chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

I've been using my younger brothers tredder to get to work on since the summer but he's found employment now so I was more than happy to give him it back. But I was only left with the car as means of transport.

Quick look around and I found this on the Sports Direct website:

http://www.sportsdirect.com/muddyfox...ke-mens-932059

I know sports shops aren't thought of highly on here and it's only a cheap brand bike (not some £2500 carbon whatsit), but I think it's a genuine bargain given the RRP.

Also got some lights, a backpack and pump and next day delivery (inc. bike) all in for £96. Some real bargains on hoodies and tops too if you ignore the stigma of the clientèle (guess that's the handy thing with online shopping).

Just a heads up if anyone else wants some cheap bits and it'll be good for keeping the Xmas lb's off too, especially in this weather.

Erm, that's it, sorry it's not terribly exciting

The Dogs B******s

Will you be able to touch the floor?

ilogikal1

Yeah, but carbon makes everything betterer.


Does it come with the stabilisers already attached or are you fitting them yourself?

The Dogs B******s

He's already got his own stabilisers

ilogikal1

Yeah, but I've seen what he's like with a spanner. I hope Isaac's going to give him a hand if he's fitting them.

scoobynutta555

I suppose if you're after something to ride to the paper shop in the morning that's less than a mile away this would be ideal

davyboy

Dunlop explore tourer would be better.

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

This is where you come in, this weekend

2 miles to work, just don't fancy walking. Front suspension forks will help with the crappy roads so I think it's an ok bike for purpose. I won't be using it for anything else than work/leisurely bike rides when my son is older.

davyboy

You don't need suspension on road.

Mudguards and thinner tyres would be useful.

ilogikal1

I'm... er... washing my hair this weekend... when I find it...

gpssti4

iTrader: (6)

It's a crap bike TBH, but the price is right - I'd guess it would usually sell for £99-£120. Don't be fooled by the Muddy Fox name, this is clearly a cheap bike with a descent name attached to it. No way would it usually cost £260.

It'll probably last you for a couple of years before it falls apart and will do the job of getting you to and from work. If you do go ahead, make sure the wheels run true and that the spokes are tight. Make sure the brakes work as they'll be very cheap V-brakes and won't be the best. The suspension will be bouncy and the forks will rust rapidly. You'll need to keep an oil can handy! However as I said it will get you there and back!

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Watching this with interest....

You ever built a bike, Andy?

And yes, mudguards and road tyres would be better.
Personally I'd have looked on ebay where for under £100 you can get all sorts of little gems. NOT £1000 bikes but better than that one

When I had a look last week there were two Specialised, a Cannondale and a Saracen.

This at Peterborough: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DIAMONDBAC...item4ac06ec967

This in Norwich: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Claud-Butl...item5d38edea80

Horncastle: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mens-Apoll...item53ef3fd0bf

saints_forever

Don't do it......worst £69.99 I spent was on a half price halfords bike. V-style brakes were awful and failed within a month. Suspension started rattling and becoming loose. The plastic pedals started coming away from its attached bolt. And I was continuously tightening the main handlebar bolt. For a once in a while bike then I suppose it might be ok, but if you're commuting a bit I would spend a little bit more. They're are cheap for a reason. As said above, a road bike with no suspension would be good for commuting, and they aren't always that expensive. If you shopped around you could probably get a last years model for half price or more, so a much better bike for about £200/£250. Can even look for a second hand bargain on eBay or Gumtree.

I was that p155ed off with my cheap purchase I went and bought a specialized with lock out suspension for £1400. Although a lot more money you can certainly tell the difference.

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

Well I haven't really got and can't justify £100's on a push bike which will get me to work and back and then stay in the shed.

Just come now and looks like its just the front wheels and handlebars with brake/gear tweaking.

It'll do for my purpose and I'll look after it. The post was about other bargains to be had too if folk ignore the stigma associated with visiting sports shops (I get my trainers from there too).

Appreciate the input as always guys.

saints_forever

I get all my sports equipment from Sports Direct; generally looked in JJB and then bought from Sports Direct for a cheaper price (they were right next door to each other). Only trouble with their stores is that they are unbelievably cluttered with awful customer service, you get what you pay for I suppose?!

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

It's like a jumble sale, yeah! But when you rummage the good stuff out you can save a lot of money from those who'll pay the rrp at other places. Hoodies and jumpers, cheap trackies for work. All sorts of tit bits. Even got my 22 month old son some Utd pjs for £7 for Xmas

IainMilford

iTrader: (15)

There is some suprising stuff in there at the moment, I bought my wife a leather jacket from house of fraser for xmas, bought the wrong sioze naturally, couldn't find the right size at HOF but found one at sports direct for £150 cheaper in the sales!!

Result!

ScoobySteve69

iTrader: (13)

This ^^^^^

ScoobySteve69

iTrader: (13)

This ^^^^^
Decent entry level bikes start at around £450 - £500 anything less and you`ll be replacing bits left, right and centre

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

Bullsh1t.

I've never owned a 450-500 pound bike and not had to replace loads of crap. Seriously, it's to get me to work and back.

Who (without money to waste), spends £450-500 on a push bike to bike 2 miles on road to a steelworks

Not me, rather spend it on useful things if that's all the same.

coupe_20vt

iTrader: (2)

Muddy Fox used to be a respected name in the off road bike 'scene'. However that was a fair few years ago and since then the quality has been getting steadily worse. The latest batch of bikes (2012) models are poorly equipped and weigh a ton.

Avoid. They're cheap for a reason.

ScoobyWon't

It's a long ride home from Norwich!

I think I paid just under £200 for my bike, about 3 or 4 years ago. It's not dropped to bits, started rusting or even had a puncture.

ilogikal1

But it must have fallen apart by now. I mean, it didn't cost the same as a cheap car after all.

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

It all depends: Andy's bike might be OK.

The bits that go are:
plastic V-brakes...the spawn of the devil himself.
plastic pedals, the threads are poor, the bearings worse.
Cheap gear shifters.
Cheap wheels, but a lot can be done if you tighten the spokes and have them straightened when necessary, unless you know how to do it yourself.
Handlebar stem fixings, either type, if cheap, they come loose.

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

I see what you did there


Brakes are metal v-brakes. Just adjusting them now with the spring adjusters too for equal movement.
Pedals are plastic but have metal inserts for the threads. Can always buy better pedals if necessary down the line.
Gears are Shimano. Sprockets, cables etc. seem to all be labelled up as such. It's grip shift with 21 gears.
Wheels probably are cheap. They run true as noticed when adjusting brakes. Haven't any experience with spoke tightening but I'm sure you'll be free one day or the nice guys at Rusty's will be, should the need arise.
Handlebar fixings seem solid, as does seat. All tightened with allen key fixings.

Been pretty simple to put together and am about to adjust rear brake and test the gears. Not fiddled with dérailleurs (sp) but there's a handy little manual for reference.

BOB.T

What's he gonna do about getting back home though?

Aaron1978

iTrader: (12)

I look forward to the 'pulled a wheelie and the wheel fell off!' thread later

Matteeboy

I remember my first MTB fun on a Muddy Fox courier - they were good then (mid 80s I think!!). Since then they are the new Apollo.

I'm no price snob at all but these mega cut price bikes really do entry level cycling no good - bits WILL fall apart. I'd look at Ebay or similar. I understand that money is super tight and it's great it will get you from A to B but I recently gave away a bike much better than that (very old but still working fine) and many other do to on things like Freecycle.

It's funny - I have a fairly new Cotic Soul now built up with stuff I've upgraded over the years - it's (very good) steel and actually looks quite retro:



Best bike I've had though!

As for Sports Direct - I got my current road running shoes from one of their stores - £120 reduced to £80 for a current "model" - cheaper than the internet at the time! I often find nowt worth buying but once in a while, they gave good kit.

gpssti4

iTrader: (6)

Well Andy, at least you will get fit riding that heavy old lump lol.

On a serious note, as long as you keep it regularly serviced it will get you there and back. 15 minutes a week will keep it in good (as can be expected) running order. Just regularly check the brakes and gears are adjusted, chain oiled etc. Remember, with a new bike the cables will all stretch so will need adjusting after a week or two. Wipe over the forks and other steel items with an oily rag and this should stop most of the rust.

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

Will do Graham.

There's plenty of oil and grease at work