Yet another what bike question

Tim Hall said the following on 12/12/2006 23:52:

Quoted message said:

We looked at a Muddy Fox <can't remember the model>. This was the
right ish price, but has a cable disc and cheap suspension forks
(RST?). A tidy bike other than that, but i can't help thinking
ditching the disc and the bouncy forks will get us a better bike.

Don't buy any bike with RST forks! You are right in thinking that
ditching the forks and discs will get you a better bike. However, you
mentioned image. I'm not sure that cable discs are much more money-wise
than a decent set of V-brakes, and they do look cool. They also need
careful looking after, in terms of bedding in and not getting even the
slightest trace of anything greasy or oily on them, including
fingerprints. Discs are also totally unnecessary for the sort of riding
you describe :-)

Quoted message said:

Mrs. Hall suggests waiting until January when prices will have dropped
a little (January sales etc).

The problem with that is that it's a little late for a Christmas pressie :-)

Quoted message said:

She could be right, but I see Evans are already marking down the
Hardrock Rigid 2006, which looks a good solid bit of kit.

The Hardrock is a very good bike for it's price. It always comes out
well in magazine reviews. I have one, albeit somewhat upgraded (the
frame is next...) and it is a great bike. It's seen me around the MBR
trail at Coed-y-Brenin without breaking, anyway! If you get the rigid
version, you can always fit a suspension fork later as the frame is
designed to take one.

--
Paul Boyd
http://www.paul-boyd.co.uk/

In article <[email hidden]>
Tim Hall <[email hidden]> wrote:
<snip>

Quoted message said:

We looked at a Muddy Fox <can't remember the model>. This was the
right ish price, but has a cable disc and cheap suspension forks
(RST?). A tidy bike other than that, but i can't help thinking
ditching the disc and the bouncy forks will get us a better bike.

The problem with that is finding a bike that doesn't have discs and
bouncy forks ...

Quoted message said:

Mrs. Hall suggests waiting until January when prices will have dropped
a little (January sales etc).

Don't expect much discounting on bikes in January - 2007 models are
already in the shops, 2006 models will already be discounted where their
replacements are available but the really big discounts generally won't
happen until the weather gets better and distributors/dealers still have
old stock. By that time there will be some real bargains but a lack of
choice, especially in frame sizes. I see that Dales Cycles have already
reduced the Hardrock XC Rigid '06 to £199.99 - 21" only.

Quoted message said:

She could be right, but I see Evans are already marking down the
Hardrock Rigid 2006, which looks a good solid bit of kit.

Any other suggestions?

Looks like a good choice to me.

Quoted message said:

I'm not really interested in getting one from a web supplier, as I
feel being able to touch, feel and fit the bike is important.

You might be able to use web prices as leverage at a proper bike shop
(it seems many people wouldn't consider Evans to be a proper bike shop).

Just take the Dawes Super Galaxy, remove the mudguards and turn the
drop handlebars upside down like they did with 10 speeds in the 70s. Is
that still cool?

in message <[email hidden]>, Tim Hall

(') said:

My son will be 14 in January. We're thinking of getting a bike for
either Christmas or, as my wife suggests, his birthday. Budget is
around 250 quid.

Use will be primarily to and from school on roads, only a couple of
miles if that, plus tearing around at weekends, plus what ever we go
out on as a family at weekends etc.

Quoted message said:

He would like something of a similar style but with quickfire type
changers.

Why?

Quoted message said:

We looked at a Muddy Fox <can't remember the model>. This was the
right ish price, but has a cable disc and cheap suspension forks
(RST?). A tidy bike other than that, but i can't help thinking
ditching the disc and the bouncy forks will get us a better bike.

It will, yes.

Quoted message said:

Mrs. Hall suggests waiting until January when prices will have dropped
a little (January sales etc).

She could be right, but I see Evans are already marking down the
Hardrock Rigid 2006, which looks a good solid bit of kit.

Quoted message said:

I'm not really interested in getting one from a web supplier, as I
feel being able to touch, feel and fit the bike is important.

I hear what you're saying, but check out Islabikes. They really do seem to
do good value for money. http://www.islabikes.co.uk/

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

;; Usenet: like distance learning without the learning.

Bob said the following on 13/12/2006 13:44:

Quoted message said:

Just take the Dawes Super Galaxy, remove the mudguards and turn the
drop handlebars upside down like they did with 10 speeds in the 70s. Is
that still cool?

Apparently not. It seems to rate pretty much equal to putting bar ends
on riser bars in the coolness stakes. Fortunately I have never
considered myself to be cool :-)

--
Paul Boyd
http://www.paul-boyd.co.uk/

Simon Brooke said:

in message <[email hidden]>, Tim Hall
([email hidden]'😉 wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

He would like something of a similar style but with quickfire type
changers.

Why?

Why quickfire? Becuase he finds his hands slip on twist grip type
changers. I may have the names of the products wrong here - by
quickfire I mean bar mounted changers with two(?) actuators, one up,
one down. Or even one actuator, spring loaded, click once in one
direction to change up, once in the other direction to change down.

Why similar style? Because he wants to fit in.

Quoted message said:

I hear what you're saying, but check out Islabikes. They really do seem to
do good value for money. http://www.islabikes.co.uk/

Good point, I'll have a gander.

Tim

In news:[email hidden],
Tim Hall <[email hidden]> tweaked the Babbage-Engine to
tell us:

Quoted message said:

Why quickfire? Becuase he finds his hands slip on twist grip type
changers.

I have discovered an amazing new solution to this promble. There are those
who call it:

....

....

....

....

Gloves!

--
Dave Larrington
<http://www.legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk>
Electricity comes from other planets.

On 2006-12-12, Tim Hall <[email hidden]> wrote:

*snip*

Quoted message said:

She could be right, but I see Evans are already marking down the
Hardrock Rigid 2006, which looks a good solid bit of kit.

Any other suggestions?

I'm not really interested in getting one from a web supplier, as I
feel being able to touch, feel and fit the bike is important.

How about an "urban" mountain bike such as the Edinburgh Courier, Kona Smoke
or the oft-recommended Subway models from Halfords? These perhaps have
enough of the coolness factor while still being practical for everyday
riding and at a reasonable price point. They will also have the necessary
fittings for racks, guards etc if Sense prevails 🙂

Regards,

-david

In article <[email hidden]>

Bob said:

Just take the Dawes Super Galaxy, remove the mudguards and turn the
drop handlebars upside down like they did with 10 speeds in the 70s. Is
that still cool?

That should be 'retro-chic' but it doesn't seem to have happened - maybe
next year ...