The upto £499 hard tail mtb challenge

[Al Wyn]

One of the chaps we run out with regularly has decided to treat himself. He was just going to walk into his local (and overpriced)bike shop and buy but we have told him to hold fire. Hes agreed to wait until the end of the month before purchasing from said shop if we can come up with `a deal` for him. Looking for a 19" hard tail new or used (new prefered) upto a very max of £499 (less is better) hes just over 6ft has a 31in inside leg. Hes agreed to pay for lunch and drinkies on the first ride out on his new steed if we find him something really good...so what have you guys seen on your travels?

Edited by Al Wyn on Tuesday 22 March 12:44

[sjg]

He wants 17-18" with a 31" inside leg - mine are a bit longer and I ride a 17.5", MTBs have got a bit more compact over the years.

The Boardmans are good for the money, else the usual Specialized Hardrock or similar. Sales are still on so something like this would be great:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/peak-...

[Gnarlybluesurf]

this will go for close

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Boardman-Mountain-Bike-Team-...


If you care more about the components and the reviews than the stickers, you can't beat the spec for price new... I challenge anyone!!!

With Recon Silver:

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/8-1-2011-172069577/

Or Tora if you can still get one:

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/8-1-2010-141402412/

[Al Wyn]

Keep them coming guys hes popping round tonight...he actually has an old Carrera which is a 17" iirc... it looks too small and he says feels too small hence going for the 19" which he says felt great when he borrowed one to try.

[Flippin' Kipper]

Bit of a left of field suggestion as it is not a well know brand, but saw this bike being discussed on the Bikeradar forum, and seemed to attract a positive response in terms of VFM.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MENS-LIGHTWEIGHT-ALLOY-CARBO...

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12...

Or take a look at the Carrera Vengeance Ultimate

[sjg]

Al Wyn said:

Keep them coming guys hes popping round tonight...he actually has an old Carrera which is a 17" iirc... it looks too small and he says feels too small hence going for the 19" which he says felt great when he borrowed one to try.

Geometry varies a lot though - modern frames have got "smaller" for better standover height. What is important is not so much the distance from bottom bracket to top of seat tube (the quoted size) but the proportions between bottom bracket, saddle and bars.

Lots of manufacturers are going to S/M/L/XL sizing because the traditional frame size value is pretty meaningless now.

[exgtt]

Cannondale sl5?

http://www.cyclelane.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b10...


£466.99, nice looking bike, front head stock looks pretty sturdy.

[Samcat]

exgtt said:

Cannondale sl5?

http://www.cyclelane.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b10...


£466.99, nice looking bike, front head stock looks pretty sturdy.

I ride an uprated Cannondale SL6, it's a great frame and a good basis to build upon.

[Gnarlybluesurf]

Still winning no one can beat Rock Shox Recon, Avid Elixir 3 and Sram X7 new for £499....

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/8-1-2011-172069577/

[timbo48]

Have a look at Pauls Cycles, Kona Caldera for £549, slightly over budget, but a fine 'bike.

[Al Wyn]

Some worthy options there thanks chaps. He shot through last night but is round tonight...anything else anyone seen? Any good 2nd hand bikes? Anyone trading up to a new bike?

[Al Wyn]

exgtt said:

Cannondale sl5?

http://www.cyclelane.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b10...


£466.99, nice looking bike, front head stock looks pretty sturdy.

Just found it even cheaper...this might well be a contender.

[Mr E]

Cube Analogue is just over budget.

[subsea99]

These have had few good write ups especially the full sus bikes

http://www.canyon.com/_uk/mountainbikes/bike.html?...

[MagicalTrevor]

How about he buys my 2007 Specialized Rockhopper Disc?



http://www.specialized.com/gb/gb/bc/SBCProduct.jsp...

Barely used due to me being a lazy swine and only used along one flat cyclepath. Very, very good condition.

Dunno how much it's worth but cost around £800 new

p.s. I've still got a belly, that's how little it's been used

[curlie467]

I use mine yet still have a belly! i just love my food too much!

Oh yeah, probably worth around the £350 mark sadly.

[curlie467]

You would probably get it under budget, secondhand for a change!

Shimano SLX and XT running gear, Reba SL forks, Formula oro brakes etc etc.
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12...

[Al Wyn]

curlie467 said:

I use mine yet still have a belly! i just love my food too much!

Oh yeah, probably worth around the £350 mark sadly.

Less than that id say...this is one ive lined up to show and will look at ofers too... http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2603709.htm

[Al Wyn]

MagicalTrevor said:

How about he buys my 2007 Specialized Rockhopper Disc?

Barely used due to me being a lazy swine and only used along one flat cyclepath. Very, very good condition.

Dunno how much it's worth but cost around £800 new

p.s. I've still got a belly, that's how little it's been used

Bellies a plenty in our gang MT what size is it and what would you be happy with for it?

[MagicalTrevor]

Al Wyn said:

Bellies a plenty in our gang MT what size is it and what would you be happy with for it?

It's 19", I'd have liked £300 for it but I'm open to negotiations on it. Feel free to email me and we can discuss. I've you stuck £270 in my hand I'd be hard pushed to turn you down. It's got clipless pedals as well btw plus the original pedals.

I appreciate that there are other second hand bikes out there but this is immaculate with easily way less than 100 miles done on it.