Your Opinions

Bb4sure

I have just bought this bike, is it a good buy in your opinions?

I haven't cycled in years and I am wanting to get back into it for fitness not for racing as such. So do you think this would be perfect??

I wouldn't know alot about the spec on the bike regards gears etc. Its the only race bike I can afford thats why I bought it.


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MARUISHI-Mens-Road-Racing-Bike-Shimano-21-Gears-BLK_W0QQitemZ350280568410QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Bikes_GL?hash=item518e594e5a

redmaxi

It would 'probably' be grand for pottering round on but if you're putting in a lot of miles you'll run into trouble eventually.
The spec is zero. At 58cm this is a large frame and their sizing of 5'7" - 6' whatever is misleading. You'd want to be 5'10/11 minium.

Bb4sure

I'm 6ft myself so that shouldn't be a problem. I'd say I'll be using in to cycle 4-5 miles everyday or second day to get my fitness levels up?

Quigs Snr

This is not what you want to hear but that bike is a heap of dirt. That being said it is cheap so you may yet get your moneys worth from it. Ride it until it falls apart, it won't take long, hopefully by then you will have gotten the bug and have a few more quid together and can get a better machine secondhand. You can probably fob this thing off to someone then for not a lot less than you paid for it. There are always people, triathletes in particular looking for something to start out on.

Most of the parts are no-namers and the ones that are branded are either ancient models or from model lines not usually associated with race bikes. If you wish to ramp your cycling up after a while, you will want to move onto something else... for around 300+ you will get a lot better secondhand.

The money you have spent on this bike, need not be wasted however. It it gets you into cycling it will have been the best couple of hundred euro you will have ever spent.

thebouldwhacker

I was posting something similar to Quigs but in a much more subtle way... enjoy cycling, be careful it can become addictive....


one more of us, one less of them

Bb4sure

Appreciate the honesty. I will buy a good second hand one in the summer I would reckon wheither the one i have now is still going or not!:eek:

It would surely last that long??? I hope?? I know you get what you pay for but surely nothing serious could go wrong with it in the space of 6-7 months?

ednwireland

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/watchdog/2009/11/flat_pack_bikes.html

read that (you cant watch it outside the uk)


some dont last to the end of the drive
but sometimes you cant break them even if you want to

Highway_To_Hell

ednwireland wrote: »

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/watchdog/2009/11/flat_pack_bikes.html

read that (you cant watch it outside the uk)


some dont last to the end of the drive
but sometimes you cant break them even if you want to

available on youtube

Bb4sure

I wonder could I get halfords to set up the bike for me even though I didn't buy it there. Watching that video was a bit disconcerting I have to admit. I hope the bike is grand and works well when I get it, just have to see.

poochiem

Bb4sure wrote: »

Appreciate the honesty. I will buy a good second hand one in the summer I would reckon wheither the one i have now is still going or not!:eek:

It would surely last that long??? I hope?? I know you get what you pay for but surely nothing serious could go wrong with it in the space of 6-7 months?

famous last etc....

Quigs Snr

If you make sure its correctly set up and maintained then theres no reason it shouldn't last you a while. Components to watch out for will be the wheels in particular, those no-namers tend to arrive slightly out of true and buckle very easily. The tires will not be great either and you may have a lot of punctures. Hard to tell, with that kind of bike its really a lucky dip of components, so you will have to play it by ear. You are talking about doing very small mileage on it so it could well suit your purpose for a while.

I would read up the parktool site online and learn how to maintain the bike myself if I were you, otherwise the money you have spent on it will be a false economy.

blorg

Quigs Snr wrote: »

There are always people, triathletes in particular looking for something to start out on.

ooh subtle

el tel

At £129 it's reasonably inexpensive lesson in false economy. If it gets you through the winter and spring and no more it will have worked out cheaper than public transport. Apply generous amounts of WD40 to keep rust at bay and keep it well lubricated.

redmaxi

Barry from World Wide Cycles writes this about BSOs.

Paul Kiernan

The snobbery on this board is unbelievable. The whole bike cost less than most people here would spend on a pair of tyres or a saddle. It will need care setting up and in the first few months but after that it should provide a reasonably competent service. As a great man once said "it's not the bike, it's the engine" or words to that effect! So good luck, Bb4sure, and I hope you enjoy cycling!

Lumen

Paul Kiernan wrote: »

The snobbery on this board is unbelievable.

It has nothing to do with snobbery, it's the belief (true or false but honestly held) that you cannot produce a reliable bike for £129.99. The boardsie peleton is full of Planet-Xs FFS, and they're about as classy as a white stiletto full of Chicken McNuggets.

Raam

Lumen wrote: »

they're about as classy as a white stiletto full of Chicken McNuggets.

Mmmmm, mgnuggets. I mean, eeewwww, mgnuggets. Horrible yokes. White stilettos aint so bad though.

kincsem

Its not snobbery its advice given to help someone. People on here are giving advice based on past mistakes and experience.

I hope the opening poster comes back on here and tells us about his experience with the bike over the next few months, good or bad.

blorg

Paul Kiernan wrote: »

The snobbery on this board is unbelievable. The whole bike cost less than most people here would spend on a pair of tyres or a saddle. It will need care setting up and in the first few months but after that it should provide a reasonably competent service. As a great man once said "it's not the bike, it's the engine" or words to that effect! So good luck, Bb4sure, and I hope you enjoy cycling!

I refrained from commenting myself but I think Quigs had it well- it might do OK and get the OP into cycling. TBH it is difficult to see a €130 bike being a great success though, much as I hope it will be. It may survive a few months.

Quigs Snr

Paul Kiernan wrote: »

The snobbery on this board is unbelievable. The whole bike cost less than most people here would spend on a pair of tyres or a saddle. It will need care setting up and in the first few months but after that it should provide a reasonably competent service. As a great man once said "it's not the bike, it's the engine" or words to that effect! So good luck, Bb4sure, and I hope you enjoy cycling!

The engine being more important than the bike is true to an extent. But there is a minimum level the bike must reach or it holds back that engine, for example, put Lance on it and he will murder me, put an equal rider to me on it and I will likely beat him (heavier weight, poorer wheel bearings, sloppy shifts, more flex, weaker brakes, likely poor geometry, downtube shifters, it all adds up). I hope it goes well for the the OP but to be fair, he did come here looking for an opinion, he didn't ask to be told that the bike was great. No-one is having a go at him and he will find us all very helpful with any issues that he has (and all bikes great and small have those) That being said as long as it holds together I reckon I would prefer it to an MTB or hybrid for road use.

I like many others on this board started out small, and ended up with a fairly poor bike that I got rid of after 4 months. Do I regret it ? No. I remember that old piece of crap fondly, if I hadn't bought it and caught the bug I would be down the pub 5 nights a week like I used to be.

redmaxi

Paul Kiernan wrote: »

The snobbery on this board is unbelievable.

There's no snobbery in cycling, it's too hard a sport !.

If you had to carry out the same number of repairs on these bikes (which are fine to a point) as I have , you would soon come to realise 'you gets what you pay for'.

Paul Kiernan

OK, perhaps using the "s" word was OTT.

But the fact is that €170 is not a lot of money for someone to get into cycling and see if they're going to enjoy it or not. We all laugh at the guy who spends a couple of grand on a good bike, rides it once and then sticks it in the garage. Better to get the bug first and then spend the money!

BTW, if he'd spent €500 on a crap bike, which is easy to do, I would then feel that he'd wasted his money.

Hungrycol

Paul Kiernan wrote: »

the guy who spends a couple of grand on a good bike, rides it once and then sticks it in the garage.

That is the worst sin of all. "Dentists Bikes" I've heard them called. Expensive cobweb catchers too.

Lumen

Hungrycol wrote: »

That is the worst sin of all. "Dentists Bikes" I've heard them called. Expensive cobweb catchers too.

I may be biased due to the fact that I own at least two bikes which are "better" than me (my TT bike arrived today, woohoo!) but in my opinion people should just buy what makes them happy. You bought it, it's yours to race every week, cycle to the shops or leave in the garage as you see fit.

It is common knowledge that whilst cycling is an equipment-intensive sport (compared to, say, running) the equipment doesn't make a huge difference to measurable performance. Therefore people who race on cheaper stuff have no reason to feel aggrieved at those who ride more expensive equipment, because it doesn't make any difference to the result. Conversely, those who ride expensive equipment have no reason to feel superior to those who choose to spend less.

Ride and let ride.

Here endeth my defence of freddishness in all its forms.

Raam

For my first race I deliberately left my Cervelo at home and rode my older bike. I was too embarressed to turn up with a bling bike and not have the skillz to match it. Now I don't care.

Lumen

Raam wrote: »

For my first race I deliberately left my Cervelo at home and rode my older bike. I was too embarressed to turn up with a bling bike and not have the skillz to match it. Now I don't care.

Based on my limited experience of club training spins, you can easily identify the fastest rider before a wheel has turned by looking for the bike with the best fitting mudguards.

My next phase of obsessive-compulsive bike setup will therefore be focused entirely on optimising this aspect of performance.

godihatethehils

Raam wrote: »

For my first race I deliberately left my Cervelo at home and rode my older bike. I was too embarressed to turn up with a bling bike and not have the skillz to match it. Now I don't care.

But now you do have the skillz...

I'm not sure I'd wear TT gear to a TT yet because I'd be the one who turned up with all the gear and was still useless

Raam

godihatethehils wrote: »

But now you do have the skillz...

I'm not sure I'd wear TT gear to a TT yet because I'd be the one who turned up with all the gear and was still useless

Yeah, all the TT gear is a real statement of intent, and if you don't deliver...

niceonetom

Lumen wrote: »

my TT bike arrived today, woohoo!

\/

Raam wrote: »

Yeah, all the TT gear is a real statement of intent, and if you don't deliver...

@Lumen - you think you've bought a nice bike when really you've just accidentally issued an all-comers challenge to the boards. Well done. Now pics please. You getting a pointy hat?

I think My PX is ideal blend of too-good-for-me-in any-measurable-sense while still not making any unsupportable claims about my abilities. But it's not a TT rig.

thebouldwhacker

When I was buying a bike last year one shop tried to sell me a similar product, out of curiosity I took it for a spin, it scared the bejesus outa me, it truly felt like it was going to fall apart under me. the gears were rattling, the levers were loose, it was heavy and unresponsive, and trust me I am no bike snob... It would be perfect for heading down town on a night out and locking it up till the next day but if one was to try and use it for a sportive or such like I dont think it would be a very enjoyable experience.

Raam

niceonetom wrote: »

\/



@Lumen - you think you've bought a nice bike when really you've just accidentally issued an all-comers challenge to the boards. Well done.

Ne'er a truer word was spoken.

Lumen: you are now a target. I wish I had a TT bike though, but I'll just settle for clip-on bars. Are you selling yours?

el tel

Raam wrote: »

For my first race I deliberately left my Cervelo at home and rode my older bike. I was too embarressed to turn up with a bling bike and not have the skillz to match it. Now I don't care.

It's like going to a kratty class for the first time - is wise to leave the rising-sun headband at home until you can manage a roundhouse at least.

Although I would love to go to a spin class in full skin suit and aero helment except I own neither.

Lumen

Raam wrote: »

I wish I had a TT bike though, but I'll just settle for clip-on bars. Are you selling yours?

Possibly not. The Stealth comes with clip-ons which are less adjustable than my Profile ones, and it looks like the Profile ones will accept the bar end shifters, so I'll probably swap them over. If so I'll sell the ones that came with the Stealth.

Bb4sure, sorry for leading your thread off-topic!

petethedrummer

Paul is right. I'm thinking of getting one of these for a bit of trail riding, would it be alright for Ballinastoe?


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

ednwireland

petethedrummer wrote: »

Paul is right. I'm thinking of getting one of these for a bit of trail riding, would it be alright for Ballinastoe?


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

yep no prob (i'd love to see you throw it down a trail - wouldnt fancy riding up one though)

back to the OP myuy first 2 bikes were relatively cheap raleighs steel rimmed wheels, the second i upgraded until i broke a chainstay several years later (frame raplaced), at the time i got hold of an italian columbus sl frame built up wiith campag.

by then it was my commuter and i had my first mtb (a gt avalanche shortly follwed by the first generation orange aluminium 'O'.
the replacement from bought in the early 90's is still my commuter and i added a carbon framed focus cayo this year.
dont think i'm being elitist when i try and give people advice, just wished i'd bought a touring frame for commuting though so i could stick wider tyres and panniers (oh the number of broken wheels) having my shopping on the rack.

i've spent more on bike bits than i care to remember and have a shed full of old bits to prove it.

petethedrummer

ednwireland wrote: »

yep no prob (i'd love to see you throw it down a trail - wouldnt fancy riding up one though)

Throwing it would probably the most appropriate way of getting it down.

hynesie

petethedrummer wrote: »

Paul is right. I'm thinking of getting one of these for a bit of trail riding, would it be alright for Ballinastoe?

Last year I went out to Derroura with a friend who said he'd a great full suspension bike, turned out to be something similar to the above. I had a great time, never laughed so much while on a bike, especially when his breaks stopped working and he lost the ability to corner.

petethedrummer

hynesie wrote: »

Last year I went out to Derroura with a friend who said he'd a great full suspension bike, turned out to be something similar to the above. I had a great time, never laughed so much while on a bike, especially when his breaks stopped working and he lost the ability to corner.

snob

Bb4sure

Quigs Snr wrote: »

The engine being more important than the bike is true to an extent. But there is a minimum level the bike must reach or it holds back that engine, for example, put Lance on it and he will murder me, put an equal rider to me on it and I will likely beat him (heavier weight, poorer wheel bearings, sloppy shifts, more flex, weaker brakes, likely poor geometry, downtube shifters, it all adds up). I hope it goes well for the the OP but to be fair, he did come here looking for an opinion, he didn't ask to be told that the bike was great. No-one is having a go at him and he will find us all very helpful with any issues that he has (and all bikes great and small have those) That being said as long as it holds together I reckon I would prefer it to an MTB or hybrid for road use.

I like many others on this board started out small, and ended up with a fairly poor bike that I got rid of after 4 months. Do I regret it ? No. I remember that old piece of crap fondly, if I hadn't bought it and caught the bug I would be down the pub 5 nights a week like I used to be.

All advice and opinions are welcome, the reason I didn't want to spend alot on the bike was to do with budget and the fact that I wouldn't want to spend alot, get sick of it in a month and it would be just left there. I will look after it well, and I say I will enjoy it and if I like it so much I'll invest in a good mid-range bike. Im out for fitness and if the bike falls from under me within the first few months but yet I enjoyed cycling and would like to pursue it, its a lesson well learned. Thanks all, I'ts due to be delivered 2moro. I'll let you know how the set-up goes. Thanks again

DirkVoodoo

This reminds me of the LIDL suit. It looks like a suit, except it costs in the region of 20 euro. Sure the fit is all wrong, the quality is shocking and the price tag would raise some ethical questions as to how LIDL can produce and ship a product like a full suit for next to nothing, but hey. Yes, there are some ridiculous mark ups in bike retail, but more often than not you get what you pay for.

Be sure to post a 6 month review.

Bb4sure

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

This reminds me of the LIDL suit. It looks like a suit, except it costs in the region of 20 euro. Sure the fit is all wrong, the quality is shocking and the price tag would raise some ethical questions as to how LIDL can produce and ship a product like a full suit for next to nothing, but hey. Yes, there are some ridiculous mark ups in bike retail, but more often than not you get what you pay for.

Be sure to post a 6 month review.

I will along with all the millage put up on it. It will be kept in a shed and plenty of vaseline and wd-40 will be applied regularly.

Raam

Bb4sure wrote: »

I will along with all the millage put up on it. It will be kept in a shed and plenty of vaseline and wd-40 will be applied regularly.

no wd40 on the chain though

Bb4sure

Raam wrote: »

no wd40 on the chain though

I forgot that, I was told that years ago aswell. It strips the natural grease from the chain and is useless as a lubricant. What do you use and how much does it cost raam?

Raam

Bb4sure wrote: »

I forgot that, I was told that years ago aswell. It strips the natural grease from the chain and is useless as a lubricant. What do you use and how much does it cost raam?

Something like this: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=1041

blorg

Bb4sure wrote: »

I forgot that, I was told that years ago aswell. It strips the natural grease from the chain and is useless as a lubricant. What do you use and how much does it cost raam?

Finish Line or similar wet chain lubricant is generally best for this country especially in winter. Basically anything specifically sold as a bike chain lubricant will be fine. Avoid "dry" lubricants when it is wet (they are fine when it is dry however, indeed better as they don't attract as much muck.)

Drip a drop of oil into each link while running the chain backwards. It helps if you find the quick link or joining pin so you know where you started and when to stop. Then run the chain backwards a few times while holding it with a J cloth to wipe off excess oil. Your chain should basically look silver and shiny when you are done.

You will generally get chain oil as cheap in any local bike shop as online.

Bb4sure

Got the bike this evening, couple of scratches on the body, not 2 upset though. Set it up fairly handy, brakes are not the may west now have to say. Overall happy as a pig in **** Looking forward to stickin on the ipod and cycling like a huore to banging tunes :D:D

72hundred

Bb4sure wrote: »

Got the bike this evening, couple of scratches on the body, not 2 upset though. Set it up fairly handy, brakes are not the may west now have to say. Overall happy as a pig in **** Looking forward to stickin on the ipod and cycling like a huore to banging tunes :D:D

congrats, hope you get the bug!

bootsy11

Hi, i'm in a similar position to the original poster but i have yet to buy a bike and i would appreciate any help. I'm looking for a reliable hybrid for a beginner with a maximum budget of £350.

In my search, this bike http://www.all-about-the-bike.co.uk/dawes-discovery-301-hybrid-bike-2009---free-delivery-2111-p.asp has received some good reviews.
I'd like to know what you think or if you have opinions on an alternative.

Thanks.

Bb4sure

Ive had it out for a couple of runs now, the top end gear could be alot better. I can cycle alot harder. Brakes require adjusting quiet a bit. I'm doing my cycling on country roads, main roads would probably be alot better for the wheels and speed. The speed would be limited though as I could go alot faster.. Still I am happy with it, get my gear to measure speed and milage and start testing myself and getting fit. Invest in something better when I have more cash around summer

Lumen

Bb4sure wrote: »

Ive had it out for a couple of runs now, the top end gear could be alot better. I can cycle alot harder. Brakes require adjusting quiet a bit. I'm doing my cycling on country roads, main roads would probably be alot better for the wheels and speed. The speed would be limited though as I could go alot faster.. Still I am happy with it, get my gear to measure speed and milage and start testing myself and getting fit. Invest in something better when I have more cash around summer

Not quite sure what you mean about gears and speed.

What is the top gear? (how many teeth front and back?)