supercheap mtb/hybrid bike build

supercheap mtb/hybrid bike build

Author
Discussion

320touring

Original Poster:

1,428 posts

198 months

Friday 20th March 2015
quotequote all
Hi,

Recently got back into my cycling- am using an 8yr old Apollo mtb.

At the moment it is in need of

2xtyres (more road biased)
Bottom bracket bearing (has been tightened but just slackens and allows free play)
Rear cassette
brake overhaul

Looking at parts prices- i can either do a load of work to it, and still end up with a heavy framd old bike, or I could use the money to buy a better made and better condition bike..

What would you do-and if suggesting another bike,let me know what are the benefits.

I'm no too au fait with what is good/bad in terms of parts/manufacturers -so would appreciate some hints and tips!

Cheers

djt100

1,734 posts

184 months

Friday 20th March 2015
quotequote all
Keep an eye out for these, i picked mine up for £65 in the sale. NEW. if you have a smartphone get the hukd app and set an alert for when its on sale.

320touring

Original Poster:

1,428 posts

198 months

Friday 20th March 2015
quotequote all
djt100 said:
Keep an eye out for these, i picked mine up for £65 in the sale. NEW. if you have a smartphone get the hukd app and set an alert for when its on sale.
What is it?cant see anything on your post?

Cheers

yellowjack

17,065 posts

165 months

Friday 20th March 2015
quotequote all
Be aware that any bike at that budget will be pretty poor.

My local shop sells a bike for about £120/£130 which, by their own admission, is pretty dire. But there's a demand for it, and they told me that one chap who commutes on one replaces his every 18 months to 2 years, simply throwing the old one in a skip. Why? The guy cannot be bothered with servicing and parts replacement, so when it starts to wear out, he simply buys a new one, and he believes it's cheaper that way.

My son commutes to college on an older (but exactly the same) version of it. It's heavy, very unappealing (especially to thieves) and any serious maintenance, involving replacement parts, will probably cost more than the bike did (£89.99). I keep my son's bike in fairly good order, often by scavenging spares from other broken bikes being 'recycled' at the local council waste site, or using bits'n'bobs from the 'spare parts' box in the garage. When he's finished with it, it'll definitely be ready for the metal furnace, though. My boy has an £800 GT hardtail mountain bike for what he calls "proper" riding in local woods, etc, but he prefers to commute to college on this beaten up old hand-me-down clunker that we bought initially for his older brother.

MadDad

3,834 posts

260 months

Friday 20th March 2015
quotequote all
For up to £100 definitely NOT something new!

It really depends what you are looking for and what sort of riding you do. I just did a very quick surf of flea-bay and there were a handful of reasonably decent MTB's and Hybrids - but they are at least 6 years old - majority older.

If you are currently using an MTB on the road or towpaths then you won't need sus-forks, buying rigid is likely to get a slightly better spec of bike, likewise rim brakes over discs (decent rims vs cheap discs), 21 speed over 27 - a well looked after 10 year old bike for £100 will have better quality components than a £100 1 year old bike, but might not have all of the bells and whistles.

A bit like buying a 15 year old BMW with full service history but no air-con, 'leccy windows, or alloy wheels vs buying a 12 month old Chevrolet Spark..........

TwistingMyMelon

6,385 posts

204 months

Friday 20th March 2015
quotequote all
I got a Kona Dew last Jan for £79 on Ebay (SH!!) , needed a new gear cable and BB, so about £110 all in. I have used it to commute to work most weeks of the year, 1 mile of minor off road and 9 miles on road each way and it has been pretty faultless over 2.5k miles. All the parts I have upgraded have cost pennies: Brakepads £1, tyre: £9 etc

It looks a bit knackered but rides nicely, I have never known a bike handle abuse so bloody well!

I would look for rigid MTBs or hybrids with no suspension on Ebay, be prepared to travel up to 50 miles and you could get a good enough bike for £100

Don't buy new , it will be shiiiitte

The_Jackal

4,854 posts

196 months

Friday 20th March 2015
quotequote all
£150 will get you a half decent mtb with disk brakes on Gumtree.
Just bide your time and keep an eye out for a bargain.
Narrow the search by price and search for things like bike, mountain, carrera, GT.
I was in the same position a month ago and found a Carrera Vengeance Ltd Edition with hydro brakes for 150.

320touring

Original Poster:

1,428 posts

198 months

Friday 20th March 2015
quotequote all
Cheers for the advice so far!

Tmm-where did you source the bits from?maybe should work out the costs for everything that needs replacing on the current bike too..

TwistingMyMelon

6,385 posts

204 months

Friday 20th March 2015
quotequote all
Brake cables and pads I got from Asda in a set in the sale for £2! Have lasted 4 months of heavy use, and need doing now

Tyres I got from Planetx in the sale Vittoria Randomeur or similar £8 each and have had 0 punctures in 1500 miles, even got a nail stuck in them and they didn't puncture!

Shop around, Planet X / Ebay / Ribble etc have dirt cheap stuff, HOTUKDEALS highlights good deals

For the bottom bracket my local shop did it for about £25 including labour, they also charge £10 to change a gear cable and index, I'm too heavy handed for proper bike repairs!

Do you ride off road, paths , trails or road?

anonymous-user

53 months

Friday 20th March 2015
quotequote all
If you find a cheap second hand bike, in good condition, close by, that needs no maintenance, go for it. It's unlikely to happen & you may end up with more problems than your current steed!
Or just buy a cheap bike from Halfords etc :- http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

otolith

55,899 posts

203 months

Friday 20th March 2015
quotequote all
Jimboka said:
Or just buy a cheap bike from Halfords etc :- http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
Reduced from £260? Hmm. Whatever else it is, that is definitely bike shaped. It's also the same brand as the one he's got now.

nagsheadwarrior

2,779 posts

178 months

Friday 20th March 2015
quotequote all
I bought a new Carrera Subway off tinternet, lower spec Ltd edition one for about £130 a few years back.
It gets used as my wet weather and winter commuter and it's been great, must gave done about 3000 miles plus with minimal expenditure.

I'm sure youd find a used one in budget

320touring

Original Poster:

1,428 posts

198 months

Saturday 21st March 2015
quotequote all
I can get 2x road biased 26" tyres for £13 delivered
brake blocks seem to be less than a 5 spot
bottom bracket appears to be about £15 posted (but I'll need a puller to fit it)

Additionally I've been eyeing up new wheels- seems to be about £20 for some decent 2nd hand rims.

So about £50 would see it back in one piece and servicabl, with me knowing the condition of tbe new parts.

Hmm

MadDad

3,834 posts

260 months

Saturday 21st March 2015
quotequote all
No brainer, and I bet your LBS would fit the BB for £10.....

320touring

Original Poster:

1,428 posts

198 months

Saturday 21st March 2015
quotequote all
MadDad said:
No brainer, and I bet your LBS would fit the BB for £10.....
Funnily enough the local one is closed at the weekend!

Halfords quoted £30 to supply and fit..

MadDad

3,834 posts

260 months

Saturday 21st March 2015
quotequote all
Assuming its a standard Shimano BB you could do it yourself for £4.99 + postage......

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TOJWBBW/jobsworth-bot...

320touring

Original Poster:

1,428 posts

198 months

Saturday 21st March 2015
quotequote all
MadDad said:
Assuming its a standard Shimano BB you could do it yourself for £4.99 + postage......

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TOJWBBW/jobsworth-bot...
I imagine it'll be a bh to remove due to it being old and shyte..

Definately worth consideration thoughsmile

320touring

Original Poster:

1,428 posts

198 months

Monday 23rd March 2015
quotequote all
I think a decision has been reached, thanks you for all your inputs

So far i have sourced the following:
2x 26" ×1.95road tyres plus tubes for £16
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=3...

New brake blocks for £4 (for 4)
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=3...

Rear cassette for £9 plus post
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=3...

£31 quid plus some time spent getting the gears and brakes adjusted shoud see it much better.

I tightened up the bottom bracket again-will see how it holds up again. Worst case, a further £30 gets one supplied and fitted.

320touring

Original Poster:

1,428 posts

198 months

Monday 23rd March 2015
quotequote all
Have a pic of the bike I'll be swearing at when I'm fitting partssmile


320touring

Original Poster:

1,428 posts

198 months

Monday 23rd March 2015
quotequote all
In a frenzy of shopping i've also bought a wireless computer/speedo for the bike. Cost less than£5 posted.

Suppose it is best if i measure what i'm doingsmile