What bike thread...
Discussion
Hi all... I am after a new bike and have been persuing various places. With shame I regret Evans has one 
My previous and current bike are pictured below. I ride single track and I do long rides of endurance / high speed endurance riding. I regularly do a 30 minute blast to and from the gym 15 mins either way - covering around 4 miles each way on a canal towpath. But I also do longer rides, typically 1 to 2 hours and sometimes a 20 - 30 mile circuit. I ride various terrain and some is quite rough, which I have found my aluminium framed Hardrock Sport to be bumpy on, not helped by it's totally s
t and pointless front forks.
My budget is in and around the £500 with some flexibilty. I like the look of the latest Specialized Hardrock priced at £600 at Evans, red with red wheels and disc brakes, suntour forks that feel quite nice. Also like the look of the 2011 Scott Aspect in Green and today took the fancy of a 2011 Giant Talon 2 in white priced at £750 which had the best componentry of them all. Any other idea's?
Ultimatley I want something that looks the part and can be ridden fast on single track with some decent front forks. My 2009 Hardrock must have covered in excess of 1000 miles by now and although feels fine I need a change. My GT before was a trophy bike that I never took off road
My previous and current bike are pictured below. I ride single track and I do long rides of endurance / high speed endurance riding. I regularly do a 30 minute blast to and from the gym 15 mins either way - covering around 4 miles each way on a canal towpath. But I also do longer rides, typically 1 to 2 hours and sometimes a 20 - 30 mile circuit. I ride various terrain and some is quite rough, which I have found my aluminium framed Hardrock Sport to be bumpy on, not helped by it's totally s
t and pointless front forks.My budget is in and around the £500 with some flexibilty. I like the look of the latest Specialized Hardrock priced at £600 at Evans, red with red wheels and disc brakes, suntour forks that feel quite nice. Also like the look of the 2011 Scott Aspect in Green and today took the fancy of a 2011 Giant Talon 2 in white priced at £750 which had the best componentry of them all. Any other idea's?
Ultimatley I want something that looks the part and can be ridden fast on single track with some decent front forks. My 2009 Hardrock must have covered in excess of 1000 miles by now and although feels fine I need a change. My GT before was a trophy bike that I never took off road
The way bike prices have gone up and specs down, £500ish won't get you much - if any - better than you have already.
The Hardrock isn't a bad frame. I'd be tempted to raid eBay/STW classifieds for a set of Rebas/Recons, some Deore hydro brakes, some XT/Hope XC +717 wheels, decent tyres and some time spent setting it up properly.
The Hardrock isn't a bad frame. I'd be tempted to raid eBay/STW classifieds for a set of Rebas/Recons, some Deore hydro brakes, some XT/Hope XC +717 wheels, decent tyres and some time spent setting it up properly.
Only issue I have is that I dont have the know how.
I have learnt over the last 2 years to fix a puncture many a time. Each time has been hard work. I can do both front and rear tyres but the rear tyre is so hard as you have to do that thing with the rear cogs / chain. Anything else i.e brake cables, gears - no chance.
Does that help? I agree though. It's all about the business for these retailers and I loathe that, but, I am fall into the category of paying money for a decent ish bike. I guess the convenience bike. The Giant Talon 2 was very very well specced though. It did seem the obvious value for money choice. The specialized hardrock for £600 had Suntour forks, and although it felt nice I can't get the idea out of my head that it was made for the average consumer.
I have learnt over the last 2 years to fix a puncture many a time. Each time has been hard work. I can do both front and rear tyres but the rear tyre is so hard as you have to do that thing with the rear cogs / chain. Anything else i.e brake cables, gears - no chance.
Does that help? I agree though. It's all about the business for these retailers and I loathe that, but, I am fall into the category of paying money for a decent ish bike. I guess the convenience bike. The Giant Talon 2 was very very well specced though. It did seem the obvious value for money choice. The specialized hardrock for £600 had Suntour forks, and although it felt nice I can't get the idea out of my head that it was made for the average consumer.
I suspect that an 'average consumer' would be able to change a tyre - no offence
TBH Im not sure what youre asking let alone wanting
Fancy forks are just not necessary for riding towpaths or basic bridleways
And much as I accept that the GT was special to you it would fall a long way short of trophy bike for most pedal heads
I spend most of my time on a 10y old MTB with a broken fork which I run as a rigid
With a set of 2.35 tyres it laughs at the local bridleways let alone canal tow paths
Your bike looks fine
Are you sure you need to change it?
Good luck
Fair point and one that has been made by a close friend who is far more a biker than me.
Yes the GT was not "special" in the grand scheme of things, but when I bought it in 2004 it was the bee's knees and I did ride it loads, just on tarmac. It was a beautiful bike and I had 3 years of bliss. It went very well but back then, I was too gay to use it properly.
The hardrock was bought to be used, and used it has been. It's done v well, and is still a solid bike. But, riding it so often, and it having been a part of my life for the 3rd year now, I want a change. I do need something more agile, lighter and able to compliment me as a rider. The frame is fab as you say, and I do know that. I just want a change. I aim to upgrade me and keep the hardrock for my other half.
My first choice of bike is Specialized, purely through taste. It seems the obvious choice for me, but I struggle with the whole high street retail thing. Just want some value for around the £500 mark. To those on this forum that may seem cheap but to your average person they would say that is expensive. I just don't want to get ripped off for a good frame but st componentry.
Yes the GT was not "special" in the grand scheme of things, but when I bought it in 2004 it was the bee's knees and I did ride it loads, just on tarmac. It was a beautiful bike and I had 3 years of bliss. It went very well but back then, I was too gay to use it properly.
The hardrock was bought to be used, and used it has been. It's done v well, and is still a solid bike. But, riding it so often, and it having been a part of my life for the 3rd year now, I want a change. I do need something more agile, lighter and able to compliment me as a rider. The frame is fab as you say, and I do know that. I just want a change. I aim to upgrade me and keep the hardrock for my other half.
My first choice of bike is Specialized, purely through taste. It seems the obvious choice for me, but I struggle with the whole high street retail thing. Just want some value for around the £500 mark. To those on this forum that may seem cheap but to your average person they would say that is expensive. I just don't want to get ripped off for a good frame but s
t componentry.
The best component spec for the price I can find, £9 over budget. I'm sure ebay has some gems.
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b...
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b...
TBH I think you are best to go along to your LBS and have a chat with them about the sort of riding you do and ask them to point you in the right direction.
If you are riding single track (somewhere like Swinley Forest), and want to ride fast you would probably want to spend a bit more and buy a full sus bike with about 5” of travel. If you are doing tarmac and towpaths then you are best off sticking to a hardtail with short travel forks, if you want to do both then go for a hardtail with longer travel forks and lockouts!
£500 sounds like a decent budget but does not get you much unless you go for last years models. There are quite a few decent hardtail frames on the market for £500 but you will have to accept that you won’t get great components for this sort of money, you should still get a half decent ride though. £500 on a full susser will not get you a bike you will enjoy riding!
The difference in bikes between a £350 and £750 bike will be very limited (marginally better groupset, forks and maybe hydraulic discs over mechanical), based on what you described I would have a look at the following;
Kina Fire Mountain Delux, Felt Q520, Spec Hardrock, Cube Attention (slightly over the £500 mark but a great bike), Scott Aspect, Giant Talon or XTC - the list goes on and everyone will have a different opinion!
Depending on where you are a couple of bike shops I would recommend are DNA cycles in Maidenhead, Mountain Trax near Wokingham and Berkshire Cycles in Crowthorne - I have dealt with all of them in the past and they all offer great advice (and best of all - its free!)...
If you are riding single track (somewhere like Swinley Forest), and want to ride fast you would probably want to spend a bit more and buy a full sus bike with about 5” of travel. If you are doing tarmac and towpaths then you are best off sticking to a hardtail with short travel forks, if you want to do both then go for a hardtail with longer travel forks and lockouts!
£500 sounds like a decent budget but does not get you much unless you go for last years models. There are quite a few decent hardtail frames on the market for £500 but you will have to accept that you won’t get great components for this sort of money, you should still get a half decent ride though. £500 on a full susser will not get you a bike you will enjoy riding!
The difference in bikes between a £350 and £750 bike will be very limited (marginally better groupset, forks and maybe hydraulic discs over mechanical), based on what you described I would have a look at the following;
Kina Fire Mountain Delux, Felt Q520, Spec Hardrock, Cube Attention (slightly over the £500 mark but a great bike), Scott Aspect, Giant Talon or XTC - the list goes on and everyone will have a different opinion!
Depending on where you are a couple of bike shops I would recommend are DNA cycles in Maidenhead, Mountain Trax near Wokingham and Berkshire Cycles in Crowthorne - I have dealt with all of them in the past and they all offer great advice (and best of all - its free!)...
keep the hardrock, its not worth spending £500 on a new bike as you will only end up with something of comparable spec. spend the £500 on something else, you culd upgrade a few of the parts that are wearing out and still have half the cash left. I rode a hardrock for years and it was fine, trail centres, singletrack, it never let me down.
pablo said:
keep the hardrock, its not worth spending £500 on a new bike as you will only end up with something of comparable spec. spend the £500 on something else, you culd upgrade a few of the parts that are wearing out and still have half the cash left. I rode a hardrock for years and it was fine, trail centres, singletrack, it never let me down.
Which does make sense for me. Maddad your comments also appreciated, the bikes you mention have been noticed.I think I have come to realise that in this climate, its all about business. I know enough about bikes to realise that to get the best deal, you need to buy the bits and build it yourself. Thats not for me, but, it seems I lose out financially and spec wise to spend money on a bike in a shop. I sort of knew that but some of the bikes seem tempting and I do want a change, hence my interest.
MadDad said:
If you are riding single track (somewhere like Swinley Forest), and want to ride fast you would probably want to spend a bit more and buy a full sus bike with about 5” of travel...
Wouldn't agree with this, I don't think there's anywhere round here within riding distance that merits that amount of travel. In fact, I probably have more fun on my rigid singlespeed Voodoo than I have on my FS Klein.Dizeee said:
I know enough about bikes to realise that to get the best deal, you need to buy the bits and build it yourself. Thats not for me...
Not really true. I reckon if you had £500 you's be very hard pushed to build a whole bike to the same spec as one you could buy. I'm sure most often quote the prices of bikes they've built forgetting they probably had some of the major components like a frame or forks or wheels sitting in the shed beforehand. Man maths I think. In your head its cheaper than buying a bike but only because you already had spares lying around to help.hadenough! said:
MadDad said:
If you are riding single track (somewhere like Swinley Forest), and want to ride fast you would probably want to spend a bit more and buy a full sus bike with about 5” of travel...
Wouldn't agree with this, I don't think there's anywhere round here within riding distance that merits that amount of travel. In fact, I probably have more fun on my rigid singlespeed Voodoo than I have on my FS Klein.Back on topic, I still think the best way forward is to go and have a chat with your local bike shop and ask what 2010 stock they have out back.
Regardless of what you get make sure you ride before you buy and enjoy! If you fancy a blast around Swinley Forest once you have your new toy drop me a line, happy to head over there and show you around!
pablo said:
keep the hardrock, its not worth spending £500 on a new bike as you will only end up with something of comparable spec. spend the £500 on something else, you culd upgrade a few of the parts that are wearing out and still have half the cash left. I rode a hardrock for years and it was fine, trail centres, singletrack, it never let me down.
I agree with this, and have done some shopping for you.Disc Brakes: Shimano Deore £48 per end = £96
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/mtb-bmx-bike/Disc...
Disc Compatiable wheels (6 bolt rotors - to match discs) £124.95
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop/Wheels/Mou...
Rockshox Reba RLT Forks £309
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop/Frame++For...
Total £529
To install all this is not a difficult job, the most tricky being cutting the steerer tube to length, but as long as you take your time this is not beyond anyone's capability.
In my honest opinion spending the money on these components will give you a much better bike than you could hope to get buying new for the same price.
You could also pay a bike shop to fit all this for around £30?, or I'm sure someone local to you from on here would be only to willing to help out.
Edit: Where about are you based? I would be only to glad to help out if you are local.
Edited by Flippin' Kipper on Sunday 13th March 11:15
MrTom said:
The best component spec for the price I can find, £9 over budget. I'm sure ebay has some gems.
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b...
If you weren't looking to pass on your Hardrock to your other half and it already came equipped with disc brakes & wheels I'd say simply upgrade it with Reba or 2nd hand Fox forks.http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b...
As that isn't the case that Diamondback or a 2010 Boardman Comp reduced to £560 look the best value to me at the moment.
Basically you don't need a new bike, 1000 miles is nothing, what you're saying doesnt make any sense at all? You should probably upgrade a bit, or better yet understand that the bike is probably not where the issue lies...
And you seem to think you're a a lot more of an expert than you are
your best bet is second hand or upgrade, but buying a new bike that will be the same because you want more
Bling is nonsense
And you seem to think you're a a lot more of an expert than you are
your best bet is second hand or upgrade, but buying a new bike that will be the same because you want moreBling is nonsense
Edited by okgo on Sunday 13th March 13:12
okgo said:
Basically you don't need a new bike, 1000 miles is nothing, what you're saying doesnt make any sense at all? You should probably upgrade a bit, or better yet understand that the bike is probably not where the issue lies...
And you seem to think you're a a lot more of an expert than you are your best bet is second hand or upgrade, but buying a new bike that will be the same because you want more
Bling is nonsense
And you seem to think you're a a lot more of an expert than you are
your best bet is second hand or upgrade, but buying a new bike that will be the same because you want moreBling is nonsense
Edited by okgo on Sunday 13th March 13:12
Whats hard to understand? I fancy a change of bike, nothing more nothing less. Since when have I purported to be an expert? The posting of this thread itself portrays the exact opposite... what on earth was in your Weetabix this morning...
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