Need a new Mountain Bike...
30 June 2007, 09:33 AM
#1
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Need a new Mountain Bike...
I'm after a new Mountain Bike, and having seen a few threads on here I know there are a few bikers on Scoobynet.
I'm looking at spending £900 or less, but I want to get something decent if I can. Mainly for cross country rides etc, I'm not into downhilling so it's got to be a well specced hardtail.
I'm looking at these 2 at the moment, similar price but the second has better components.
Cannondale F700 2006
Evans Cycles: Product: Cannondale F700 2006 Mountain Bike
Kona Explosif 2006
Evans Cycles: Product: Kona Explosif 2006 Mountain Bike
Any thoughts? Also, anyone know of anywhere selling these (or similar) cheaper? I'm happy to get a 2006 or 2005 model if it saves money.
Ta.
I'm looking at spending £900 or less, but I want to get something decent if I can. Mainly for cross country rides etc, I'm not into downhilling so it's got to be a well specced hardtail.
I'm looking at these 2 at the moment, similar price but the second has better components.
Cannondale F700 2006
Evans Cycles: Product: Cannondale F700 2006 Mountain Bike
Kona Explosif 2006
Evans Cycles: Product: Kona Explosif 2006 Mountain Bike
Any thoughts? Also, anyone know of anywhere selling these (or similar) cheaper? I'm happy to get a 2006 or 2005 model if it saves money.
Ta.
30 June 2007, 10:18 AM
#2
Personally, I'd NOT buy an American sourced bike, now I know what the mark-up is on them compared with the USA.
To give you an example, I wanted a Kona frame for my lad, one of their ultra lightweight ones. Couldn't find it in the UK for less than £700.
During my internet serches, I forgot to sate UK websites, and found it in the USA for $500. Now THAT makes it MORE THAN DOUBLE.
There ARE UK/far east built bikes out there that are worth having. Go down to halfords and look at their Carrera range. NOT a name you'll pay for, but well built, well specced, and relatively cheap. NOT lining some importer's pocket so deeply
Or alternatively, look on ebay for someone selling a one, or two year old one because they want this years.
Also have a look at Merlin Cycles Ltd Custom bikes
who will build you one to your own specs. Top notch stuff too.
Or build your own. I've helped my youngest do it with ebay sourced parts, his weighs under 21 lb, Scandium frame, but rigid forks. Only secondhand item on it was the wheels, which are top quality but last year's and not disc.......boo hoo.........NOT. His came in at under £700 all up.
Alcazar
To give you an example, I wanted a Kona frame for my lad, one of their ultra lightweight ones. Couldn't find it in the UK for less than £700.
During my internet serches, I forgot to sate UK websites, and found it in the USA for $500. Now THAT makes it MORE THAN DOUBLE.
There ARE UK/far east built bikes out there that are worth having. Go down to halfords and look at their Carrera range. NOT a name you'll pay for, but well built, well specced, and relatively cheap. NOT lining some importer's pocket so deeply
Or alternatively, look on ebay for someone selling a one, or two year old one because they want this years.
Also have a look at Merlin Cycles Ltd Custom bikes
who will build you one to your own specs. Top notch stuff too.
Or build your own. I've helped my youngest do it with ebay sourced parts, his weighs under 21 lb, Scandium frame, but rigid forks. Only secondhand item on it was the wheels, which are top quality but last year's and not disc.......boo hoo.........NOT.
His came in at under £700 all up.Alcazar
30 June 2007, 10:36 AM
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Alternatively you can buy mine for a lot less! 
https://www.scoobynet.com/private-sa...?highlight=MTB
https://www.scoobynet.com/private-sa...?highlight=MTB
30 June 2007, 11:58 AM
#4
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Goatse
My strong advice would be to stay away from the Cannondale.
Simple reason, cracking frame and geometry, brilliant for climbing and the fact that you can lock out the headshock is a huge plus
However, the headshock is also the bike's achilles heel. Mine needed constant servicing, (£85 per year and neeeds to be a Headshock approved specialist...not too many about and the all charge quite a bit for service and repair). Never felt solid, as if the headset on any bike was worn or loose, disconcerting to say the least
Rest of the bike was great but the Headshock ... not good
Stuck with the bike for 6 years and never liked it
My strong advice would be to stay away from the Cannondale.
Simple reason, cracking frame and geometry, brilliant for climbing and the fact that you can lock out the headshock is a huge plus
However, the headshock is also the bike's achilles heel. Mine needed constant servicing, (£85 per year and neeeds to be a Headshock approved specialist...not too many about and the all charge quite a bit for service and repair). Never felt solid, as if the headset on any bike was worn or loose, disconcerting to say the least
Rest of the bike was great but the Headshock ... not good
Stuck with the bike for 6 years and never liked it
30 June 2007, 04:46 PM
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Hmmm thanks for all the tips guys. I've had a look at the Merlin site and there's some nice stuff there for the money.
Another option I'm toying with the idea of just buying a decent frame and taking most of my existing groupset (mixture of XT and LX) over to it. There are quite a few bits on my old bike which have plenty of life/use left in them.
Not sure what frame to go for though, maybe a titanium of some flavour but possibly a 2005/2006 GT Zaskar Team frame - still a few around at dealers...
It's a shame about the Cannondale headshocks, they seem like a good idea but sound like a right nightmare!
Another option I'm toying with the idea of just buying a decent frame and taking most of my existing groupset (mixture of XT and LX) over to it. There are quite a few bits on my old bike which have plenty of life/use left in them.
Not sure what frame to go for though, maybe a titanium of some flavour but possibly a 2005/2006 GT Zaskar Team frame - still a few around at dealers...
It's a shame about the Cannondale headshocks, they seem like a good idea but sound like a right nightmare!
30 June 2007, 05:10 PM
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if thats the way your thinking, PIPEDREAM CYCLES - NO HYPE...JUST PIPE are well worth a look !
I have been drooling over a Modro for some time, but I have not long finished re-building my Spesh.. Latest biking news, photos, videos, events and more!
as already said, would give the 'dale a wide berth.. PLENTY of really nice frames from more specialist companies than the major brands if you just fancy a frame !
I have been drooling over a Modro for some time, but I have not long finished re-building my Spesh.. Latest biking news, photos, videos, events and more!
as already said, would give the 'dale a wide berth.. PLENTY of really nice frames from more specialist companies than the major brands if you just fancy a frame !
30 June 2007, 05:22 PM
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Goatse
My strong advice would be to stay away from the Cannondale.
Simple reason, cracking frame and geometry, brilliant for climbing and the fact that you can lock out the headshock is a huge plus
However, the headshock is also the bike's achilles heel. Mine needed constant servicing, (£85 per year and neeeds to be a Headshock approved specialist...not too many about and the all charge quite a bit for service and repair). Never felt solid, as if the headset on any bike was worn or loose, disconcerting to say the least
Rest of the bike was great but the Headshock ... not good
Stuck with the bike for 6 years and never liked it
My strong advice would be to stay away from the Cannondale.
Simple reason, cracking frame and geometry, brilliant for climbing and the fact that you can lock out the headshock is a huge plus
However, the headshock is also the bike's achilles heel. Mine needed constant servicing, (£85 per year and neeeds to be a Headshock approved specialist...not too many about and the all charge quite a bit for service and repair). Never felt solid, as if the headset on any bike was worn or loose, disconcerting to say the least
Rest of the bike was great but the Headshock ... not good
Stuck with the bike for 6 years and never liked it
Have had a Scalpel for 3 yrs. The front fork has only needed worked on once. Other than that, Cannondale make lightweight , beautifully finished bikes, although my Scalpel is out of the price range of this discussion and the cannondales are generally a bit pricey (I got mine with £500 off).
As for the first poster, one possibility is a Specialized Rockhopper Comp with hydaulic discs. £950. Nice bike, now with the lighter M4 aluminium frame.
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30 June 2007, 05:30 PM
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Also have a look at Merlin Cycles Ltd Custom bikes
who will build you one to your own specs. Top notch stuff too.
Alcazar
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And british too
30 June 2007, 05:37 PM
#10
There's two 18" and two 19" Ti frames on ebay as I type this, one of the 19" ones being a GT.
Or this: eBay.co.uk: Specialized M4 Stumpjumper Comp size 18 Frame only (item 270138318851 end time 04-Jul-07 14:07:32 BST)
Or, again, this: eBay.co.uk: Orange Gringo frame (item 300102970286 end time 17-Jul-07 15:50:10 BST)
Alcazar
Or this: eBay.co.uk: Specialized M4 Stumpjumper Comp size 18 Frame only (item 270138318851 end time 04-Jul-07 14:07:32 BST)
Or, again, this: eBay.co.uk: Orange Gringo frame (item 300102970286 end time 17-Jul-07 15:50:10 BST)
Alcazar