ATB recommendation please.

[Mark]

Hi I know this sort of request comes up fairly regularly but
I've searched google and don't see anything that quite
answers my questions. Also, I guess this sort of thing
changes fairly rapidly as new models come out etc.

While I know something about touring bikes and tandems, I'm
struggling when it comes to ATBs. I'm looking for my first
bike now that I've moved somewhere a bit more rural. My
requirements are:
- a 'reasonable' bike that won't disintegrate in a year (I'm
about 13st at the moment)
- something that will cope with reasonably rough off-road
tracks (but probably not jumps)
- price around £500-700
- hardtail (I'm assuming that rear suspension isn't worth it
at that price).

I've seen quite a few recommendations for Marin but I do
wonder how much one is paying for the name. Would I be
better getting something less well known?

Also, how does ATB sizing work - is a 17" bike from Marin
the same size as one from Trek? Is the recommendation just
to go to the LBS and try it?

Finally, any decent bike shops in the area between Bath and
Salisbury?

Thanks Mark

[Rob Horton]

Mark wrote:
> Hi I know this sort of request comes up fairly regularly
> but I've searched google and don't see anything that quite
> answers my questions. Also, I guess this sort of thing
> changes fairly rapidly as new models come out etc.
>
> While I know something about touring bikes and tandems,
> I'm struggling when it comes to ATBs. I'm looking for my
> first bike now that I've moved somewhere a bit more rural.
> My requirements are:
> - a 'reasonable' bike that won't disintegrate in a year
> (I'm about 13st at the moment)
> - something that will cope with reasonably rough off-road
> tracks (but probably not jumps)
> - price around £500-700
> - hardtail (I'm assuming that rear suspension isn't worth
> it at that price).
>
> I've seen quite a few recommendations for Marin but I do
> wonder how much one is paying for the name. Would I be
> better getting something less well known?
>
> Also, how does ATB sizing work - is a 17" bike from Marin
> the same size as one from Trek? Is the recommendation just
> to go to the LBS and try it?
>
> Finally, any decent bike shops in the area between Bath
> and Salisbury?
>
> Thanks Mark
>
>
>
Hi Mark, your price range should allow you to buy a very
reasonable bike. Apart from Marin I would have a look at
Trek, Specialized, Cannondale & Kona.

Kona used to have a frame designer called Joe Murray

http://www.mtnbikehalloffame.com/inductees.cfm?page=99&mID=-
26

He then worked with Voodoo cycles. I have a Voodoo
Hoodoo which I find to be a superb singletrack and
downhilling machine.

IMO I would suggest; definately an aluminum frame, Marzocchi
forks and Avid brakes.

As I undrstand it, frame sizes relate to a hypothetical
traditional frame with a horizontal top tube. It gives
a point of reference between different frames of
different designs.

Always ride the bike before you buy it.

Bike shops between Bath & Salisbury covers a large area.
Which one are you closer to? Try Johns Bikes or Ultimate
Sport in Bath.

Hope that helps.

Rob Horton.

[Vincent Wilcox]

Mark wrote:
> Hi I know this sort of request comes up fairly regularly
> but I've searched google and don't see anything that quite
> answers my questions. Also, I guess this sort of thing
> changes fairly rapidly as new models come out etc.
>
> While I know something about touring bikes and tandems,
> I'm struggling when it comes to ATBs. I'm looking for my
> first bike now that I've moved somewhere a bit more rural.
> My requirements are:
> - a 'reasonable' bike that won't disintegrate in a year
> (I'm about 13st at the moment)
> - something that will cope with reasonably rough off-road
> tracks (but probably not jumps)
> - price around £500-700
> - hardtail (I'm assuming that rear suspension isn't worth
> it at that price).
>
> I've seen quite a few recommendations for Marin but I do
> wonder how much one is paying for the name. Would I be
> better getting something less well known?
>

They are all much of a muchness, I bought a steel Rockhopper
a couple of years ago at that price because I didn't want
aluminium but other than that the components were the same
brand to brand. The manufacturers are spending a lot to
differentiate between rival brands but ultimately it is a
diamond framed safety bike and if you could conduct a double
blind test you wouldnt be able to tell IMO.

> Also, how does ATB sizing work - is a 17" bike from Marin
> the same size as one from Trek? Is the recommendation just
> to go to the LBS and try it?
>

Thats about the size of it. :) The only way is to sit on it
and ride it, at least thats what I told my GF, about getting
a bike, of course.

[Steph Peters]

"Mark" <fearonm@remove-this-bit.hotmail.com> of wrote:
>Also, how does ATB sizing work - is a 17" bike from Marin
>the same size as one from Trek? Is the recommendation just
>to go to the LBS and try it?
Definitely not, and yes. I'm a short person with short legs.
Looking at 14" frames Specialized were a good fit, some Kona
models fit some were a bit tight, and a Marin was so big I
couldn't ride it. The variation might not be as great on a
frame that isn't at the extreme end of the range, but the
only sensible advice is try before you buy.
--
Marriage is a wonderful invention; but, then again,
so is a bicycle repair kit. - Billy Connolly
Steph Peters delete invalid from incm@sandbenders.demon.co.uk.invalid
Tatting, lace & stitching page <http://www.sandbenders.demon.co.uk/index.htm

[Mark]

"Simon Brooke" <simon@jasmine.org.uk> wrote in message
news:e15ko1-gcb.ln1@gododdin.internal.jasmine.org.uk...
> in message <5_GdnTCPC9XthSrdRVn-hA@nildram.net>, Mark ('fearonm@remove-this-
> bit.hotmail.com') wrote:
>
> > Also, how does ATB sizing work - is a 17" bike from
> > Marin the same size as one from Trek?
>
> No!
>
> > Is the recommendation just to go to the LBS and try it?
>
> Definitely.
>
> Oh - the other thing - there are definite bargains to be
> had second hand, people who go out and buy expensive
> bikes, ride them round the block a couple of times, and
> decide they don't like them. Try eBay.

Thanks for the response.

Unfortunately, without knowing what size to get, eBay is a
bit of a lottery. I guess I could try one in an LBS then buy
from eBay but it just doesn't seem quite right to me.

Mark

[Mark]

"Rob Horton" <yahoo.com@mr_horton> wrote in message
news:40b762fc$0$6338$65c69314@mercury.nildram.net...
>
> Bike shops between Bath & Salisbury covers a large area.
> Which one are you closer to? Try Johns Bikes or Ultimate
> Sport in Bath.

Thanks for the advice. I'm actually in Frome - about 15miles
south of Bath but I'm often over in Salisbury.

Mark

[Johnb]

Mark wrote:
>
> "Rob Horton" <yahoo.com@mr_horton> wrote in message
> news:40b762fc$0$6338$65c69314@mercury.nildram.net...
> >
> > Bike shops between Bath & Salisbury covers a large area.
> > Which one are you closer to? Try Johns Bikes or Ultimate
> > Sport in Bath.
>
> Thanks for the advice. I'm actually in Frome - about
> 15miles south of Bath but I'm often over in Salisbury.

If you are often in Salisbury you should visit Stonehenge
Cycles in Fisherton Street. IMO its one of the most
friendly and helpful bike shops in the area. They stock a
wide range of bikes and are very knowledgeable. you won't
be sold anything that is at all unsuitable. We bought a
Marin from them a few years ago for one of my daughters and
its still going strong. It was roadified to cater for our
specific needs, something that Pip Brown and crowd don't
seem to mind doing.

Also in Salisbury is Hayballs, which are more at the utility
end of the market - I bought a Sam Brown belt from them
yesterday.

John B

[Jbb]

"JohnB" <nospam@here.com> wrote in message
news:40B77557.4B236365@here.com...
> Mark wrote:
> >
> > "Rob Horton" <yahoo.com@mr_horton> wrote in message
> > news:40b762fc$0$6338$65c69314@mercury.nildram.net...
> > >
> > > Bike shops between Bath & Salisbury covers a large
> > > area. Which one
are
> > > you closer to? Try Johns Bikes or Ultimate Sport in
> > > Bath.
> >
> > Thanks for the advice. I'm actually in Frome - about
> > 15miles south of
Bath
> > but I'm often over in Salisbury.
>
> If you are often in Salisbury you should visit Stonehenge
> Cycles in Fisherton Street. IMO its one of the most
> friendly and helpful bike shops in the area. They stock a
> wide range of bikes and are very knowledgeable. you won't
> be sold anything that is at all unsuitable. We bought a
> Marin from them a few years ago for one of my daughters
> and its still going strong. It was roadified to cater for
> our specific needs, something that Pip Brown and crowd
> don't seem to mind doing.
>
> Also in Salisbury is Hayballs, which are more at the
> utility end of the market - I bought a Sam Brown belt from
> them yesterday.
>
> John B

Seconded. I have used Stonehenge Cycles for years - Rod
builds excellent wheels and their idea of customer service
is the same if you want some shiny bits or a new wicker
basket. Hayballs are a bit more towards the budget end of
things but very helpful and do some really good value stuff
from Falcon etc.

HTH Julia

Julia