Where to buy? Physical store

holystungun9

Hey,

I'm getting back into mountian biking after years out of the saddle. I have a Specialized XC that feels a bit small now. My local shop where I bought it 15 years ago sells mostly roads bikes so would like a shop that deals more in mountain bikes, ideally with stock as I want to try a large frame to see if it's more comfy.

I'm based in munster but would travel to get the right bike.

Thanks

Tenzor07

Not sure what's over in Western Ireland, generally most bike shops would stock the likes of Giant, Cube or Merida..

If you travel towards Dublin go here:

Orbea: https://www.bikeology.ie/contact-us/

Specialized: https://www.specialized.com/ie/en?gaRegionChange=IE

Giant: www.giant-dublin.ie/ie

Whole load of stuff: https://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/

xxyyzz

holystungun9 wrote: »

Hey,

I'm getting back into mountian biking after years out of the saddle. I have a Specialized XC that feels a bit small now. My local shop where I bought it 15 years ago sells mostly roads bikes so would like a shop that deals more in mountain bikes, ideally with stock as I want to try a large frame to see if it's more comfy.

I'm based in munster but would travel to get the right bike.

Thanks

There are loads of shops, which county are you in?

holystungun9

xxyyzz wrote: »

There are loads of shops, which county are you in?

In Tipperary, so can happily drive to Cork, Limerick and Dublin or thereabouts.

holystungun9

Wow, that Cycle Super Store looks great. That's all I want really, a place with stock and variety. Thanks guys.

Top Dog

The Edge Sports Superstore by Kinsale Road Roundabout in Cork - https://www.theedge-sports.com/

Canondale
Kona
Trek
Cube
Orbea
Scott
Specialised
+ more

CramCycle

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Whole load of stuff: https://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/

The Cycle Inn in Tallaght was one of the best places to go before it sadly closed its doors a few years ago but as far as I know, a few of their team moved over to the Cycle Superstore, so worth calling in I imagine.

xxyyzz

holystungun9 wrote: »

In Tipperary, so can happily drive to Cork, Limerick and Dublin or thereabouts.

Raw cycles in Limerick are pretty good, they are very knowledgeable about mtb also.

holystungun9

Top Dog wrote: »

The Edge Sports Superstore by Kinsale Road Roundabout in Cork - https://www.theedge-sports.com/

Canondale
Kona
Trek
Cube
Orbea
Scott
Specialised
+ more

As I've been out of the loop for a while, I know all the above brands except for Cube. I guess they are as legit as all the rest, i.e. a €1600 Cube is comparable to say a €1600 Giant brand or other. I know they will all be a sum of their parts but is that a fair indicator? I think 1800 would be my absolute max for a full suspension trail type bike and I'm looking to buy in the next 4 - 6 weeks.

Thanks all, I appreciate the help. My Specialised XC is old but a bike that served me well.

steamsey

holystungun9 wrote: »

As I've been out of the loop for a while, I know all the above brands except for Cube. I guess they are as legit as all the rest, i.e. a €1600 Cube is comparable to say a €1600 Giant brand or other. I know they will all be a sum of their parts but is that a fair indicator? I think 1800 would be my absolute max for a full suspension trail type bike and I'm looking to buy in the next 4 - 6 weeks.

Thanks all, I appreciate the help. My Specialised XC is old but a bike that served me well.

I think the big brands are all pretty similar. Also check out the Vitus Sommet at around €1,800.

Top Dog

holystungun9 wrote: »

As I've been out of the loop for a while, I know all the above brands except for Cube. I guess they are as legit as all the rest, i.e. a €1600 Cube is comparable to say a €1600 Giant brand or other. I know they will all be a sum of their parts but is that a fair indicator? I think 1800 would be my absolute max for a full suspension trail type bike and I'm looking to buy in the next 4 - 6 weeks.

Thanks all, I appreciate the help. My Specialised XC is old but a bike that served me well.

Giant possibly isn't the best comparison, as a buddy had one and the components were fairly low end compared to others. Cube are pretty decent (ok I'm biased there I have to admit) but theres an Irish rider, Greg Callaghan, riding for the Cube Action Team in the World Enduro Series. He was 3rd overall last year. So the bikes are up there with the other better known names alright.


There's other lads would know much better than me what 1600-1800 might get you in full-sus.

ec18

If you're in tipp you could ask @ Bike park ireland near roscrea they sell ex rentals & Kona

CramCycle

Cube tend to be really good value in regards their road and CX bikes, no reason to suspect their MTBs are any different. Looking at specs, the only negative on them are on their cheaper models the wheels seem really heavy.

Wanderer78

CramCycle wrote:

Cube tend to be really good value in regards their road and CX bikes, no reason to suspect their MTBs are any different. Looking at specs, the only negative on them are on their cheaper models the wheels seem really heavy.

Very happy with my cube enduro, but theres certainly no harm in checking out other brands, quality is incredible across most major brands

muckwarrior

ec18 wrote: »

If you're in tipp you could ask @ Bike park ireland near roscrea they sell ex rentals & Kona

That's a good idea actually. You'd have the perfect venue for trying out the bike before buying!

Wanderer78

muckwarrior wrote:

That's a good idea actually. You'd have the perfect venue for trying out the bike before buying!

Just be aware, they tend to get awful abuse in such places to, really must take a trip there soon, it's been a while

ec18

Wanderer78 wrote: »

Just be aware, they tend to get awful abuse in such places to, really must take a trip there soon, it's been a while

I bought mine there and Graham was saying that the DH bikes take a good bit of abuse but most of the enduro ones are just rolling down the trails a couple of times, but def have a good look over before you buy

Wanderer78

ec18 wrote:

I bought mine there and Graham was saying that the DH bikes take a good bit of abuse but most of the enduro ones are just rolling down the trails a couple of times, but def have a good look over before you buy

The enduros looked well used to me, graham's a lovely chap to, very friendly

steamsey

If I was going down the route of an ex rental bike, I'd probably strip it right down to the frame and check everything. It may have been power washed (many times) so I'd probably get all the bearings done unless it's clear that they have been looked after. Replace chain, possibly chain rings & cassette. Bleed brakes, new pads, check rotors. Check when suspension was last serviced. Could be 400 / 500 quid to get the maintenance up to scratch (assuming bike shop doing the work) so keep that in mind when negotiating price.