Big Bike Thread

6thElement · 3 Aug 2006 at 16:16

Tried&Tested said:
What do you have coming?

A Fisher Paragon 29er with upgrades from the standard components.

dunker · 3 Aug 2006 at 16:18

Tried&Tested, lovely bike

so what was the service with Merlin like? waiting time? how much did you need to build it yourself? any extras thrown in? and whats the signature on the frame? is that who built it?

TriedandTested · 3 Aug 2006 at 16:22

Raymond Lin said:
Tried&Tested, can i ask how much does that beauty of a thing set you back?

£730 ish..plus £15 delivery. They had 10% off un July...might still be available.

dunker said:
Tried&Tested, lovely bike so what was the service with Merlin like? waiting time? how much did you need to build it yourself? any extras thrown in? and whats the signature on the frame? is that who built it?

They were very good. Bike was ordered and delivered in just over a week. Very prompt replies to emails and were happy to send additional pictures of the bike to me. The bike came fully built, all i had to do was straighten the handlebars and tighten them up - but a small warning; the bikes DO NOT come with pedals as standard! Didnt even think to ask, so had to buy those separately.

The signature is of the guy that builds the frame (not a merlin employee!). Paul Sadoff is the name if i remember.

cmt · 3 Aug 2006 at 16:22

dunker said:
so what was the service with Merlin like? waiting time? how much did you need to build it yourself? any extras thrown in? and whats the signature on the frame? is that who built it?

Merlin - Fantastic guys. I went up to see them a couple of times and the service is second to none. Nothing is too much trouble.

The build time is usually a week or so, longer if they have just had 'Another' good review in one of the mags.

The signature is of Paul Sadoff who founded rock lobster bikes, and the frames are built to his specification under licence by Merlin.

cmt

benjo plz. · 3 Aug 2006 at 17:28

Raymond Lin said:
Think www.specsavers.co.uk is your next stop on your bike

They told me they don't have the new Catalogue either.

Kinda odd, I haven't been able to get one either, but, someones got a RH 07 Comp - link. And other people have been saying that it's out too :\

Ps - I somehow managed to break a daily contact lens (a soft one) in half after putting it in this morning. Now that was a bitch to get out

.

TriedandTested · 3 Aug 2006 at 19:45

Just got back from my maiden voyage

Bloody 'ell...it's fantastic. Such a massive improvement on what i had. So comfy to ride and so light. Brakes are spot on, gears are great (took a little getting used to mind!). I seem to have rekindled my love for riding

...was flying down hills, over bumps, kerbs...nice. Will be taking it to a local country park tomorrow and the weekend.

Need to find some good places to try it our properly.

Didn't wanna come back but i was knackered! :eek:

benjo plz. · 3 Aug 2006 at 19:48

You're near (well kind of) covert woods (I think) or Hornton Hill, both good places for riding.

TriedandTested · 3 Aug 2006 at 19:55

Phnom_Penh said:
You're near (well kind of) covert woods (I think) or Hornton Hill, both good places for riding.

Cheers, having a look at them now.

benjo plz. · 3 Aug 2006 at 20:01

Tried&Tested said:
Cheers, having a look at them now.

It just occured to me that the last time I went to hornton was about a year ago, and they were having council problems then, and I dunno if they're still there or not :\. Covert Wood's still there though. Some good trails there.

Matt · 3 Aug 2006 at 20:36

That bike looks great Tried&Tested

I think i'll add that to my list of possibles!

Raymond Lin · 4 Aug 2006 at 13:32

Phnom_Penh said:
Kinda odd, I haven't been able to get one either, but, someones got a RH 07 Comp - link. And other people have been saying that it's out too :\

Ps - I somehow managed to break a daily contact lens (a soft one) in half after putting it in this morning. Now that was a bitch to get out .

Nice pics, btw, can you tell what Forks is on that bike?

I think it is the same as the 06 model, in that case i might stick with the 06 when 07 comes out to save some money.

This is the spec for the 06 model
* Frame: A1 Premium Aluminium double butted front triangle with machined head tube frame designed for 100mm travel fork forged drop outs with replaceable 06 derailleur hanger and reinforced disc mount disc only
* Forks: Rock Shox J3SL 100mm travel 7050 alloy steerer adjustable rebound damping with lock out and preload adjustment standard stiff coil spring
* Gears: Shimano LX rear derailleur and Deore front
* Shifters: Shimano Deore 9-speed
* Chainset: Shimano Hollowtech Octalink with 22 32 and 44 tooth chainrings
* Brakes: Avid Juicy 5 hydraulic discs 160mm Polygon rotor
* Wheels: Specialized Disc front hub and Shimano M475 rear with Mavic XM 177 rims
* Tyres: Specialized Fast Trak
* Handlebars: Specialized butted XC rise
* Stem:: Specialized alloy
* Saddle: Specialized Body Geometry Sport MTB semi light foam
* Seatpost: Alloy

Edit, just notice the Hardrock 07 is on the Evans site.....which means rockhopper won't be far away.

http://www.evanscycles.com/dept.jsp?dept_id=1002&subdept_id=3013

benjo plz. · 4 Aug 2006 at 13:34

They're RockShox Tora 302s I think.

Raymond Lin · 4 Aug 2006 at 13:45

Phnom_Penh said:
They're RockShox Tora 302s I think.

Is that better? and more importanly, does it have lock outs?

benjo plz. · 4 Aug 2006 at 13:50

Raymond Lin said:
Is that better? and more importanly, does it have lock outs?

This picture answers the lockout question

. They're about the same, although this years Tora might be better, as they're adding a 297 fork to the series.

Raymond Lin · 4 Aug 2006 at 13:55

Can you tell if they have changed any other parts from the 06 spec?

My knowledge in this matter is rather limited

specially but just looking at it.

All i can see is they have stuck with the Deore Shifters, and still using Avid Juicy brakes, thou i dunno which model

benjo plz. · 4 Aug 2006 at 14:09

Raymond Lin said:
Can you tell if they have changed any other parts from the 06 spec?

My knowledge in this matter is rather limited specially but just looking at it.

All i can see is they have stuck with the Deore Shifters, and still using Avid Juicy brakes, thou i dunno which model

I thought the 06 had Sram, but I presume that's the RH standard? The brakes are Avid Ball Bearings I *think* not sure which model, I'll have a proper look later though.

Raymond Lin · 4 Aug 2006 at 14:13

sorry, the spec i had earlier was for the rockhopper, edited it now with the Rockhopper Disc, which is what i want and i think is what those photos are for the 07.

benjo plz. · 4 Aug 2006 at 14:17

Raymond Lin said:
sorry, the spec i had earlier was for the rockhopper, edited it now with the Rockhopper Disc, which is what i want and i think is what those photos are for the 07.

It says comp down the side under rockhopper :\ (I dunno about how spesh names things

).

6thElement · 4 Aug 2006 at 14:37

According to Mr FedEx my Paragon is turning up today...

The only problem with that is my pedals and shoes won't be arriving until some time next week when I'm away.

benjo plz. · 4 Aug 2006 at 15:01

6thElement said:
According to Mr FedEx my Paragon is turning up today...

The only problem with that is my pedals and shoes won't be arriving until some time next week when I'm away.

Yeh, but it'll come with a pair of cheap pedals which might last till monday?

(won't it?)