Mountain bike: Giant XTC 4 2005

krazyk

Hi all,

I'll go with the Giant XTC 4 2005 bike, but what accessories do I need (e.g. does it matter what brand or style of helmet or gloves I should get?). I've put down the following as stuff I need from the start:

Helmet (Giro?)
Cover (as already mentioned)
Lock x 2 (Evans recommends Kryptonite New York Fahgettaaboudit - £100, should I get 2 though, one to lock the frame and rear tyre and another cable one to lock the front tyre? I'll need to lock it up at home as well as work)
Slick tyres (definite need these for the road or mid-slicks at least)
Inner tubes (though I've seen a few tyres with puncature protection?)
Top - weather proof (don't want to get my work clothes wet and dirty :-))
Bottom - weather proof (same as above)
Multi-tool (£15 on a Swiss Army Knife-type gadget to carry around with me?)
Cleaning kit (degreaser and lube)
Mudguards (don't want to get sprayed with mud/water on the way to work :-))
Pump - (foot press one or track pump for carrying around)

Other items for the future are:

Shorts (trousers will do for now)
Shoes (have lots just probably not bike-specific)
Gloves (important?)
Lights (can wait till later in the year when the days get shorter)

How much should I spend on each of these, do I need all this? What brands or makes should I look for?

K

EvilMonkey

KrazyK,

Phewww what a list! But before we get to it, I'll answer the previous post. I think it was an extra £15-£20 on my home insurance, but gave MUCH better coverage than the specialist places (they stated for instance I couldn't leave it locked at a station for greater than 24 hours without invalidating my cover.... not so good if work want to send me to our other office for a day or 2....) On the "other" over, that sounds good, just keep an eye on the friction points, keep the chain well oiled, buy large cans of GT85 or bike spray (good water dispersents) and use them often.

Now, onto the list

Helmet (Giro?) - Try a couple of brands, each brand fits a head "shape" better IE eggish, v round, slightly square etc. (I kid you not) £30+

Cover (as already mentioned) - you've got this sorted

Lock x 2 (Evans recommends Kryptonite New York Fahgettaaboudit - £100, should I get 2 though, one to lock the frame and rear tyre and another cable one to lock the front tyre? I'll need to lock it up at home as well as work) I use THIS combination, it gives good security and locks both wheels (and my helmet) it is heavy though £50 each lock

Slick tyres (definite need these for the road or mid-slicks at least) I had the same thought and rarely use them, a big hassle getting them on or off. If you do buy some, DON'T get the puncture protected ones, the additional stiffness of the kevlar is what makes them awful to get on or off! £20 a tyre

Inner tubes (though I've seen a few tyres with puncature protection?) Get a couple spare, but worry about puncture protection (things like slime liners) when you start going offroad on a weekly basis. Also you get more punctures in the autumn.... £3 each (slime liners are a hard gel strip that goes in between your tyre and tube and they're £15 a tyre)

Top - weather proof (don't want to get my work clothes wet and dirty :-)) £30-£50 keep an eye out in local stores for bargain bins of last years stuff

Bottom - weather proof (same as above) £30-£50 as above

Multi-tool (£15 on a Swiss Army Knife-type gadget to carry around with me?) I have a freebie leatherman copy and a couple of allen keys, the topeak series are quite nice looking though. £30 max

Cleaning kit (degreaser and lube) You can get brush sets and all the bits in a big kit, easier than building them up one by one. £15 I think + some oil another £3

Mudguards (don't want to get sprayed with mud/water on the way to work :-)) crud catchers are cheap and effective £20 the set

Pump - (foot press one or track pump for carrying around) a mate I ride with has an ace one which fits on your frame but folds out to be a mini track pump, V good, made by topeak. £25 I think maybe a bit more?

Other items for the future are:

Shorts (trousers will do for now)

Shoes (have lots just probably not bike-specific) don't worry unless you want to buys some shoes which clip to pedals (SPD's, eggbeaters etc.) but then you have to buy new pedals too! £100-£150 for new pedals \ shoes....

Gloves (important?) If you're off roading, promote this up your list as they REALLY make a difference, I used to come back and my hands were covered in little scratches, nettle stings scrapes etc. they make a ride much more enjoyable! - £15-£30

Lights (can wait till later in the year when the days get shorter) £20 max for road riding \ being seen, £100+ for offroad night riding lights

How much should I spend on each of these, do I need all this? What brands or makes should I look for?


Other thoughts

LIDL \ ALDI do bike bits every now and then, keep an eye out for them as you can pick up MEGA bargains, LIDL had one a week or so ago, so you could see if they'e any stock left at your local?

Decathlon do some good deals, if there's one near go take a look.

Take a look round the websites mentioned, they all have good prices, and lastly, take a running total to your LBS, see if they can beat \ match it (especially if you're buying the bike from them?)

Phewwww a long reply too!!!!

mhutchuk

Don't pay for them, any good bike shop should swap the knobblies for slicks if you are spending that kind of money. Just need to ask.

Been a while since I've bought a GOOD bike (mines still going well) but definately try to use a small independant much better service (and they usually remember you !!)

Remember once i buckled wheel - and they lent me another while I ordered another !! Great service.

Mark

krazyk

Hi there,

I think I have pretty much got a list of specifics that I want, though it very dear. I've used bikepimp.co.uk to search for cheaper prices and that's saved me a bit. I'll search locally for bike shops in a couple of weeks and go from there.

Oh and I've contacted that Boost thing and they have said that they cannot help me:

"Unfortunately this scheme has to be set up through an employer for PAYE employees only. Due to this, you will not be able to benefit from the scheme."

And then...

"We've just tried running a few very small schemes where there are less than 5 employees and although its possible, its hard for companies to pass the credit check process."

:-(

K

krazyk

I contacted my LBS last weekend and they said that the Giant XTC 4 was not being built any more and that I should look at the Gitant XTC SE 2006 which is supposed to be the same bike, better specs and for the same price.

What does everyone think of the SE 2006 then?

K

EvilMonkey

A quick reply before I actually look into the specifics...

This is generally the cas Krazyk, like most things nowadays, bikes models are replaced every year. Normally you'll get an almost identical bike with 1 or 2 bits upgraded (as the newer technology moves forward and gets a little cheaper). The issue you have is that you were probably buying the XTC 4 as "old" stock and therefor at a decent price. the SE 2006 will be the latest and therefor won't be reduced for while yet....

krazyk

Hi there,

I'll send links of what I've found for the bikes when back at home, but both these bikes are RRP £500.

I've actually found the SE reduced to £475.

K

krazyk

I think this is the bike my LBS means:

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/uk/030.000.000/030.000.000.asp?model=10215
http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/itemviewer.asp?ID=1202&type=bikes

K