New Bike - Internet or Walk In

syke · 25 Mar 2006 at 22:44

Hey im going to buy a new bike in the next month or two so i would like to know which to get. www.pearsoncycles.co.uk is the shop near me, so preferably that.I wouldnt mind ordering off the iternet if it makes it cheaper too. I'd like to spend £300-400. The most id spend is £470 (if the new GT Avalanche 1.0) is worth that.

Thanks Guys

bcjames · 26 Mar 2006 at 13:58

Didn't we do this before?

But yeah, internet only retailers are generally cheaper than store front retailers. And retailers online prices may differ to their shop prices.

Dinomania · 26 Mar 2006 at 14:04

If you know a lot about bikes or know someone who does, by all means buy online.

If, like me, you can adjust your seat height and maybe tighten your brakes but that's it, buy from a shop you can comfortably wheel or drive it over to for tweaks etc. Mine's due it's first-month tweak, as all the bits will have settled and need to be tightened

bcjames · 26 Mar 2006 at 14:26

When your looking at a £500 bike, I'm thinking you going to want to get into mtb. So long as your bike arrives built and dialed in, all youll need to do is set it for your comfort.

After that handle the servicing yourself. Things break on trails, in the middle of nowhere. Its good to know how to repair or fix bits. The Sheldon Brown site will teach you everything you EVER need to know!

http://sheldonbrown.com/

And get the bike soon! Summer is oh so nearly here!

Edit: The one thing I'd drop it into shop for is to have the wheels re tightened after the first few weeks of riding. Everything else you should be able to handle yourself.

syke · 26 Mar 2006 at 14:42

what bike would you say?

SpeedFreak · 26 Mar 2006 at 14:43

Have a look here http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/acatalog/Sale_Bikes.html

check the Malt 1 deore. Very good value and they have great servce. The spec will be hard to beat at that price.

syke · 26 Mar 2006 at 16:03

SpeedFreak said:
Have a look here http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/acatalog/Sale_Bikes.html

check the Malt 1 deore. Very good value and they have great servce. The spec will be hard to beat at that price.

www.pearsoncycles.co.uk - any look good on there?

Breamy · 26 Mar 2006 at 16:43

http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/inde...ts5qH67rOkqC8C39TZIBt3EC2/t04GM8Z+IdBOtX+tg==

syke · 26 Mar 2006 at 16:44

Breamy said:
http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/inde...ts5qH67rOkqC8C39TZIBt3EC2/t04GM8Z+IdBOtX+tg==

Are they good? I was thinking the Specialized Hardrock Sport, a Trek (not sure which) or the more expensive GT Avalanche 1.0. Id prefer to spend between 300-400 if possible..

Breamy · 26 Mar 2006 at 16:49

gary fisher make very good bikes

this is good http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/inde...f+kDsRDpn3gYWA9K4CMk2X1nA7dlRXsssbZtMVcFwoBXj

and this is good for £400. my dad owns one its a very nice ride and not bad for £400
http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/inde...+kHZeFnJnPM4ZpIk2WlK5ZC1rM6tw8n1rOUaRcX03tYuL

syke · 26 Mar 2006 at 16:51

What would you say to buy.. if you use it for general use.. few jumps..long bike rides etc etc.

?

Breamy · 26 Mar 2006 at 16:53

what is your absolute max budget? and u gonna get it from the shop? its probly best if you dont have much knowledge

syke · 26 Mar 2006 at 16:54

Well that shop is near me..and my best friend works there and i know the mechanics.. i can order if its worth it.

Erm.. well... £500 is pushing it. Probably £450-470 (£470 for GT). so £400-470

Breamy · 26 Mar 2006 at 16:57

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/acatalog/Sale_Bikes.html

malt 1 deore is the best for the money imo. very good frame my friend rides one. and you wont find the level of kit on the merlin on anything else tbh

syke · 26 Mar 2006 at 16:59

is that better than the Trek 4500, Specialized HR Sport? Also is it similar to the GT Avalanche 1.0? Or should i save the extra £70

syke · 26 Mar 2006 at 17:04

Also how light is it? the GT is unbelievably light.. So id like it to be quite light too.

Breamy · 26 Mar 2006 at 17:05

it has the best frame and probly the best kit. it doesnt have disks but cheap disks are terrible anyway but it has disk hubs so you can upgrade later if you want to. its got full deore, forks better than any bike up to around £700 and mavic rims which you dont usually get before you spend around £800. it will also be considerably lighter

syke · 26 Mar 2006 at 17:09

Ooo that sounds a nice bike.. the paint is the downside.. looks a bit weird.

Breamy · 26 Mar 2006 at 17:10

in what way does it look weird?

bcjames · 26 Mar 2006 at 17:21

That Merlin is sweet. I hadn't seen that bike on there. Im picking up one of their Malt1 frames and finish kit for £99. Looks a decent enough frame to be my winter/commute bike as well as a bit of off road action.