Discussion
Looking in my shed, seems I've got a few bikes (and bits) now, and I'm debating what to do with it all.
I've got a 2002 Rockhopper, a 2002 Ellsworth Joker, a 1998 Orange P7, a 2005(?) Onza Woodstock. Common theme with these is that they're all a few years old now.
The only two I really use are the Ellsworth and the Orange (which has no suspension and is fitted with slicks for road use). This weekend at Afan (on the Ellsworth) I really began to get some serious bike envy, not least 'cos one my my riding mates rocked up with a nice shiny new Lapierre!
So, do I flog them all and buy a half-way decent full susser? Or strip the Ellsworth and use the components on a new frame/forks (wheels are ok, XT all over and Hope C2s). Maybe just man the hell up, put some chunky tyres on the P7 and take it back off-road again with some retro RC35's?
Has full-sus moved on so much since the Ellsworth that it's worth replacing, or is it just sheer bike envy?? I ride every week, and one of the Welsh trails every couple of months. It's all XC stuff, but I really felt the extra weight of the Joker was slowing me down on the uphills.
Other final thought to chuck into the mix - I'm actually strangely fond of the Orange and the Ellsworth; both of them were almost 'dream' bikes when I first got into biking. Will I live to regret selling them, if I do?
Thoughts please????
I've got a 2002 Rockhopper, a 2002 Ellsworth Joker, a 1998 Orange P7, a 2005(?) Onza Woodstock. Common theme with these is that they're all a few years old now.
The only two I really use are the Ellsworth and the Orange (which has no suspension and is fitted with slicks for road use). This weekend at Afan (on the Ellsworth) I really began to get some serious bike envy, not least 'cos one my my riding mates rocked up with a nice shiny new Lapierre!
So, do I flog them all and buy a half-way decent full susser? Or strip the Ellsworth and use the components on a new frame/forks (wheels are ok, XT all over and Hope C2s). Maybe just man the hell up, put some chunky tyres on the P7 and take it back off-road again with some retro RC35's?
Has full-sus moved on so much since the Ellsworth that it's worth replacing, or is it just sheer bike envy?? I ride every week, and one of the Welsh trails every couple of months. It's all XC stuff, but I really felt the extra weight of the Joker was slowing me down on the uphills.
Other final thought to chuck into the mix - I'm actually strangely fond of the Orange and the Ellsworth; both of them were almost 'dream' bikes when I first got into biking. Will I live to regret selling them, if I do?
Thoughts please????
You keep mentioning the Orange and the Ellsworth, and it sounds like the Onza and Rockhopper are spare bikes / not really used - so sell them and use the cash to upgrade the other two?
No real point in buying a whole new bike unless it gives you something your current bike doesnt, i.e. if it doesnt make a massive difference to your riding why bother? you will only miss your old bike if you have become attached to it.
Anywhere local you could hire a few and try them on your fav trails? might help you decide?
No real point in buying a whole new bike unless it gives you something your current bike doesnt, i.e. if it doesnt make a massive difference to your riding why bother? you will only miss your old bike if you have become attached to it.
Anywhere local you could hire a few and try them on your fav trails? might help you decide?
Mike400 said:
You keep mentioning the Orange and the Ellsworth, and it sounds like the Onza and Rockhopper are spare bikes / not really used - so sell them and use the cash to upgrade the other two?
No real point in buying a whole new bike unless it gives you something your current bike doesnt, i.e. if it doesnt make a massive difference to your riding why bother? you will only miss your old bike if you have become attached to it.
Anywhere local you could hire a few and try them on your fav trails? might help you decide?
Indeed, the other two are hardly used.... My main thought is the weight issue, and the efficiency of the rear sus design. Makes me wonder whether just updating components is perhaps missing the main point that the bikes are aging designs and are kinda heavy.No real point in buying a whole new bike unless it gives you something your current bike doesnt, i.e. if it doesnt make a massive difference to your riding why bother? you will only miss your old bike if you have become attached to it.
Anywhere local you could hire a few and try them on your fav trails? might help you decide?
Though I suspect the Orange is going to stay regardless.
You probably need to find out the frame wieght of the Ellsworth if that is your main concern. Bikes like the Zesty 314 aren't the lightest things in the world though, a modern spec'd Joker could work out lighter. The shock could be replaced with a modern design which will help with the pedalling, depends how attached you are to what you already have.
Mr Scruff said:
Mike400 said:
You keep mentioning the Orange and the Ellsworth, and it sounds like the Onza and Rockhopper are spare bikes / not really used - so sell them and use the cash to upgrade the other two?
No real point in buying a whole new bike unless it gives you something your current bike doesnt, i.e. if it doesnt make a massive difference to your riding why bother? you will only miss your old bike if you have become attached to it.
Anywhere local you could hire a few and try them on your fav trails? might help you decide?
Indeed, the other two are hardly used.... My main thought is the weight issue, and the efficiency of the rear sus design. Makes me wonder whether just updating components is perhaps missing the main point that the bikes are aging designs and are kinda heavy.No real point in buying a whole new bike unless it gives you something your current bike doesnt, i.e. if it doesnt make a massive difference to your riding why bother? you will only miss your old bike if you have become attached to it.
Anywhere local you could hire a few and try them on your fav trails? might help you decide?
Though I suspect the Orange is going to stay regardless.
no matter what you are riding you will always bump into someone on something nicer!Beyond Rational said:
You probably need to find out the frame wieght of the Ellsworth if that is your main concern. Bikes like the Zesty 314 aren't the lightest things in the world though, a modern spec'd Joker could work out lighter. The shock could be replaced with a modern design which will help with the pedalling, depends how attached you are to what you already have.
You see, this is the interesting stuff that I come on here for... 
So, a replacement rear shock might be more efficient? I guess the next (logical) question is exactly what shock I've got in there at present.Hmmm. Fox Vanilla, I believe, but I can't recall!
How much has technology really changed in this respect, anyone know?
And Mike400? Definitely some 'magpie' envy going on here, I've thrashed the hell out of the Ellsworth and, while it's still working well (after a few replacement parts) there's no way you'd ever think of it as new and pristine.....
All very sesible suggestions above, but there's nothing like some new metal to get the old riding juices flowing.
I've got me eye on the new, as yet unnamed 6"ish inch Cove that should be out in Sept(ish). The Lipearrirererere or however you spell it are very much the bikes of the moment. I so very nearly bought a Spicey 516, the frame/finish/spec of them is mouth-watering.
Sounds to me, you fancy a new bike and are trying to justify it to yourself. If it were me, I'd keep the orange as it's not another role and sell the rest and buy something you really fancy.
I've got me eye on the new, as yet unnamed 6"ish inch Cove that should be out in Sept(ish). The Lipearrirererere or however you spell it are very much the bikes of the moment. I so very nearly bought a Spicey 516, the frame/finish/spec of them is mouth-watering.
Sounds to me, you fancy a new bike and are trying to justify it to yourself. If it were me, I'd keep the orange as it's not another role and sell the rest and buy something you really fancy.
tricky69 said:
vz-r_dave said:
Sell the lot and get yourself a Marin Quake XLT ;-)
that bike looks likme it weighs a ton ! is it any good ?The bike handles really well and is quite chuckable for what it is. I can understand that they get over looked because of the odd frame and swing arm but Marin have really got it spot on with the quad rear linkage. I will be riding at the Mega this year and can say that I will be pedaling on the up hills and going just as fast as the big rigs on the DH stuff. Best of both worlds with amazing spec for little money.
Mr Scruff said:
Beyond Rational said:
You probably need to find out the frame wieght of the Ellsworth if that is your main concern. Bikes like the Zesty 314 aren't the lightest things in the world though, a modern spec'd Joker could work out lighter. The shock could be replaced with a modern design which will help with the pedalling, depends how attached you are to what you already have.
You see, this is the interesting stuff that I come on here for... So, a replacement rear shock might be more efficient? I guess the next (logical) question is exactly what shock I've got in there at present.Hmmm. Fox Vanilla, I believe, but I can't recall!
How much has technology really changed in this respect, anyone know?
And Mike400? Definitely some 'magpie' envy going on here, I've thrashed the hell out of the Ellsworth and, while it's still working well (after a few replacement parts) there's no way you'd ever think of it as new and pristine.....
Edited by Beyond Rational on Friday 8th May 11:16
I was faced with a similar situation as you about the same time that you posted this. I had an Ellsworth Isis that was starting to feel a bit old. Gear lust was starting to kick in & the Lapierre Zesty 314 was the object of my desire. But I couldn't justify the expense (the misses would have had kittens if I'd bought one) so in the end I went for a Giant Trance X5, which was about half the price of the Zesty. It's a nice bike but not a patch on what the Isis was. It doesn't have the same solid, confidence inspiring, cut through anything feel.
Anyway, after buying the Trance I started stripping down the Isis & selling the parts. It was my intention to sell the frame when that was all that was left. But once I'd gotten down to just the frame I realised that I didn't want to sell it. It was just to good a bike, especially for the UK with it's simple single pivot design. So since then I've started on a rebuild project that started with getting the frame aqua blasted & powder coated to give it a nice new feel
When it's done I'll probably flog the Trance. I started a blog as well to track the progress. Who needs a new bike?!
http://isisreborn.blogspot.com/
Anyway, after buying the Trance I started stripping down the Isis & selling the parts. It was my intention to sell the frame when that was all that was left. But once I'd gotten down to just the frame I realised that I didn't want to sell it. It was just to good a bike, especially for the UK with it's simple single pivot design. So since then I've started on a rebuild project that started with getting the frame aqua blasted & powder coated to give it a nice new feel
When it's done I'll probably flog the Trance. I started a blog as well to track the progress. Who needs a new bike?! http://isisreborn.blogspot.com/
Edited by dogboy73 on Friday 19th February 12:42
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