Retro on a budget. is it possible?

This has probably been covered to death so my apologies.

I have a bit of a problem with attention span when it comes to bikes. I can have a bike for 2 weeks and then want something different unless I really fall in love with it.. However my goal for 2016 is to build a small collection (well 5 bikes is small to me considering I had 16 at one point) of bikes that I can keep and not want to change for the whole of 2016.

long story short Im only going to have about £100 left over but really want something 1990s as a change from my modern bikes. only criteria is I want front suspension hardtail and v brakes. Is it going to be possible to get something that isn't pathetic or am I just dreaming as have been looking on ebay and they're fetching big prices on there.

I think a lot of people like retro bikes becasue they are budget friendly... it depends on what your going for, a Klein Adroit isn't going to be, but some decent contition but mid to low range Marin/Kona/Trek/Specialised etc can be

Oh jeezus H christ on a pogo stick, retro is as cheap as you want it to be!

Wilkinsons do lined brake outer/ inners for about £1.50, innertubes can be bought by the van load for about £2 each.

Forks start on here for under £30 and frames are often postage costs only.

I alway buy new tyres as old ones are terrible.

Components can also be as cheap as you like by keeping an eye on bookface or fleabay. Gumtree is a bit, erm, dodgy, I dont go near it.

Local tips used to be a good source too but lack of funding from councils/ government means that they're closing plus the staff tend to hide behind non existent health & safety.

This was a car boot purchase



And this was sold for £100 not long ago



And £15 from the tip got me:

Re:

I wouldn't be looking at anything like a klein

Trying to avoid a marin or GT as I want to have a 1 bike per make rule. (so yes I will be selling 2 of my Marins)

I don't care about spec, just don't know what else I'd be able to afford. would love something different as always had Marins and GTs. It would literally be for trail riding, charity rides that sort of thing, not competition (going to be getting a newer bike for that)

Guess what I'm trying to say is what other options are there except marins and GT as that's all I know :roll:

Re:

parts wise isn't a problem. I've got contacts as I build bikes for charity so can get jagwire cables 10 for £5 etc. Just trying to decide what to base it on. I'd be happy with a Kona but never seen one that cheap.

£119 including postage from not too long ago just to show it can be done

Re:

see Ive got front suspension set in my head after being offered a voodoo bizango years ago and falling in love with it (seller backed out so I bought my muirwoods instead) but a rigid may be an option as gives more possibilities.

Mr LGF - the three photos posted do not meet the selection criteria: only criteria is I want front suspension hardtail and v brakes

£ 100 is just about possible but not a huge amount of choice if you ignore Carrera, Apollo and BSO. Other places to l look are gumtree.

02gf74":3p2zssyd said:

Too pedantic and lacking the imagination to realize that the aforementioned bikes are a good basis for a 'budget' retro bike and not to be taken as gospel. I accept that skip reading is a terrible thing

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legrandefromage":3p2zssyd said:

Forks start on here for under £30 and frames are often postage costs only.

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Jeeze, some people are hard work.

Heres another good starter for ten:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KONA-FIRE-MOU ... Swa-dWnPiD