Big Bike Thread

6thElement · 19 May 2009 at 00:24

The Atherton's Gee, Dan and Rachel are pretty damn good. DH bike prices can get very expensive, particularly if you start looking at FRO frames (For Race Only), meaning they're extra light compared to the normal frame, but don't expect it to last as long. But then road or XC bikes can soon ramp up in price too.

MrKnifey · 19 May 2009 at 00:59

Supercow said:
They have a crash replacement, they will just give you a new frame.

Treks crash replacement is crap, trust me on that one. Its £1500 for a session 88 frame crash replacement.

weescott · 19 May 2009 at 12:15

It cost me £300 Crash replacement for the front triangle of my old Heckler. Can't complain about Santa Cruz.

Supercow · 19 May 2009 at 12:28

6thElement said:
The Atherton's Gee, Dan and Rachel are pretty damn good. DH bike prices can get very expensive, particularly if you start looking at FRO frames (For Race Only), meaning they're extra light compared to the normal frame, but don't expect it to last as long. But then road or XC bikes can soon ramp up in price too.

DH bike related - Only the Intense Socom has a FRO version , no other modern DH bike does that afaik.
Gee's bike weighs about the 42 +LBS mark which has only been modified geometry wise as with pretty much all the other top riders.

It's possible that Intense does that also to their M6 frame, but that's unconfirmed speculation from my behalf (Kovaric's bike weighs a rumoured 35LBS! )

Big Chris · 19 May 2009 at 13:06

Supercow said:
Gee's bike weighs about the 42 +LBS mark which has only been modified geometry wise as with pretty much all the other top riders.

He's using a custom Fox rear shock and top secret, Pro only Fox internals in his forks too. His controls (bar, stem etc) are custom by Shimano too, which is pretty cool.

Supercow · 19 May 2009 at 13:15

Big Chris said:
He's using a custom Fox rear shock and top secret, Pro only Fox internals in his forks too. His controls (bar, stem etc) are custom by Shimano too, which is pretty cool.

Yeap - was referring to the frame though.

6thElement · 19 May 2009 at 14:54

Supercow said:
DH bike related - Only the Intense Socom has a FRO version , no other modern DH bike does that afaik.
Gee's bike weighs about the 42 +LBS mark which has only been modified geometry wise as with pretty much all the other top riders.

It's possible that Intense does that also to their M6 frame, but that's unconfirmed speculation from my behalf (Kovaric's bike weighs a rumoured 35LBS! )

It was Intense I was thinking of when mentioning FRO, but I believe they do offer more than just the Socom despite what the website currently shows.

Supercow · 19 May 2009 at 15:10

6thElement said:
It was Intense I was thinking of when mentioning FRO, but I believe they do offer more than just the Socom despite what the website currently shows.

sorry, thats not what I meant.
I meant to say that Only Intense offer For racing only frames... all the other companies just have "normal DH race" frames... which gets tweaked a bit geometry wise for their top riders - but the durability is the same as any production model out there

Bennah · 19 May 2009 at 19:35

Right guys, I think Ive finally made up my mind what the next bike is going to be.

Boardman FS Pro '09...

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...uctId_556673_langId_-1_categoryId_165499#dtab

Its a great spec for the price. There is no other bike in this price range that can compete is there?

I will be changing the size of the rotor's though to 203mm front and 185mm rear for added bling factor

andi · 19 May 2009 at 19:50

Pleased its not just me tempted to do that

SDK^ · 19 May 2009 at 20:00

Bennah said:
Right guys, I think Ive finally made up my mind what the next bike is going to be.

Boardman FS Pro '09...

Check it's in stock before you get your hopes up.

Bennah · 19 May 2009 at 20:08

I have, its availible online plus my local store said they could source one from another store for me as they only had the team in medium in stock.

Supercow · 19 May 2009 at 20:43

Bennah said:
I have, its availible online plus my local store said they could source one from another store for me as they only had the team in medium in stock.

Why not go for Pitch Pro mate?
It will do all the XC you wnt, and also take any punishment you can throw at it

Bennah · 19 May 2009 at 20:56

This? http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/fsrxc-pro-2009-mountain-bike-ec016445

I was looking at it... but the Boardman made sense though with the X9 Shifters, X0 rear mech and Elixir R Carbon brakes.

Supercow · 19 May 2009 at 20:57

Nope - this
http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/specialized-pitch-fsr-item128428.html

Brakes are a bit pants, but the bike is phenominal

Bennah · 19 May 2009 at 21:08

Ah, didn't think about looking at the '08 model. It will be hard to source one of those. Changing the brakes wouldn't be a problem, adding a couple more quid wouldn't be a huge problem.

SDK^ · 19 May 2009 at 21:12

Pitch Pro's are completely sold out, you'll be lucky to find a Pitch Comp now.
My mate bought a Comp, sold all the basic spec parts are built it up with RockShox Revelations, DT Swiss wheels and X9/X7 running gear for not much more than the cost of the Pro.

The Boardman is a nice spec but don't focus too much on it. Think about the type of riding you want to do and buy a bike with a frame that matches it. You can upgrade parts as they wear out.

Supercow · 19 May 2009 at 21:15

In stock here

http://www.certini.co.uk/view_product.php?c_id=&sc_id=&p_id=3572

here too - if you pay a tenner and join Freeborn's club - you get a 10% discount too afaik. Call their Esher shop and speak with Rob, super helpful fella

http://www.freeborn.co.uk/shop/bikes/full-suspension/767-specialized-2009-pitch-fsr-comp

Bennah · 19 May 2009 at 21:58

SDK^ said:
Pitch Pro's are completely sold out, you'll be lucky to find a Pitch Comp now.
My mate bought a Comp, sold all the basic spec parts are built it up with RockShox Revelations, DT Swiss wheels and X9/X7 running gear for not much more than the cost of the Pro.

The Boardman is a nice spec but don't focus too much on it. Think about the type of riding you want to do and buy a bike with a frame that matches it. You can upgrade parts as they wear out.

I do see where your coming from, start with a good basis and work up. I will be doing all sorts of riding. Mostly, I want a bike that can take some abuse tbh.

I guess the Boardman's frame isn't as good as a Spesh Pitch one?

ChrissyT88 · 20 May 2009 at 10:36

Hi,

Not too sure if this is the right place to post this, but im looking to get a bike in the next few days and would appreciate some input on selection. Im looking to spend around £500 (give or take a little) on a Hardtail MTB. I wont be doing any serious off roading, and would like to be able to use the bike on the road as well. I live in a pretty hilly area, so the lighter the bike the better!

I have done a bit of research, checked Bike Radar etc and been to a few local bike shops, but i thought i would asked the opion of some seasoned riders before making a descision. For the money, i think i would be looking at:

Carrera Fury 08 (might be reduced again this weekend)
Specialized Rockhopper 09
Scott Aspect 45 or possible the Scale 80
Boardman Sport

Rather frustratingly, it seems that whatever price point i pick, there is always something slightly better for a few ££s more, which soon jacks up the price! Any advice you could give on hardtails in this price range would be great. As far as local shops go, there is obviously a Halfords, a small dealer called Rock&Road who sell Specialized/Scott bikes (although have very limited quantities from Scott), and a triathalon shop that sells mountainbikes from Trek, Cannondale, Marin and Kona.

I could maybe make it to an Evans Cycles shop in Bristol too, although i think quite a lot of the brands are represented in local shops. I must admit a part of me would like to buy from a local shops, in particular the guys at Rock&Road indicated that they may be able to give me a good deal on the Specialized bikes. Either way, i will be trying the bike before i buy!

As for road riding, i was thinking of getting either a set of semi-slick tyres, or a single semi-slick for the rear tyre..? Is this a good strategy?

Cheers, sorry for the long-ish post, but any advice is appreciated.