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Posted something similar on BR a week ago but interested to hear your thoughts.
Not read an MTB mag for a while - they get a bit samey.
But just picked up a WMB and had a quick nose through the tests - was rather shocked at how poorly specced the £900-£1300 hardtails are!
Almost all have only Deore chainsets and finishing kit!
My £1200 (in 2007) Stumpy came with Stylo/X-9/X-7 and Juicy 5s. It's now much worse specced and costs £1499!! The £1200 contender is only the Rockhopper SL now (used to be under a grand)!
I must have had been out of the loop for a while but rather amazed. At the same time components seem to be very cheap - just upgraded my brakes and drivetrain - everything was extremely good value ands the bike now outspecs stuff costing £3000+ for well under £2k in total.
Anyone else noticed this crazy price rising?!
weak sterling innit.
But why are parts so cheap? I reckon you can massively outspec a ready built bike at the moment using some sensible parts purchasing. Merlin in particular have some crazy low prices - £130 for my XT chainset (2010) and under £50 for my SRAM 990 cassette. They also do Elixir CRs for under £200! I got mine elsewhere but paid about the same.
Yes
But I see no evidence that I could build a bike for less buying all the components new. i tried a few spread sheets on this.....
Merlin and On-one builds are amazing value
amp - indeed they are good but right now, I'd rather keep upgrading my bike (and the frame once it dies) and end up with a really good machine rather than splashing out big money for a low spec machine.
Merlin builds are great and Boardman specs are amazing but I just don't feel they are the best frames available. Of course I do rather like the look of Merlins Ti frame...!