Whats Peoples Opinions on This

[miikeboyle]

Hey guys

Im only starting to get in to riding, but ive done quite a bit before coming from a Enduro Dirt Bike Background.

Im after a bike to ride around my local area like on the road when i head down the beach, and through the bush trails of my local nasho.

Im not into huge jumps and drops, but i like to give a few things a try if they are only moderate.

Im also on a bit of a budget.

So how does this bike look. I really donk know the ins and outs of mtn bikes to know whats good, and whats not

http://www.cellbikes.com.au/product.php?id=55&PHPSESSID=52bd4a7251b75b1c3d077b2bfaecc7bd

It seems to be fitted out with a lot of Shimano Deore lx Parts? How will these all hold up, like i wont be need ing to replace everything after a months riding will i?

Thanks for helping me out
Mike

[Fatman]

Never heard of this brand before, components are OK for the dollars. If you want a serious bike head to your LBS (local bike shop) and find out what they have. I'm not dissing web retailers but you can't get the same support and service from them as you can from your local. They will be able to fit you onto a bike and get you the best possible machine for what you want to spend. This and their advice and knowledge is invaluable, especially if you're starting out.

[craigb]

i agree with what fatman said. every single bit of it

[johnny]

Yeah I agree that the money is worth the bike. What you have to do is compare the cost of this bike to the higher end bikes ($10 000) and use this as a guide as to what level of bike you are buying. Personally I'd be a bit warey. You said you don't really want to go big, you don't have to for something to fark up. I know some one who was doing a steep roll down on a fairly well built up DMR (which is a good quality bike) and just the angle of the hit at the bottom was enough to fold the down tube underneath itself.

If you're just going for leisurely rides along some dirt, all well and good. But if you ever feel the need to get adventurous, don't do it on that bike.

[scratchy]

i agree with what craigb said. every single bit of it

[scblack]

I'll back up what Fatman says. If you have any problems or need anything your bike shop can help you.

[cam-o]

Mike, 1st things 1st, welcome to the forums and please tell me that "being from an enduro background" doesn't mean you've stopped riding motos!

The bike looks fine but as the guys above have said, getting them from the LBS is generally a better idea. The cheaper web dudes sometimes have a tendency to do stuff like not build their wheels very well. Wheels are funny things, the build itself matters way more than the bits used to do it.

They've also used a very common marketing trick by putting an LX rear derailleur on with a deore shifter. Generally drivetrain like that is only as good as the weakest link, so an LX /Deore combo will shift pretty much the same as straight up Deore.

Have a look around, if you can find a similar spec at your LBS for the money, buy it. If the gap in $$ and spec is huge, then go buy the sucker in your link and rip it up.

[Rik]

Whilst the components look fine for the price, I'd be very wary of the build quality, and even more importantly, its geometry. A bike can only ever be as good as it rides, so if the dimensions and angles are borked, no amount of good components will save it.

[scblack]

Another thing, at the bike shop you will be able to get a test ride. Then you can find if you feel comfortable with what you're going to buy.

If you get a net buy, there's no chance for that.

[miikeboyle]

Thanks for all your help so far


Dont worry Cam-o, i still ride my moto. My parents have a farm down your way (Braidwood) which i go to every now and then to ride my XR.

The Bike i posted isnt just a web deal. They have a shop which is pretty close to my house. I found out about the bike in the trading post, as they advertise there. I havent been to the shop yet, but ill go and check it out.

I never realised that they have to build the wheels etc. i always assumed that they came from the manufacturer pre built.

I went to 2 of my local bike stores, Chain Reaction in Cronulla and Kirrawee Cycles in Kirrawee. Chain reaction was much bigger and had alot more on display. They have well known brand bikes at similar prices, but the components on them look kinda low end, but then again i really dont have much to spend.

Ill try and find a friend that knows his mtn bike stuff to come with me when i check out the cell bikes so he can give me a bit of insite on them aswell

Thanks again
Mike

[cam-o]

Dont worry Cam-o, i still ride my moto. My parents have a farm down your way (Braidwood) which i go to every now and then to ride my XR.

So I'm guessing you know how to ride sand then......:p
I sometimes go riding down there at Neil Griggs' place, that big sand mining place just off the highway.

[scratchy]

Having a close look, the tubing looks just for show and a bit pointless Is that a gusset running halfway down the downtube. If it is it's one of the dumber things I've seen for a while. Plastic trouser protector on the cranks screams crap (but very easy to remove).

Intergrated headset, a pet hate of mine. chuck a couple of fork spacers to really give you some leverage to help you ovalise the head tube.

A mate despite my imput bought one of these Greenway off Ebay (or was it Greenwood). I met him at the Kona24, and it was either him or the bike shop, but someone didn't have the faintest idea how to set a bike up, 2 +inches of fork spacers with risers rolled back flat and saddle nose pointing to the sky! Fark it was heavy as well.

Giant have some great cheap bikes. Haro do as well, actually most REPUTABLE brands would. You'll also have a higher resale. Save a couple of weeks extra. For double the price you'll actually get a real offroad bike that will be 10 times better and last 10 time longer (IMHO).

[miikeboyle]

Hey guys

I went today over to where they sell the bike
It looks the part, but i am not really keen on it anymore.
The main reason behind this is because it has a sticker on it saying "this bike is not designed for downhill, stunts, jumping and offroad use"

I asked the guy there about the sticker and warantee and he said its only on there as its australian law, but ive noticed other bikes from bike shops dont have these stickers so im guessing the bikes arent made for offroad, so pointless for my needs.

Ive been looking at the Specialized Hardrock Sports Disc.
Has anyone here had any experience with these?
Any opinions?
It is a little bit more, has lower components on it, but its made by a respected brand and has most prob had lots more research and design put into it.

Thanks
Mike

[scratchy]

Don't worry about those stickers. They are pointless. It's because people use any excuse to sue someone nowadays that the manufacturers have to have crazy disclaimers. Every brand does it in some form or another.

Those stickers are a reflection of society rather than a reflection of the bikes quality.

Go the Specialized. They've always felt a balanced ride IMHO.