Starting a new as the original was old and out of date.
Jump to last page of 2024 thread
Have at it with your deals...
Can a link to this be added to the end of the original thread in case the acronym isn't obvious to everyone? 🙂
As some members were unaware of what “PSA” stands for I’m not sure that is going to work!
Can you give this bargains thread a proper title that isn't criptic, please?! 😉
https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/shimano-deore-m6100-12-speed-shadow-rear-derailleur-4543586 sounds good for ~£29.
PSAs that may or may not be amazing enough to warrant their own thread
Can you give this bargains thread a proper title that isn't criptic, please?!
Yeah, proper title please. I liked the old title as (I think) it contained an element of sarcasm. A long initialism just looks clunky.
Thanks
The 11spd version seems to work perfectly with 12 spd drivetrains for £25
I've ordered a couple of those 6100 mechs for when my XT decides to spontaneously destruct again.
There's a £40 dropper in that sale too.
Can someone point out to me that fitting these Mavic SLR wheels to my (lightweight) ebike would end in disaster please?
I know it's a bad idea but they're so light!
Merlin - Fox 38 performance Grip £395
Is this the same as the performance elite ? if so thats a really good price.
They aren’t. Performance is a much simpler damper, whereas the Elite shares the same damper as the Factory. However… the damper in the Performance might actually be better for some riders, particularly lightweight folk
I’ve asked Merlin what size crown is on those… will post here if they reply.
XL Sonder Evol frame for £400 (no shock)
Looks like the current model frame, so a nice bargain for someone lanky:
Not sure I'm ready for the backlash of suggesting Hunt wheels online... but these half price carbon enduro wheels might suit someone here at 50% off?
XL Sonder Evol frame for £400 (no shock)
Looks like the current model frame, so a nice bargain for someone lanky:
They also have the 29er 140mm for £299(284 with coupon) with deluxe select+ shock. So probably the better deal overall Again XL, but choice of blue or black
£284 is ridiculous for such a good frame, particularly if you want 29 rather than mullet like the latest one.
Not bike related but voucher and motorclub membership.... 95 quid delivered
Not sure I'm ready for the backlash of suggesting Hunt wheels online... but these half price carbon enduro wheels might suit someone here at 50% off?
Page not working error so guessing they've run out?
They're still there if you search the site.
Personally, I'd want something lighter for £650, let alone the £1300 rrp. Horses for courses and all that though.
https://www.huntbikewheels.com/products/hunt-proven-carbon-enduro-h_core-mtb-29-wheelset
could this thread be pinned?
could this thread be pinned?
It is, but the new forum seems to be having some teething issues.
Merlin’s Fox 38 stock…
the factory forks are 58mm crown
the black stanchioned ones are all 68mm
Merlin’s Fox 38 stock…
the factory forks are 58mm crown
the black stanchioned ones are all 68mm
The 68mm ones - it's simply the outer size of the crown and not related to the steerer diameter in any way, correct? I can't find a Fox-specific photo, but just like below? I guess the larger one is intended to suit chunky HTs.
Yes, just a wider crown. Usually to match the aesthetic of ebikes. Steerer is the same
Merlin have some less than half price Time pedals in, I was going for my usual MX4 at £37, but ended up with the Speciale 12 at £99, reduced from rrp of £260, no-one pays £260 for them, but still pretty good at 99.
PSA? What on earth does this mean?
Public Service Announcement - aka letting everyone know a stonking deal
Mavic neo full fat (inc extra batteries and n3 goggles).
it was on Amazon for £400 at the weekend.
This looks great, perfect for building a second bike, a parts bin build or a bike for a bit of racing. Specialized have them at £850 (rrp £1150) but J's are doing them for £399 and in 2025 thats about as cheap as you get - these got really well reviewed, trail geometry, proper top quality M4 alloy, its not just a 'cheap alloy hardtail', they are really nicely put together. Adjustable dropouts so you could even S/S it. Great colour too.
https://www.jscycleshack.com/bikes/bike-frames/specialized-fuse-m4-mountain-bike-frameset__21470
The kind of thing you could do... (pinched off VitalMTB)
?v=1655984733&width=713
(Why are customers photos always so much better at showing the product off than the press/PR/Web photos! They are good looking Bicycles!)
On a similar vein Stif now have Squatches for £449. I'm tempted but Im not sure if it'll be noticeably better than my Big Al
https://www.stifmtb.com/products/stif-squatch-v1-1-frame-only?variant=41399730110575
Stif now have Squatches for £449. I'm tempted but Im not sure if it'll be noticeably better than my Big Al
Well, I couldn't be doing with 430mm chainstays - but it's pink, it's steel and it's called a squatch - so it's got a few things going for it.
https://www.bananaindustries.co.uk/search?q=Olsen+frame
Banana industries have got some olsen ti frames for pretty cheap. Might scratch an itch for someone.
On a similar vein Stif now have Squatches for £449. I'm tempted but Im not sure if it'll be noticeably better than my Big Al
https://www.stifmtb.com/products/stif-squatch-v1-1-frame-only?variant=41399730110575
My brother who I ride with a lot made this change and the squatch is notably nicer. Nothing wrong with the big Al but the squatch seemed more capable over rougher stuff.
appreciate its all opinions but where chakaping says he doesn’t like short chainstays I’ve come around to thinking they’re a massive plus on hardtails (especially as the trail / harder riding end of the spectrum). I have a canyon stoic with shorter stays and think it adds a lot of fun and rowdiness compared to my nukeproof scout. Corners on rails.
^^ i had a signal ti and i think the cs were insanely short.. This bike rocked, made it so much easier to manoeuvre the rigid back end around
Short CS always make a bike feel more nimble, IME. It’s surprising that 30-40mm can make such a big difference but it really does.
^^ i have a signal Ti and I know the cs are insanely short.. The bike is poppy.
PSA - Merlin are doing good deals on pairs of Conti5000AS TR 35mm plus sealant.(road tires)
^^ i have a signal Ti and I know the cs are insanely short.. The bike is poppy.
PSA - Merlin are doing good deals on pairs of Conti5000AS TR 35mm plus sealant.(road tires)
They’re out of stock in everything apart from 25mm.
And it’s not that good a deal anyway. Lordgunn and others are pretty much the same price.
Probably a bit late because it came in last week but might be some left - Lidl have folding saws for £3.99
Lidl have folding saws for £3.99
I got one, and I expect they'll still be in stock.
Telescopic loppers for £13 look very decent too (bit big to fit in riding pack though)
I've got an older model of the Fuse M4 from about 2020ish. I can confirm they are very, very nice frames. The only downer from my perspective is the seat tube rivnuts make it hard to fit a decent length dropper. I'm tempted to just drill mine out at some point and replace the stock 170mm Specialized one with a OneUp.
And it’s not that good a deal anyway. Lordgunn and others are pretty much the same price.
Worth having a look at recent lordgun reviews, they all seem a bit off. Mate of mine had a no show with his order and Lordgun didn't know why it had been sent back to them. I don't think they made any effort to say until he chased it up.
sorry OOS
2024 Fox Float X2 230x65 for £400 at Merlin.
Fox Float X2 Factory 2Pos-Adjust Rear Shock 230 -2024 | Merlin Cycles
Importantly, the 2024 model seems to be when they got back on top of reliability with this shock.
https://www.freewheel.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=hbdt3508
DT Swiss 350 rear hubs £114.99 each on Freewheel. Match with a front and that's a pair of hubs for two hundred quid.
Excellent for 350s that. TBH it's the rear that does all the hard work so a cheaper front and a quality rear can be a great combo (though not as good for resale, if you care)
https://www.bananaindustries.co.uk/products/giro-merit-spherical-dirt-helmet
If you find Giro helmets a good fit then the good folk at banana industries have a good price to match.
Sportspursuit shouldn't need a plug, but I just took delivery of a Northwave softshell jacket for those chilly dry days. Its quite a lovely thing - good weight, really well cut and fitting, decent good if you wanted. Its almost too nice to ride in and will get plenty casual wear. £110 might be an ambitious RRP but down to £40 it certainly feels like a bargain.
https://www.sportpursuit.com/catalog/product/view/id/3926781
This PSA means leaving your screen!
Oxfam in Guildford, Surrey (top of town) have had a massive load of Endura gear donated by a corporate donor (probably Endura). Loads of bibs, jerseys, jackets, glasses, and helmets. One of the chaps that works there spotted my sniffing around the helmets on display and invited me into the back room to rummage through all the kit. Most of it is about a third of RRP.
@jimmy How do you find the sizing for the softshell please as I've been hovering over this.
For me it's perfect, it's not too slim but also not baggy. Arm and body lengths spot on. I'm a small and did worry it would be too fitted, but it's really well cut.
3 weeks delivery? It'll be too warm by then! 🙂
Various stores doing Playstation 5 Slim plus Astro Bot bundle, with or without disc drive, for £430/340.
This PSA means leaving your screen!
Oxfam in Guildford, Surrey (top of town) have had a massive load of Endura gear donated by a corporate donor (probably Endura). Loads of bibs, jerseys, jackets, glasses, and helmets. One of the chaps that works there spotted my sniffing around the helmets on display and invited me into the back room to rummage through all the kit. Most of it is about a third of RRP.
Top insider PSA, that one! Sadly, too far for me!
Shimano XT 12-Speed Upgrade Kit - £235
Shimano SLX 12-Speed Upgrade Kit - £169
Needed a new dropper so bagged this...
£100 vs £400 seemed like a no brainer.
Works perfectly with my mismatched rims and mismatched tyres
If my budget for a dropper was £100 I would buy anything but a Reverb. In fact I wouldn't buy if if they were £0. You can buy a SDG 175mm for £90, albeit YT branded.
You'd have to pay me to put a non axs reverb on my bike. A mate has one and seems to spend at least every other ride faffing with it as it goes bouncy. The worst was three times on the Borrowdale bash.
Yeah do yourself a favour and cancel that reverb order. They simply don't work
didn't want to add salt to the wound but i'm pretty sure i got my oneup v2's for about £125 on sales etc.. a while back.. 100 for another thing that needs regular serve to maybe just work is ridiculous...I didn't legitimately think anyone bought them and they were OEM only...
Needed a new dropper so bagged this...
£100 vs £400 seemed like a no brainer.
I was of the same mindset as you. Having had three reverbs in the past ( all of which failed with the usual sag) I thought surely they improved durability with the latest version and a 200mm drop @ £100 was a no brainer. Four rides after fitting the sponginess has arrived. My suggestion would be don't waste your money.
Just to counter the above. I bought my first reverb in 2012 I think. It still works, got maybe 5-10mm of squish now. Never been bled, never had bushes or anything other than a squirt of silicone if I remember.
Got a newer, maybe three year old one and that’s (touch wood) been fine also.
YMMV
It still works, got maybe 5-10mm of squish
🤔
The n̈ew c1 reverb are fine and a lot of the above is quite true of the original a1 a2 versions but back then reverb outsold every other dropper by 100/1 at least
Axs dropper with a max 175mm is ridiculous imo
One up dropper goes on my list of one of the most overated products. Yes it's great for max drop minimum insert but the slop is bad the function isn't smooth.
Bikeyoke everytime
It still works, got maybe 5-10mm of squish
🤔
I know I know. But that’s after 12 years and a touch of squish ain’t too bad 🤣🤣
One up dropper goes on my list of one of the most overated products. Yes it's great for max drop minimum insert but the slop is bad the function isn't smooth.
Bikeyoke everytime
Price being equal maybe........
I've had 3 Oneup droppers in the past and not had any major slop or play. Stack/weight not being an issue, those Tranz X rad+ droppers sportandleisure were doing for just over £50 last year have been faultless as well.
Could have bought one of these for £40
https://sportandleisure.com/products/limotec-alpha-1-internal-route-dropper-post-black
Was in Lidl yesterday and picked up some digital calipers for £7.99. They feel pretty good. They also had a digital angle tool for the same price. Looked very similar to my Trend one which is great. Well worth having if you do woodwork or metalwork.
One up dropper goes on my list of one of the most overated products. Yes it's great for max drop minimum insert but the slop is bad the function isn't smooth.
I bet OneUp can't believe their luck that nobody else has come out with a dropper that competes on insert and especially on stack height.
Well, maybe one of those Ascend posts will be close - for half the price - but they're not wildly popular yet.
Well, maybe one of those Ascend posts will be close - for half the price - but they're not wildly popular yet.
I mean they are, they just say Brank X on them currently.
I mean they are, they just say Brank X on them currently.
I understand they are from the same factory, to the same design - and that the OneUp is probably also from the same factory and very similar inside.
But Ascend have a new variant of the BX post (along with the classic design) which has a much lower stack height - and looks like a good option for stumpy legged riders like me.
I'm stumpy of leg, so total post length is critical, as I'm both running shorter seat tubes and typically need as much drop as possible.
For anyone looking for the comparison tables, the OneUp V3 can be found here: https://www.vitalmtb.com/product/guide/seatposts/oneup-components/v3-dropper-50956
..and this is the current Ascend options: https://ascendcomponents.com/collections/dropper-seatposts/products/flight-dropper-seatpost-30-9-31-6-150mm-170mm-200mm
OneUp does moar travel (up to 240) and more diameters, but for £99, if the Ascends are as good as their previous ones, it's a no-brainer for most use cases. I've run about half a dozen of the old Ascends over the years on the family's bikes, and they are the only ones that haven't needed any maintenance at all. The new ones look a bit different, and stock seems to be cleared out. Worth following for sure though.
[EDIT]Tell a lie - they do a slightly fancier one that goes to 130: https://ascendcomponents.com/collections/dropper-seatposts/products/adapt-dropper-seatpost-travel-adjust-30-9mm-31-6mm-150mm-170mm-200mm
They also do this one, currently available in 30.9 for Orange owners like me:
Flight SL Dropper Seatpost 30.9mm 31.6mm 150mm 170mm 200mm – Ascend Components
