Ali C Posted November 19, 2007 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 Back in september I won a trackstanding competition at the uci world cup in fort william (1 of 4 winners) and my prize was a limited edition painted Kona four delux worth £1375!! I got the bike a few days ago and its pretty cool although its not really the bike for me. Its XC based with 4" front and rear and pretty light. I would quite like a more DH style bike but not a full blown racing machine as I would like to do some uphills.I have seen this Marin Quake 7.3 on ebay. I emailed the seller and he said he used it for a month then broke his back on his hardtail. He doesnt think he'll be up for riding downhill again so is selling the bike.It looks is great condition and has been upgraded with a ti spring, hope motos etc, so it cost around £3500 in total. if I sold my kona for £1000 that means its only going to cost me £500.Should I do it? Marins get great reviews and the bearings are garenteed for life. The only thing thats putting me off is that maybe its a little toooo DH specific? Although I would love to enter a couple of local dh races and maybe some trips to the alps.Its either that Marin or a Giant Reign x o brand new for £1400 (last years model, in a sale)Tough choice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Winton. Posted November 19, 2007 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 The Marin looks really good if you can get rid of your Kona, it looks pretty DH specific to me but with a few little adjustments it could be made more versatile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnyMilton Posted November 19, 2007 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 (edited) There such nice bikes, I guy at my work had one, It was brillant, he never had problems with the bearings, was a good wieght, and took conners so well. I think I fell in love with it, lol!But theres one downfall about them, there not really made for short people, you need to be over 5ft11" to ride one, or your legs want to touch the ground! lol Edited November 19, 2007 by JohnyTrials Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali C Posted November 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 I am 5, 11.when you say your feet wont touch the ground do you mean its got a high bb? or frame size is measured differently meaning they come up bigger? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomm Posted November 19, 2007 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 It is a downhill/freeride bike. Pretty rubbish for XC to be honest. I have heard good things about Marin's suspension system, but they are considered really uncool for DH/Fr so that's probably why it's cheap. There are a few better options - something like 5" travel all-mountain bike? I like my Commencal Meta 5.5.3 so something like that would be ideal ( http://www.realcycles.com/products.php?plid=m1b58s1p0 ). Or the Reign X like you said - a mate has got one of them (2007 Reign X O) and it's sooooo pimp. 6.7" of really plush travel, and quite light too. It's a bit too 'slack' for pedalling uphill though, mine is much more of an all-rounder (despite it weighing a good few pounds more since I've got the cheap spec). To be honest, unless you're doing uplift days or some really steep DH, you don't need anything more than 5-6" for trail riding. Maybe for drops a bit more would be better.P.S. I'd take the story of him breaking his back with a pinch of salt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnyMilton Posted November 19, 2007 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 (edited) I am 5, 11.when you say your feet wont touch the ground do you mean its got a high bb? or frame size is measured differently meaning they come up bigger?frame size is different, Im also 5ft 11" adn I could touch the ground comfortably, that didnt give me any problems.but the one your looking at looks about the same size as my devinci, so I dont think I would be to big for you, from what I know about my height.Plus that Marin is more like a Freeride/all-mountain bike, so it can cope with a little XC, but it want feel right, as I like Down hills more than going up hills! Edited November 19, 2007 by JohnyTrials Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali C Posted November 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 sound advice.I am REALLY tempted by a Giant, they get awesome reviews and the one I have seen is a great spec too.I wouldnt be doing too much hardcore xc, just a doddle about (though the hills round here are dam steep!)I was also tempted by a specialized enduro (last years) or an sx. I went on a xc ride with a borrowed enduro and managed the ride fine (22 miles, steep hills!) and thats got nearly 7" of rear wheel travel.My other idea was to buy the marin and try to sell it on for more, but if you say they are uncool, then that might bugger that idea up ok, new idea...scrap the dh bike and get a moto trials bike? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenLeacock™ Posted November 19, 2007 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 (edited) Last years specialized stumpjumper was rated best full sus for under £1500 ? Ride really nice aswell !o god, motortrials bike :| You seen dave's ankle ? Your not safe on a bmx ali Don't do it to yourself They are fun though ... Edited November 19, 2007 by benleacock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali C Posted November 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 bit too xc based and I can get a lot better specced bikes for the same cash on ebay or shop sales.When lee mill quarry is done I want a bike to do the dh lines and drops there but also some of the trails too, the quarry is going to be awesome for riding with ladder bridges, wallrides, jumps etc.Maybe I should just get a hardtail for cheapish and spend the rest on a motobike (always wanted one) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waddy Posted November 19, 2007 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 thats cos dave didnt have boots you know what i think you should invest in ali , Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmt_oli Posted November 19, 2007 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 (edited) Ive got a kona dudu bike, set up for heavy XC, light freeride. coil sprung frame with 5ish inches travel i think, got some old marzochi forks on it atm 5" again. rest of set up is top notch. Hope minis, hope hubs, sun singletrack rims, XT/XTR stuff.May be interested in swapping whole bike or parts if you just want something a little more heavy duty. i wouldnt mind loosing a bit of weight, i like my XC rides. Edited November 19, 2007 by nmt_oli Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali C Posted November 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 sorry, not a fan of konas (I dont know why, I just dont like them) but ta all the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigjames Posted November 19, 2007 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 ive gotta go and plump for the giant ali, ive got a giant glory zero and a trance x 2. they both pedal awesomely, no bob, the suspension is so efficient i find the propedal on the fox shocks over kill. they ride considerably lighter than they are, i recently weighed my glory up after i fitted some new rockshox totems to it and we were horrified to see it weighed 45 lbs!! but it pedals so much lighter and is so much easier to throw around than it weight would have you believe. a lot of this is down to the weight distribution of the bike, the majority of the weight i.e. shock, linkages and cranks is in the bb area of the bike, giving the bike a low stable c of g, meaning it flies great and corners like nothing else.my old bike, a specialized sx, was great, gripped and soaked up the bumps, but was over active. with the shock set up for my weight it was bobbing all over the place, i find it easier to pedal the glory to the top of the track than the 34 lbs specialized. go for the reign x, awesome bikes, great price, brilliant warranty service. the 6.7 inches will feel fine on the ups and the downs and will build into a much lighter bike in time. you definately wont regret it thats for sure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenLeacock™ Posted November 19, 2007 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 What about scott ransoms ? They are a all mountain bike! If you can find a nice one of them i would say thats the way to go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali C Posted November 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 cheers for the help.Knowing me though, I want all this nice stuff, but when it comes to the crunch I can never make myself split with my money too many options, which is really the BEST way to spend my (soon to be) money? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenLeacock™ Posted November 19, 2007 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 cheers for the help.Knowing me though, I want all this nice stuff, but when it comes to the crunch I can never make myself split with my money too many options, which is really the BEST way to spend my (soon to be) money?I think since lee mill quarry is so near you, i think the best option would be a all moutain bike, just seems like you could have so much fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali C Posted November 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 but now waddys got motorbikes on my brain!Which would help with trials more, a mtb or mototrials bike?a Friend might be selling his gas gas 125 for £800ish or someone else is selling a beta rev 3 2004 for £1300ish.maybe I should just get a really exspensive haircut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenLeacock™ Posted November 19, 2007 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 but now waddys got motorbikes on my brain!Which would help with trials more, a mtb or mototrials bike?Which is easier to get out on ? Motorbike means you can't get there with out a car and tralior. Means you can't just ride down the road. Bike means you can get there easily with out any hassle, can go almost anywere and can ride it whenever you want ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Si-man Posted November 19, 2007 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 sent you a pm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt rushton Posted November 19, 2007 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 (edited) sound advice.I am REALLY tempted by a Giant, they get awesome reviews and the one I have seen is a great spec too.I wouldnt be doing too much hardcore xc, just a doddle about (though the hills round here are dam steep!)I was also tempted by a specialized enduro (last years) or an sx. I went on a xc ride with a borrowed enduro and managed the ride fine (22 miles, steep hills!) and thats got nearly 7" of rear wheel travel.My other idea was to buy the marin and try to sell it on for more, but if you say they are uncool, then that might bugger that idea up ok, new idea...scrap the dh bike and get a moto trials bike?Yeah do that Edited November 19, 2007 by matt rushton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomm Posted November 19, 2007 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 I was also tempted by a specialized enduro (last years) or an sx. I went on a xc ride with a borrowed enduro and managed the ride fine (22 miles, steep hills!) and thats got nearly 7" of rear wheel travel.Enduros are nice. I have a couple of mates who have them and they seem a good balance of travel/weight/angles for ups and downs. One thing I will say is that it might be worth trying them out before you buy them. I rode an Enduro and it was quite short - I didn't like it compared to my Commencal. So it's probably worth riding them. Commencal's suspension design is awesome though - it's one of the best there is - it's so active yet there's little bob. Saying that though, Giants have good suspension designs too. Giant's range is good though because there are loads of similar bikes (Trance 0,1,2, Trance X0,X1,X2, Reign 0,1,2, Reign X0,X1,X2) and they're all decent but with varying amounts of travel/spec.Like I said before, I think the Reign X just makes uphills a bit too much like hard work for me. I'd probably have a standard Reign of all the Giants - they have 2º steeper head angle and a bit less travel. But if you're after a 6.7" 'hardcore XC'/'all mountain' cum freeride bike - get the Reign X (ooooor a Commencal Meta 666 - that would be my choice).Too much choice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilikeriding Posted November 19, 2007 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 specialized enduro, if you dont wanna go full on dh, im not sure about the marin, ive only heard bad things from mates that have ridden them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Si-man Posted November 19, 2007 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 Reply to my Pm then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andeee Posted December 24, 2007 Report Share Posted December 24, 2007 If your looking for something with a bit of d/h,freeride and cross country. id advise the 2007 mongoose teocali elite which retail at £1299.00 new. I my self have one and love it beautiful spec to it deore lx gears except the rear mech is an xt. Hayes nines front and rear. Rock Shox pikes mega uber bouncy and adjustable lockout which have 5" travel i think. The rear shock is a rockshoz one which is pretty swish. Over all i love the bike and have used for mainly cross country and downhill in dalby forest and coed langel or what ever its called in whales. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali C Posted December 25, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 25, 2007 cheers for the advice, its a wee bit late now though I bought my friends gasgas txt 125 a couple of weeks back. Last week I just spent £2000 on a new (to me) van....so a dh bike is out of the question now lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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