How much better is a 'decent' mountain bike?
Discussion
My current bike is a 2004 Specialized Hardrock. Hartail with front RST forks and rim brakes. The bike was used primarily for road/commuting initially, but more recently I've been going offroad on bridleways and forest tracks.
The bike has performed very well off road, and I've had no major mechanical issues or had to replace any components yet. However, things I'm not keen on are:
1. Brakes - reasonable stopping power on easy decents, but anything more technical and I need to use 3 fingers to get enough bite, meaning I have less control of the bars. I like the idea of 1 or 2 finger braking with discs.
2. No rear suspension - not so much of a problem on descents as I'm out of the saddle, but on other surfaces the constant jarring through the seat gets annoying and verges on being uncomfortable.
3. Weight - around 29lb I think, so can get a little tiring lugging up hill.
I am considering a new bike for use solely off road. Disc brakes seems the norm on the vast majority of bikes these days, however my main choice is between hardtail or full sus. My original budget was around 1k, which I believe can buy a fairly light hardtail, but alot of the reading I've done suggests £1500 as an approximate minimum for a full sus bike.
I'd be interested in peoples views, particularly those who've recently decided on full sus versus HT.
THanks
The bike has performed very well off road, and I've had no major mechanical issues or had to replace any components yet. However, things I'm not keen on are:
1. Brakes - reasonable stopping power on easy decents, but anything more technical and I need to use 3 fingers to get enough bite, meaning I have less control of the bars. I like the idea of 1 or 2 finger braking with discs.
2. No rear suspension - not so much of a problem on descents as I'm out of the saddle, but on other surfaces the constant jarring through the seat gets annoying and verges on being uncomfortable.
3. Weight - around 29lb I think, so can get a little tiring lugging up hill.
I am considering a new bike for use solely off road. Disc brakes seems the norm on the vast majority of bikes these days, however my main choice is between hardtail or full sus. My original budget was around 1k, which I believe can buy a fairly light hardtail, but alot of the reading I've done suggests £1500 as an approximate minimum for a full sus bike.
I'd be interested in peoples views, particularly those who've recently decided on full sus versus HT.
THanks
Edited by nammynake on Monday 22 November 22:39
Don't buy a FS bike for under £1000. Think very carefully about buying one for under £1500.
If you are going for discs ensure they are hydraulic - almost certainly will be at this price.
Try and buy a 2010 bike, much much better value for money.
A 1K bike is much much better than your hardrock!
However, don't feel you have to get a FS bike, hardtails are better equipt than their FS equivalent. What sort of riding do you do?
For some very good value hardtails, look at the Genesis range of bikes.
My £2000 FS bike weighs just under 30lbs, but remember, it's not all about the weight by a long shot! My brakes are better, the suspension is much more effective, gear change nicer etc etc. Don't get hung up on the weight - remember you only spend half the time climbing anyway!
If you are going for discs ensure they are hydraulic - almost certainly will be at this price.
Try and buy a 2010 bike, much much better value for money.
A 1K bike is much much better than your hardrock!
However, don't feel you have to get a FS bike, hardtails are better equipt than their FS equivalent. What sort of riding do you do?
For some very good value hardtails, look at the Genesis range of bikes.
My £2000 FS bike weighs just under 30lbs, but remember, it's not all about the weight by a long shot! My brakes are better, the suspension is much more effective, gear change nicer etc etc. Don't get hung up on the weight - remember you only spend half the time climbing anyway!
At that budget, and for the type of riding you're describing anyway, a hardtail is 100% the best way foward.
I bought an Orange R8 frame (very light, springy reynolds tubing) to build a singlespeed last year and it's been a brillinat bike. Unless you are particualrly heavy or found of largish jumps, it'd be a nice one to consider.
Most of the 'big names'; Trek, Specialized, Giant etc. will be able to dish out a very decent hardtail with (thanks to their huge buying power) some decent componentry. Brakes are, IMHO probably more essential than suspension forks - you should get decent ones for that budget and will certainly feel the improvement.
I bought an Orange R8 frame (very light, springy reynolds tubing) to build a singlespeed last year and it's been a brillinat bike. Unless you are particualrly heavy or found of largish jumps, it'd be a nice one to consider.
Most of the 'big names'; Trek, Specialized, Giant etc. will be able to dish out a very decent hardtail with (thanks to their huge buying power) some decent componentry. Brakes are, IMHO probably more essential than suspension forks - you should get decent ones for that budget and will certainly feel the improvement.
I'd agree with most of what's been said above.
The bike you have now is decent enough for what you're doing, but as the addiction grows (and it will!) you'll want a bit more.
I'm a complete FS pervert, you can get a decent FS for about a grand, a quick look and I found this
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Lapierre-Tecnic-FS-700-Mou...
But the difference between a £1k FS and a £1.5k one is quite large.
Personally I'd look at a 4" FS for your style of riding, if you fancy some day trips to trail centres or the like maybe a 5" like a Stumpjumper.
If you're paying cash it might be worth looking for something 'nearly new' on eBay, now winter his here you can get some real bargains and bikes generally suffer a 30-40% loss in the first year.
The bike you have now is decent enough for what you're doing, but as the addiction grows (and it will!) you'll want a bit more.
I'm a complete FS pervert, you can get a decent FS for about a grand, a quick look and I found this
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Lapierre-Tecnic-FS-700-Mou...
But the difference between a £1k FS and a £1.5k one is quite large.
Personally I'd look at a 4" FS for your style of riding, if you fancy some day trips to trail centres or the like maybe a 5" like a Stumpjumper.
If you're paying cash it might be worth looking for something 'nearly new' on eBay, now winter his here you can get some real bargains and bikes generally suffer a 30-40% loss in the first year.
Yes, as above. For you budget and type of riding a hardtail would make more sense. Avoid the On Ones though as they are pants. Go the self build route with a mixture of new and old- eBay is your friend. Get a new frame for around £500-600 (Cotic Souls are fantastic), get a decent used fork (up to 140mm for a Soul)used wheelset and buy a new groupset. There are loads of quality second hand parts around, have a look on singletrack, plenty of fashion victims selling off top end 2010 kit to buy 2011 stuff. Bargains are to be had there.
Don't get hung up on needing XT or XTR, the lower end SLX is just as good. Don't scrimp on tyres though, a good set of rubber will transform any bike, like wise crap rubber will ruin even the best bikes!
Don't get hung up on needing XT or XTR, the lower end SLX is just as good. Don't scrimp on tyres though, a good set of rubber will transform any bike, like wise crap rubber will ruin even the best bikes!
I think I'd go for a good 4-5" XC full suspension bike personally and I currently ride a very good XC hardtail (Trek with XT & Fox forks).
My mates Ellsworth FS bike feels like off roading on a magic carpet compared to my hard tail at Whinlatter (though I have the advantage on long fire road climbs).
I can't think of an XC FS bike that is better value than a Boardman Pro or Team unless you find something reduced in a sale.
My mates Ellsworth FS bike feels like off roading on a magic carpet compared to my hard tail at Whinlatter (though I have the advantage on long fire road climbs).
I can't think of an XC FS bike that is better value than a Boardman Pro or Team unless you find something reduced in a sale.
This is a killer deal
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/ep...
Only med and small left.
All you will need for a all round FS MTB.
Or a Boardman, probably the best value FS you can buy.
http://www.boardmanbikes.com/mtbfs/fs_pro.html
Don't be put off by the fact you have to buy it from Halfords, just get it checked by your LBS after you get it.
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/ep...
Only med and small left.
All you will need for a all round FS MTB.
Or a Boardman, probably the best value FS you can buy.
http://www.boardmanbikes.com/mtbfs/fs_pro.html
Don't be put off by the fact you have to buy it from Halfords, just get it checked by your LBS after you get it.
If your looking to spend £1000-£1500 on a fs, i would sujest looking at the second hand market as if you buy a new one for that price, it will be pretty basic. Allot of people at this time of the year are selling there bikes as its the end of the season and you can get some really good deals if you look carefully.
Before spending your cash on a full suss it might be worth trying a steel framed hardtail. They tend to take a bit more sting out of the trail than most aluminium frames (like modern Hardrocks) as the material has a bit more spring and zinginess to it. Ti frames are even batter but a good bit more expensive of course.
If I was looking for an off the peg steel framed bike something like the Genesis Latitude would be in with a shout or self build with something like a Cotic Soul or Dialled Bikes Prince Albert as a base.
This is the Genesis which I think looks great http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/mountain/latit...
Just my 2p's worth.
If I was looking for an off the peg steel framed bike something like the Genesis Latitude would be in with a shout or self build with something like a Cotic Soul or Dialled Bikes Prince Albert as a base.
This is the Genesis which I think looks great http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/mountain/latit...
Just my 2p's worth.
I bought a Boardman FS Pro earlier this year. It is night and day to my old FS bike.
It's 12.5kg for a start where as my old bike was over 15kg. That alone makes a huge difference, not only in how much bike you are pushing up the hills, but in how agile it is when you are throwing yourself down them.
My old suspension soaked up most of the big hits, this suspension is like a magic carpet. Brakes are verging on being too powerful and you need to brace backwards if intending to grab a lot of lever. The gear set is stunning. Slick changes in lightening quick time, they become almost telepathic and you find yourself changing all the time because you don't need to lift.
Don't settle for SLX, don't try and nail a bike together yourself, you will never match the value of some of the good deals out there by buying components separately.
How much better is a decent mtb? A £1000-£1500 bike will blow you away. It becomes about you, not the bike, when you get to this level. The bike just does what you ask of it. And every ride is better than the last as you explore its limits and redefine your own.
It's 12.5kg for a start where as my old bike was over 15kg. That alone makes a huge difference, not only in how much bike you are pushing up the hills, but in how agile it is when you are throwing yourself down them.
My old suspension soaked up most of the big hits, this suspension is like a magic carpet. Brakes are verging on being too powerful and you need to brace backwards if intending to grab a lot of lever. The gear set is stunning. Slick changes in lightening quick time, they become almost telepathic and you find yourself changing all the time because you don't need to lift.
Don't settle for SLX, don't try and nail a bike together yourself, you will never match the value of some of the good deals out there by buying components separately.
How much better is a decent mtb? A £1000-£1500 bike will blow you away. It becomes about you, not the bike, when you get to this level. The bike just does what you ask of it. And every ride is better than the last as you explore its limits and redefine your own.
I think the F/S hardtail debate is personal choice.
Mate of mine had a hardtail bike following me on my 10 yr old 42lb GT. Bearing in mind he knew the track and was following me, he remarked how the F/S just flowed where he was getting kicked about a bit. (He now has an Orange 5!)
If you want a F/S X/C bike, look out for lock out on the shocks. Some have on the rear (or a system like Pro-pedal) that on climbs make it more a hardtail, then on descents switch it back to give full travel.
I was looking at the new Kona Tanuki (entry level £1k, better spec £1.5k) 130mm F/S, circa 30lbs.
Not sure what the build quality is like as never owned a Kona, though certainly looks the part!!
If I hadnt found the Enduro at a good price I would have probably bought one of these.
Almost every manufacturer will have a couple of bikes in their range suitable, its whether or not you feel you will benefit from rear suspension.
Also its important to get one that fits! Easy to see a bargain 2010 bike, but no good if its the wrong size....
Mate of mine had a hardtail bike following me on my 10 yr old 42lb GT. Bearing in mind he knew the track and was following me, he remarked how the F/S just flowed where he was getting kicked about a bit. (He now has an Orange 5!)
If you want a F/S X/C bike, look out for lock out on the shocks. Some have on the rear (or a system like Pro-pedal) that on climbs make it more a hardtail, then on descents switch it back to give full travel.
I was looking at the new Kona Tanuki (entry level £1k, better spec £1.5k) 130mm F/S, circa 30lbs.
Not sure what the build quality is like as never owned a Kona, though certainly looks the part!!
If I hadnt found the Enduro at a good price I would have probably bought one of these.
Almost every manufacturer will have a couple of bikes in their range suitable, its whether or not you feel you will benefit from rear suspension.
Also its important to get one that fits! Easy to see a bargain 2010 bike, but no good if its the wrong size....
With the type of riding you're doing it sounds like FS would be overkill.
I completely agree that for the same price a HT will be better spec'd than a FS, but I don't agree that you can't get a good new FS for your budget. The Boardman is a perfect example of this.
I've had a FS since getting back into biking around 7 years ago. This year I built up a steel HT out of an ebay frame and the parts I had lying around (well that was theory, actually ended up buying mostly new parts!) and it is now my go-to bike. It climbs as well as the FS Boardman and isn't far off as good a decender as my Iron Horse with 7 inches of front sus, 6 inches at the back.
I'd get a HT with 120mm, possibly even 140, which at that budget should be pretty light and very capable off-road. As for which one, see what you can find in the sales then post up for people's opinions.
Bike Radar website is a great place for biking info.
I completely agree that for the same price a HT will be better spec'd than a FS, but I don't agree that you can't get a good new FS for your budget. The Boardman is a perfect example of this.
I've had a FS since getting back into biking around 7 years ago. This year I built up a steel HT out of an ebay frame and the parts I had lying around (well that was theory, actually ended up buying mostly new parts!) and it is now my go-to bike. It climbs as well as the FS Boardman and isn't far off as good a decender as my Iron Horse with 7 inches of front sus, 6 inches at the back.
I'd get a HT with 120mm, possibly even 140, which at that budget should be pretty light and very capable off-road. As for which one, see what you can find in the sales then post up for people's opinions.
Bike Radar website is a great place for biking info.
2 on budget full suss bikes that will climb and descend for fun 
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/rocky-mountain...
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/mondraker/fact...
i have the Rocky mountain and paid a lot more for it awesome bike.
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/rocky-mountain...
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/mondraker/fact...
i have the Rocky mountain and paid a lot more for it
awesome bike.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff