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So. My training Trek maybe at the end. Its a 2003 Trek 4900. Every part of it was modified. The only thing original is the frame. Now the BB shell (shimano) has sheared in the BB and could be a right pain to get out.
So maybes time to retire it and get a new training bike.
So looking around the £500 mark. Recommendations? Anyone recently got a new bike in this price range recommend for value/weight/ride etc?
Ive been thinking about these...
Dont talk about recommending anything else, as i have carbon fibre MTB race sexyness, so dont need one. This is for winter/general training and bits that dont wear out so fast etc.....
I've just bought a Marin Bobcat Trail 4 through the cycle to work scheme so is around that money if C2W is an option for you. There's also the Bobcat Trail 3 that's a bit cheaper.
In the spirit of ignoring what you said, might be worth seeing what B'Twin at Decathlon and Calibre from Go Outdoors have to offer.
Though I guess second hand would be the best value option.
As above, all completely ignore you and suggest you get whichever Voodoo your budget stretches to. The new Bizango frame is used on the 5-600 quid bikes as well.
British Cycling members get 10% off at halfords too...
Might go secondhand. Or try and find a frame to transplant everything across.
Did see the Marin Bobcat Trail 3 on some ‘best bike under xxx’, that and the Vitus VR 27 / 29.
trek marlin
If you're a large frame size.
Vitus Nucleus 29 -
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-nucleus-29-vr-mountain-bike-grey-2021/rp-prod195582
If you really have to have one of those two, then it still depends on whether you want a bike to use and ride out of the box. Or something for the long haul (like your Trek).
The Orbea is 'better' with Shim hydraulic brakes for a start, plus 10 speed Deore. But it's a bit more expensive.
My experience of the Spesh alu frames is that they last forever, and will cope easily with upgrades over time.
My base Rockhopper is still my regular hardtail, but like Trigger's broom, there's not one original part save for the frame. It's still an outstanding bike, and paint and finish means it still looks like new after 10 years.
So, that's my two penneth if you have to choose from those two. I'm guessing you're C2W if you're on the Tredz site, so Decathlon isn't an option, which would be my actual first choice at £500-£600.
SSS Free Member
Might go secondhand.
Have you had a look on Facebook Marketplace? Loads of people bought bikes during lockdown and used them once or twice. Its full of unused or barely used bikes in that price range
A quick look brought up this Marin Palisade
Out of all the options mentioned above (new) I’d go with the Vitus. Gets an air fork and 1x and has decent entry level geometry.
The Bizango mentioned is also good if you can get it for £600. Think it’s the same air fork and similar components.
A mate bought the Bobcat Trail 3 - the frame and geo is ok. Wheels aren’t tubeless ready and the fork doesn’t get anywhere near its full travel. Mate is over 6’ and weighs about 80kgs and barely gets half travel.
Or.....look secondhand - some lockdown purchases are slowly beginning to filter onto the market having barely been used. Might be some unrealistic prices being quoted though.
I liked the Vitus but only Large frames, so no go, as im a S. Although i can get a womens specific one in small on CRC/Wiggle.
The Vitus has 'Box Four' equipment. Is this SRAM/Shimano compatible (chains, chainrings, cassettes)?
Had a look on the Facebook marketplace, gumtree/ebay to see whats out there, there is, but not much close to me and noone seems to want to post the bikes. 🙁
The Trek is a 26er, so the wheels and forks arent transferrable on a new 27.5/29er, but the brakes etc are.....
Bought quite a few bikes off Tredz, Pedalon, CRC etc so its not for C2W.
Has it got to be a complete bike? You said you had replaced all the components already, and tbe bb shell is the trashed part.
Maybe get the frame you want in the size you want , new or second hand, and have a bit of fun swapping it all over? That would probably be my choice IF I had all the components there already, unless there is a glaring bargain on a complete bike somewhere.
Id actually prefer the frame to be fair and transport all the bits over onto it. However as im not after anything exotic, the price of a new low end bike - preferably a 27.5 - would be more cost effective.
However update on the Trek. Took the BB apart tonight to see the extent of the NDE cup and shearing.
Took the crank off, and expected the bearing holder to fall off and the threads to remain in situ.
No, the complete cup was loose in the BB. Significantly loose, so much so that i have no idea how its happened. It rattles in the frame BB. The only thing is it could have came loose slowly and worn the threads down on the BB cup with repetitive motion, but its not obvious to the eye.
Ive changed a fair few BBs in my time. It was a BB52 in it as usual (SLX crankset), and wasnt loose fitting when new when installed. Id have noticed.
I had a used BB93 XTR bottom bracket id kept from one of the race bikes when i replaced recently. Thought, hmmm, wonder if the frame BB threads are stripped so much that the BB cup doesnt fit.
Nope, fitted like a good 'un. So the training bike has a used XTR BB in it. Ordered a new BB52 for it.
However still looking at whats out there. Shame the Vitus is a womens one only available. Unless i grow significantly soon for a L or XL frame size.