Muddyfox? Also bike security

the keen edge

Well I'am thinking of buying a mountain bike, its a muddyfox ravage, it will just be for cycling around town and maybe a bit of basis, real basic, off roading. Has anybody any views on this type of bike, I'am a complete novice so any feedback is appreciated. As you can see it seems pretty cheap.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Muddyfox-Ravage-SE-18-Front-Suspension-Mountain-Bike_W0QQitemZ120538567550QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Bikes_GL?hash=item1c10a8937e#ht_3550wt_1165

Also what is the best type of security/lock to invest in for a bike?, is it usual practice to remove the front wheel and lock that as well?

And mudguards, most of the bike I,ve been looking at on ebay dont have them. Do most types of mudguards fit most types of bike.

Thanks in advance guy's:)

the keen edge

Please don't take this as bitchin', but fair enough if people don't know anything regarding the Muddy Fox, but surely someone can give me the head's up on bike security. Surly the Mod's on the Cycling forum must be familiar with bike security?

As I said earlier I'am a complete novice and would really appreciate any advice.

ednwireland

upto £180 now and how are you going to get it shipped here, be better off with a carrera from halfords

as for security - the forum has a search function

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/search.php?searchid=11023724

SubLuminal

Get a bike with road tyres if you're going to be riding on the road - much less rolling resistance - in general don't get a mountain bike for riding on the road - seating position, frame weight, rolling resistance from tyres.. just don't bother. Get a decentish secondhand racer and swap the drop handlebars for straight ones if you don't like drops, guarenteed you'll end up riding it more because you'll be comfortable on it and not knackered after riding it around for a bit.

RE. locking bikes to stuff - basic advice is - lock both wheels through the frame to something that can't be moved - failing that lock one wheel and the frame to something that can't be moved and lock the other wheel to the frame - also good tip I heard once is "lock your bike next/near to something better that is locked up worse". Its a harsh game but park your bike next to something more easily stealable that is more expensive and likely your bike will still be there when you get back. But minus a wheel if you don't lock the wheels to the frame.

You don't need to take the wheel off to do this.

good luck!

Lumen

A good U-lock for the rear wheel, through the rear triangle, and a cable lock for the front wheel for when you can't be bothered to take it off.

Kryptonite yellow locks are very good.

Avoid chains and cable locks, except as secondary security or when leaving the bike in a busy place for only a few minutes. Both can be cropped in seconds.

Consider how you'll be transporting the lock. Some locks (e.g. Kryptonite Mini) cannot be frame mounted due to shackle girth, others are so large that they won't fit in the main triangle.

SubLuminal

Lumen wrote: »

Avoid chains and cable locks, except as secondary security or when leaving the bike in a busy place for only a few minutes. Both can be cropped in seconds.

Actually a good point, the thinking is that a theif may have a hacksaw for your U lock, or he may have bolt crops for your chain, but he's unlikely to have both on him!

Just make your bike a pain in the ass to steal/to steal bits off - scumbags will then pick someone elses. Harsh but thats the way it works i'm told..

the keen edge

Thanks for the replies. Just to let you know the craic with the bike, I bought it last night, the auction ended at 9pm. I will have it all in and delivered for 240 Euros. Despite extensive searching on-line I could find no reviews for the bike, it's a Muddyfox Ravage. Its a new and unused bike but maybe it last seasons stock. Its is also a special edition, whether this means it was a prototype that never went in to full production or something else I don't know. I looked at all the bikes on the Muddyfox website and from what I can make out their entry level bike with a similar spec;


Product Features

18" Alloy oversized ATB frame with hydroformed down tube
26" RST Capa T7 alloy suspension fork with disc mount & mini boots 80mm travel
Cane creek alloy semi integrated headset
Shimano Alivio 24 speed gears with Alivio shifters
Alloy quad hydraulic front and rear disc brakes
Suntour alloy XCC-150
26" alloy double wall rim wheels
Kenda 21 tyres
Colour: Pearlised Blue


cost's in the region of £279 to £299, not including delivery.

What do ye reckon, was it a good buy?

seamus

Assuming that it arrives in good condition, you could do a lot worse for €240 and not much better.

anoble66

if your just going to use it to go to the shops and back then it should be fine, but I wouldnt want to be on it for any sort of distance on the roads - 20kg bike with those tyres = hard work.

But best of luck with it, it was certainly a cheap price for a new bike.