great entry level bike

[digan]

a good comdition british eagle firecharger.

added about 500 euro worth of upgrades to it recently. 24 speed

frame:british eagle firecharger

forks:same

brakes:shimano deore lx

gears: sram sx 4

seatpost:x-lite clickon

rear wheel: custom made shimano deore rear wheel


all the rest as standard


have been using it for 3 years off road and no bothers. all parts in like new condition as i only got them a while ago and havnt been using the bike much since then.

350 ono


Hi here is a link to the pics for my bike.


http://picasaweb.google.com/conordigan/BikePics

[digan]

PS i am going to put it up on ebay for 400 min if anyone wants to get it before than for cheaper.

[NigelS]

€350/400 you say? hmm...


Perhaps you can list what upgrades you bought for €500?


Also, how much was it originally? It's very difficult to get details on the 'net about it

[NigelS]

Does that fancy lock come with it? That must €499 of your "500 euro worth of upgrades to it recently"

[NigelS]

Lx Brakes '07/'08 model (front and rear) http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=11734

RRP €89 or €63.80 on sale.


Sram Sx4 trigger shifter (8speed Front and rear) http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=8898

RRP €31.90


X-lite Clikon Seat post (discontinued)

http://www.langsettcycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m2b90s266p4465

RRP €72.74


Mavic317 on Deore hub

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&productId=982&categoryId=98

RRP €66.36 Sale €49.78


Now, adding up the RRPs we get €260 for the price of upgrades. Using the best prices we get €218.22. You need to subtract the fact that you got rid of an old seat post, shifters, brakes, and a rear wheel. I assume they were fairly bog standard ones so value of 120 (a guess) in total. So added value to the bike = €140.


so, i'm guessing the bike was about 300 new - i can't find anything about it online. this might not be helped by the fact that the bike is a 'Fire Starter', and not 'Fire Charger' as stated. So, being generous here 300 +140 = 440


now...it's second hand. that automatically knocks off 40% of the value (that will be total 264). Add the factor that the stock parts are shite and it's rusty. Also, it's at least 3 years old. There are teeth missing on the Drivetrain. The rear mech or hanger is bent. So, in my estimation it's worth 150 max, and it should never be used for mountain biking, or any form of cycling!


We have a beginners course coming up and I can't believe somebody can have the audacity to market this as a "great entry level bike". Example - here's a fantastic Giant VT2 for sale on EPIC's forum for €500. http://www.epicmtb.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4869


/rant


EDIT - A note to other users of the forum, or other mountain bike forums. If you know people who have been involved in the sport for a few years, always ask their opinion on something before buying.

[Scrivo]

< a man with far too much time on their hands!


Fair play nige, I was going to say something to the effect of "you would be lucky to get a fiver for it" but I prefer your way....

[jonnieh]

one saucer of milk being dispatched to brussels...........

[NigelS]

:)

[Morgan]

Oh I dunno, I kind of like it - that bike has attitude.


If anyone is looking for an entry level bike in this price range though, you should be looking at something like this (http://www.mcconveycycles.com/products.php?plid=m1b0s2p3240).

[Martin]

...... have to agree with Nigel...... there is allot of this messing on other forums! overpriced bikes being sold to newbies at crazy money that should be in the national museum.........

[oisinfitz]

'have been using it for 3 years off road and no bothers'


Where? I brought a bike like that to masseys wood once before i had a proper mtb and broke the headset and a wheel.

[Barrydanzig]

thats the calibre of bike you'd find over at gumtree.ie

[paddyobrien]

'have been using it for 3 years off road and no bothers'


technically speaking, footpaths are off the road are they not?