[fatdoc]

riding around that field for 24hrs MUST have been such fun

It was a Marathon not an enduro. Great route over the Brecon Beacons, plenty of singletrack.
http://www.mtb-marathon.co.uk/home/news1.php#200813

use your pass out time more wisely and free up a few hours regularly so we can show you the 100s of trails of trails in the peak you've yet to ride. Sod marathons, some of the best xc in the uk is 10 miles from your house!

[SA Chris]

the opposite. No need for sales to shift stock

Au contraire Blackadder

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/fuel-ex-7-2008-mountain-bike-ec001614

[Norton Sharley]

And they are selling off Treks cheap because?

They break, as in snap.  Regularly, apparently.  At the joining welds on the seat tube to the rear suss pivot mount.  Allegedly.

[fatdoc]

are the remedys as bad? they have abetter suspension set up... less break jack..

[SA Chris]

And they are selling off Treks cheap because?

They break, as in snap.  Regularly, apparently.  At the joining welds on the seat tube to the rear suss pivot mount.  Allegedly.

Allegedly = toss. Apparently used to on old models, but not heard any problems in the '08 EX Fuel frames.

[Norton Sharley]

I take it you have a Trek Fuel then Chris ? 

Didn't one of the bike mags test an '08 fuel that cracked on them?  Or was that an '07?

Don't get me wrong, if someone gave me one I'd ride it (but that would apply to anything!) 

[SA Chris]

No, not yet!

I have no idea which bike it was, but you always hear these daft rumours and allegations circulating (bit like Naxos bindings) without any hard evidence.

[Norton Sharley]

I've seen two cracked Fuels if that helps with the evidence?

[SA Chris]

Indeed it would. Year? Model?

I had heard 07s had some manufacturing problems / design flaws, but not heard any bad things about 08s.

[Norton Sharley]

05/06 models so may well be sorted now

[Norton Sharley]

plus Trek are huge, so if it does bust you're going to get a new one

[SA Chris]

Indeed. You should be yellow carded for deliberate time wasting.

[Falling Down]

 

[Norton Sharley]

Feel free to remove previous waddage 

But hey, if you want to go and buy some mass produced, Taiwanese welded, generic xc bike be my guest.   

Only trying to help (in lieu of FD's absense, I'll leave it to him then). LOL 

That should all set the cat amongst the pigeons.  Again.

[fatdoc]

right, sorry for abscence.

FWIW I happen to like my taiwanesse cheap frame... there again 1st user full replacement warenty applies to marins.

If the fuels crack, dont get one. not worth it.

as for hand made frames being stronger / better investments thats total bollox.

Look about any DH forum and you'll hear stories of 223s snapping, 224 swing arms dis integrating etc...

what is important is if you know the year of the fuel crisis (sorry).... the history of the spesh Demo comes to mind here, first year they all snapped at the shock cage, year after no probs... non since...

[Bubba]

 

Put snobbery aside - you can't write a frame off just because it was put together in Taiwan. Sure, if you need to buy British then go for an Orange but don't assume that their frames are going to be any better than a (for example) Specialized frame just because they're hand welded in the UK...

My (consistently dissed by snobs) Big Hit is a *much* better bike in all respects than my previous Orange Patriot 66. It pisses all over it tbh... I know it's not exactly comparing like with like but don't get caught up in the hype....

[webbo]

the taiwanese used to be the world leaders in carbon fibre technology.some of those early giant frames were way head of similar european stuff.they are also very good at copying stuff improving it and making it cheaper.

[SA Chris]

The discussion is academic at the moment anyway, as we have got tired of waiting for a 2nd hand van to come up locally that is what we are looking for and are going for a new one. I'll need to borrow a penny from someone to rub mine against for the next few months.

[Norton Sharley]

... and so the pigeons flew ....

Who said anything about mass produced Taiwanese being crap?  Not me.  I just implied that Chris might like to consider something a little more exclusive.  Like the Pace that FD keeps harping on about.  Which let's face it is as overpriced as an Orange.  I just have a bit of a personal quest to have all my bike originate from Gods own county, and failing that some bits from Lancashire, Switzerland and a tractor manufacturer in the States will have to do.  And I'm sure that your average Taiwanese robot doesn't suffer from the odd off days due to hangovers, colds etc that your average Halifaxian (?) welder will.  I also have to admit that the weld on my down tube is not quite straight, the bottle cage bosses are off centre (not that there's enough room to fit a cage in on a small framed 5) and the rear mech cable guide is also off centre so that the cable has rubbed a groove into it.  I should point out that the whole frame is a second, Orange recommend that it never should have left the factory let alone get both wheels off the ground at the same time.  But I see these as positive attributes.  And Bubbs and FD should know how much shit that bike has taken.  And now I'll probably go out on sunday and it'll break in two.

All I know is that my next bike will not have white wheels or handlebars.  They are gay for road bikers.

But it will probably be a Spec Enduro made in Taiwan (sssssssshhhhhhhhhh!).

[Norton Sharley]

The discussion is academic at the moment anyway, as we have got tired of waiting for a 2nd hand van to come up locally that is what we are looking for and are going for a new one. I'll need to borrow a penny from someone to rub mine against for the next few months.

And you accuse me of time wasting.   

[Bubba]

1I just implied that Chris might like to consider something a little more exclusive.  Like the Pace that FD keeps harping on about.

Why?

Function > fashion.

[fatkid2000]

I rode that Pace - and its awesome - but I'm no MTB expert, in fact I still want one. I don't get this frame snobbery - I've got a carbon road bike - with an Italian frame, and a Ti framed one from Taiwan. They both do there respective jobs really well. As long as the bike does its job, I don't care where it is from. I really don't care where the frame is made, as long as it does what it is suppose to do and reasonably well priced. Some of the best bikes in the world now come out of Taiwan, most Cervelo's and the new System six cannondale. You can go and spend a small fortune on a Pegrotti or an Independent Fabrication road bike, hand build - but will it be any faster or more comfortable than one half the price made in Taiwan - I suppose its all down to choice, and wouldn't it be a boring world if we all rode the same steads and these forums would be dead.

[SA Chris]

The discussion is academic at the moment anyway, as we have got tired of waiting for a 2nd hand van to come up locally that is what we are looking for and are going for a new one. I'll need to borrow a penny from someone to rub mine against for the next few months.

And you accuse me of time wasting.   

Well this wasn't the case when I posted early in the week. Circumstances change?

[fatdoc]

Due to a *cough* slightly over zealous order for bling for my XC bike I'm currently sprucing up my '07 SX for sale

Build is stock, but with new rear wheel (handmade)

just  a heads up if anyone's  interested.

It's a small (up to 5 ft 10 ish...). I have proof of purchase etc....

I'll formally get it some pics up and it on the for sale board later this week.

new cost me £2k, wheel £200.. for sale at £1250 ono..

[fatkid2000]

Ah look the gear freak fatdoc got carried away again with bike bling!!!!