Question about Bikes (of the pedal variety)

Jest3r · 17 Apr 2006 at 12:38

I've got an old british eagle ZFX which fit me perfectly, however... it's rusted on things like handlebars etc and think the gear sets have been dinged a bit so catch on gear change.

Is it likely to be cheaper to get a totally new bike, or just new handbars/stem (maybe forks) rims etc?

I'm happy doing the work myself, but don't want to spend money and time hunting for the right frame size, (gotta be 23/24 minimum)

Was considering something like specialised rockjumper or something similar, hard tail mtb if i'm going for replacement.

Off the top of my head, stuff that would need replacing :
Rear sprocket set
Handlebars and stem,
Fairly sure front forks and possibly the rims (therefore tyres too if everything is apart)
Chain,

drunken fool · 17 Apr 2006 at 13:32

it depends on what quality stuff you replace it with. You could get dirt cheap second hand stuff off ebay that would get it running. If you want something half decent though i would say it's new bike time

semi-pro waster · 17 Apr 2006 at 17:34

Ok I don't know anything much about the British Eagle range but you if are thinking about re-using it you will also have to find out what size of tube the forks use 1"(older bikes and not made much any more) or the more common 1 1/8" steerers. There are other issues like trying to match the gearing etc but that is one that might catch you out.

Chances are that you will get a better ride quality and the parts will be of an overall better standard with a whole new bike.

panthro · 17 Apr 2006 at 17:48

How much money do you have to spend on a bike?

Jest3r · 17 Apr 2006 at 21:48

from what's said, I'm guessing new bike time

Am happy to spend up to around 500ish I guess, I've done some digging around online, but main reason I'm asking about the refurb is that i'm 6'6, so big sized bikes aren't always the easiest things to find....

Wasn't thinking about just throwing ebay wonders onto the bike, if I do it, i'd like some semi decent gear on it,

panthro · 17 Apr 2006 at 22:00

Jest3r said:
from what's said, I'm guessing new bike time

Am happy to spend up to around 500ish I guess, I've done some digging around online, but main reason I'm asking about the refurb is that i'm 6'6, so big sized bikes aren't always the easiest things to find....

Wasn't thinking about just throwing ebay wonders onto the bike, if I do it, i'd like some semi decent gear on it,

you can get a very good bike for that price. Nearly all shops will be able to order you in a bigger sized frame of a bike that you like for no extra cost. Also, deals can be cut in shops, and you can get gear thrown in. When I bought mine I ummed and arred and ended up getting £75 off plus £75 worth of equipment :cool:

Jest3r · 17 Apr 2006 at 22:45

fair enough

thanks

Any things to watch out for? (been bloody ages since I bought/used bike)
I know I don't need rear suspension, is front worth it?

panthro · 17 Apr 2006 at 22:58

Jest3r said:
fair enough thanks

Any things to watch out for? (been bloody ages since I bought/used bike)
I know I don't need rear suspension, is front worth it?

I will go into some more detail tomorrow regarding specs, brands, etc when I am not so tired

Unless someone beats me to it!

drunken fool · 17 Apr 2006 at 23:10

£500 should get you a very nice hardtail. For that money i would be looking (personally) at a Specialized but they all feel different to different people. Your best bet would be to get to your local bike shop (not halfords!!!) and try a few out to see how they feel.

Jest3r · 18 Apr 2006 at 08:53

was thinking about this... http://www.wheelies.co.uk/bikesNew/bikeDetail.asp?ID=1990&supplier=SPECIALIZED

(wheelies is local to me, so obviously a trip down there would be in order, as would m&ps)

Jonny ///M · 18 Apr 2006 at 16:48

Seems like a decent bike. Nice adjustable fork,mavic rims,decent hubs,single digits are good brakes,deore geering is decent enough,sram cassete is good.....s'all pretty much got it covered. Dont know what cranks it has though probably deore.

Try it and see if you like it.

Breamy · 18 Apr 2006 at 22:14

you gonna do any off road riding?

Breamy · 18 Apr 2006 at 22:17

http://www.wheelies.co.uk/bikesNew/bikeDetail.asp?ID=1439&supplier=GIANT

good bike for the money this one. some hydro disks as well so better stopping power

drunken fool · 18 Apr 2006 at 22:59

Personally i would go for the Specialized. I know it doesn't have disc brakes but unless you are doing a lot of off road riding then you won't be missing out on anything. Plus, the lock out on the forks is perfect for a lot of road riding and the money saved on the brakes should mean a better groupset

Bunka · 18 Apr 2006 at 23:48

The specialized is a brilliant bike, as the rockhopper has been renown as a decent model for ages.

Jest3r · 19 Apr 2006 at 08:47

cheers for the replies so far

I'm not against going up a little if the bike is worth it, once I start riding again, I will probs do some off road, but nothing especially tough (more like some forestry etc) and given I live about 10 miles from swansea sea front, I'll probs end up doing regular runs down to there and back.

Jest3r · 19 Apr 2006 at 16:09

Just spoken to one of shops, and they suggested this one

http://www.trekbike.co.uk/2006/?sec=overview&MainCatID=2&SubCatID=8&RangeID=&ID=217

as the size would probs suit better. Opinions? or should I stick with looking at the rockhopper (obviously going to try them both for a bit, but if there's a downside with them, I'll not bother with it to start

)

georges · 19 Apr 2006 at 17:52

GT avalance 3.0 Disc or 2.0 disc (I think I have 3.0, the cheaper one.)

Cost ~£350 and is a really comfy ride offroad, good grip on stock tyres, nice forks for the price (lockout for roads also), I also love the triple triangle frame they use... its insanely rigid and strong

I got mine from action bikes, they had to order it though. There's a new version I think as this is around a year old so there'll be this years one out.

For forest stuff it's really nice as the brakes are responsive and the forks don't bottom out.

I've been on quite a few forest tracks with puddles that cover the chains and fully submerge the disks and it's got nothing going wrong with it, also quite a lot of hard hits over mini-jump things on tracks.