Mountain Bike Riders

[green beard]

Boardman frames aren't designed atall, they are chosen from a catalogue. cheapest possible frame, high spec.

some friends of mine have bought their bikes, and swapped out the frames, getting a fairly decent groupset and a decent frame in the end.

Jake

That explains it! Yeah the guy was alright Brimma, when he eventually crawled up from the deck and bought a Rock Lobster Ti frame, so pretty nice machine now.

[Jabbasport]

I've got a specialised FSR XC, lovely bike to ride for around the £1000 mark. Not exactly top of the range stuff, but enough.

Not a fan of the Avid Juicy 3 brakes though.

Kev

Edited 24 September, 2010 by Jabbasport

[kit]

the on one bikes are good...ive had a shot on a few of those inc the 29 incher!!...very nice indeed Have you thought about the bike that you want and then buying second hand? A few mates have second hand bikes and they are very good:)

K:)

[Jake vRS]

I've got a specialised FSR XC, lovely bike to ride for around the £1000 mark. Not exactly top of the range stuff, but enough.

Not a fan of the Avid Juicy 3 brakes though.

Kev

Kev,

you aren't alone, no-one is a fan of Juicy 3's!

Jake

[matt_theforce]

I was in a similar situtation a month or so ago here I ended up narrowing my search down to 2 bikes then at the last minute had an outsider thrown in and I ended up buying that.

I ended up buying a Cube AMS 125 Trail (2010) model, I don't regrer buying it for a minute and its had plenty of use since I bought it, The only think I intend to change are the pedals (when finances permit) as I want to get back onto some SPD's.

Have you considered the Lappierres? I tried a couple of them and couldnt believe how light they were.

Another shop to browse is Lex Cycles in Penistone, thats where I bought my Cube from, Leon (owner) is a sound guy and I've known him for a few years.

[uncle bulgaria]

Budget and a list of who you can deal with please.

I'll sort something, if your lbs is who I think it might be, I know him fairly well.

Jake

Thanks for the offer mate, unfortunately the LBS i have to deal with are "local" to our office & finance departments. So in reality they are no where near the LBS & the guy we are both thinking of (and I use!)!

[uncle bulgaria]

I was in a similar situtation a month or so ago here I ended up narrowing my search down to 2 bikes then at the last minute had an outsider thrown in and I ended up buying that.

I ended up buying a Cube AMS 125 Trail (2010) model, I don't regrer buying it for a minute and its had plenty of use since I bought it, The only think I intend to change are the pedals (when finances permit) as I want to get back onto some SPD's.

Have you considered the Lappierres? I tried a couple of them and couldnt believe how light they were.

Another shop to browse is Lex Cycles in Penistone, thats where I bought my Cube from, Leon (owner) is a sound guy and I've known him for a few years.

Very Nice bit of kit there mate! Another mate of mine called round last night and he suggested Cube, so just made a quick phone call and found one we can test! Heading off ASAP as the weather is bang on!

I keep meaning to have a look at Lex as a few folks I know say they are good. Unfortunately not a spot I can use on our scheme :'(

I did have a trial ride on a 514 last month while working in London. I saw it on offer in an Evans around the corner from where I was working. They were great about letting me have a spin round the nearby park, even thought there were "no cycling" signs all over the place, they said they used it all the time! Very nice bit of kit, but... still out of my price bracket and none of the shops can use are stockists!

I've SPDs on both my old Hybrid and my CX, but am thinking of putting some "platform" type Shimano's on what ever I buy, either the DX type or the new XTR ones. That way i'll have one shoe/clip system for all but my road bike. And one that allows me to still peddle even if i'm not fully clipped in, or where I don't want to be clipped in! My mate however uses Time pedals and as he's the same size as me (shoe wise) he's bringing his shoes & pedals for me to try too!!!!!!

Will report back later

Edited 25 September, 2010 by uncle bulgaria

[matt_theforce]

Very Nice bit of kit there mate! Another mate of mine called round last night and he suggested Cube, so just made a quick phone call and found one we can test! Heading off ASAP as the weather is bang on!

I keep meaning to have a look at Lex as a few folks I know say they are good. Unfortunately not a spot I can use on our scheme :'(

I did have a trial ride on a 514 last month while working in London. I saw it on offer in an Evans around the corner from where I was working. They were great about letting me have a spin round the nearby park, even thought there were "no cycling" signs all over the place, they said they used it all the time! Very nice bit of kit, but... still out of my price bracket and none of the shops can use are stockists!

I've SPDs on both my old Hybrid and my CX, but am thinking of putting some "platform" type Shimano's on what ever I buy, either the DX type or the new XTR ones. That way i'll have one shoe/clip system for all but my road bike. And one that allows me to still peddle even if i'm not fully clipped in, or where I don't want to be clipped in! My mate however uses Time pedals and as he's the same size as me (shoe wise) he's bringing his shoes & pedals for me to try too!!!!!!

Will report back later

Do let me know how you get on with the Cube, Which model are you off to lok at?

[uncle bulgaria]

Do let me know how you get on with the Cube, Which model are you off to lok at?

Stereo RX mate

[uncle bulgaria]

I'm back and done, or as SWMBO said "well & truly done!" Paperwork filled in and posted into our finance dept.

In the end I had to follow the rules, & had to cut any bike that was above £1,500 (the limit on our scheme) and anything that our partner retailers couldn't supply :'(

But that could be a good thing as I think i would be still making a decision this time next year! It has just been so much fun

Final result is I've gone for this:

Bottom line was, £1500. Including XTR trail pedals. Not an original choice I know and I hate purchasing anything that is rated "the (something) of the year" 'cos it always looks like you bought it without putting any thought in :wonder: , and... I'll be honest, it's not the best bike I've ridden recently, (that one was nearly twice the price!)!

But it starts to become difficult to remember what you thought of the ones you rode 2 days ago! And... there were some that I struggled to tell the difference between! So in the end it was a reasonably simple choice of those that were available, from the dealers i could use, for the money I had!

Now just hoping they get the paperwork sorted ASAP so I can pick it up quickly ! I've even put the bike racks on the car in anticipation

[matt_theforce]

Bruce,

Thats one hell of a bike and one nice thing about where the rear shock is, its easy to turn on/off the pro-pedal as required for those climbs

[uncle bulgaria]

Bruce,

Thats one hell of a bike and one nice thing about where the rear shock is, its easy to turn on/off the pro-pedal as required for those climbs

Cheers Mate,

How are you getting on with your nice new one ?

Nicest thing is knowing that with the tax & NI reduction it will have actually only cost me £1,200 40% Discount well chuffed :yes:

Now if only you could buy new cars with that sort of a discount & service

[matt_theforce]

Cheers Mate,

How are you getting on with your nice new one ?

Nicest thing is knowing that with the tax & NI reduction it will have actually only cost me £1,200 40% Discount well chuffed :yes:

Now if only you could buy new cars with that sort of a discount & service

I'm well chuffed and starting to rack up the miles now, Its taken a little longer than I thought for me to setup the bike how I wanted it but love it, all I really need now is a better camera on my phone

Cold Heindley Reseviour

New MillerDam Woods

Can wait to get moved house now, only 20min from Wharncliffe Woods

[uncle bulgaria]

I'm well chuffed and starting to rack up the miles now, Its taken a little longer than I thought for me to setup the bike how I wanted it but love it, all I really need now is a better camera on phone

I didn't think they were bad for a phone! Just need someone to get some action shots! How are you finding the Crud Catchers?

[matt_theforce]

I didn't think they were bad for a phone! Just need someone to get some action shots! How are you finding the Crud Catchers?

The Front works quite well keeping the worst off your body but doesn't help keep your lower legs dry and the rear (Topeak) is excelent, I do have to keep lifting it higher as it still catches on the rear tyre on some really rough downhill stuff

Edited 25 September, 2010 by matt@theforce

[oggy]

Good buy Bruce, the Treks really are nice. I was originally going for the Trek 8000 hardtail, but got talked Into a Gary Fisher Big Sur http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/product-images-large/gary-fisher-big-sur-disc-mountain-bike-56917.jpg

Glad I did buy the GF. Its an absolutly cracking bike with excellent spec apart from the useless tyres :S , they were immediatly changed to a pair of Maxxis High Rollers.

I was hoping to get It through the BTW scheme, but unfortunatly, having a useless bunch of managerial staff & thats putting It politely, It went no where :( 4 months ago I brought It up & I've ended up missing most of the best weather waiting for a response, which still hasn't come. I wished I just went & bought It sooner Instead of waiting on for an answer.

Edited 27 September, 2010 by oggy

[uncle bulgaria]

Yeah mate, last year was our lots first go and they made a real hash of it, took 8 to 12 weeks for most folk!?! So most of the LBS we had last year didn't want to get involved again! Having said that, one or two made a mint out of selling stuff at full price when it should have been a lot less, so glad they aren't in this years scheme!

I was told by the bike shop that the paperwork is usually taking a couple of weeks. So it looks like i'll have the bike before the pedals, as they aren't supposed to be here until the end of October! If that's the case, I'll nick the XT SPD's off SWMBO's!

Know what your are saying about missing the weather, my road bike was "off the road" for nearly 3 months whilst I waited for parts! And of course since I got it back I've either been busy or the weather's been carp! Still hoping to get one last big ride in before the season really ends!

Edited 27 September, 2010 by uncle bulgaria

[oggy]

Yeah mate, last year was our lots first go and they made a real hash of it, took 8 to 12 weeks for most folk!?! So most of the LBS we had last year didn't want to get involved again! Having said that, one or two made a mint out of selling stuff at full price when it should have been a lot less, so glad they aren't in this years scheme!

I was told by the bike shop that the paperwork is usually taking a couple of weeks. So it looks like i'll have the bike before the pedals, as they aren't supposed to be here until the end of October! If that's the case, I'll nick the XT SPD's off SWMBO's!

Know what your are saying about missing the weather, my road bike was "off the road" for nearly 3 months whilst I waited for parts! And of course since I got it back I've either been busy or the weather's been carp! Still hoping to get one last big ride in before the season really ends!

They haven't even discussed the scheme yet :no: The useless morons In the office keep saying that they have to arrange a commity meeting to discuss It, but that doesn't take 4mths to arrange

Anyway, It doesn't matter now as I've bought the bike, but Its Ironic that I found out two days after buying It that I've got to have an operation on my foot That Is In two weeks time now, but I'm fitting In a day out to Coed Llandegla before

Edited 27 September, 2010 by oggy

[uncle bulgaria]

Eeek; sorry to hear about your hospital trip mate, hope it all goes well

Still all that slate clag allover your bike should give you loads to clean, especially if you cant ride for a while!

I'm still finding the stuff welded to my old hybrid from last years trip to Wales

[oggy]

Eeek; sorry to hear about your hospital trip mate, hope it all goes well

Still all that slate clag allover your bike should give you loads to clean, especially if you cant ride for a while!

I'm still finding the stuff welded to my old hybrid from last years trip to Wales

Thanks Bruce

I'll have plenty of spare time when I get mobile to get It cleaned & polished Just a shame as I've really got back Into the swing of MTB'ing again & slowly started shifting some of my muffin top

[uncle bulgaria]

Ok, so at the risk of opening a "dead thread", I've finally got a new set of wheels !

Spent most of Sunday afternoon faffing with pumps & sag gauges, so didn't get a test ride there & then!

Sorry for the carpy photo, but the weather has been grim & I couldn't move the Octy 'cos of the builders van!!!! Any how, carp weather or not it was off for a spin and covered in mud & dog poop 10 minutes later!! I think I may invest in a set of mudguards if today's experience is anything to go by!!! SWMBO says I've gone to the "brown" side

[Brimma]

SWMBO says I've gone to the "brown" side

OMG - that sounds drastic

Nice bike though

[oggy]

Gorgeous bike Bruce. You'll have to come to Llandegla with us when we go back. Its a fantastic place where that bike will feel at home

[uncle bulgaria]

Cheers Guys

Good job I didn't come off or it would have been the "brown slide"! Unfortunately where i went for a quick test is a popular local track that is well frequented by dog walkers, who clearly don't "clean up"!

Some of the problem is now fixed with a cheap set of mudguards! SWMBO even said that one of those fancy mobile bike jet wash machines would be a good idea! Think setting it up will take a bit of time/trial & error, so any suggestions on tire pressures?

Llandegla looks cool, bet you had a good time, hope you are feeling ok now?

[oggy]

Cheers Guys

Good job I didn't come off or it would have been the "brown slide"! Unfortunately where i went for a quick test is a popular local track that is well frequented by dog walkers, who clearly don't "clean up"!

Some of the problem is now fixed with a cheap set of mudguards! SWMBO even said that one of those fancy mobile bike jet wash machines would be a good idea! Think setting it up will take a bit of time/trial & error, so any suggestions on tire pressures?

Llandegla looks cool, bet you had a good time, hope you are feeling ok now?

Yes It was a fantastic day & we are hoping to go back soon. Feeling better thanks, just slowly healing & I hope Its not too long to be able to get back onto the saddle.

First thing I would do In the set up Is change the tyres to something more of an all round tyre. Those Bontrager tyres came on my bike & are rudy useless on anything other than hard compact surfaces. No grip at all In mud or on roots/rocks & unless you like drifting they are extremely unpredictable on loose surfaces & give no confidence at all.

Its the suspension set up that will be the trial & error for you.