Diamondback Sorrento...Any good?

[tvradict]

I need a bike and found one of these on ebay at £200. Ebay Link

Is this any good? Im planning to use it for going back and forth to work (3 miles each way) and for running about off road during the summer. The main intention is to knock a fair amount of weight off. £200 is the top end of my budget.

Any other suggestions? Or good online retailers?

Cheers
Stuart

[tvradict]

Cheers.

I've found a GT Aggressor XC3 09 20" (which means diddly squat to me) for £270 on Halfords website, is the bike and price any good?

Are there any others online sites I should try??

[tvradict]

Yes that one, sorry I thought I had put the link up.

I was looking at the reviews and there are lots with problems after 6 months or so, which is a bit worrying tbh. The reviews were all on the halfords website, so I dont know if its issues with them being built by halfords or issues with GT's build and quality control. The XC2 seems to get much better reviews but of course is £100 or so dearer. I'll see if I can find a Vulcan for comparison.

As you can tell I'm completely out of my depth here, no idea what I'm looking at or for. I was shocked to see DISC BRAKES on them FFS. fking DISC Brakes. ON A PUSH BIKE! WTF?!?! The last bike I rode had those rectangular blocks that gripped the rim, and I'm not talking about what I now know to be called V brakes!

[tvradict]

Thanks for the advice. I popped into halfords today to have a look at the GT Aggressor and the Carrera Vulcan.

Didn't help me much tbh, I still have no idea what I'm looking at. I also have no idea what size I should be buying.

I thought it would be a case of going to a shop, saying 'that one please' and taking it away. Seems things have moved on lots in the last 15 years.

[tvradict]

waughie said:

Size wise you need to stand the bike on the floor, stand over the cross bar, there should be approx 2 inches between 'you' and the frame. you then adjust the seat height so that when the pedal is at the bottom of its stroke your leg is almost straight.

Which one looked best? which one seemed lighter? get the man to get one off the rack and ask him to move the seat for you. Failing that which one looks pretty!?

For reference:
I am 6' and ride a 19"
My friend is 5' 11" and rides an 18"

Although i've ridden his and it doesn't seem too small.

Well I'm 6' so I'm guessing 18" - 20" would suit me fine.

I liked the look of the Aggressor, looked more rugged than the Vulcan.

There is a good bike shop local to me so I'll pop in there tomorrow and have a chat with them.

Thanks for all the advice from everyone.