thinking of restoring my bike, is it worth it?
Discussion
It's definitely not worth doing it for anything other than sentimental reasons. If I was you , I'd give it a real good clean, put some fresh brake blocks and maybe tyres on it, adjust the seat and anything else that's needed and lube the drivetrain. I would be left with a reasonably reliable bike I'd be happy to leave anywhere locked up, like the pub or the shops.
If you do this and really get back into cycling, it would be worth looking in the sales at the end of the year for something shiny and new. You might be able to pick up a good hardtail with hydraulic brakes for around the £500 mark, although bike sales have been pretty strong this year...
If you do this and really get back into cycling, it would be worth looking in the sales at the end of the year for something shiny and new. You might be able to pick up a good hardtail with hydraulic brakes for around the £500 mark, although bike sales have been pretty strong this year...
itsnotarace said:
ROB_GTR said:
Its the Raleigh max ogre EZ after looking.
I recall it being £300 - £400 when i got it so not cheap back then.
No way was that a £300 bike in 1993/1994. £300 would have bought you an entry level Marin Bolinas or Kona Fire Mountain with 8 speed Deore / Alivio groupset mix.I recall it being £300 - £400 when i got it so not cheap back then.
7 speed Altus was *really* cheap. £150 max for that bike when new, it's worth about a fiver now. Don't spend money on it
Edited by itsnotarace on Friday 22 April 08:29
As it seems a no goer from what the masses say i will change topic slightly and ask:
Where can i get something with a good spec and at a reasonable price? Somewhere that sells last years models or ex demo's maybe etc?
What kind of makes should i look at an which to avoid?
What kind of price should i expect to pay for a good mountain bike with good spec?
I like the idea of a white frame and black everything else but open to other suggestions....
I have read through some threds inc the one you mentioned but it dosen't really answer what i have asked....
I have been looking at this: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod... any good?
Also what size frame would i be looking for ideally? I'm 5' 11" and weigh 13st with a 33" inside leg
.
Cheers for all the input!
I have been looking at this: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod... any good?
Also what size frame would i be looking for ideally? I'm 5' 11" and weigh 13st with a 33" inside leg
.
Cheers for all the input!
Edited by ROB_GTR on Saturday 23 April 07:35
ROB_GTR said:
I have read through some threds inc the one you mentioned but it dosen't really answer what i have asked....
I have been looking at this: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod... any good?
Also what size frame would i be looking for ideally? I'm 5' 11" and weigh 13st with a 33" inside leg
.
Cheers for all the input!
Entirely up to you obviously but unless you've got money to burn, and since you've already said you'll hardly use it I wouldn't spend £900 on a new bike. Buy something cheap but half decent like http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/... and if you stick with it you can upgrade later.I have been looking at this: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod... any good?
Also what size frame would i be looking for ideally? I'm 5' 11" and weigh 13st with a 33" inside leg
.
Cheers for all the input!
Edited by ROB_GTR on Saturday 23 April 07:35
Grumpy old git said:
Entirely up to you obviously but unless you've got money to burn, and since you've already said you'll hardly use it I wouldn't spend £900 on a new bike. Buy something cheap but half decent like http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/... and if you stick with it you can upgrade later.
That's a fair call, the Carreras are good value.Personally if I were you however I'd be looking at a hybrid, it doesn't seem like you'll be doing much offroading, and all the weight added by disc brakes, suspension forks etc will be wasted.
I'd get a nice Ridgeback Hybrid of some description for about £300. As mentioned earlier it seems a bit silly spanking almost a grand on a proper MTB then using it to pootle to the shops, where it will be stolen.
ROB_GTR said:
I have read through some threds inc the one you mentioned but it dosen't really answer what i have asked....
I have been looking at this: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod... any good?
Also what size frame would i be looking for ideally? I'm 5' 11" and weigh 13st with a 33" inside leg
.
Cheers for all the input!
http://www.wealdencycles.co.uk/product_info.php/forme-brute-700-2011-hybrid-sports-bike-p-112I have been looking at this: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod... any good?
Also what size frame would i be looking for ideally? I'm 5' 11" and weigh 13st with a 33" inside leg
.
Cheers for all the input!
Edited by ROB_GTR on Saturday 23 April 07:35
it'll do what you want, isnt too heavy, reasonable parts and made in England.
I would advise going to a local bike shop and buying from them. They can set the bike up for you. That is worth more to you than a few higher priced components.
ROB_GTR said:
I beg to differ mate! It was around that price and it was from a catalogue if i recall correctly.
As it seems a no goer from what the masses say i will change topic slightly and ask:
Where can i get something with a good spec and at a reasonable price? Somewhere that sells last years models or ex demo's maybe etc?
What kind of makes should i look at an which to avoid?
What kind of price should i expect to pay for a good mountain bike with good spec?
I like the idea of a white frame and black everything else but open to other suggestions....
Based on what you've said in this thread, don't get a mountain bike. You don't need one, and a cheap mtb will be heavy with heavy crappy suspension that will serve you no good purpose. As it seems a no goer from what the masses say i will change topic slightly and ask:
Where can i get something with a good spec and at a reasonable price? Somewhere that sells last years models or ex demo's maybe etc?
What kind of makes should i look at an which to avoid?
What kind of price should i expect to pay for a good mountain bike with good spec?
I like the idea of a white frame and black everything else but open to other suggestions....
Take a look at a Boardman hybrid from Halfords. You're a similar size to me, and based on that I'd say look at a large.
October/November is the best time to get end of model year deals.
After thinking long about it and all the plans i have etc a mountain (hardtail) would be about the best option. I have gone off the idea of pedaling to work 12 miles each way but would definately go to Dalby forrest and similar places so i would need something reasonably good.
I could use the one i have now but i think the weight, old technology and lack of front shock absorbtion would spoil it a tad.
I want something that i can go down dirt / cobbled tracks, do reasonable jumps and wheelies and something i can enjoy, upgrade if ever needed so something like the Cube i have been looking at fits the bill pretty much.
from about 4 years old up to 21 i was never off a bike of some description so i was pretty handy on one. (BMX, Racer & mountain)
I want to get one for pleasure, enjoyment and to keep fit more than anything, an excuse to get up and get motivated.
I originally thought 'just do up the one you have' but after the responses and a bit of research etc i have changed my goals etc.
There is a shop called JC Cook in grimsby (not TOO far away) who are a Cube distributor so i plan to go there for a gander next week and see what floats my boat as it were.
What accessories would i be looking for to do some forrest riding? pump, helmet, Puncture repair pack and a few tools? any other things that would be useful or needed?
do you usually get any goodies thrown in for asking when buying a bike? Is it worth a try?
I could use the one i have now but i think the weight, old technology and lack of front shock absorbtion would spoil it a tad.
I want something that i can go down dirt / cobbled tracks, do reasonable jumps and wheelies and something i can enjoy, upgrade if ever needed so something like the Cube i have been looking at fits the bill pretty much.
from about 4 years old up to 21 i was never off a bike of some description so i was pretty handy on one. (BMX, Racer & mountain)
I want to get one for pleasure, enjoyment and to keep fit more than anything, an excuse to get up and get motivated.
I originally thought 'just do up the one you have' but after the responses and a bit of research etc i have changed my goals etc.
There is a shop called JC Cook in grimsby (not TOO far away) who are a Cube distributor so i plan to go there for a gander next week and see what floats my boat as it were.
What accessories would i be looking for to do some forrest riding? pump, helmet, Puncture repair pack and a few tools? any other things that would be useful or needed?
do you usually get any goodies thrown in for asking when buying a bike? Is it worth a try?
Grumpy old git said:
Entirely up to you obviously but unless you've got money to burn, and since you've already said you'll hardly use it I wouldn't spend £900 on a new bike. Buy something cheap but half decent like http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/... and if you stick with it you can upgrade later.
More of a canal rider myself (so just ignore me) but this dude seems to talking sense. I have one of these and have no complaints, reviews elsewhere also back me up. I'd be very confident nipping to the local forest for a bit of a raz on one of these while saving myself around 600 pooonds.ROB_GTR said:
What accessories would i be looking for to do some forrest riding? pump, helmet, Puncture repair pack and a few tools? any other things that would be useful or needed?
do you usually get any goodies thrown in for asking when buying a bike? Is it worth a try?
Definitely negotiate, especially on a £900 bike. It'd work out best if you can get some free accessories as they obviously cost the shop less than they sell them for, so it works out better than a money off discount. They may match internet prices depending on their policy, but don't expect any freebies if you do that, so it's useful to know the internet prices, but don't assume they are the best deal if you need accessories.do you usually get any goodies thrown in for asking when buying a bike? Is it worth a try?
Get a good, small, multi-tool instead of separates for trail riding. Other things you may want; gloves, lubrication, drinks bottle cage/hydration pack, spare inner tube, lights?
itsnotarace said:
No way was that a £300 bike in 1993/1994. £300 would have bought you an entry level Marin Bolinas or Kona Fire Mountain with 8 speed Deore / Alivio groupset mix.
7 speed Altus was *really* cheap. £150 max for that bike when new, it's worth about a fiver now. Don't spend money on it
Hiya sorry for the ever so late reply lads 😬... Anywayssss... The bike was Infact £230. I was a proud owner myself and had to beg my parents to buy me one in the mid 90's... It was my first mountain bike and I had it for over 15 years until some tramps decided to nick it from my back yard. I ordered it from a catalogue so the £230 was the top end price, I don't see it being more expensive than that, you could probably get it £20-£30 cheaper from Argos, halfords etc. But point is lads.. It's wasn't a £300-£400 bike and nor was it a £100-£150 bike. It was a £200+ bike at the time of release.. Hope that helps. 👍7 speed Altus was *really* cheap. £150 max for that bike when new, it's worth about a fiver now. Don't spend money on it
Edited by itsnotarace on Friday 22 April 08:29
Hi Rob,
It makes a lot of sense to bring that bike back into serviceable condition.
It does NOT make any sense to throw any significant money at it.
Paintwork: a good clean, scrub, some cheap car polish and a matching(ish) nail polish for the chips, scratches and scabs.
No way would I powdercoat that.
Drivetrain: similar, a good clean and scrub then re-lube.
It may well need new cable inners and housings after being sat in the shed for so long, but try the ghetto trick first: remove from the bike, shoot some WD-40 through the housing, rub the cable down with steel wool and wipe clean with acetone, run a drop or two of really light oil down the cable, reinstall.
I would stick some cheap narrower slick tyres on it too.
::EDIT:: just seen the thread is six years old.....
It makes a lot of sense to bring that bike back into serviceable condition.
It does NOT make any sense to throw any significant money at it.
Paintwork: a good clean, scrub, some cheap car polish and a matching(ish) nail polish for the chips, scratches and scabs.
No way would I powdercoat that.
Drivetrain: similar, a good clean and scrub then re-lube.
It may well need new cable inners and housings after being sat in the shed for so long, but try the ghetto trick first: remove from the bike, shoot some WD-40 through the housing, rub the cable down with steel wool and wipe clean with acetone, run a drop or two of really light oil down the cable, reinstall.
I would stick some cheap narrower slick tyres on it too.
::EDIT:: just seen the thread is six years old.....
Edited by Barchettaman on Monday 24th April 12:50
Grant20V said:
Johnnybee said:
I've just bought a Raleigh Max Ogre for £3 
Unfortunately it won't be seeing action on the local trails as I bought it to use as a trade in at Evans.
Genius hahaUnfortunately it won't be seeing action on the local trails as I bought it to use as a trade in at Evans.
And another, advertised for £35... https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/raleigh-max-ogr...
I'd happily buy a reasonably serviceable example around those prices, just for the retro-ness of it. I wouldn't be expecting much out of it, but hey? What price memories of MTBing past? I regret letting my first 'proper' MTB go in the '90s. It went for £30 to a scrap man because I'd bashed it up pretty badly (and fractured my C6 and C7 vertebrae into the bargain), and I can't even remember what brand it was now, leave alone what model name. Lovely blue base colour, with yellow 'splatter effect' paint job, and a "faddy" triple-triangle (but NOT a GT) "high clearance" rigid frame.
There's something aesthetically appealing about these older MTBs that I'm really drawn to, even if they're a bag o' shoite on the trails compared with modern MTBs...
If it's for sentimental reasons and you really love it the do it. If not spend the money you would spend on something better (Could even be a steel frame Kona from the same era if you want a retro bike) as you'll need to spend a fair bit on it and that could buy you something entry level in a modern bike.
I seem to remember my mates one weighed about as much a small car and was not a nice thing to ride!
I seem to remember my mates one weighed about as much a small car and was not a nice thing to ride!
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