Dave Deacon

Ashton website still says should be May 09 and they'll update when they know more. A while ago I tried to find out info about their Raid bike because it was so cheap I couldn't believe it would really be any good. There was no information anywhere and no contact details on the Ashton site. Seems like the same thing again. They might be good at hopping about but they are rubbish at selling bikes. They might be good at designing bikes but no one will ever know at this rate.

Thanks for your responses. I've emailed Orange to ask them because they distributed them so they should know something. Ashton Bikes has no contact details on their website so I can't ask them. I'll stick the answer from Orange on here. mellow.gif huh.gif happy.gif ohmy.gif wink3.gif tongue.gif biggrin.gif laugh.gif cool.gif rolleyes.gif sleep.gif dry.gif smile.gif wub.gif mad.gif sad.gif unsure.gif wacko.gif blink.gif innocent.gif blushing.gif erm.gif cry.gif pinch.gif online2long.gif whistling.gif turned.gif pirate.gif thumbdown.gif thumbsupanim.gif blues.gif shifty.gif closedeyes.gif sick.gif sleeping.gif teehehe.gif turned.gif twisted.gif smartass.gif shutup.gif rip.gif offtopic.gif king.gif hypocrite.gif dots.gif cool2.gif zorro.gif sorcerer.gif rockon.gif phone.gif kiss.gif flowers.gif cheers.gif rtt.gif afro.gif badger.gif bunny.gif glare.gif 1eye.gif arabia.gif ban.gif shades.gif santa.gif blush.gif nerd.gif sweatingbullets.gif thumbsup.gif wink3_old.gif hug1.gif hug2.gif wearyourhelmetbit5qc.png bowroflt.gif giggle.gif mml.gif The emoticons are rubbish and now my girlfriend hates me because I've become an internet bicycle nerd

I'm searching for opinions on the Ashton Raid XR. It's not a trials bike, more a jump bike, but its release was discussed on Trials-Forum in 2006 with contributions from the venerable Mr Ashton. It looks like a bargain but is it "good value" or is it "cheap"? I've searched for reviews online but there's nothing out there. It's like no-one ever bought one. It was sold at around £300 when first released; I know where I can get one for £180, but the retailer is selling it as a child's bike and I'm 35. Will it snap if I ride it down steps? I imagine Ashton Bikes would make decent products, he should know something about bikes, but they don't seem to sell and I'm wondering why. Try googling the Ashton/Diamondback range. Only comes up with the Ashton Bikes web page. Nothing anywhere else. Are they exclusive or just unpopular? Should I spend my £180 on a second-hand bike on ebay? Should I use all the emoticons? Dave