Anyone identify my bike?

[molineux1980]

I bought it off a friend about a month ago for £100. Its a Muddy Fox something or other, 1999 I think. Magura HS11's, Mavic rims, RST Forks and Shock Worx back susp. And crappy grip shift gears ugh. Quite impressed with it, did a fair few miles over Cannock Chase sunday, and it coped better than I did with the downhill course!

Also, does anyone have any helmet recommendations for around £30? On a tight budget due to an impending attempt to get 'on the property ladder'!.

Thanks

[pdV6]

molineux1980 said:

Also, does anyone have any helmet recommendations for around £30?

Yes: "Don't"

IMO One thing not worth scrimping on is yer hard hat.

[molineux1980]

Its all i can afford

[Neil_Bolton]

molineux1980 said:

I bought it off a friend about a month ago for £100. Its a Muddy Fox something or other, 1999 I think. Magura HS11's, Mavic rims, RST Forks and Shock Worx back susp. And crappy grip shift gears ugh. Quite impressed with it, did a fair few miles over Cannock Chase sunday, and it coped better than I did with the downhill course!

Also, does anyone have any helmet recommendations for around £30? On a tight budget due to an impending attempt to get 'on the property ladder'!.

Thanks

I cant remember the model exactly but it was the cheaper of the DH models available from Muddy Fox from the time when I was sponsered by them.

Actually in its time a reasonable design, but shockingly made, and prone to snapping its rear triangle. Indeed the DH frame from Muddy Fox that I rode snapped at the headtube!!!

My personal opinion would be that your friend got more than he should have for the bike, however its subjective. If you are regularly riding that bike, obsessively check the frame for cracks, as it WILL snap at some point

I'm sorry to be bearer of bad new, but Muddy Fox had a bad rep back then for a reason (and free frames or not, I wish I had never ridden for them).

[Neil_Bolton]

pdV6 said:

molineux1980 said:

Also, does anyone have any helmet recommendations for around £30?

Yes: "Don't"

IMO One thing not worth scrimping on is yer hard hat.

And I echo that, buy as best as you can, you only get one noggin.

especially if you are riding something that may snap

[Neil_Bolton]

ETA I think it is the Rock and Roll Comp model.

The top of the range model I had was the 8" Rock and Roll Ultimate.

[pdV6]

molineux1980 said:

Its all i can afford

But presumably you can afford a new skull? ""

With Neil's experience noted above, I'd probably go so far as to say: Don't ride it until you can get a decent lid.

[molineux1980]

Confidence inspiring!

[Neil_Bolton]

molineux1980 said:

Confidence inspiring!

I didn't say it would snap straight away, just to be eagle eyed as it will fail with sustained abuse (but also sometime with no abuse - do a google search on muddy fox and snapped)...

Remember that you have to do this with ANY early full suspension bike.

Either way, if you are having fun, noone cares a jot what bike you ride, so long as you protect your noggin - you only make that mistake once, I can tell you

Edited by Neil_Bolton on Tuesday 13th February 15:25

[555jwr]

For helmets on a budget have a look at chain reactions www.chainreactioncycles.com
They sometimes sell off the previous years models/colours at reduced prices
e.g. www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=3793

[sjg]

I'd not say a £30 helmet is any less safe than a £100+ one. Giro, MET, Bell and Specialized all do pretty good helmets for that money - not as well vented or with such fancy adjustment systems perhaps, but just as capable (if not more so) than the featherweight top-end ones. Even at that money, the adjusters are far better than on helmets I've spent £50+ on only a few years ago.

[Neil_Bolton]

sjg said:

I'd not say a £30 helmet is any less safe than a £100+ one. Giro, MET, Bell and Specialized all do pretty good helmets for that money - not as well vented or with such fancy adjustment systems perhaps, but just as capable (if not more so) than the featherweight top-end ones. Even at that money, the adjusters are far better than on helmets I've spent £50+ on only a few years ago.

I'm running around in a £40 Met that I got a year or so ago as an intermediary helmet. While it fits ok, it doesn't fit as nicely as the more expensive helmets. I'm desperate to upgrade when I get five seconds.

Additionally you have to bear in mind that the more expensive, the more technical and well fitting they are, so nicer to wear, and therefore less likely to be 'left at home'.

[mat205125]

Progress being what progress is, there are some fine helmets on the market from the likes of Bell and Giro for sub £30. These are certainly an equal in terms of constuction and safety to similar design helmets costing closer to the £100 mark of several years ago when the same "you need an expensive lid to be safe" message was being preached. This cycle is the same for preceeding cycles of development of all safety equiptment throughout history.

I do agree with the "buy the best you can afford" message, however also must point out that you are not getting an inferior or unsafe product by limiting your budget to the £30 mark ... especially if you take advantage of the fashion concious and find an 06 model bargain.

[molineux1980]

Chhers for the recommendations!

[vex]

Neil_Bolton said:

ETA I think it is the Rock and Roll Comp model.

The top of the range model I had was the 8" Rock and Roll Ultimate.

That was it, although I am not sure about the colour. The frame style is certainly a Rock and Roll

[molineux1980]

Ordered a Giro Indicator helmet - Won MBUK's budget helmet test.