New Bike

[Lowe]

This is a bit of a no brainer, but I thought I'd post for opinions never the less.

I currently ride a Claud Butler Ravana - approx a 2004/2005 model. Due to the generosity of a few friends who ride proper bikes, I've been given a fair few upgrades along the way. So I've now got nice pedals, saddle, 203mm front/160mm rear cable disc brakes and a Zoom 120mm front suspension fork, along with a couple of slightly buckled Shimano rims (that need replacing).

The majority of my riding is a 6 mile round trip commute which takes in a combination of road/grass/cycle path since I can ride pretty much as the crow flies. However on the odd weekend here and there I sometimes get a pass from the missus to do something a bit more serious, like the Long Mynd, Follow the Dog in Cannock or a Welsh trail.

My options are:

1) Upgrade the above with a nice set of Mavics, and look into getting a new front fork (I'm getting brake judder with the 203mm). By the time I've fixed up the rest of the bike (rear brake needs looking at) I'm guessing I've spent 300 quid without too much trouble.

2) Get another bike. I've been offered a Claude Butler 2007 Cape Wrath d27 second hand for approx £250. It's 6 months old and in good nick. Few little bumps here and there, and the usual cable rubs but nothing major. It's a standard bike apart from new rubber. I'm going to have a look at it on Sat to see how I get on riding it, but for that kind of money the spec is probably better than what I've got - not to mention it's a proper set up.

So - your thoughts people, flog the other one and get the other 2nd hand bike, or stick with what I know, and fix it up?

[moogle]

wow a claude butler wrath for that price? even if its 6 months its still a decent price. i was gonna get a claude butler but i don't like how the frame is on the down tube. but still its a good bike. it'll be a real lightweight one. if your other bike is a bit heavy then its good training when u go on that one as it'll be like your 20kg lighter

i say get the 2nd one. I got 2 bikes. one for riding to uni and one for riding on biking trips.

[JPreston]

You'll spend £250 on wheels and a fork alone! Just get the new bike . Keep the old one too and you'll have a handy pub/shops bike that won't bother you so much when it gets nicked.

[Lowe]

Sadly I've not got the room for 2 else I'd keep it for that alone. Lets hope an 18" frame isn't too small for me

[Darklink]

Sadly I've not got the room for 2 else I'd keep it for that alone. Lets hope an 18" frame isn't too small for me

the frame size should be your inside leg - 12", mine is meant to be a 20" frame but i like having it a little bit smaller.

[Lowe]

I'm supposed to be a 22" frame by that rule (which I ride on at the moment) but it does feel a touch too big I don't like the fact that when I stand over the bike it's *very* close to the meat and veg.

I'm going to have a look tomorrow anyway and I'll take it around the block. Might just need a bit more seat post showing heh!

[JPreston]

Every frame is different, you can't really have a sizing rule. Also you can easily make a too small frame bigger - longer stem and longer, layback seat post - but there is no way to make a too big frame smaller

[moogle]

I don't like the fact that when I stand over the bike it's *very* close to the meat and veg.

That so happened to my friend on his old bike, he braked suddenly and I bumped into the back wheel sending him flying onto the frame
He always chooses one size lower now

[Lowe]

Oh well, I bought it.

Stunning bit of kit really, the brakes - blummin heck I've never felt stopping power like this on a 'cheap' bike.

[Lowe]

Couple of pics

Turns out it was only 2 months old as well.

[moogle]

nice garden and nice bike!!!!!!!!!!!!!

damn, it does look nice. it's brand spanking new as well.
or so it looks
I just love those types of bike styles
I got my GT this week. So light to ride

[Dorza]

Wow, thats a great looking bike; very bold looking and speaking in general here now, crud catchers add a great deal to the overall look of a bike. Too bad you can't get them for the forks.

You definitely done the right thing to; I wanted to re-vamp a 10 year old bike I've got and the cost for decent gear came to around £400 for just the front end. Add in the rear end other bits and pieces and it would have topped £600 without breaking a sweat, so I ended getting a Hoss Deluxe instead for £630.

I have come to the conclusion that it's only worth significantly upgrading a bike if the bike you have is worth more than a grand and there for too dear to simply replace with a newer one.


Have fun with your new bike .

[arbitor]

nice garden and nice bike!!!!!!!!!!!!!

damn, it does look nice. it's brand spanking new as well.
or so it looks
I just love those types of bike styles
I got my GT this week. So light to ride

Are you wierd?

Never seen a garden before or summat?


Nice looking bike

[moogle]

Are you wierd?

Never seen a garden before or summat?


Nice looking bike

no i haven't, first time i seen one in my life.

[herulach]

looks good, id move those lights inboard a bit though, that way they wont be as likely to get bust when you stack.

[arbitor]

no i haven't. i'm sorry i wasn't graced with rich parents who could afford a house with such nice gardens in london. no need to be a prick about it

Each to thier own.

Sorry to cause offense