On Sat, 15 Mar 2003 19:38:50 +0000, pete boyall did issue forth:
Quoted message said:Hi
I'm hoping I can get some advice on here.
I've been offered the following bike for £195 :
Claude Butler Cape Wrath 2002 model. 7005 alloy frame. 18.5" (I'm 6'😉,
Well, it *sounds* like it could be the correct size, but the only way to tell for sure is to try it.
As a rough guide, you should be able to get enough extension on the seatpost so that if your heel is
on the pedal at the bottom of it's rotation, your knee will be almost fully straightened. Also make
sure that you don't feel too stretched out on the bike. If you're going to be using the bike
off-road, "pod clearance" is essential - make sure you've got a good few inches between the top tube
and the family jewels. This isn't so important for road use as you're less likely to find the top
tube hurtling up towards you at great speed.
Quoted message said:Kore bar and stem.
Does the job.
Quoted message said:Shimano Deore gears/rapid fire shifters.
Deore stuff is, on the whole, pretty good. I'm not overly impressed with the cassette, which wears
quickly, but apart from that, it does the job admirably.
Quoted message said:Truativ chainset. 27 speed (3 front and 9 rear).
Be sure to inspect this. Make sure that the chainrings and the sprockets on the cassette aren't
hooked. If they are, allow anything up to £50 for a new cassette and chain. I doubt the chainrings
would be hooked on a bike of this age, but check anyway.
Quoted message said:Crane Creek v-brakes.
Check there's plenty of meat on the pads. If they're wearing out, budget about £6-£10 per wheel
for new ones.
Quoted message said:Mavix X139 rims with Deore hubs and Tioga XC tyres.
Again, Deore stuff is fairly tidy and everybody loves Mavic rims. I've not used the tyres myself,
but a have a friend who does, and he loves them. If they are showing signs of severe wear, budget
between £20 and £50 for a new set of tyres, depending on what exactly you're after.
Quoted message said:Suntour adjustable front shocks.
Never got on with Suntour forks myself. They don't appear to have rebound dampening and at times can
behave like Zebedee on speed. I don't know whether they've improved them at all recently, but check
around the brake arch to make sure there's no signs of cracking. If the forks are buggered, you're
looking at upwards of £100 to replace them.
Quoted message said:I'd appreciate any comments, whether it's a fair price etc.
Provided the bike isn't completely shafted, it sounds fairly good to me.
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Huw Pritchard Replace bounce with huw to reply by mail
