Big Bike Thread

FosterK · 24 May 2008 at 10:31

Yeah, they're disc brakes. Seem to be pretty basic :s

weescott · 24 May 2008 at 11:24

The latest Pagan uses Quad brakes. If they are like the other Quad brakes they will use the same size pads as Shimano. So the pads you need might be these:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=27245

Take the pads out and match them up to make sure.

DampCat · 24 May 2008 at 15:35

Ok i think i've decided:

http://www.sunsetmtb.co.uk/shop/index.php?product_id=826&category_id=12

Any good?

FosterK · 24 May 2008 at 15:43

weescott said:
The latest Pagan uses Quad brakes. If they are like the other Quad brakes they will use the same size pads as Shimano. So the pads you need might be these:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=27245

Take the pads out and match them up to make sure.

Nothing like em

Cheers though.

Off to the bike shop with one of them now for a look-see.

Edit: Perfect. Degreased them too, lovely jubbly.

Supercow · 24 May 2008 at 16:54

DampCat said:
Ok i think i've decided:

http://www.sunsetmtb.co.uk/shop/index.php?product_id=826&category_id=12

Any good?

The only nice thing about that bike are the brakes.
Dirt jump fork ...on a stinky, wtf.

edit: Ah.. erm, just saw it's a kids bike - you getting it for you son?

imo, Kona sucks big time (yes only recently I wanted to buy a coiler, thank god i didn't). The only half decent Kona is the coiler - not to be confused with the coilair.

On other matters... WOOOOOHOOOOOOO, did my first road gap today and im so stoked!!!!
Did the road gap on the 4x at Aston hill and i'm still smiling. Been glaring at the jump a while, trying to summon the courage... but I did it!

DampCat · 24 May 2008 at 17:19

No, not my son. I hadn't realised it was a kids bike to be honest.

It beggars belief that for £1,000 you cant get a decent bike.

Supercow · 24 May 2008 at 17:41

DampCat said:
No, not my son. I hadn't realised it was a kids bike to be honest.

It beggars belief that for £1,000 you cant get a decent bike.

Secnd hand you might get away with it, but for 1000 you won't im afraid.
Head over to pinkbike.com on the buy/sell area... have seen some good deals on there before.

SDK^ · 24 May 2008 at 18:05

DampCat said:
No, not my son. I hadn't realised it was a kids bike to be honest.

It beggars belief that for £1,000 you cant get a decent bike.

£1k is only just above the entry level full susension bikes.
Kona bikes also tend to be overpriced and underspecced compared to bikes from other manufacturers. This time of year is coming towards the end of the bike season so you will be able to pick a bargain soon.

That Stinky has 24" wheels so is a kids bike

What type of bike are you looking for - Cross Country, Downhill etc ?

DampCat · 24 May 2008 at 18:07

I'd rather have a hardtail than a full sus to be honest, was just a decent price.

SDK^ · 24 May 2008 at 18:15

What is your budget?

DampCat · 24 May 2008 at 18:20

£1000 really, Hardtail, new (for finance. Buying houses isn't cheap

)

Jonny ///M · 24 May 2008 at 18:28

A grand will get you a fairly good spec hardtail rather than a half decent full sus.

Quite a lot of variety out there and you need to find one that fits. Is it a bike for getting into cycling or a new bike,a grand is a bit much if you end up chucking it.

http://www.alpinebikes.com/shop/trek/8000-2008/ something like that is ideal. Get the best frame and fork as you can always change mechs,bars and other components easy enough.

Since i'm a specialized fanboy i would say something like this http://www.dalescycles.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=SPECROCPRO08 for within your budget. Stumpjumpers are just a bit too high unless you find a last year model cheaper.

DampCat · 24 May 2008 at 18:33

I did a lot when i was younger. I'd like to get back in to it. Spending money on a decent bike is a good way of encouraging me to actually use it.

I'm 5'7 so not the tallest character out there. I'm no stranger to parts (on cars at least

) so im semi mechanically minded, not frightened of doing work myself if needs be.

SDK^ · 24 May 2008 at 18:33

See if you can find a shop to test some bikes out.
Some I would be looking at are

Orange Crush - £999
http://www.orangebikes.co.uk/2008bikes/crush-upg.php

Specialized Rockhopper Pro Disc - £900
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?sid=08Rockhopper

Marin Rocky Ridge - £999
http://www.marin.co.uk/2008/bikedetail.php?ModNo=3873

DampCat · 24 May 2008 at 18:42

Hmmm i like the Orange Crush. Thanks dudes. Given me somewhere to start from

edit: at my height, what sort of size should i be looking at? 21"?

SDK^ · 24 May 2008 at 18:48

21" will be too big for you - I'm 6'1 and fit a 20-21" Frame.

Ideally you need to try a bike for fitting because the length of the top tube is also longer as you go bigger and you don't want to be stretched out.

DampCat · 24 May 2008 at 18:50

Alright, good shout. There's a shop near where i work that stocks some ludicrously expensive bikes. Patriots and the such. I'll go and sit on a few and pretend i can afford them

Thx guys.

6thElement · 24 May 2008 at 19:40

5'7" you'll probably be on a small, 15" frame I would imagine.

Jonny ///M · 24 May 2008 at 19:40

Yeh see if you can get test rides. I like the orange crush but its more of an aggressive xc bike looking at the geometry and the crankset is only a dual ring.

One thing that is quite different on bikes is how the brakes feel so make sure you like the feel of them. Most good,new brakes have a good bit of adjustment so you can get a good feel.

21" will be too big in length nevermind standover. A 19" would probably be ideal. Or not (just read the size...)

weescott · 24 May 2008 at 20:16

It depends on the bike. I'm 5'7" and have always ridden a Medium with the exception of a Univega which was a 15 1/2", I tried a Rocky Mountain a few years ago that was a medium and found it too big. But for SantaCruz I am right in the middle for a Medium size.