After a MTB after 20 years. Help please!!

[jsmjsm]

yellowjack said:

The Whyte? Weak points are the chainset and bottom bracket, and especially the fork. Gears are 'workaday' Shimano stuff, but nothing to give trouble. Strong points? Mainly the look of the thing.

Spec-wise, the Boardman looks the better bike. 7000 series alloy frame, air fork, the 180mm front rotor, all seem like upgrades over the Whyte's spec sheet. I suspect the SRAM groupset is a step up too, although I prefer Shimano (but that's just a personal preference). It's let down (IMHO) by the paint job and the ubiquity of the Boardman brand. I prefer a slightly less common bike (along with the Shimano preference) so from the two, I'd probably look toward the Whyte.

The Scott and the Giant, on a brief glance, look about on par with the Whyte. And again the biggest obvious weakness is that Suntour fork. Out of those two, I'd probably choose the Scott, but my eldest son has a Talon, which was abused for four years of commuting to college/university and is still in good mechanical order, if a little 'cosmetically damaged'.

Out of them all, my heart says "Whyte!" but my head would likely overrule with "Boardman!" They all have 650B/27.5" wheels too, so it's not even possible to eliminate one by wheel size preference. The Whyte is also the only one of the four with an 8-speed drive train, so that might sway me further toward the Boardman.

Thanks Yellowjack, very informative post and very helpful. The heart vs head battle is a constant one when it comes to boys toys for sure!

I am torn between the two but then I was just sent this which seems ridiculous value down from £499.
Is this an old model as I can only find it in red!

http://www.rutlandcycling.com/282258/products/sara...

Edited by jsmjsm on Wednesday 23 July 14:50

[anonymous-user]

jsmjsm said:

Thanks Yellowjack, very informative post and very helpful. The heat vs head battle is a constant one when it comes to boys toys for sure!

I am torn between the tweo but then I was just sent this which seems ridiculous value down from £499.
Is this an old model as I can only find it in red!

http://www.rutlandcycling.com/282258/products/sara...

I second that, useful info.

[West4x4]

If you're not looking to spend mega money the Saracen from Rutland cycles looks a fantastic deal.

[Jayfish]

I have a Scott Aspect 740 2014, regularly throw it around Bedgebury and Swinley and it's more than capable for this level of riding; It has good spread of gears with reliable accurate shifting, I'd need to be a better rider to want more from the brakes, it is however heavy (mines an XL and weighs 32lbs) and the stock tyres have very shallow blocks which are perfect in the curent dry and dusty conditions but do struggle when it gets muddy.
One thing to bear in mind about going 650b, it's so new that there are markedly fewer deals on parts should you want upgrades/spares.

[jsmjsm]

To finish the thread after being recommended by a couple of people on another forum I have ordered the Saracen Mantra as it has everything I want and the deal rutland is offering is £150 better than anyone else.

It arrives Monday.

Thanks for your help.

[Rollcage]

bashman said:

Voodoo Bizango has some good reviews for that price range

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bik...

http://www.mbr.co.uk/reviews/hardtail/voodoo-bizan...

http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/category/bikes/m...

I've just bought one of these - finding it great so far. Brilliant spec for the money.