Bike Suggestions!

Matt

Matt

Matt

Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
5,662
Location
Ledbury
I've 'possibly' got myself a job, so thought i'd take a look into getting a bike so i can get myself a little fit! :)

The bike will need to be an XC one, roads maybe used, but not that often. Though the riding won't be to hard to begin with as i haven't had a bike in a long time, and i'm not in the slightest bit fit :(

Budget is upto £800, but less is always good, and i'd like something to suit my requirements, and a bike that i can build on, rather than have to replace in a year or so.

I am very confused with components and have no idea what's good and what's not so good!

My current ideas are:

Orange Crush:
ork : Marzocchi Drop Off 4 150mm Q/R
R shock : N/A
R Mech : Shimano XT
F Mech : Shimano Deore
Shifters : Shimano Deore R/Fire 2
Chainset : Race Face DH Evolve Double X Type
Brake levers : Hayes FX9
Brakes : Hayes FX9 V8
Hubs : Shimano Deore Disc
Rims : Sun Singletrack
Tyres : WTB Weirwolf 2.3 Comp
Spokes : WTB S/S Black DB
Headset : WTB Comp
Stem : Truvativ Hussefelt
S Post : Truvativ XR
Saddle : SDG Bel Air
H Bars : Truvativ Hussefelt
Pedal : Flat
= £800

Rock Lobster B52
*New for 2005 the Rock Lobster B-52 All Mountain frame, designed for more hardcore XC riding
*Easton RAD tubing designed for use with 130-150mm travel forks
*Handbuilt wheels with Mavic XM321 disc rims
*Panaracer Cinder 2.25" tyres
*FSA oversized riser bar and stem
*Full 2006 Deore groupset
*Magura Julie Hydraulic disc brakes
*Magura Phaon U-turn forks
about 13kg
= £800

Which other bikes should i be looking at, and with regards to components, what should i look out for?

Thanks!
 
I would go with the orange for that money. I prefer the brakes,dont know about the drop off 4's but ive never ridden the magura fork to comment. The groupset on the orange also seems better.

The orange just seems that little bit more durable and FR compared to the more XC B52.
 
I'll be doing basic XC stuff, as like i say i'm not that fit, and FR looks more dangerous :p

It's annoying that spec lists rarely have the weight though :( Does anyone know the weight of the Crush?
 
Matt said:
Rock Lobster B52
*New for 2005 the Rock Lobster B-52 All Mountain frame, designed for more hardcore XC riding
*Easton RAD tubing designed for use with 130-150mm travel forks
*Handbuilt wheels with Mavic XM321 disc rims
*Panaracer Cinder 2.25" tyres
*FSA oversized riser bar and stem
*Full 2006 Deore groupset
*Magura Julie Hydraulic disc brakes
*Magura Phaon U-turn forks
about 13kg
= £800
Click to expand...

I've got the Rock Lobster, fantastic bike! 10% off at the moment.
 
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Rock Lobster For Me Also....

Got the Team TI, Nice supple ride, but not soft, with Braided Hopes, Hope Hubs, Full XT set.

Love it to bits. If you can get to Merlin (Leyland in Lancs), its well worth a trip.

cmt
 
Matt said:
I'll be doing basic XC stuff, as like i say i'm not that fit, and FR looks more dangerous :p

It's annoying that spec lists rarely have the weight though :( Does anyone know the weight of the Crush?
Click to expand...

The orange is fairly heavy, around 33lbs and very stiff so it won't be especially comfortable for xc stuff. 150mm of travel is also a bit much.

Have you considered a more xc oriented bike with less travel? The merlin malt 2 would be a good bet for more general xc stuff with the lx groupset and menja fork upgrades. It'll be a fair bit lighter and much easier to pedal uphill.
 
I know nothing about bikes really, but for some reason have always wanted an Orange, hence it's inclusion here :)

The new white Merlin Malt 4 looks very cool! However, Merlin is a LONG way from where i am, so i'd basically be buying blind. Merlin's tendancy to photograph their bikes in completely different spec to what they're selling is a bit annoying! :(

What sort of components should i be aiming for? (maybe that'll help me pick between bikes).
 
noob said:
Matt if your ever near Cardiff, you can check my bike out. What are you 1hr away from me?
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Probably an hour and a half i think, same here too Matt, if you are in Hereford, you are welcome to look at my Mondeo, I mean Giant. :D
 
Raymond Lin said:
Probably an hour and a half i think, same here too Matt, if you are in Hereford, you are welcome to look at my Mondeo, I mean Giant. :D
Click to expand...

I'm in Hereford for my business meeting tomorrow! But have other things to do, so can't come and see your unused and perfectly clean bike ;)

Does the Shimano range go: ... Deore > LX > XT ... I get confused, i'm sure it used to be simpler to buy a bike!

Anyway, current list of £800 bikes would be: Rock Lobster B52, Merlin Malt 4, the Orange Crush probably isn't that suitable and could be a bit hardcore (and more XC/Freeride than just XC).

£600 bikes (if i want to save money!): Specialized Rockhopper Disk, Giant XTC

What other suggestions do you knowledgable people have!? :)
 
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Matt said:
I'm in Hereford for my business meeting tomorrow! But have other things to do, so can't come and see your unused and perfectly clean bike ;)

Does the Shimano range go: ... Deore > LX > XT ... I get confused, i'm sure it used to be simpler to buy a bike!
Click to expand...

Cheeky git :p

Shimanos goes like this

XTR > XT > LX > Deore > all the other crap that you want to avoid.
 
I've just found some Orange 2007 bike photos (does anyone know when they get released?), the Evo6 might be a good choice for me?
 
Looks are a bonus although try to make decisions by looking at the components and test riding bikes. I'm not saying you are but a lot of people who spend quite a large amount of money will buy a first bike purely on looks.
 
Gribs said:
The merlin malt 2 would be a good bet for more general xc stuff with the lx groupset and menja fork upgrades. It'll be a fair bit lighter and much easier to pedal uphill.
Click to expand...

Seconded. Merlin frames feel excellent, well the Malt 1 and the Rock Lobster Tig team sl anyhow.
 
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