I've been pretty lucky with ebay so far. As the photos often hide dodgy frame issues, I usually balance it out on components, so if the frame turns out to be scrap, I can at least sell the components and break even.
This time, I didn't follow my own rules. I blame it on being stuck in hospital for 3 weeks, bored out of my mind.
Enter, a Muddy Fox Monarch Team:
That's the ebay photo, and it doesn't look toooo shabby to me. I can't see any obvious rust or issues. The groupset looks like it's mostly Acera X, and the chainset looks like it's a 1996 model, which is slightly different to the 1995 model (it has exposed bolts). I paid £35 for it, and collected it last night (too late for taking photos, I'm afraid).
I was right about the groupset, although the front mech is Alivio, and something weird is going on with the seatpost - it seems to have a valve or something on it. Could it be another pump combo?
Unfortunately, the bike appears to have been cleaned using sandpaper, judging by lack of laquer and the massive patch of exposed primer on the LH side. On top of that, there's exposed rust around the dropouts, and bubbling under the paintwork here and there. On the plus side, the rust doesn't look too bad, and there's no dents or holes, so a powder coat will sort it all out.
Due to a lack of shed space, it's now in competition with my Tufftrax for the position of non-exotic commuter bike. The test will be to strip them both down to the frame and BB, and weigh them. If tales are to be believed, the Monarch frames are pretty light, but then again the mid-range mid-90s Saracens are also pretty light.
If they're fairly even in weight, the Monarch will get a powder coat and all the components from the Tufftrax. The Tufftrax will get a thread in the For Sale section as a frame and forks. Sorry unicorn, but I'm fickle! :roll:
oh, special mention goes to letmetalktomark's thread about his Monarch Pro, as that was what made me decide to place a bid. I'll try not to hold him personally responsible should everything go south.
edit: Updated year of frame, as the serial number shows it's a 95, not a 96.
This time, I didn't follow my own rules. I blame it on being stuck in hospital for 3 weeks, bored out of my mind.
Enter, a Muddy Fox Monarch Team:That's the ebay photo, and it doesn't look toooo shabby to me. I can't see any obvious rust or issues. The groupset looks like it's mostly Acera X, and the chainset looks like it's a 1996 model, which is slightly different to the 1995 model (it has exposed bolts). I paid £35 for it, and collected it last night (too late for taking photos, I'm afraid).
I was right about the groupset, although the front mech is Alivio, and something weird is going on with the seatpost - it seems to have a valve or something on it. Could it be another pump combo?
Unfortunately, the bike appears to have been cleaned using sandpaper, judging by lack of laquer and the massive patch of exposed primer on the LH side. On top of that, there's exposed rust around the dropouts, and bubbling under the paintwork here and there. On the plus side, the rust doesn't look too bad, and there's no dents or holes, so a powder coat will sort it all out.
Due to a lack of shed space, it's now in competition with my Tufftrax for the position of non-exotic commuter bike. The test will be to strip them both down to the frame and BB, and weigh them. If tales are to be believed, the Monarch frames are pretty light, but then again the mid-range mid-90s Saracens are also pretty light.
If they're fairly even in weight, the Monarch will get a powder coat and all the components from the Tufftrax. The Tufftrax will get a thread in the For Sale section as a frame and forks. Sorry unicorn, but I'm fickle! :roll:
oh, special mention goes to letmetalktomark's thread about his Monarch Pro, as that was what made me decide to place a bid. I'll try not to hold him personally responsible should everything go south.
edit: Updated year of frame, as the serial number shows it's a 95, not a 96.
