bike for the first time in ten years this weekend, I'm just about clear of pain now!

I`ve spent the OP`s bike budget on a saddle alone

Makes the world of difference on a 100 mile run

Reply Like

16 March 2011, 07:02 PM

#58

Clarebabes

Scooby Regular

Join Date: Sep 2001

Location: A big town with sh1t shops: Northampton

Posts: 21,366

Likes: 0

Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Saddles are important, but a good set of cycling pants is going to be an essential too. I've got some cycling trousers that I wear at the moment from Aldi and they're great, but come the summer I've got a pair of bib shorts from Wiggle that are good quality and great for the long rides. Hopefully I'll be able to buy another set soon as I've lost over a stone through cycling

Reply Like

17 March 2011, 01:30 PM

#59

andythejock01wrx

Scooby Regular

Join Date: Jun 2006

Location: Edinburgh (ish)

Posts: 8,089

Likes: 0

Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clarebabes

Quite true - I eat (and drink!) what I like but don't seem to gain any weight due to cycling 3 or 4 times a week. Life aint bad!

Reply Like

17 March 2011, 02:00 PM

#60

Bravo2zero_sps

Guest

Posts: n/a

Well fleabay is not showing up anything within a reasonable distance of where I live, over 100 miles one way to a 2nd hand Carrera so that's out so sort of back to the drawing board.

Reply Like

Reply Share

First
Prev
2 / 8
Next
Last

Forum Jump