[Closed] Hello Dave.....

Would a Hello Dave sticker work on your existing bike?

I want one but I'm scared of the geo. Will it climb hills? I don't want to spend 1700 quid then realise I can't pedal it up a hill.

Thbh, I think that bike will be in threads 10 years from now along the lines of, "post pics of old bikes that were just a really bad idea."

“I want one but I’m scared of the geo. Will it climb hills?“

77 deg seat angle and 458mm chainstays? It’ll definitely climb hills!

All the reviews I've read are pretty favourable. I even watched Guy Kesteven's video for as much as I could bear...

Chuff me yes - unbearable - does he ever find any concerns with any bike he 'reviews'?

Even the unboxings are brilliant in every respect.

This Dave?

I want one but I’m scared of the geo. Will it climb hills? I don’t want to spend 1700 quid then realise I can’t pedal it up a hill.

I did grab one of the 280 Squid clearance frames Which I’d didn’t think was bad as I’ve a few bits around and I actually did like the look of the raw frame but ponying up 1700 For a full build dunno.

Won’t be building it up till I get to Spain so can’t give any riding experiences thou.

(Dunno what the other frames were like but I really can’t see the reject/chips apart from a bit of odd coloured mark on the drive stay that gets a taping anyway. An raw frames are a bit of a funny tbh)

I bought one of the 1st batch frames & built it up with 140mm travel forks. Ride it rode bedgebury so easy xc trails, it climbed surprisingly well, the seat angle looked so steep on the bike. Was impressed with the grip into Burms the bike had. On rails, ended up selling the frame & parts wish had kept & sold as complete bike now though, had bought a Ripley frame shortly after which arrived before the Hello Dave. It does everything the Hello Dave does but lighter & better, am more a full suss rider

I'd take the view that it's the kind of bike you'd know whether you really needed or not.

Not for me, but I wouldn't mind a ride on the large.

does he ever find any concerns with any bike he ‘reviews’?

Would you, if the manufacturer was paying you to review it? I take the view that if what ever feature you are looking for isn’t mentioned, or glossed over, its shit at it.

It just looks wrong. Do yourself a favour and buy something else more suited to your needs.

I think you have an itch, maybe you could demo someone's who lives close by?

Hmmm, it does remind me somewhat of the initial output from certain tattoo parlour based, bicycle pyramid scheme operators who's name rhymed with 'tick'

gnarcissist anyone else?

Were OO/PX in the running to pick up some of the frames that suppliers hadn't been paid for?

cookeaa

Hmmm, it does remind me somewhat of the initial output from certain tattoo parlour based, bicycle pyramid scheme operators who’s name rhymed with ‘tick’

That's exactly what they are, or at least what the first batch were. The ones currently on sale are a new batch they ordered that have had a small revision to the rear end by On One to ensure they can't take a rotor larger than 160.

Thanks for the input...
I know its probably not the right bike for me, my last two bikes have been hardtails so maybe a full suss might be better but even that's probably to much for a couple of trips to the FOD/417 i might get this year
Still doesn't hurt to hear different opinions

As daft unnecessary bikes go, it's a pretty cheap one, you can probably buy it, try it and get most of your cash back if you don't like it.

Hmmm, it does remind me somewhat of the initial output from certain tattoo parlour based, bicycle pyramid scheme operators who’s name rhymed with ‘tick’

On one/px bought the frames Sick had made but didn’t pay for.

Sick were quite bitter about it.

Hmmm, it does remind me somewhat of the initial output from certain tattoo parlour based, bicycle pyramid scheme operators who’s name rhymed with ‘tick’

The clue is in the name

'Hello Dave' is the catchphrase of Papa Lazarou from the League of Gentlemen, who's other common saying is 'You're my wife now' (after he tricks them into them giving him their wedding rings.

Hello dave, you're my bike now.

Love it.

a small revision to the rear end by On One to ensure they can’t take a rotor larger than 160.

This and On Ones up and down like a whores draws pricing put me right off.
So I went to the original builder and ordered this in 725.
Just got to wait for them to build it now.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49950653468_7607c10732_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49950653468_7607c10732_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2j6Ya2f ]Drawings for new custom Marino frame[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/ ]multispeedstu[/url], on Flickr

Not sure if you're aware but he's been a professional bike reviewer for nearly 25 years

This and On Ones up and down like a whores draws pricing put me right off.
So I went to the original builder and ordered this in 725.
Just got to wait for them to build it now.

I was thinking the same, once duty and stuff are paid it's a little bit more than the On-One. Just depends which is of more value, a few geometry tweeks and custom colour or CEN testing and warranty.

There's one large £280 frame left, I'm hugely tempted to transplant it with my Scandal. But then I could get one with SS dropouts and an even lower BB from Marino........

Not sure if you’re aware but he’s been a professional bike reviewer for nearly 25 years

I don't think it's overly critical to describe his recent role as "professional bike advertiser" rather than reviewer.

Have to say I wouldn't have one, I think the geo looks terrible and not to mention the tie in with those charlatans at SICK

not to mention the tie in with those charlatans at SICK

The tie in goes as far as stepping in to pay a supplier when Sick didn't, and that was just the first batch.

I don’t think it’s overly critical to describe his recent role as “professional bike advertiser” rather than reviewer.

+1

He's been clear that he's now an "influencer" rather than a journo, if we wanted to use the modern parlance.

I'm sure you can still glean useful nuggets from his videos, if you're interested in a specific bike - but don't expect a rounded appraisal.

once duty and stuff are paid it’s a little bit more than the On-One.

No duty or stuff to pay, custom geo, 725, full warranty and still the same price they are at on one today.

chakaping

He’s been clear that he’s now an “influencer” rather than a journo, if we wanted to use the modern parlance.

He does still title all the videos as "review" though, which suggests he's supposed to be doing some sort of objective analysis on the bikes.

He does still title all the videos as “review” though, which suggests he’s supposed to be doing some sort of objective analysis on the bikes.

OK maybe he hasn't been that clear actually.

I much prefer reading guys views than listening!

No duty or stuff to pay, custom geo, 725, full warranty and still the same price they are at on one today.

Unless you're getting creative with the declaration there's still VAT (20%) and duty (4%) to pay.

My man maths was:
$250 frame
$90 reynolds 725
$110 shipping

~£360

+24% = £450

Unless you’re getting creative with the declaration there’s still VAT (20%) and duty (4%) to pay.

Marino have a UK disti now I think, so that should be part of the price now, unless you go direct to Peru.

chakaping
Subscriber

I’d take the view that it’s the kind of bike you’d know whether you really needed or not.

Doesn't that apply for all bikes? I just got a road bike even though I don't like road bikes because I liked the colour and therefore I needed it.

No maths involved.
All sorted through UK Marino guy.
£350 for 4130
£400 for 725

No maths involved.
All sorted through UK Marino guy.
£350 for 4130
£400 for 725

That's pretty damn tempting now! Sorry, I didn't realize he had a UK rep/distributor.

Hmmm, now I'm seriously tempted to get one using the justification that £400 isn't that much different than replacing old standards Hope wheels and I could specify an offset non-boost rear, 2x10 and all the other stuff I've got laying around!

I've got one of the sick ones, bought 2nd hand in cash.

It goes up well, it goes down well. I've had some personal bests on trails I've ridden 100 times on it.

Its heavy. Other than that It great.

It does look daftly slack from the side but after a bit it rides fine

https://marinobikesuk.bigcartel.com/
Tinas.
You'd end up paying a bit more with all those custom options.

Doesn’t that apply for all bikes? I just got a road bike even though I don’t like road bikes because I liked the colour and therefore I needed it.

Perhaps I could have written "you should know" - can't account for self-delusion (willing or otherwise).

I took a punt on an xl from the first rescued batch. Fancied a new project and was geo + 29er curious. Once built up I put it next to my 26er 5 spot thats been my all round bike since 2013 and cracked up, I swear it was 2 ft longer! Thought well that was a waste of money it looks ridiculous.

Now I think it’s 6 or 7 months later, I’m still riding it and I love it, use it for everything really. Felt a bit beaten up when I did some uplifts but handling/climbing wise its absaloutley fine. 5 spot is gone and I Reckon the Dave will be my all round bike for The foreseeable.

https://flic.kr/p/2j8qcaA

Not quite 2 ft but still a dwarfs the five

Nice comparison there

The seat tube angle is really obvious

Err..nice skirting board is that Torus? Plus the wallpaper is a bit ostentatious for me

Haha I just nod and say “looks lovely, whatever wallpaper you want is fine by me”

I think that’s how I’ve ended up having a polka dot covered spare room with a 4 ft tall ceramic Dalmatian in the corner. Damn you tk maxx.

Anything for the easy life ay?

You are Joey Tribiani and I claim £5

My present train of thought is get one in the raw phosphate, give it a try and if worse comes to worse get a different frame and tranfer as much as possible. What could possibly go wrong??
Does seem like a marmite bike!

The clue is in the name

‘Hello Dave’ is the catchphrase of Papa Lazarou from the League of Gentlemen, who’s other common saying is ‘You’re my wife now’ (after he tricks them into them giving him their wedding rings.

Hello dave, you’re my bike now.

I thought it was a 2001 reference and PX had a new tandem...

(I quite fancy one actually, but my knees don't like hardtails)

Hay guys just asking for a mate who picked a frame up last weekend. What’s fork offset you guys running on the main?

Love my Dave. It rides well on local trails as well as steeper off piste stuff. Climbs amazingly well, outperforming all my mates full suspension rigs. Have ridden it at BPW and FoD downhill, great all rounder. It's only flaw is in XL it has required me to modify my roof rack as it's so long!

can anyone offer sizing advice. A mate wants one, he's 5ft9, rides a med orange reign (the 27.5 from a few years ago). Reach looks pretty long and it's more of dossing about in the woods bike. I'm assuming the Medium?

Anyone of a similar size confirm? Thanks.

When I was setting up events 25 years ago Guy was the only journo who impressed me. He had a photographic memory. I recently got back into riding and bought a Dog based on this forum and his review. It's very interesting to see and feel how geometry has evolved. As much as his intro grates [and he has cut it down recently] it's probable that if he gets a duff piece to review it just doesn't make it onto the net. If you were in his position how would you do any different and expect to remain in business?

Question for Hello Dave owners....(thinking of buying one and going boost and wider rimmed etc).

How do they ride XC? I'like long wheelbase and long chainstays...which this bike has. I'm also thinking the super slack HA will allow me just to pedal when exhausted on an all dayer and it'll run straight and nail downhills when I'm tired. The super steep SA with the long chainstays will keep still in the middle of the bike for uphills. The tall stack will also be a gift for a bad back for middle aged bimbling with level bars. Currently on a Swift, and just wondering if these newest Enduro geometry bikes (or at least this Sick one) are the best of all worlds for something like the SDW? Only thing not so good would be the small main triangle limiting space for bags and multiple bottles. Anyone with one reckon it still works as a package XC (not racing XC but all day non tech stuff when you're covering distance type XC)?

Cheers

I bought an XL Hello Dave frame in stealth black last summer before the price went absolutely stupid to £799... blatant covid/brexit price gouging.

It was built up with 160mm Pikes, 11-46T cassette, yadda yadda, wasn't mega heavy and it didn't climb "badly" but for a hardtail it climbed poorly. Also 203mm rotors do fit in the rear but not sure about 180mm, the clearance issues I think are with the caliper hitting the seatstay due to 180 mounts only going straight upwards whereas the 203mm mounts move the caliper forwards as well.

Point it down an Enduro or DH track that doesn't have any tight technical sections though and its damn fast, the grip is very good, stability is good and the damping from the back end was surprisingly good.

It would be a brilliant bike if all your local riding was wide trails or bikeparks.

However none of the good points outweighed the fact that it turned into corners like a beached whale, you would have to really really force it into turns. This issue then becomes even worse once you've got it into the corner because of the sheer length of the damn thing, your front wheel will be going into another turn before the rear wheel has even entered the first one...

I mostly ride in the Tweed Valley, it was pretty bad at everything that's there, mellower tracks it was so much damn work to keep it rolling, impossible to pump rollers or dips because its too long, it sucks at jumps, manuals or bunny hops too. Steeper tracks it was only good on straights, anything technical appeared and the bike just wasn't agile enough to get where you needed it to be.

Honestly PlanetX have the size guide completely wrong as well in my opinion. I'm 6ft1 (6ft2 with my riding shoes on) and i've got pretty long arms and legs, the size guide says XL, so that's what I ordered without thinking to go over the geometry and compare things properly with other frames and bikes. I mean, look at the reach... 520mm, an XL Mondraker Foxy is 515mm and that's for people 6ft3+.

Compare the Dave size chart to the TikTik and you immediately see something is wrong, for my height I'd be on a Large TikTik at 460mm reach, almost the same reach as a Medium Dave frame yet the size chart on the Dave says go for XL...

Anyway I sold the frame because (1) it was blatantly too big, (2) planetx refused to swap it despite it still being pristine, and actually told me to sell it on at a loss and buy another frame in a smaller size.

In any case both the Hello Dave and TikTik are complete rip-offs now, £799 and £499 respectively for something you cant even buy in nice colours.

Marino on the other hand: 4130 frame with a nicer design and almost identical geo - £349...

Haven’t ridden the hello Dave but have the 650b version albeit direct from Marino.

It was hideous. The poster above (Monghorn) summarises its failings pretty well. Add in the weight as well - heavy enough for its own orbit - and it was a real slug. I didn’t even find it great on the downs as it could never be described as poppy.

It wasn’t my bike but did try it for a decent time. The owner sold it for a Sonder Transmitter which he loves and is much better both at covering the distance and having fun. The person he sold the Marino to sold it within a month as well which would seem to suggest it’s not a bike that is really suited unless you are really smashing the downs.