New BSO long-term test!
10-08-13, 05:01 AM
#1
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New BSO long-term test!
Hi!
I'm a scienitist (microbio) by profession and thought that I thought I'd do a long-term test of a BSO object for fun and the benefit of the cycling community in the UK!
I bought a bike from Mango Bikes for roughly £300:
https://www.mangobikes.co.uk/
and will subject it to daily commuting duty (of about 10 miles RT).
here a video from the manufacturer:
I'm a scienitist (microbio) by profession and thought that I thought I'd do a long-term test of a BSO object for fun and the benefit of the cycling community in the UK!
I bought a bike from Mango Bikes for roughly £300:
https://www.mangobikes.co.uk/
and will subject it to daily commuting duty (of about 10 miles RT).
here a video from the manufacturer:
10-08-13, 05:28 AM
#2
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Thread Starter
bike just showed up:
first batch of photos.
shipping box
595mm (59.5cm size) ... should be OK (I'm 188cm or 6'2")
handlebars ... I went with drops for the first time ever (I let my gf design the bike and select the colors)
pedals in a box
letter that was handsigned at the bottom
instructions
interesting, i thought i buy "toeclips" only but they came with metal pedals.
contents of extra package
one side of the package
other side of the package (i opted for the extra fender as I really want to ride it year round ... hoping to be able to get studded tires under the fenders).
first batch of photos.
shipping box
595mm (59.5cm size) ... should be OK (I'm 188cm or 6'2")
handlebars ... I went with drops for the first time ever (I let my gf design the bike and select the colors)
pedals in a box
letter that was handsigned at the bottom
instructions
interesting, i thought i buy "toeclips" only but they came with metal pedals.
contents of extra package
one side of the package
other side of the package (i opted for the extra fender as I really want to ride it year round ... hoping to be able to get studded tires under the fenders).
Last edited by acidfast7; 02-21-14 at 01:23 PM.
10-08-13, 05:50 AM
#3
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I hope your bike shaped object is pretty good, because in the U.S., that's more money than the cheapest LBS bikes. We have derailleur BSO's that cost $80
10-08-13, 05:55 AM
#4
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unpacked and off to look for some grease and maybe a pump.
it has a flop-flop hub and was nicely (for me) installed on the freewheel side ... i switch later as i've never run a FG before.
(44x16 on both sides for those interested).
unpacked
optional fenders:
it has a flop-flop hub and was nicely (for me) installed on the freewheel side ... i switch later as i've never run a FG before.
(44x16 on both sides for those interested).
unpacked
optional fenders:
10-08-13, 05:56 AM
#5
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10-08-13, 06:36 AM
#6
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gf says Bob or Ziggy should be the new bike's name.
suggestions?
suggestions?
10-08-13, 06:49 AM
#7
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$480 single speed is a BSO? I don't have anything against the bike or what you're doing but I expect it's a mid-range single speed at least, for that price.
10-08-13, 07:04 AM
#8
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just went to the LBS and bought a nice footpump and some grease.
bike looks great so far
bike looks great so far
Last edited by acidfast7; 10-08-13 at 07:13 AM.
10-08-13, 07:41 AM
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Wow, that's a steep seat angle.
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10-08-13, 07:47 AM
#11
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10-08-13, 07:54 AM
#12
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You bought grease? It's already better than most U.S. BSOs.
I don't think you can name it Bob with those colors. Better go with Ziggy.
I don't think you can name it Bob with those colors. Better go with Ziggy.
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10-08-13, 09:31 AM
#13
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You've become... A HIPSTER?!?! 
The bike looks nice, really. Hope to hear the fixed gear experience soon.
No rack, no room for fatter tyres with fenders - so not a commuter I'd go for, but it looks nice and FUN.
The bike looks nice, really. Hope to hear the fixed gear experience soon.
No rack, no room for fatter tyres with fenders - so not a commuter I'd go for, but it looks nice and FUN.
10-08-13, 09:50 AM
#14
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10-08-13, 09:57 AM
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I feel tricked, tricked I tells you! As was said before, at 300 pounds that is not what we across the pond consider a BSO... I think you were looking for Magna not Mango 
10-08-13, 10:04 AM
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Call it Marley.
<James Bond voice>The name is Marley, Mango Marley. </James Bond voice>
I think it's the perfect name for a reggae bike in England.
<James Bond voice>The name is Marley, Mango Marley. </James Bond voice>
I think it's the perfect name for a reggae bike in England.
10-08-13, 10:08 AM
#17
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Another Faux-Pista fixie. I see , ..
Magma, is more like the Slag off the top of a crucible of molten metal , Magna is close.
Local Regge cover band goes by Ma Barley ..
it needs proper brake levers , I guess its another misapplication of the top mount brake lever
as the sole brake lever, subject to breaking off the end of the cable.
Marley ? how about Jacob? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob_Marley
Magma, is more like the Slag off the top of a crucible of molten metal , Magna is close.
Local Regge cover band goes by Ma Barley ..
it needs proper brake levers , I guess its another misapplication of the top mount brake lever
as the sole brake lever, subject to breaking off the end of the cable.
Marley ? how about Jacob? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob_Marley
Last edited by fietsbob; 10-08-13 at 10:16 AM.
10-08-13, 10:08 AM
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That thing is hideous. It looks better than low end bikes here, but should be for that kind of money. But the colors... jesus, man.
10-08-13, 10:21 AM
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The only single speeds that can really be considered as BSO's are heavy hi-tensile steel ones. They're still decent bikes. They're just heavy and energy draining is all. Most Xmart single speeds last longer than their multi-speed cousins. I mean, other than the wheels, what major thing could go wrong, if the brakes work?
Last edited by WestPablo; 10-08-13 at 10:42 AM.
10-08-13, 10:25 AM
#20
always rides with luggage
The only single speeds that can really be considered as BSO's are heavy hi-tensile steel ones. They're still decent bikes. They're just heavy and energy draining is all. Most Xmart single speeds last longer than their multi-speed cousins. I mean, other than the wheels, what major thing could go wrong, if the brakes work?
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Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
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10-08-13, 10:30 AM
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Last edited by WestPablo; 10-08-13 at 10:43 AM.
10-08-13, 11:05 AM
#23
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going out the door now.
first ride and assembly reviews tonight!
gf loves the colors (as do I) and loves the name ziggy.
assembled
dress shirt and shoes that i usually wear to faculty meetings or teach, usually with tight dark jeans and a sport coat/jacket/blazer ... so the bike makes sense
first ride and assembly reviews tonight!
gf loves the colors (as do I) and loves the name ziggy.
assembled
dress shirt and shoes that i usually wear to faculty meetings or teach, usually with tight dark jeans and a sport coat/jacket/blazer ... so the bike makes sense
10-08-13, 11:14 AM
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Man, quality controls must be awful, just look, the entire drivetrain is on the wrong side!
Or is that a UK thing to match the opposite side of the road driving?
Or is that a UK thing to match the opposite side of the road driving?
Likes For Dwayne:
10-08-13, 12:46 PM
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OTOH, most LBS bikes start around $300 before tax (of less than 10%). Throw in the currency conversion, and they're still cheaper (and have more gears) than what you're paying. Now if you can find a bike for 100 pounds or less, you've got a good case for a BSO.
