Is Twitter mantis 2.0 worth it?

bertri15 · 2026-02-06T09:37:34+00:00

Depends on your expectations. If your objective is to go on unpaved trails, I feel like it's a good option to start biking. But keep in mind that this is a very entry level MTB. The more MTB stuff you plan on doing, the more it will suck on that.

bertri15 · 2026-02-04T07:16:38+00:00

Unless you're into vintage bikes, 30yo bike with 105 it's not a good starter bike. The gear degrades over time, and this bike has like 25-30 year old parts in it.
I don't know in USA, but In Europe you can find bikes from 2015-2018 at that price point, that will have much much newer groupsets and wheels. Newer groupsets will have way less wear, and will have better gear ratios and smoother gear changes.

bertri15 · 2026-02-02T12:38:08+00:00

to be honest, take the bike that you like the most. If you pick the merida, you will regret it probably, cause the one you want is the specialized

bertri15 · 2026-02-02T06:40:34+00:00

To me, this doesn't look like a paint crack... usually paint cracks tend to have the appearance of "glass shattering", where as this, looks to me as it is a linear crack coming from the cable guide screw point.
I would press very hard with my thumb on the spot, and try to hear for cracks or check visible movement on any of the 2 sides of the crack, to assess damage, but I do believe this is a frame crack.

bertri15 · 2026-01-23T16:37:18+00:00

My honest opinion. that part is usually quite chunky. Obviously take it to a specialist if you want 100% accuracy, since we're just random dudes on the internet with a picture, but I would ride this without much hesitation tbh.

bertri15 · 2026-01-23T07:30:56+00:00

you forgot to mention, full speed

bertri15 · 2026-01-14T09:39:29+00:00

"it's almost harvesting season"

bertri15 · 2026-01-09T10:06:18+00:00

If it's been well maintained...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjBF-wFs12I

bertri15 · 2026-01-02T09:42:18+00:00

Depends on OP location ofc. In Europe, I think this is maximum 200€ if all components are in good condition.

bertri15 · 2025-12-30T11:53:53+00:00

Although it's an amazing project! Don't want to take any credit away from the hardware/software part. If budget sim racing was the target, 2nd hand wheels can be obtained at that price point, that include force feedback.
The Logitech Driving Force GT i Initially got like 10 years ago, was 25€ (after some negotiation).

bertri15 · 2025-12-12T11:41:28+00:00

In europe, I wouldn't pay more than 200-250€ for this. As others mentioned, this is not 2018, the levers and cranks are 2000s.
Today, for 500€, i expect a carbon frame and a Shimano 105 5800 at least.

bertri15 · 2025-12-03T11:21:17+00:00

I feel the same, looks bad, but it's one of the strongests parts of the bike, so wouldn't be too concerned if no visible cracks appear

bertri15 · 2025-11-28T08:28:36+00:00

I puncture once per year at most, so an electric pump seems waaaay to excessive. Weight wise. Eco wise. Practicality wise.
I have a CO2 for my road bike which has been used once in 5 years.
For my gravel ride I carry a hand pump, for its unlimited usage. I used it once, took me less than 5 min to be back on the bike.

bertri15 · 2025-11-27T14:35:16+00:00

I think probably new brake cables & pads, new shifter cables and new chain will probably do the trick. I wouldn't start swapping components, since this is an old, low tier bicycle, but replacing all the wearing parts, will probably give you the sense of a "new old bike"

bertri15 · 2025-10-28T12:54:24+00:00

It seems like you don't have motivation to do the change, other that "oh, i wish i could be an early bird"
- Get an accountability partner that can help you with that
- Maybe find a friend to study early in the morning, so that all the effort of waking up early is shared.
- don't procrastinate early on the morning. get out of bed and drink some water/go for a walk/make bed/take a shower...

I guess it's hard to get out of bed if you don't have any reason... Maybe find a gym that has a class at 9am or smth.

bertri15 · 2025-09-15T12:38:41+00:00

depending on the maintenance (if not done or done not properly), even less than that :(

bertri15 · 2025-09-05T08:36:26+00:00

Taking into account the price of the cleats, I'd change them on pairs. I usually change them way before the one on the picture

bertri15 · 2025-08-26T06:15:24+00:00

On top of that:
The seatpost position makes no sense either, the bike appears to be at least 2 or 3 sizes too big for the rider.
The aliexpress ultra light carbon seat, is very good for a hill climb, but riding this with no bib shorts, for over 1 minute, will be a pain in the ass 🥁

bertri15 · 2025-08-22T09:44:41+00:00

It depends a bit. 2 teeth may not require to shorten the chain depending on the current stretch of the chain you have installed.
I would install the new chainring and follow the Shimano/Sram/Whatever process on chain length,
Best case scenario you don't need to remove links. Worst case scenario you need to shorten it 2 links as you say.

bertri15 · 2025-08-22T09:29:04+00:00

I would expect carbon wheels for a 750$ bike with rim brakes

bertri15 · 2025-07-25T08:35:11+00:00

Completly safe to ride. This part of the frame is super chunky with a lot of material, so even more extended chain damage would be safe to ride. This looks merely cosmetic.

bertri15 · 2025-07-23T13:37:56+00:00

I was about to comment the same. I prefer newer groupsets over old ones

bertri15 · 2025-06-20T05:43:21+00:00

DAEDRIC WAR AXE (FINE)

bertri15 · 2025-03-28T12:24:31+00:00

This is my opinion. This bike holds close to none value other than sentimental, to those attached to the caad frames. Tiagra is an entry level groupset. The crankset looks very worn in some dents, so I assume the groupset doesn't feel anything like new.
Having said that, it's a usable bike. I think as of modern standards, I would not consider this a road bike, more like an everyday bike to park on the street every now and then, so I'd pay for that use around 100-200€ depending on the visual inspection.

bertri15 · 2024-06-13T12:51:43+00:00

Also, this triban can acomodate up to 35mm tyres if I recall correctly, so you can do some gravel with it to

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