Cape Town_Guy Posted February 10, 2019 Posted February 10, 2019 Hi all After my Cannondale was stolen about a year ago the day just before my insurance was activated i decided to get back into riding again. I don't do trail riding, im a street riding guy. I slowly started looking for a bike again, gumtree, olx and Facebook but bothing really in my budget. Few days ago i spotted a ad for a Raleigh (i know they are bad just didn't know they this bad) R2P 650b aluminium frame still in its box brand new for literally 1 10th of the new price. Well i assembled the bike and took it for a short spin around the block and OMG this is a piece of crap. Luckily i can make profit selling this bike again but i maybe just want to give it a try, tires i know is not fully inflated as my pump broke and hope its because if this the bike feels unstable. Picking up my new pump today. I must admit 2 things about this bike. 1 the Shimano gear set is flippen awesome for the price of this bike, smooth and very responsive. 2nd all the bolts and nuts are stainless steel, another great thing i guess. The frame also seemed welded acceptable, nothing great but not bad either (im a welder myself ) Now to the issues i have and want to know what to do about it. The quick release for the wheels, the nut is PLASTIC and the rest steel, can this be replaced, is this a standard size (then plastic nut)? The handle bars are low as im 1.92m tall and see one can fit spacers to lift it a little, is this spacers standard? The disc brakes, not sure on the brand probably some Chinese crap. Can the pads be replaced by a better product (brand) as the brakes do feel ok but weighing 130kg and going down hill they faded within the first 2m of braking. I guess thats basically it. Reason why i jumped for this bike was the price, I just recently started saving up to buy a something decent but wanted to get back onto the wheels. Thanks all, input would be greatly appreciated Cheers
Mojoman Posted February 10, 2019 Posted February 10, 2019 QR nuts on my MTB bikes are plastic....had no issues with these at all....I wouldn't worry about it...
madbradd Posted February 10, 2019 Posted February 10, 2019 Take a few pics of the key parts on the bike (crank, gear levers, brake levers, brake calipers, rear derailleur, wheels, fork) then the hub can let you know whether you should sell on or salvage.
Cape Town_Guy Posted February 10, 2019 Author Posted February 10, 2019 Take a few pics of the key parts on the bike (crank, gear levers, brake levers, brake calipers, rear derailleur, wheels, fork) then the hub can let you know whether you should sell on or salvage.Here you go
Mojoman Posted February 10, 2019 Posted February 10, 2019 Ride it or sell it but I wouldn't bother spending any money on it....
Eddy Gordo Posted February 10, 2019 Posted February 10, 2019 Ouch, enjoy the bike until you can get something better.Alternatively upgrade bit by bit.If you uprade drivetrain, then its hydraulic brakes And new shifter, derailleur and casette. In the meantime u could make do.Then crank, fork, wheels and tyres,handles, stem and evetually frame if you want. Is it chromo hardtail?
ChrisF Posted February 10, 2019 Posted February 10, 2019 It is the same parts used on the kids bikes .... Really ! That said, the kids work these hard and it seems to last ... Upgrading will VERY quickly cost more than the bike, and you still will have an entry level bike .... I should know, been spending money on the kids 24'' bike .... Lube the chain, and service the bike, and it will last until you ready to buy your dream bike.
ChrisF Posted February 10, 2019 Posted February 10, 2019 Ouch, enjoy the bike until you can get something better.Alternatively upgrade bit by bit.If you uprade drivetrain, then its hydraulic brakes And new shifter, derailleur and casette. In the meantime u could make do.Then crank, fork, wheels and tyres,handles, stem and evetually frame if you want. Is it chromo hardtail? R 1 500 to upgrade the rear cogg ... R 2 000+ for hydraulic brakes ... but then the gears must be done at the same time (integrated levers) What makes you think I have been pricing parts to upgrade a 26'' bike .... One can very easily spend more on components for this bike than a decent second hand bike ....
Eddy Gordo Posted February 10, 2019 Posted February 10, 2019 R 1 500 to upgrade the rear cogg ... R 2 000+ for hydraulic brakes ... but then the gears must be done at the same time (integrated levers) What makes you think I have been pricing parts to upgrade a 26'' bike .... One can very easily spend more on components for this bike than a decent second hand bike ....My First Sentence Ouch, enjoy the bike until you can get something better.Alternatively upgrade bit by bit.If you uprade drivetrain, then its hydraulic brakes And new shifter, derailleur and casette. In the meantime u could make do.Then crank, fork, wheels and tyres,handles, stem and evetually frame if you want. Is it chromo hardtail?
Alouette3 Posted February 10, 2019 Posted February 10, 2019 Ride it or sell it but I wouldn't bother spending any money on it....Exactly this. Ride it as is, don't spend money upgrading, it would be pointless. When you got the cash buy a decent second hand bike with all the upgrades already.
Cape Town_Guy Posted February 10, 2019 Author Posted February 10, 2019 Thanks for all the input, guess I'll just get it road ready and drive it. Just use to better quality bikes than can ofcourse handle my weight with ease. Guess if your weight is around 80kg this MB will feel a little more stable. I'll just learn and live around the quirks of this bike.
Cape Town_Guy Posted February 12, 2019 Author Posted February 12, 2019 Ok guys I sold the bike. When for a proper drive and when standing and peddling the frame flexes a lot. So im done with this one, I think im just to heavy for this bike. I'm now looking at a Titan Racing MB, new they are very well priced but will wait a month or two. Thanks for all the input from everyone.
ChrisF Posted February 12, 2019 Posted February 12, 2019 Speak to Mark at Mark's Workshop in Bellville. They are affiliated with a group that does bike tours, with rental bikes. The bikes are kept for a short period and then sold second hand. You can get a decent Merida bike for a few grand less than what it would cost in the shops ...
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