Wanted - 18-21" steel MTB ~£200 - kona / marin ? - London

[leadbelly]

Hi,

I was recently looking to buy an old mountain bike, and even more recently discovered this cool forum! I am basically looking for a "pub bike", a steel 26" MTB with hopefully a bit of charm, but something I wouldn't be scared of leaving locked up outside. Just something fun I can ride around on and off road, whatever. I have been looking on ebay but figure I am more likely to get something quality from you experts!

I don't really care about parts being original to the bike, or even of the same era - I am much more concerned about rideability and reliability.

I have a thing for Kona and Marin, and old Specializeds are pretty cool though I notice pretty expensive... but I am open to considering basically anything. And I don't want to spend too much money - say £200 max? I am 6ft so probably want an 18-20" frame.

Hopefully I haven't offended anyone who is super into the restoration side of things!! Sorry if I have. I appreciate that too just don't have nouse

Cheers

 

[Corblimeyguv]

Re:

Welcome to the forum

Any preference of front suspension or a rigid fork ?

 

[mynchiboy]

Re:

I'm currently building a pub chariot based around a early nineties aluminium frame with rigid fork...any good?

It's fitted with moustache bars and high rise stem, as well as purple ano wheels and quite a few new bits. It's a bit rough and ready but should be comfy and fun! Think the frame is around 18", I'm around your height and it fits me okay. I'm building it single speed as it stands.

Price wise I'll only be after the sum of it's parts, I have typically spent more than planned once again! It should be well under £200 though. PM me if you're interested

 

[leadbelly]

Re: MTB wanted - London

Thanks, I anticipate spending many happy hours here

I think rigid, just for simplicity and the fact I understand many old sus forks basically stop working!

Just remembered I have a thing for old cannondales too, although I've heard they can be difficult because of their extremely necessary and sensible proprietary fixings but if the right one comes along...!

I'm currently building a pub chariot based around a early nineties aluminium frame with rigid fork

Hey, thanks! I would be interested in seeing it, but I am fairly set on steel - mainly for the charm factor (and because I'm a pretty hefty rider :facepalm: )

 

[mynchiboy]

Re:

Yes, welcome to the forum. Please do stick around, don't blame us if your bike collection increases though!

Fair enough if you're after steel, but the frame I have seems to have stood the test of time so far... My thinking was that unlike steel, it won't start to rust when you leave it outside for days in the rain, after having one too many and forgetting where you left it

I'm possibly doing a bit of work on it later tonight, but I'll PM some pictures over when I have a bit of daylight

 

[leadbelly]

Re: MTB wanted - London

Haha, thanks! True, nice logic there! But I also just noticed you said single speed - one of the reasons I'm after an old MTB is for the ridiculously low gearing, so that maybe just possibly I could cycle somewhere without being a disgusting mess at the end (unlikely). Still like to see it though

 

[leadbelly]

Can anyone advise any other good places to be looking aside from here and ebay, and maybe some decent makes/models to be looking out for that are:

• steel
• rigid
• triple chainset
• decent quality
• not super expensive or desirable?

 

[development_cycle]

Gumtree? Local ads on FB or elsewhere, preloved...

Also you could include Saracen too maybe? Cannondale are alu by the way

 

[Corblimeyguv]

Re:

I've got a Saracen Hard Trax if that's of use ?

19 inch frame and rigid fork.

I can send some pics if it's of interest

 

[sherlylock]

I've got a large 1990 Saracen Traverse here that I'm just finishing a nut and bolt resto on. It's in lovely original condition - based in Southend so not far from London if you wanted to collect (or could post at cost)

I'll sort pics if it's of interest?

EDIT - some pics: