Rock Lobster in classifieds - thoughts?
Discussion
Afternoon guys and gals,
What is the verdict on this Rock Lobster in the classifieds?
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/992110.htm
What is the verdict on this Rock Lobster in the classifieds?
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/992110.htm
looks quite small, 17" at the most given the amount of seat tube he is running. might be an issue if you are over 5'9"...
as for the bike, never heard a bad word about them, and it looks like a bit of a bargain, although the spec looks good on paper, dont base the decision solely on things like "xt" popping out of the ad as things like rear mechs do take a pasting and unless well maintained could need replacing.
as for the bike, never heard a bad word about them, and it looks like a bit of a bargain, although the spec looks good on paper, dont base the decision solely on things like "xt" popping out of the ad as things like rear mechs do take a pasting and unless well maintained could need replacing.
i have a vintage one, always been a big fan. They were setup by Paul Sadoff who was a great frame builder going back christ, must be 10-15 years? The idea was to replicate the then mega bucks steel/ti/alu frames for a fraction of the cost via good design and geometry. I have been a fan of that. Merlin cycles have sold them for many moons with various build kits.. Mine is being converted to a retro singlespeed, although might abe a home for my ancient XC pro thumbies.
that specific bike as pablo says looks a smaller size, not sure on the top tube lengths of this era.
that specific bike as pablo says looks a smaller size, not sure on the top tube lengths of this era.
Tis indeed a nice looking bike. Not too sure of the asking price. You can buy them new cheaper than that. OK the spec may have been improved upon in this second hand example, but still, for a used bike, it is rather high
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&prod...
Plus you can get the frame new for under £200
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&prod...
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&prod...
Plus you can get the frame new for under £200
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&prod...
gbbird said:
Tis indeed a nice looking bike. Not too sure of the asking price. You can buy them new cheaper than that. OK the spec may have been improved upon in this second hand example, but still, for a used bike, it is rather high
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&prod...
Plus you can get the frame new for under £200
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&prod...
I see that the frame is £200ish but that new one is £999.00!?http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&prod...
Plus you can get the frame new for under £200
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&prod...
the frame in the link is £300, looking at the ad it is the 2008 frames which are reduced to sub £200 and probably limited stocks and sizes migh tbe worth a look if you can source parts cheaply and know which end of a spanner to hold BUT!..............
the financial difference between buying a frame and getting a bike complete is huge for a reason, add shocks, wheels and a groupset, bars, stem, pedals, seatpost and seat, then the niff naff like grips, seat collar and some other stuff i have forgotten.... and the price is way over the complete bike costs as you dont get the economies of scale taht the big companies can get.
if it fits, i would say the bike in the classifieds is a good price and if he is moving abroad, then open to negotiation...
the financial difference between buying a frame and getting a bike complete is huge for a reason, add shocks, wheels and a groupset, bars, stem, pedals, seatpost and seat, then the niff naff like grips, seat collar and some other stuff i have forgotten.... and the price is way over the complete bike costs as you dont get the economies of scale taht the big companies can get.
if it fits, i would say the bike in the classifieds is a good price and if he is moving abroad, then open to negotiation...
If the Merlin frames have a characteristic it's that they're short in reach and long in headtube compared to the raciest XC designs - but not by enough to compromise them.
Looking at the spec I'd say that was a pretty reasonable price - mine was £1k a year ago with XT, Rebas, Mavic XC717 rims on XT hubs and RaceFace Deus bits & pieces.
Somewhere I've got details of the frame geometry, for all sizes, but it might be quicker to google for it.
Looking at the spec I'd say that was a pretty reasonable price - mine was £1k a year ago with XT, Rebas, Mavic XC717 rims on XT hubs and RaceFace Deus bits & pieces.
Somewhere I've got details of the frame geometry, for all sizes, but it might be quicker to google for it.
L100NYY said:
mk1fan said:
gb,
I think you may have mis-read the add.
I concurr I think you may have mis-read the add.
o pilchards so i did - thats what you get trying to sneak a PH browse at work 
I take it all back, the asking price does seem very reasonable. Would be tempted myself if i had room for another push iron in the shed - that 15.5 inch frame is just the right size for meGassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff