Fix-up or replace?
Discussion
Hello All,
I have an old Specialized Hardrock Pro mountainbike, almost 10 years old! It hasn't been ridden for over 3 years.
I now want to start riding again, but the whole thing is knackered, the front forks are seized solid, the brakes and gears don't work. The whole thing looks very sad. I have been told by my local bike shop that it needs a new set of front forks and I need to source these myself (not seen many for less £200)
With the cost of a full service and additional parts, I think I am heading into the realms of £400-£500 for a bike that is nearly 10 years old and only cost me £650 at the time if I recall correctly. It's a nice bike and I have enjoyed it a lot when it when I was using it, although I always felt it was a bit on the heavy side.
So, my dilema is whether to fix up the old girl, or buy a new one?
As it has been nearly 10 years since I bought a new bike I have no idea what I am looking at now when it comes to features on newer bikes, I presume they are now even more complicated, but better and lighter.
If I were to buy a new one, I would not want to spend more than £650
Any thoughts from the PH panel?
Cheers
I have an old Specialized Hardrock Pro mountainbike, almost 10 years old! It hasn't been ridden for over 3 years.
I now want to start riding again, but the whole thing is knackered, the front forks are seized solid, the brakes and gears don't work. The whole thing looks very sad. I have been told by my local bike shop that it needs a new set of front forks and I need to source these myself (not seen many for less £200)
With the cost of a full service and additional parts, I think I am heading into the realms of £400-£500 for a bike that is nearly 10 years old and only cost me £650 at the time if I recall correctly. It's a nice bike and I have enjoyed it a lot when it when I was using it, although I always felt it was a bit on the heavy side.
So, my dilema is whether to fix up the old girl, or buy a new one?
As it has been nearly 10 years since I bought a new bike I have no idea what I am looking at now when it comes to features on newer bikes, I presume they are now even more complicated, but better and lighter.
If I were to buy a new one, I would not want to spend more than £650
Any thoughts from the PH panel?
Cheers
Everything has moved on so much in the last 10 years, new wheel sizes, range of gearing, seat posts, handlebar widths, tire widths etc.
All depends on how seriously you'd like to start riding again, sure it would be okay to stick a second hand pair of forks on, and pick up a deore set of drivetrain for cheap and you'd be good to go.
All depends on how seriously you'd like to start riding again, sure it would be okay to stick a second hand pair of forks on, and pick up a deore set of drivetrain for cheap and you'd be good to go.
Fix the old one on the cheap, rigid forks new cables for the gears+brakes. I'm sure everything will start working again if you strip it all and give a good clean and lube. Get a few rides in to get the bug back then buy a new shiny one :-D
For that budget I'd be looking at 27.5" hardtails. Should get some half decent disk brakes in there too. Not quite enough for a decent full suspension bike IMO.
For that budget I'd be looking at 27.5" hardtails. Should get some half decent disk brakes in there too. Not quite enough for a decent full suspension bike IMO.
Edited by lufbramatt on Wednesday 20th July 14:06
Thanks guys for your input so far, I took a cursory look on the web and came across this bike that seems like quite good value https://www.evanscycles.com/gt-27-5-avalanche-expe...
Any other suggestions that better it for specification at all?
Any other suggestions that better it for specification at all?
I was in a similar position with an old GT Palomar a few years ago. Never a high-end machine anyway, it needed a new bottom bracket, cassette, chainset and chain, brake and (probably) headset.
I bought a new one (a Hardrock, funnily enough. Blame C2W
) and punted the GT on Ebay for less than £50 as I recall.
Now regretting selling it as it would have made a perfect pub/station bike. It was still rolling, but a bit of TLC and the knowledge I've since acquired in maintenance and parts compatibility mean that I would have been able to fix it up and keep it running well on a budget nowadays.
I bought a new one (a Hardrock, funnily enough. Blame C2W
) and punted the GT on Ebay for less than £50 as I recall.Now regretting selling it as it would have made a perfect pub/station bike. It was still rolling, but a bit of TLC and the knowledge I've since acquired in maintenance and parts compatibility mean that I would have been able to fix it up and keep it running well on a budget nowadays.
I'd avoid the GT to be honest - forks aren't the best.
Have a look at this - Boardman Team 29'er, currently has 20% off making it £679, if you reserve on line and order some discounted gift vouchers (can't remember where from but someone will) will give you another 10% I think.
And if you want to pay £30 to join British Cycling you can get another 10% off when you show your card/email in store.
Have a look at this - Boardman Team 29'er, currently has 20% off making it £679, if you reserve on line and order some discounted gift vouchers (can't remember where from but someone will) will give you another 10% I think.
And if you want to pay £30 to join British Cycling you can get another 10% off when you show your card/email in store.
Woody said:
I'd avoid the GT to be honest - forks aren't the best.
Have a look at this - Boardman Team 29'er, currently has 20% off making it £679, if you reserve on line and order some discounted gift vouchers (can't remember where from but someone will) will give you another 10% I think.
And if you want to pay £30 to join British Cycling you can get another 10% off when you show your card/email in store.
It looks good, but I'm in Sweden and Halfords only seem to be the only retailer and they don't deliver. Have a look at this - Boardman Team 29'er, currently has 20% off making it £679, if you reserve on line and order some discounted gift vouchers (can't remember where from but someone will) will give you another 10% I think.
And if you want to pay £30 to join British Cycling you can get another 10% off when you show your card/email in store.
If GT aren't so great, I guess I need to look at some other International brands.
How about something from Decathlon?
Have a look at these:
Rock Rider 560 - £350
Rafal 700 - £549
Rafal 720 - £649
All only have 100mm travel but have decent spec kit for the price - the RR560 is similar in spec to the GT you listed at nearly half the price.
Have a look at these:
Rock Rider 560 - £350
Rafal 700 - £549
Rafal 720 - £649
All only have 100mm travel but have decent spec kit for the price - the RR560 is similar in spec to the GT you listed at nearly half the price.
Woody said:
How about something from Decathlon?
Have a look at these:
Rock Rider 560 - £350
Rafal 700 - £549
Rafal 720 - £649
All only have 100mm travel but have decent spec kit for the price - the RR560 is similar in spec to the GT you listed at nearly half the price.
They look nice but they won't ship to my location.Have a look at these:
Rock Rider 560 - £350
Rafal 700 - £549
Rafal 720 - £649
All only have 100mm travel but have decent spec kit for the price - the RR560 is similar in spec to the GT you listed at nearly half the price.
Oceanic said:
They look nice but they won't ship to my location.
http://www.decathlon.se/mtb-rockrider-560-svart-id... - 5,999 krBuy it in the UK; ride it home.
Edited by schmunk on Thursday 21st July 16:47
schmunk said:
But nearly £200 more expensive in Sweden! 0_0battered said:
You're in the EU. Get it shipped to me, I'll post it on. It won't cost you £200 in postage to Sweden. Nice bottle of wine to me for my trouble and I'll toast your cycling health when I drink it.
And yes, I am serious.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F4qzPbcFiAAnd yes, I am serious.
Just came across this, wondering what people think against the other models here http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/se/en/diamondba...
Oceanic said:
Just came across this, wondering what people think against the other models here http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/se/en/diamondba...
Forks are shocking, the GT was better even with coil sprung Rockshox. Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff