richmilly

Hello All

I have finally decided to change my mountain bike, i currently have a Specialized Rockhopper FS which is about 4 or 5 years old.

I went around a couple of local bike shops today and after not following the mountain biking scene for years i found one offer of a 2004 Dawes Edge Comp for £400

What i need to know is, is this a good deal? What is the bike like in general?

The equivalent specialized of a new rockhopper is too expensive so i was also looking at the 2005 Hardrock range.

In general what do people think, should i go with the dawes, go for a 2005 hardrock or try and find a 2004 specialized for a reduced price?

Any help will be great

Cheers

Rich

Edcase

What is your absolute budget?

What kind of riding will you do mostly?

flat4

well if you're not swayed by brand names then Dawes do get a good write up from time to time but as above, depends on where you intend to ride

richmilly

Well a bit of on road and a bit of off road when i get the chance, i would like something like what i have now, a mountain bike with front suspension. The absolute budget is around £500

Rich

anc-sti

Theres loads of good bikes within that budget have a look at evans they have a rockhopper for £450.

Dawes don't really have a great deal of mountain bike heritage, that said they have always built good bikes so who knows. When I think Dawes I think tourer or hybrid not necessarily mountain bike. If your mainly going to use it on the road then I reckon a Dawes would be as good as anything, but if you after a bike to use and abuse off road I'd stick to the specalist mountain bike manufacturers, of which most are American/Canadian.

The Merlin Malt bikes are worth a look it you want a UK firm or Orange.

the moose

Second the Merlin range, or the limited edition On-One Inbred at c.£500 (though this is a fully-rigid bike)

But why change your current bike - still a good frame, so whay bother. Maybe upgrade the forks & wheels, but do this secondhand and you'll not need to spend your £400, esp. if you flog the old stuff.

milo

why would u want to change your bike to one of similar value? whats the point as the spec would be almost identical?

Jolly Green Monster

iTrader: (4)

Ride a Rockhopper myself, even older than yours.. stick with it.. good bikes..

I can see the point in upgrading to a better bike but if it is going to be the same spec then you might as well spend the money on nice bits for the Rockhopper!

richmilly

Sorry guys forgot to mention the reason i need to change is the bike is way too small for me know, so i need a bigger frame.

So whats the general opinion go for another rockhopper ?

I noticed the top of the range hardrock has disc brakes etc but whats best this hardrock or a bottom of the range rockhopper?

Rich

NeilT

I posted a similar kind of thread recently and ended up squeezing some more money out of my budget and going for an 03 Kona Explosiv - £700.

Excellent bike for the money - ultralite, great running gear and v good ride.

If all Kona bikes are the same then I would recommend a Kona without any hesitation.

I think a few dealers have some of the 03 & 04 Explosifs left in stock

cheers

Neil

pbee

for that budget have a look at the giant xtc se3 you should be able to get one for £500, XT groupset manitou axel elite fork and very good hydralic brakes, and also a very good frame.

I dont think you will find a better bike for the money, if you wait till january you may be able to pickup a 2004 model, same spec but a different colour i think.


this is a 2003 model

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/giant2003.htm

Ian E

iTrader: (1)

JE James Rotherham were doing Rockhopper V Brake version for £350 and Hydraulic disc version for £550 - might be worth a try