Guys, The time has come to get a decent MB so I've decided to go for a Specialized Epic Comp. The trick 'brain' rear suspension and hydraulic discs did it for me in the end

So, where to buy. Any recommendations?? Cheapest I've found thus far on t'internet is

And on similar lines , but at the cheaper end of the market , what would

Evans are a big Specialized stockist.

Can't see any 04 Epic Comps left (perhaps a good reason not to leave it much longer) but the '05 FSR 120 Comp is 1600 ukp with more travel if you can live without the brain (yes, Igor he can live for several days without the brain).

Better bargains are available on Konas, Rocky Mountains and Cannondales than Specialized I'm afraid. None of course have the brain.

Edinburgh bicycle are a nice shop.

And on similar lines , but at the cheaper end of the market , what would

I wouldnt go for the Specialised, but a Marin full susser with adjustable rear travel.

But if its a Specialised you want, better off finding your local dealer who does them and seeing what deals are going down. Now is the time they will start to discount bikes in readiness for next year...you could save a whole bundle.

I did just that with Bonthrone Bikes in Fulham, a Marin Rocksprings (full susser) with Hope hydraulic upgrade for

One of the friendliest pro-cycling retailers in the UK

You won't go far wrong with a Specialized though. You might get a bargain here, too: http://www.evanscycles.com/dept.jsp?dept_id=1001&subdept_id=1206

Dave.

yay for specialised, i have an enduro sx and my bro has a bighit dh, both lurvely bikes.

Guys, The time has come to get a decent MB so I've decided to go for a Specialized Epic Comp. The trick 'brain' rear suspension and hydraulic discs did it for me in the end

So, where to buy. Any recommendations?? Cheapest I've found thus far on t'internet is

Edinburgh bicycle are a nice shop.

Have to agree. They also do a very nice catalogue and even have a half decent web site.

@ Dodgy

Jimmy,

Not sure what models they stock, but i've always used Skinnergate cycles in Stockton for bits & bobs, nice & friendly, and they know their stuff.

They're at the end of the High Street, just before you get to the big roundabout near Halfords

Thanks for the replies fellas. The hunt is on for a bargain

Not sure what models they stock' date=' but i've always used Skinnergate cycles in Stockton for bits & bobs, nice & friendly, and they know their stuff.

They're at the end of the High Street, just before you get to the big roundabout near Halfords [/quote']

Cheers Geoff, I'm pretty sure they don't stock Specialized but might be wrong. Certainly worth a look anyway. The one I've found is at Bike Scene in Guisborough but still a bit too pricy atm....

I think you're a loon for even looking at bikes for that price...

KW3's are only a grand

t'internet is

I know I know, I won't spend THAT much on a MB but I need a massive incentive to get me back into it. My logic (admittedly maybe flawed) is spend a grand on a bike and I'll have to be out on the thing at least 3 times a week to get my moneys worth. Will also do wonders for my fitness which is also the long term plan.

I'll admit aswell that after having a go on my mates specced up, full suspension, hyd disc braked jobbie it was unbelievable and makes mine feel decidely cr4p.....

Any other bike opinions gratefully received..... Must be trick though

what are you planning on doing on it? single track? odd DH runs?

Have a look at importing from Canada - I rented a couple of bikes over there in the summer and met a guy who was buying a $3k bike - even with shipping to the UK it was cheaper than buying here because of the exchange rate to the canadian dollar!!

I'm thinking of also getting back into it, was going to do it in the summer but vRS didn't turn up on time!

To get a decent bike, what would I need to spend?

Cheers Geoff, I'm pretty sure they don't stock Specialized but might be wrong. Certainly worth a look anyway. The one I've found is at Bike Scene in Guisborough but still a bit too pricy atm....

Jimmy

Skinnergate cycles are more than happy to take your money, but try to take anything back (like a cracked frame like i did) and they don't want to know you.... without wanting to offend 'Hanger, they are a small family bike shop, and not one who specialise in proper bikes. They have their place in the bike market, but not for your money.

Bike Scene are by far the best in the NE, however closer to home are IronHorse in Darlo, but if you don't like Bike Scene prices you'll hate Iron Horse! (but if you wanna looksee, they are in a yard just off High Row).

If you don't mind a nice trip over the Lakes, Keswick Mountain Bikes are very good. They know their stuff, and their customer care is second to none..... (they changed a different broken frame for me without any issues!)....

IF you wanna buy whilst sat on your fat **** :eek: , try Chain Reaction in the net....... they are good for service and prices.....

HTH

Jimmy,

If your interested I know a guy who has a Mountain bike holiday buisness in Greece as well as a shop in Nottingham. He sells off the Greek rental bikes and replaces them every year, he sells them for half the rrp and with a warranty. It's THIS bike. The Kona Kikapu Deluxe

Any other bike opinions gratefully received..... Must be trick though

You did ask.

Rocky Mountain ETSX-30. Clever virtual pivot point suspension. Adjustable travel (3.5" to 4.5"). Hand made in Canada with a lovely paint job. Down from 2000 to 1500 pounds at http://www.rutlandcycling.co.uk

Listed as 1800 pounds on website but 1500 in press ad in MBUK. Call up and get the lower price.

Kona Kikapu Deluxe. Not so clever single pivot design (3.5" travel) but brought up to date with clever pro-pedal shock. Hydraulics fitted of course and has that Kona ride. Down from 1400 to 1100 at Rutland cycling again.

Kona Dawg Dee-lux. Bit tougher, heavier and longer travel (4") than the Kikapu with a nicer fork and lockout shock to eliminate the bob (pro-pedal again keeps in under control). Absolute barrel of laughs to ride. Very eager to go play in the singletrack. Down from 1900 to 1400. I have one. They're great fun.

Gary Fisher Cake 2 DLX. Long travel (5" compared to 3.5 for an Epic) but very light weight. Relies on clever swinger shock to stop bobbing. Have seen them reduced from 1600 to 1200 at the moment. Be careful only the DLX version has discs.

Marins don't seem to have any huge bargains on them yet. But will soon.

Giant's VT2 is nice too.

Had a play on a few demo bikes at demo days down at Glentress (nr peebles -go there, you'll love it) - tried an Orange 5 and Kona Coiler - both were surprisingly lighter than I expected (my hardtail is a fairly lightweight Norco) but the difference the decent fork / rear sus made for downhill jaunts (not serious DH) was unbelievable!

the sight of a geordie guy who was aged 50+ trying to lug an Orange 223 full on world cup DH bike up a slight incline was v amusing - but I couldn't get anywhere near him back down again!! Who says it's a kids sport! There's hope for us all yet

Royles of Wilmslow

I built their website - they seemed to know their stuff and were a reasonable bunch of people.

An update.

Decided to give myself a slap and get something cheaper and less trick in the meantime. If I get back into it in a big way then I'll splash out on a better machine next year...... So, just bought my mates KONA Fire Mountain 2004 model that he bought brand new 6 months ago for

good work, better to buy cheap for test purposes but at least you still got a decent bike, i like kona very much and their hardtails are great little chuck about things, still have a munimula sat in the shed half built, don't wanna get rid as i like it