Universal Patriot 26" Dual Suspension Mens Mountain Bike-£89.79 Delivered

lindtee

Spotted this on HUKD earlier. Seems like an ok deal to me, although it has to be said I don't know much about bikes!


http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002NU5CM6/ref=nosim/?tag=hotukdeals-21

Those in the know have said this is not a bike to bother with if you can't be bothered to read through the next 3 pages:):)

Although Jaytee mentions a solid framed one further down which might be a better choice if your budget is very low indeed.:)

ednwireland

waste of money you wont get a decent bike for that money anywhere, never mind one with "full suspension" i use the term loosely

godtabh

ednwireland wrote: »

waste of money you wont get a decent bike for that money anywhere, never mind one with "full suspension" i use the term loosely

If this isn't a good deal can you suggest on that is maybe for a road/commuter bike?

kona

kearnsr wrote: »

If this isn't a good deal can you suggest on that is maybe for a road/commuter bike?

Well first off that bike is a sack of ****e. Bikes like that at that price are so bad they should really be illegal, shocking shocking bikes.

A good solid commuter bike would be a carrera subway 1 available from halfords.

If you want something like the above, that works, then you wont have much change out of 1k.

rco2000

[quote=ednwireland;62596912]waste of money you wont get a decent bike for that money anywhere, never mind one with "full suspension" i use the term loosely[/quote]


Decent bike + fantastic price = bargain

That's why this is a Bargain Alert forum.

Well spotted OP:)

poochiem

I've got a Specialized Sirrus, good commuter bike less than 400. http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=45857&eid=4356&menuItemId=9260

but yeah avoid 'mountain bikes' under 100. check the customer reviews and you'll see they're unrelieable bikes mostly. If you're looking for 2nd hand commuter bikes you could do worse than have a look through boards.ie bike forum for advice and adverts.ie for sales.

jayteecork

What about this one - normal frame.
Any use?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002NU5CNA/ref=s9_sima_gw_s0_p200_i2?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=0NJCQBHGBF4PYRZT0EBK&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=467198433&pf_rd_i=468294

I might get one of those cheapie ones just to go down to the shops and what have you.

kona

Heres a rule of thumb for bikes:

0-100: Walk, or get dragged down the road by a bus, both better options for transport than a bike at this price. In now way is this okay for anything at all.

100-200: ****e, pure crap, again youd get more value out of your notes if you used it as jacks roll.

200-300: You should pick up something useful towards the e300 mark. below e250, see the other points.

300+ should serve you well.

poochiem

I love generalisations.

The Bike to Work scheme means that 2nd hand prices are dropping too so bear that in mind. e.g. i got a 400 value bike for 215 with the locks and helmet thrown in (+100).

kona

poochiem wrote: »

I love generalisations.

The Bike to Work scheme means that 2nd hand prices are dropping too so bear that in mind. e.g. i got a 400 value bike for 215 with the locks and helmet thrown in (+100).

Not really its a informed opinion, from years of working in a bike shop. The bikes people moan about are cheap bikes, the bikes which are repaired the most...cheap bikes.

Cycle2work hasnt caused a drop at all, its more the recession and the fact there are very few ejits out there paying mad money for 2nd hand bikes.

poochiem

fair enough

ShoulderChip

kona wrote: »

Heres a rule of thumb for bikes:

0-100: Walk, or get dragged down the road by a bus, both better options for transport than a bike at this price. In now way is this okay for anything at all.

100-200: ****e, pure crap, again youd get more value out of your notes if you used it as jacks roll.

200-300: You should pick up something useful towards the e300 mark. below e250, see the other points.

300+ should serve you well.

I tried one of the bikes you can rent from the side of the road and would be happy with a bike like that, where does it rate out of interest on your scale?

kona

ShoulderChip wrote: »

I tried one of the bikes you can rent from the side of the road and would be happy with a bike like that, where does it rate out of interest on your scale?

300+, and from what DCC claim, comfortably in that bracket.
Try buy something with internal shimano gears...., dont expect change from e600.

pauliewallie200

kona wrote: »

Not really its a informed opinion, from years of working in a bike shop. The bikes people moan about are cheap bikes, the bikes which are repaired the most...cheap bikes.

The OP is not moaning?

It looks like a gr8 bargain...after all, it's only a bleedin' bicycle not a car!

This bike after all was 150 sterling

kona

rco2000 wrote: »

Decent bike + fantastic price = bargain

That's why this is a Bargain Alert forum.

Well spotted OP:)

stop misleading people with poor advice.

That bike is extremely poor, nowhere near decent, not one component on that bike is decent.

If you dont believe me, google, ASDA and Cheap bike. They tried a stunt like that, and failed, because the bike is a freaking deathtrap.

How about you buy that heap of tin for e100, and ride it. Come back here in 3 months...with pictures, and the reciepts for fixing it, and assembling it.

Heres a Fact: You WILL pay more fixing them bikes after 6 months than the bike cost you.

Thirdfox

Not to be disparaging your expertise in regards to bikes...

But I had a brilliant 5 euro bike (new) in China that was perfect for ordinary day to day commutes - lasted nine months of university travel with no repairs (chain came off twice, one punctured tyre, that's it).

Where does that fit on your bike price scale?

Unless you actually know that brand to be disreputable I suggest you keep your mind open (though of course you can provide constructive opinions - the adjectives you chose to use are not very constructive).

Little A

I really think some perspective is needed - what is the bike to be used for???

I bought a bike about 15 years ago for about £70 from Arnotts. I knew I would not be doing the Tour de France.....I hadn't cycled in years & just wanted to have a bike there as an option. It gets used about 20 to 25 times per year, the "get fit" option initially and now the summer cycles through the park with the kids. It has served it's purpose, & I reckon I got my monies worth.

Hubbie started to cycle to work a few years ago (on my ole rusty couple of wheels). I knew he would need something better than that & got him a bike from Halfors at half price for about €200 - going fine still.

If you don't plan on doing 200km per week or competitive cycling....it's not really a big deal. a cheap bike is a good place to start if you don't know if you'll really use it....how many people decide to "try" something & buy the latest greatest model, only for it to sit in a drawer/press/shed until it gets replaced by the next latest greatest model

(PS - one repaired puchuture & oiling of the chain is the only maintenance my bike has had)

zing

I guess a lot depends on what you want to use the bike for. I've got a circa 100 quid bike out in the shed that I use for cycling with the kids or the occasional trip to the shops and it does me absolutely fine for that. Had it a couple of years now and never had any grief with it. Would I use it for commuting to work everyday ? No.

So for an occaisonal use bike this does seem like a decent deal. For anything more than that then - imo - you really should be investing accordingly.

lindtee

although it has to be said I don't know much about bikes!

:pac::pac:

We have a couple of sub €150 bikes which are still going strong after 6 years. Granted, we only use them for leisure and not transport. (a sarracen and a raleigh fyi) Ok, the bike I mentioned might be a pile of ****e but telling people that they have to pay over €250 for a bike is too.:cool:

quenching

Have to agree with Kona on this one, its not a bargain at all. Its a cheap bike, just because something is cheap doesn't make it good value. Avoid this like the plague, unless you just want to keep it in the shed and say you have a bike.

stevenmu

I'm not sure if it's still the case, but I know when suspension first became popular on bikes the cheap ones were terrible. The seals would always let go leading to either expensive repairs or a useless frame. The suspension also added a ton of unnecessary weight.

If anyone wants to go the cheap route I'd suggest getting a simple non-suspended frame. Less parts to go wrong, and at least when parts do they won't leave the whole frame knackered. They'll also be lighter, and for a simple 2 or 3 mile cycle on road suspension is just a waste of weight. And for a bike of the same price hopefully the production cost that would have gone into suspension will have gone into improving something else.

bk

I think what is confusing people here is not that it is a bad idea to buy a cheap bike, it is a bad idea to buy a cheap bike like this.

See all that suspension, it is just for show for kids, it is a toy. Rear suspension simply doesn't work on any bike under 1k.

So basically you are adding loads of extra weight to the bike with all the suspension, that doesn't actually work and makes the bike far less reliable and more difficult to repair.

Ideally a cheap good bike should be as simple as possible. No suspension at all, solid but relatively light frame, simple gear options. Unfortunately unlike places like Amsterdam, these type of bikes tend not to be sold here much, at least not for reasonable prices.

That is why people saying here that they bought a bike years ago for cheap and it does them perfectly fine are right, often the cheap bikes of the past are far better then the cheap rubbish being sold today.

craichoe

bk wrote: »

Ideally a cheap good bike should be as simple as possible. No suspension at all, solid but relatively light frame, simple gear options. Unfortunately unlike places like Amsterdam, these type of bikes tend not to be sold here much, at least not for reasonable prices.

Holland is wayyy more expensive for bikes than Ireland or the UK.
I'm buying one from the UK next month and looking at saving 50%.

Checkout some of the prices here ....
http://www.marktplaza.nl/fiets/bakfietsen/

I bought a f*cked up yolk in a dodgy shop for 50 yoyos safe in the knowledge that it will get stolen...

kona

pauliewallie200 wrote: »

kona wrote: »

Not really its a informed opinion, from years of working in a bike shop. The bikes people moan about are cheap bikes, the bikes which are repaired the most...cheap bikes.[]

pauliewallie200 wrote: »

The OP is not moaning?

It looks like a gr8 bargain...after all, it's only a bleedin' bicycle not a car!

This bike after all was 150 sterling

The bike was never 150 sterling, cheap bikes are ALWAYS sold "half price" or on "special" to entice impulse buyers, because people who do their research would run a mile.

I never said the OP was moaning, I said people who own cheap bikes are the ones who moan to bike shops about how crap bikes are:rolleyes:

FYI you could pick up a car of similar quality 2nd hand cheaper than that bike;)

It is not a great bargain at all.

kona

lindtee wrote: »

:pac::pac:

We have a couple of sub €150 bikes which are still going strong after 6 years. Granted, we only use them for leisure and not transport. (a sarracen and a raleigh fyi) Ok, the bike I mentioned might be a pile of ****e but telling people that they have to pay over €250 for a bike is too.:cool:

What saracen did you buy for e150? I really doubt you got a saracen for that price.

Saracen adults at the cheapest RRP for at least e250.

kona

Little A wrote: »

I really think some perspective is needed - what is the bike to be used for???)

Its a ornament for the shed BUT

Take a look at people commuting tomorrow morning, look at the amount using these heaps, the squeeks, the buckled wheels, no brakes, no lights. People do use these to commute, so I think it needs to be said these bikes are ****e before people jump in and buy because its a "bargain". You can get bikes at around that price, assembled in halfords.

Little A wrote: »

I bought a bike about 15 years ago for about £70 from Arnotts. I knew I would not be doing the Tour de France.....I hadn't cycled in years & just wanted to have a bike there as an option. It gets used about 20 to 25 times per year, the "get fit" option initially and now the summer cycles through the park with the kids. It has served it's purpose, & I reckon I got my monies worth.

£70 in 1994 is a HELL of alot nore than €90, considering £1=€1.27 and the fact that inflation had been rising quite considerably in that period. I think thats a poor comparison, also I do believe that budget bikes 15 years ago were built waaaaaaaaaay better than budget bikes now.

Little A wrote: »

Hubbie started to cycle to work a few years ago (on my ole rusty couple of wheels). I knew he would need something better than that & got him a bike from Halfors at half price for about €200 - going fine still.

What model of bike from halfords did you buy? One thing that can be said about most of halfords cheap bikes is that, because they are stocked regular and they sell **** loads, the quality control on them is better than bikes that random companies buy off the bike factories in the far east as a once off just to make a quick buck.

Little A wrote: »

If you don't plan on doing 200km per week or competitive cycling....it's not really a big deal. a cheap bike is a good place to start if you don't know if you'll really use it....how many people decide to "try" something & buy the latest greatest model, only for it to sit in a drawer/press/shed until it gets replaced by the next latest greatest model.

Im not saying buy the latest carbon fibre bike(FYI around 5k), Im saying spening a little more, and get something that will last and serve you well.
200km is nothing! I cycle 15km a day minimum and I live almost In the city centre. Go over to cycling and you will see lads covering 200k on e300 bikes no problem.


Also as a side, a bike shop makes more margin on the cheap bikes, the more you spend on a premium brand bike the less profit the shop makes.

poochiem

lindtee wrote: »

:pac::pac:

We have a couple of sub €150 bikes which are still going strong after 6 years. Granted, we only use them for leisure and not transport. (a sarracen and a raleigh fyi) Ok, the bike I mentioned might be a pile of ****e but telling people that they have to pay over €250 for a bike is too.:cool:

http://www.rothar.ie/ is a community centric bike workshop up the back of stoneybatter / phibsboro road. They've a map on the website. pop in there some saturday afternoon and they'll try and sort you out with what's best for you. They try not to charge more than 120. I think that qualifies as a bargain, they're real bike people and it's a good concern - Social Entrepreneur Award

kona

lindtee wrote: »

Ok, the bike I mentioned might be a pile of ****e but telling people that they have to pay over €250 for a bike is too.:cool:

You can spend what ever the **** you like on a bike, I dont care. However you cannot choose how much to spend getting the sack of ****e fixed.

Do you know that the bushings on thoses "suspension" forks are plastic, since the legs are steel, they will wear out. Since the forks are sealed and no way of opening them, once they wear, they have to be replaced.

Do you know that you wont be able to buy bushings for that frame when they wear?

Do you know that the bearings on cheap bikes are not lubricated in the factory?(they are coated with a anti corrosion sticky gunk)

Do you know that the pedals and cranks are made of plastic?

€250 isnt alot for a bike,

see here:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=42278

and they are 10% off... thats the real bargain here...

blorg

That bike is not a bargain and as Kona says was probably never the original price. Advertising stuff as reduced, half price, etc is a common sales tactic and if you are a true bargain hunter you should know better than to fall for it.

If €100 is your budget you CAN get a servicable bike if you buy a second hand hybrid without suspension and know what you are looking for. Budget €100-150 range for this, end of summer often people sell off bikes they bought with good intentions as the weather turns and you could be lucky. www.adverts.ie, www.buyandsell.ie, www.gumtree.ie etc.

That would be a better use for your €100 than this bike.

Completely agree with Kona and I don't even know a huge amount about bikes.

petethedrummer

Would anyone be brave enough to actually take this 'Dual Suspension Mens Mountain Bike' down a mountain?

DirkVoodoo

Jesus, if someone said "Bargain: Brand New 4-Wheel Drive SUV only 1000 euro" you might think something is up, no?

These bikes are like knock off iPhones from China, they may look like the real thing but you are better off flushing your 100 euro down the toilet. That is not a bargain, that is a waste of good money. A decent component on that bike like the wheels, front fork, etc. would cost that amount on it's own. And when I say decent I mean functional, not something that you need to go mountain biking. If you are looking at that bike as a commuter you are simply asking for problems.

Read this for more and stay away from BSOs

Raam

petethedrummer wrote: »

Would anyone be brave enough to actually take this 'Dual Suspension Mens Mountain Bike' down a mountain?

That is a great idea

pauliewallie200

petethedrummer wrote: »

Would anyone be brave enough to actually take this 'Dual Suspension Mens Mountain Bike' down a mountain?

Ya, put Kona on it...we could teach him how to cycle(prob impossible):D:D

voxpop

So can you cycle forum guys suggest a decent budget bike or even a decent budget make ?

DirkVoodoo

Well, the Specialized Sirrus that someone mentioned earlier is probably the best flat bar commuter out there and was available for 320 euro.

A friend was looking around gumtree at 100 euro second hand bikes and some God awful stuff, I convinced him to get one and he was delighted with it, couldn't believe the difference in quality between the sirrus and his previous bike.

Unfortunately it was stolen from the IFSC last week because he left his good lock in college.

For "best bang for buck" if you are looking for the cheapest but most decent available, then this should be your "bargain alert":

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_551203_langId_-1_categoryId_212377

Oh, and it has a nice review from a bike website (review is for previous model, which was my first bike and was a very good machine):

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/subway-1-8831

lindtee

There's a cycle forum???!!! If had known that I would never have posted this:)

DirkVoodoo

There is indeed a cycling forum, with people who know about bikes...and Kona, who can get angry but definitely knows about bikes.

Lots of useful information in the wiki: Here

Hungrycol

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Jesus, if someone said "Bargain: Brand New 4-Wheel Drive SUV only 1000 euro" you might think something is up, no?

These bikes are like knock off iPhones from China, they may look like the real thing but you are better off flushing your 100 euro down the toilet.

Hang on. Next you'll be tell me that I'm not the lucky beneficiary from the wife of the overthrown King of Nigeria who wants me to hold her money in my bank account, at a fee set by me, in case she get's arrested?

thebouldwhacker

eeek:eek:

Great bike if you dont mind cycling it for 100/200 miles before chucking it (-100 miles if it gets wet:))

wouldn't ride that bike anywhere where a malfunction would be dangerous, ie anywhere with a hard surface, an incline or decline, other people or pets. (i'd keep it away from cold, sunlight, water and anyone who wants to cycle it)

You could hang it up as instillation art i guess... at that price its cheaper than the crap you get in most home shops;)

DirkVoodoo

thebouldwhacker wrote: »

eeek:eek:

Great bike if you dont mind cycling it for 100/200 miles before chucking it (-100 miles if it gets wet:))

wouldn't ride that bike anywhere where a malfunction would be dangerous, ie anywhere with a hard surface, an incline or decline, other people or pets. (i'd keep it away from cold, sunlight, water and anyone who wants to cycle it)

You could hang it up as instillation art i guess... at that price its cheaper than the crap you get in most home shops;)

With halloween coming up, you could stick a few outside your house and make the children cry.

lindtee

Who would have though this would generate 3 pages of replies and many an argument?

Raam

lindtee wrote: »

Who would have though this would generate 3 pages of replies and many an argument?

You should post a question about Lance Armstrong or helmets in the cycling forum, then you'll see some arguments!

DirkVoodoo

Hardly an argument if people are trying to help you get a good bike and save money in the long run, is it?

thebouldwhacker

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Hardly an argument if people are trying to help you get a good bike and save money in the long run, is it?

Why are you over here starting arguments?!?;)

poochiem

some people do seem to get very cross. you'd think this was the Lisbon treaty debate not a simple question about an oul bicycle.

kona

poochiem wrote: »

some people do seem to get very cross. you'd think this was the Lisbon treaty debate not a simple question about an oul bicycle.

Deal with cheap people and cheap bikes....you will soon turn into a raging lunatic, who gets angry at sunny days.

stevenmu

If the Lisbon Treaty passes EU commissioners will sneak into your house at night and let the air out your tyres !

Vote No!

kona

stevenmu wrote: »

If the Lisbon Treaty passes EU commissioners will sneak into your house at night and let the air out your tyres !

Vote No!

I did, but the rest of yis voted yes.

Im didnt change my mind either.

kincsem

Wow,
I read the posts and didn't see the term -
Bicycle shaped object

Stick to the well known, respected makes of bike. Kona knows.

That bike is imo a chocolate fireguard.

T-Maxx

Thanks for the summary OP.