Mountain Bike : Saracen Raw (Pro) - Help

[Blake]

The Saracen Raw Pro

taken from the www site http://www.saracen.co.uk/rawpro.html

Frame : Light but sturdy 7005 alu frame with an efficient centre chain line single pivot with cartridge sealed bearings for maximum pedaling efficiency & preload adjustable Stratos air/coil rear shock with 80mm travel

Fork : Long travel 80mm preload adjustable SR Suntour fork for big terrain performance

Drivetrain : Classy Truvativ chainset with 42/34/24 tooth ratios

Gear system : Shimanoââ‚à ‚¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s benchmark Deore 27 speed mechs and shifters

(which means what?)

Question :

Is this bike any good?, i'm looking for an entry level MTB, and would this be ideal.

Have been advised to take up mountain biking to help with my health, anyways, I just purchased 3 for the family (not the raw pro, a raleigh for the missus and some other brand for the kids), and I have NO Knowlegde of todays cycles, and am looking for any information (experiance, info etc) on the Raw Pro. (quite like the look of it tbh)

I am open to other cycles / brands that might be useful.

Also, If anyone knows of a club or contacts, preferably that accept novices, who cycles in the Mansfield area (not competition level (just yet )), would be appreciated.

I will be (hoping) looking to get into cross country riding, maybe a bit of down

hill at some point in the future and don't want to really be buying a new bike when I do.

I really have no idea where to start, thought i'd pick ya brains.

Thanks for any info one might be able to provide

Opps, sorry, wrong part, needs to be in Lifestyle

Originally Posted by Blake

Is this bike any good?, i'm looking for an entry level MTB, and would this be ideal.

First suggestion: visit a couple of good local bike shops (not just ones that sell them, but ones that do repairs etc) and tell them what your needs are.

Any competant bike store employee will be able to tell what you want and, more importantly, what you *don't* want in a bike, eg knobbly tyres and suspension and twenty seven gears may look really cool, but they're damn all use if you're mostly going to be cycling around town and only doing the occasional bit of "off road" work.

Secondly, don't get snowed under by lots of jargon or gimmicks. If you don't know what something means, ask them. If they can't explain so you can understand, go somewhere else!

Third, have a look at some of the dedicated cycling forums.

Finally: Have fun

[Blake]

Cheers, I've had a skimp around Mountain Biking UK forum, and tbh, it aint that professional..

Will ask in the local shop in Mansfield Woodhouse, see what I need, or don't need.

Aye, fun it will be

[Bifta]

Originally Posted by Blake

The Saracen Raw Pro

taken from the www site http://www.saracen.co.uk/rawpro.html

Frame : Light but sturdy 7005 alu frame with an efficient centre chain line single pivot with cartridge sealed bearings for maximum pedaling efficiency & preload adjustable Stratos air/coil rear shock with 80mm travel

Fork : Long travel 80mm preload adjustable SR Suntour fork for big terrain performance

Drivetrain : Classy Truvativ chainset with 42/34/24 tooth ratios

Gear system : Shimanoââ‚à ‚¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s benchmark Deore 27 speed mechs and shifters

(which means what?)

Question :

Is this bike any good?, i'm looking for an entry level MTB, and would this be ideal.

Have been advised to take up mountain biking to help with my health, anyways, I just purchased 3 for the family (not the raw pro, a raleigh for the missus and some other brand for the kids), and I have NO Knowlegde of todays cycles, and am looking for any information (experiance, info etc) on the Raw Pro. (quite like the look of it tbh)

I am open to other cycles / brands that might be useful.

Also, If anyone knows of a club or contacts, preferably that accept novices, who cycles in the Mansfield area (not competition level (just yet )), would be appreciated.

I will be (hoping) looking to get into cross country riding, maybe a bit of down

hill at some point in the future and don't want to really be buying a new bike when I do.

I really have no idea where to start, thought i'd pick ya brains.

Thanks for any info one might be able to provide

Opps, sorry, wrong part, needs to be in Lifestyle

If I were you, I'd go for a decent hardtail instead of a cheap full suspension steed, cheap alu. frames normally end up a lot heavier (and weaker) than good alloy ones. Truvativ make budget chainset's, I've bent a couple in my time, the deore mechs and shifters are fine, it doesn't say what Shimano hubs it's using or which brand of rims, Tioga, who used to be top quality are now aiming more towards the budget end of the market too.

If I were you, I'd go with one of these

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/acatalog/Sale_Bikes.html

The MALT1 is exceptional for the price

[Pritch]

Gear system : Shimanoââ‚à ‚¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s benchmark Deore 27 speed mechs and shifters

(which means what?)

Right, 27 speed refers to the number of gear combinations possible on the bike. Three at the front, nine at the back, to make 27. In actual fact, a few of these are fairly useless as running big front to big rear or small front to small rear can accelerate chain wear, and usually replicates a combination available elsewhere if you take the time to figure it out.

The Deore is just the model of the shifters and derailleurs. It sort of fits in the middle of the Shimano range, and is fairly good stuff.

When it comes to full suspension bikes, you really don't want to look at anything around the £500 mark, you usually end up with something ridiculously heavy with design issues surrounding the rear suspension, often getting things like drivetrain feedback causing bob as you pedal. As others have said, around this price point a decent hardtail is probably a better option.

As for downhilling, you're not going to find a bike that'll let you do DH at this sort of price point. You generally need oodles of suspension, and a quality frame build to cope with DH, this isn't the sort of thing that usually comes in under £1800 or so.

Speak to local bike shops, see if they've got any of last years stock festering out the back.

Look around, then buy this:

http://www.orangebikes.com/2004bikes...hp?bike=gringo

Or maybe that's just me being a devoted Orange owner

Edit: As for forums, try www.bikemagic.com or www.singletrackworld.com

[Blake]

Thanks for the heads up guys, appreciated.

I think it'll be a while yet before I get to the stage where I need to spend oddles of cash on kit, just looking out to help keep fit and have a "play" whilst doing it.

I'll definatly be visiting the local cycle shop for pointers, thats for sure (really didn't think there was so much to think about), My aim is basically having fun, off-road, you know.. things like pit tips and forest routes.

Maybe I should get a Raliegh Bomber, good old sturdy bikes in the day .. hehe.

Again, cheers for the info, a little wiser now

[Tricky]

Originally Posted by Blake

Cheers, I've had a skimp around Mountain Biking UK forum, and tbh, it aint that professional..

Will ask in the local shop in Mansfield Woodhouse, see what I need, or don't need.

Aye, fun it will be

Your local bike shop is usually the best place especially if they are avid (no pun - they make brakes and levers!) riders. Think about your requirements before you go, like where you might ride what the terrain is, are you a fair weather rider only. Are you going for big downhilling or jumps, do you want disc brakes? - Will you be maintaining your own bike? Do you want regular servicing (Marin give you two free) - Suspension options are massive...

The bike in the 1st post reads OK, but given a couple of weeks I could probably write most of those parts off especially the forks and gears. I personnally would recommend Marin, Trek or Speciallized - It's worth spending a little extra if you can afford it.

How much are you looking at spending?

[Blake]

At the minute, i'll be riding mainly forest routes, a place called Sherwood Pines in Clipstone (and around that area), also along Route 6 from my village, through to Clipstone, including Rainworth/Clipstone pit tip (desert). A few downhillers and maybe a jump or two, but nothing Extreme .. just yet

I'll be riding in all weather I guess.

Disk or V brakes.. erm, prolly V, as i've read that cabled V is as good as cable Disc, and the better fluid type gets a bit expensive. For a first time starter, standard V should be enough.

I'll be learning to maintain the bike myself, if I fall off and the bike gets damaged or something.. no AA or RAC to help me out.. heh.

I got around 600, maybe 700 at a push. I know I should get the best for money, but i'm still a novice and have lots to learn, so spending heaps of cash seems a waste.

Basically, the forest paths, bumps that go with them, tree stumps etc.., the odd "Woah, that hill was fun, lets go again .. 'crash'" experance.

Out for a fun ride, whilst trying to enhance my health.

[Feenix]

Good to see you are going to take up one of the finest sports in the world! I bought myself a Marin Quake 7 a few years back for around £700 and it has lasted well - obviously with the abuse it take from me and my inept balance a few of the parts have been replaced. For 700 quid you can get yourself a damn good hardtail (just suspension up front) which will last for ages.

For good advice check out the MBUK website and click on the bike test link at the top - there is also a valuable how-to buy a bike guide there. Got to agree with Tricky on the bike builds - Marin, Trek and Speciallized are all good quality.

Only thing left to get is a good crash hat. Used mine on several occasions and it has saved my bonce from some serious hospital action

[SOSAGES]

i got a Kona Kula - was niffty for its time.