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1. alpin - Member

   have a mate who is wanting to get into off-road bicycling. took him out a fwe times last year when he used my old (to me) Sanderson.

   he's got around 500-600€ to spend and would be riding XC mincey stuff to start. he's a nutter on skies so it wouldn't surprise me if he started jumping/ragging it a bit more soon after.

   i've been looking at the classifieds and could put together a bike for ~650€ with a decent fork (RS Reba) and reliable kit (mostly new). although i'm aware the cost will probably increase due to postage, cables and other little bits. or, he could buy a bike from CRC or similar, safe in the knowledge that everything fits together and that the bike is new(!), but with a shitty fork (RST or Suntour).

   what is the best approach? does anyone know of any full-build bargins online?

   oh, and what are Tora forks like? does it matter that the stanchions are chrome?

   cheers.

   Posted 1 year ago #
2. wwaswas - Member

   maybe buy a complete bike off the classifieds - you know you've got everything that way and, assumign it all works, the price is 'fixed'?

   Posted 1 year ago #
3. alpin - Member

   oh, and when i say online i mean something like this.....

   http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=41722

   looks like a lot of kit for the money... i know there was a thread about this bike, but i think the OP was using it as a donor bike for a Soul.

   anyone with any experience of this bike/frame?

   Posted 1 year ago #
4. alpin - Member

   @ wwaswas

   i've looked at the classifieds (not STW as we're in Germany, but Germany's equivalent - mtb-news), but bikes going for that price are usually a bit pants (80mm XC, V's, Alivio) or shagged. 2nd hand seems to hold its value more over here.....

   Posted 1 year ago #
5. cynic-al - Member

   Watch out for problems if you go the DIY route - you could be tying yourself into a lot of repairs!

   Posted 1 year ago #
6. rockthreegozy - Member

   Think one or two went for this one here

   Spec is decent but frame was mentioned as being quite upright..

   Posted 1 year ago #
7. tinsy - Member

   you wont go wrong with this..

   http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/custom-mountain-bikes/merlin-mountain-bikes/merlin-malt-41.html

   actually I take that back as the cheaper one is about as good.

   http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/custom-mountain-bikes/merlin-mountain-bikes/merlin-malt-21.html

   can spec either with recons for another £35..

   Posted 1 year ago #
8. goldenwonder - Member

   I'd say either build if you want to/have the time or buy a complete used bike.
   as it happens,I've got a mate who's selling a Rocky Mountain ETSX 30 for £550 if thats of any interest..?

   Posted 1 year ago #
9. ahwiles - Member

   tora forks are alright; the steel / chrome stanchions are a bit heavier, but also bullet proof.

   The 318 models have motion control damping, very under-rated forks, not bad at all.

   Posted 1 year ago #
10. Stu McGroo - Member

    from a financial point you're better off buying, as with most things the complete bike is worth less than the sum of it's parts.

    i thought about building a full susser, all items sourced 2nd hand, i budgeted £250 for a frame and £150 for forks, then looked through the classifieds to get an idea of costs for mechs, stems, posts, levers, rotors, bearings, cranks, saddle (new), bars, grips (new), wheels (new - superstar), cables (new), chain (new), tyres (new) and innertubes (new), and whatever else i missed out.... total £987.50. for that sort of money there are loads of complete 2nd bikes to choose from.

    Posted 1 year ago #
11. cookeaa - Member

    First bike?

    I’d say buy off the peg, hunt about for previous year model discounts, is your mate really that keen to wait for you to build a bike up out of 2nd hand bits? And does he really need top notch bits to get him started?

    Realistically a decent off the peg bike should last well enough and give him a chance to get rolling ASAP, he can find out what he likes and dislikes about it and hopefully when he does eventually come to choose his second “Proper MTB” he may want you to splash a bit more cash in the classifieds for him…

    Parts can always be changed on a complete bike down the line too, new brakes/drive parts might make sense in 18months or so but if he’s just getting into it then why bother with all the effort, he may not stick with it for that long…

    Posted 1 year ago #
12. juan - Member

    alpin I am selling a hoss 18" for around 400-450£
    with marzocchi AM SL fork, XTR rapid rise rear mech, handbuild by my lbs wheels, deore hubs on F219 rim with DT spokes. Other upgrades are headset (fire eyes) and saddle.
    I used it last time in august and it has been working perfectly.
    It's in WCA garage but I can ask him if he can do pics

    cheers

    Juan

    Posted 1 year ago #
13. alpin - Member

    cheers guys.

    thanks goldenwonder and juan, but we're in Germany and the hassle of posting a whole bike is a bit limiting - although, maybe not. will have to look into it. ideally after a HT so that he doesn't turn into some nonce who can't truely ride....

    juan, can you send me more info..... sod_the_taxman(at)yahooDOTco.uk

    we've got plenty of time. he's quite keen on putting it all together in one go, aswell.

    ahh, since when did the inbred (and 456) jump up in price? what other cheapy but solid frames are out there?

    thanks folks....

    Posted 1 year ago #
14. bikemonkey - Member

    What does your mate want to do?

    Posted 1 year ago #
15. alpin - Member

    ride up and down. not gnar, but i don't expect him to mincing around for long. as said, he's a nut on skis and seemed to pick things up pretty quickly when we were out.

    something 120mm-ish. he's 6' so i'm guessing he'll need an 18".

    Posted 1 year ago #

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