Need a new bike £300 ish.

Need a new bike £300 ish.

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graham@reading

Original Poster:

26,553 posts

233 months

Thursday 10th August 2006
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Mine was nicked this weekend after a garage breakin. Scumbags

Anyway, it was only a 200 quid Gary Fisher Mako so nothing too extravagant. I'm thinking of upping the budget by a ton as I'd quite like to get some suspension involved. I know it's not a big budget but at least one of the paths I use has a very flinty, rocky surface and it shakes me to pieces so suspension would be useful.

Do 7 1/2 miles on that route home from work, some of it is town road but mostly bridle path. I will often do 15 or so down a towpath as well a couple of times a week. I find myself topping out at 25 mph or so in top gear on tarmac flat because the gearing's run out of legs, ie I'm not working anything at that point, just maintaining the speed with no real effort, so I'd like to remedy that if I can. I doubt I'd WANT to go over 30 but I also don't want to feel like I'm not doing anything, if that makes sense.

Think that's it. Any suggestions?

dickster

335 posts

253 months

Thursday 10th August 2006
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I don't have any suggestions but I think Evans are having an end of season sale starting this Saturday?

Stu247

811 posts

254 months

Thursday 10th August 2006
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Check these out these deals:-

www.chainreactioncycles.com/Categories.aspx?CategoryID=163

A hardtail is all you should look at for that sort of money...don't bother with a full susser unless you up your budget a fare bit.

Buy a 2005 model...you know it makes sense !!

The B1 Mason looks good value and reasonably spec'd for the money or the 2006 GT Avalanche 1.0

The GT would have the better frame, 6061 against the 7000 series of the B1.

graham@reading

Original Poster:

26,553 posts

233 months

Thursday 10th August 2006
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Ta I'll have a peruse.

beanbag

7,346 posts

249 months

Thursday 10th August 2006
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Sorry to hear about your bike being nicked

I had my Kona Cinder Cone nicked just under two weeks ago, but I've got insurance and got my money back. I'm not a proud owner of a Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp so it's not all bad.

I'll still gladly slam an iron mallet into the bollox of the wanker who stole my old Kona though.....

Locoblade

7,651 posts

264 months

Friday 11th August 2006
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Have a look in the "Beginners" section of the What MTB forum, the "What can I buy for £x.xx" gets asked loads on there so you're bound to find a thread that recommends the best bikes available within your budget.

Chris

Edited by Locoblade on Friday 11th August 19:09

superlightr

12,900 posts

271 months

Monday 14th August 2006
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Just had help from the PH massive - spend £260 on a GT averlanche 3.0 disc. 2006 hard tail model. Very good. Bit of road and rough to work.

graham@reading

Original Poster:

26,553 posts

233 months

Monday 14th August 2006
quotequote all
Funnily enough that's exactly what I've just ordered from Evans

superlightr

12,900 posts

271 months

Monday 14th August 2006
quotequote all
mine was also from Evans - wow thats so spooky, perhaps we are twins seperated at birth !!!

off to band camp now...

graham@reading

Original Poster:

26,553 posts

233 months

Thursday 24th August 2006
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First opportunity to ride in anger this evening - 7.5 miles back from work. Front suspension makes a hell of a difference doesn't it Although it's going to take some getting used to interpreting what sort of movement of the front causes what sort of thump on my arse

Quite pleased to note that even though I haven't ridden for a month (and obviously dropped in fitness as a result) I was only 2 minutes off my best time. I suspect some of that is to do with being able to go faster over the rough flinty paths though. There's also a long stretch of ancient concrete roadway which is pitted and potholed - much easier to make progress along there.

Should have cracked my best time within the week I reckon

Moose.

5,343 posts

249 months

Friday 25th August 2006
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Good choice of bike I've got the Avalance 2.0 disk which is proving to be excellent for my needs. I too ordered from Evans as no local shop had any left of this bike (2006 model) and was very impressed with their service. The little touch of including a multitool was very nice too.

superlightr

12,900 posts

271 months

Friday 25th August 2006
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you got a mulitiool with it ! Right Im off on my bike to find out why I didnt...........

They did throw in the saddle which was nice, made the ride home easier then the short test ride in the shop.