Fix-up or replace?

[Oceanic]

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

[Oceanic]

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?

[Oceanic]

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.

If GT aren't so great, I guess I need to look at some other International brands.

[Oceanic]

I'm leaning towards buying a new bike now, I want to make the most of summer whilst it is here rather than trying to source parts and getting pissed off with the old bike, I may keep it and try and fix it up as a winter project. So now I am mulling over what bike to get.

[Oceanic]

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.

[Oceanic]

schmunk said:

http://www.decathlon.se/mtb-rockrider-560-svart-id... - 5,999 kr

But nearly £200 more expensive in Sweden! 0_0

[Oceanic]

Just came across this, wondering what people think against the other models here http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/se/en/diamondba...

[Oceanic]

Hmmmm

Looking at Canyons now, they look nice.

[Oceanic]

Craikeybaby said:

If Chain Reaction are an option I'd look at the Vitus Nucleus 275 VR - I got last years version and it was great value for money.

Yeah Chain Reaction ship to Sweden affordably, how does this model stack up against the Canyon that a few people seem to like? It looks to be a bit cheaper which is a +

[Oceanic]

Craikeybaby said:

If Chain Reaction are an option I'd look at the Vitus Nucleus 275 VR - I got last years version and it was great value for money.

I'm back to the drawing board, they don't have any more in stock and won't be getting anymore in either grrrrrrr

[Oceanic]

Looking at this one http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/se/en/fuji-neva...

Any thoughts?

[Oceanic]

OK chaps, it is done. A bit more money than I wanted to spend but I have just ordered a Canyon!

Thanks for all your input, I will update you on how I get on with it :-)

[Oceanic]

Right we are back to square one again sadly. Canyon have completely let me down and I have decided that on the basis of their truly appalling customer service that I have to cancel the order. :-( It's real shame as the bike looked good, but I am not spending that kind of money with the promise of utterly crap after service.

So then, we start again. :-(

We have now ruled out Vitus and Canyon, Vitus because the bike they have offered is not actually available and Canyon because of above.

Any other ideas people, I am getting a bit desperate as all I want to do is ride a bike in the woods.

[Oceanic]

FurryExocet said:

What was the issue with Canyon?

It is a really long story, but basically I had an issue with the order and so I rang their customer support number (20 minute wait) and German Lady tells me to call Swedish number, spent most of yesterday trying to contact the Swedish number with no luck (also emailed and Facebook messaged) and still no response, tried again today but no luck so rang up the German customer support number (30 minutes wait) where the lady tells me I need to speak to the Swedish office! So I explained the issue that the Swedish office has and she just more or less said there is nothing she can do.

So I cancelled my order with them, there are other companies who are more deserving of £600

[Oceanic]

Any thoughts on this one... https://www.evanscycles.com/en-se/specialized-rock...

or this... https://www.evanscycles.com/en-se/pinnacle-jarrah-...

Edited by Oceanic on Tuesday 2nd August 12:47

[Oceanic]

Woody said:

Not an uncommon problem with Canyon unfortunately.

How about the Rose Bikes Count Solo? A bit over budget at £740 though.

So I'm discovering regarding Canyon, a shame really as they had my order.

That bike looks nice, but a bit out of my budget :-(

[Oceanic]

Update.

In the end, I just thought fk it, I just need a bike that I can use.

So I strolled down to the end of my street and walked into the local bike shop and bought a Scott bike last night. This morning I did a nice 10 mile ride.

The old bike I am going to convert in to touring bike at some point with some thinner tyres and non-suspension forks.

Now, the bike might not be the best model but I am actually cycling again and very much enjoyed my ride this morning.

Thanks guys!