Epping Forest Epics

Jon · Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 8:02 pm Post subject: New bike

Ok the time has come to maybe look at a new bike, what kind of things should I be looking for?

I have a figure in my head at the moment and a spec level and a bike, but just interested to see what others say?

Mainly to be used in Epping, Broxbourne, Chicksands and hopefully a Wales trip as well, oh and Greece.

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alaric · Joined: 30 Dec 2005 Posts: 71 Location: Nea Makri, Greece

Hi Jon,

Bottom line is that a new bike is personal choice, every brand has its own fanatics and detractors.

The best way to approach it IMO is to take your time, and get a ride on as many different bikes as possible - either by "having a go" on someone elses, or test riding from a shop.

Near Epping, Heales offer test ride bikes (Cannondale, Marin and Whyte), Wades certainly used to (Giant) and The Bike Shed might (Specialized). They'll take a deposit from you (credit card or car keys) and let you have the bike for the day, so you can really get a feel for the bike, and also more generally the sort of feature you like or don't like.

Full Suss or HT is one obvious choice, although I'm guessing you're looking at full suss.

Once you've got an idea of what you do and don't like, it's worth looking around for a "Last Season" deal - if you're not fussed about having this years colour this can be a very good way to save a lot of money on a top spec bike - my Cannondale, for example is a 2004 model for £1599 bought in Feb' 2005 for £879!

Evans and Bonthrone are good places to start looking, but there are other places that will turn up with a quick search on the internet.

On personal experience I would recommend Cannondale - their latest full suss XC/all mountain type bikes look very good, and I really like my 'Dale, but it all comes down to personal size, fit and riding style.

Hope this helps a bit...I'm loath to really push anything specific, for the reasons given.

Alaric.

hambones · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 10 Location: Waltham Abbey

Hi Jon,
The things Alaric says ring very true - pros and cons to all makes and price ranges and it boils down to what you want to do with your bike now and later date.
Test riding is critical to get the right sizing and to suit your own ride style - a very personal choice.
I'm in the same position -having only started riding last April on an awful Merida (weighs over 33kg for goodness sake!!) which I bought without any thought - spur of the moment. It's a very basic entry level bike and am looking to buy sometime soon - as Alaric says the deals you can get for 05 models are very good, some places even offer 3yrs interest free credit!
The only thing i've consistently heard is that 05 Specialised are not a great buy because of the manitou front forks but that is a subjective criticism.
You can get some very good secondhand bikes with little or no use from Bikemagic.com, i've seen unridden high spec bikes offered for 1/2 new price cos people are after quick sales - so might be worth keeping an eye on.
See you sunday

Emily · Joined: 30 Dec 2005 Posts: 185 Location: Nea Makri, Greece

I was just looking a Pauls Cycles and I thought it might interest you guys: Special Offers

Em.
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alaric · Joined: 30 Dec 2005 Posts: 71 Location: Nea Makri, Greece

Manitou seem to be a love/hate item - I've seen or heard a lot of err, manitou type comments, but I've had 3 pairs on 2 bikes over 7 years and never had a problem with them.

Alaric.

hambones · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 10 Location: Waltham Abbey

I've never had even one set of manitou so wouldn't know boo hoo!! But it was only the re-worked 05 version that i've heard possible suspect things about and apparently they have re-developed them since.
As always, personal prefs.