Time for a new mountain bike - which would you recommend?
Discussion
OK, I've been getting back into biking recently and having been using an old Saracen and an old Claud Butler Carabo, I've decided to invest in something new. I've got a few bikes shortlisted, was hoping someone could let me know if they'd recommend of the following:
Trek 3700 Disc 2011
Specialized Hardrock Disc 2011
GT Avalanche 3.0 Disc 2011
GT Aggressor 1.0 Disc 2011
Not really sure what the difference is between the GT's, but I prefer the look of the Specialized and Trek bikes. The Specialised and Trek only have 21 gears, and I really want 24, which both GT's have. However, the GT frame doesn't look as great.
Anyway, all that aside. they all have front suspension and disc brakes, two of my requirements, so what differentiates them and which should I go for?
Cheers!
Trek 3700 Disc 2011
Specialized Hardrock Disc 2011
GT Avalanche 3.0 Disc 2011
GT Aggressor 1.0 Disc 2011
Not really sure what the difference is between the GT's, but I prefer the look of the Specialized and Trek bikes. The Specialised and Trek only have 21 gears, and I really want 24, which both GT's have. However, the GT frame doesn't look as great.
Anyway, all that aside. they all have front suspension and disc brakes, two of my requirements, so what differentiates them and which should I go for?
Cheers!
merlin malt 4 as per the other thread. popular on the trails and always highly recommended in the magazines.
at that price range though, the only difference between many bikes will be colour and the odd component here and there.
geometry will be fairly standard, if you do some research you may well find out that they are the same tube length and angles - thus quite likely at that price a few bikes share the same frame.
at that price range though, the only difference between many bikes will be colour and the odd component here and there.
geometry will be fairly standard, if you do some research you may well find out that they are the same tube length and angles - thus quite likely at that price a few bikes share the same frame.
If you really want to get into mountain biking I wouldn't buy any of those, you already have a bike and those whilst they might be better will only be a stop gap.
If it takes off, after the summer you'll have realised that you'll want something with proper "Hydraulic" disc brakes and a good air fork and components that you can upgrade, which means a minimum 9 speed (27 gears) bike.
This will mean that you'll need to double your budget. Alternatively, if your absolutely sure, and don't have the funds maybe your work place has a Cycle to work scheme or a good interest free period from the shop your buying from would be a better solution.
If you want to stick with Specialized, then start with the Rockhopper and up and with Trek the 6000 series and up, there are plenty of others, like the merlin malt range already mentioned which are good and the Orange Series G Alu hardtails to name a couple as well as felt, boardman etc.
If it takes off, after the summer you'll have realised that you'll want something with proper "Hydraulic" disc brakes and a good air fork and components that you can upgrade, which means a minimum 9 speed (27 gears) bike.
This will mean that you'll need to double your budget. Alternatively, if your absolutely sure, and don't have the funds maybe your work place has a Cycle to work scheme or a good interest free period from the shop your buying from would be a better solution.
If you want to stick with Specialized, then start with the Rockhopper and up and with Trek the 6000 series and up, there are plenty of others, like the merlin malt range already mentioned which are good and the Orange Series G Alu hardtails to name a couple as well as felt, boardman etc.
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 9th May 11:41
Out the list you have there go for the Specialized but I would save up a few more pennys and go for the Rockhopper. I bought a Hardrock pro disc a few year back just for getting about town and down a few trails around my area when am not on the downhiller. The hardrock is a good bike although the brakes were s
te!!
te!! Thanks for info and opinions guys.
To be fair, I am not going to get into competing or serious downhill work - and if I were, my brother has £3k+ worth of custom built DH bike he built up over a couple of years that I could use.
This will be used for a mixture of on and offroad (usually in the same trip), but I know a hybrid bike won't keep up with the offroad stuff I do. It is mostly trails riding, but I do take a "if in doubt, flat out" kind of approach which means it will get some abuse.
So, taking that into account, would a Specialized Rockhopper be the way to go? Whats the difference between that and the Hardrocks?
Ta!
To be fair, I am not going to get into competing or serious downhill work - and if I were, my brother has £3k+ worth of custom built DH bike he built up over a couple of years that I could use.
This will be used for a mixture of on and offroad (usually in the same trip), but I know a hybrid bike won't keep up with the offroad stuff I do. It is mostly trails riding, but I do take a "if in doubt, flat out" kind of approach which means it will get some abuse.
So, taking that into account, would a Specialized Rockhopper be the way to go? Whats the difference between that and the Hardrocks?
Ta!
Kieranrob said:
Out the list you have there go for the Specialized but I would save up a few more pennys and go for the Rockhopper. I bought a Hardrock pro disc a few year back just for getting about town and down a few trails around my area when am not on the downhiller. The hardrock is a good bike although the brakes were ste!!
Why would you recommend the Rockhopper over the Hardrock? What's the difference? It's nearly 50% more expensive!!te!! I'm not too up to date with that price range so can;t really help on the above.
MBR magazine tested a dozen hardtails between £600-£1000 this month though, might be worth a read if that's your budget area. IIRC they highly rated a KHS at aroudn the £800 mark but can't recall the model.
MBR magazine tested a dozen hardtails between £600-£1000 this month though, might be worth a read if that's your budget area. IIRC they highly rated a KHS at aroudn the £800 mark but can't recall the model.
Mike_C said:
Kieranrob said:
Out the list you have there go for the Specialized but I would save up a few more pennys and go for the Rockhopper. I bought a Hardrock pro disc a few year back just for getting about town and down a few trails around my area when am not on the downhiller. The hardrock is a good bike although the brakes were ste!!
Why would you recommend the Rockhopper over the Hardrock? What's the difference? It's nearly 50% more expensive!!te!! The base Rockhopper is £100 more than the Hardrock pro. For that you get upgraded frame, brakes, transmission & tyres.
Worth it in my opinion.
oola said:
Don't buy a bike with mechanical disk brakes whatever you do ... they're useless.
i actually disagree, cheap hydraulics are shocking, the components are cheap and fail. in comparison cable discs have fewer components to fail compared to cheap hydraulics, they need less maintenance than hydrualics, you dont have to worry about seals (which will need replacing after every winter) or fluid changes.ultimately the performance isnt that different between high end cable discs and low end hydraulics either. keep them well maintained and they will work well.
high end hydraulic discs are awesome but thats probably not the price range we are talking about here. there is nothing inherently wrong with cable discs.
Thanks for the info guys. Budget is up to £500 really, don't wanna spend more than that - or need to, to be honest. Three things I would like are:
- Hydraulic disc brakes (if they're good ones)
- 24+ gears (27 would be great)
- Half-decent front shocks (with lockout)
So, I have narrowed it down to the following bikes, all available from Evans Cycles - some have all three of the above, others fall a little short (e.g. cable disc brakes), but any experience with any of them would be welcome:
Cannondale Trail SL4 2011
Claud Butler Capewrath 02 2011
Commencal Premier Plus 2011
Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc 2011
Specialized Hardrock Pro Disc 2011 (is this really worth so much more than the standard Hardrock Disc or Hardrock Sport Disc?) Seems expensive!
Trek 4300 Disc 2011 (similar spec to the Hardrock Pro Disc but £100 cheaper??)
Trek 4300 is in the lead, along with the Cannondale and possible the Claud Butler. The Specialized bikes you seem to be paying for the name as much as anything?
- Hydraulic disc brakes (if they're good ones)
- 24+ gears (27 would be great)
- Half-decent front shocks (with lockout)
So, I have narrowed it down to the following bikes, all available from Evans Cycles - some have all three of the above, others fall a little short (e.g. cable disc brakes), but any experience with any of them would be welcome:
Cannondale Trail SL4 2011
Claud Butler Capewrath 02 2011
Commencal Premier Plus 2011
Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc 2011
Specialized Hardrock Pro Disc 2011 (is this really worth so much more than the standard Hardrock Disc or Hardrock Sport Disc?) Seems expensive!
Trek 4300 Disc 2011 (similar spec to the Hardrock Pro Disc but £100 cheaper??)
Trek 4300 is in the lead, along with the Cannondale and possible the Claud Butler. The Specialized bikes you seem to be paying for the name as much as anything?
Cannondale Trail SL4 2011
http://www.discountcyclesdirect.co.uk/product_info...
Claud Butler Capewrath 02 2011
http://www.bikeoutlet.co.uk/products/Claud_Butler_...
Commencal Premier Plus 2011
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/commencal/prem...
Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc 2011
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/ha...
Specialized Hardrock Pro Disc 2011 (is this really worth so much more than the standard Hardrock Disc or Hardrock Sport Disc?) Seems expensive!
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/ha...
Trek 4300 Disc 2011 (similar spec to the Hardrock Pro Disc but £100 cheaper??)
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/4300-disc...
For those who want to help, here are the specs.
I would personally choose the one that you like the look of most and the one that feels best followed then by the best frame.
The hardrock in red/black looks freaking horrible for instance!
http://www.discountcyclesdirect.co.uk/product_info...
Claud Butler Capewrath 02 2011
http://www.bikeoutlet.co.uk/products/Claud_Butler_...
Commencal Premier Plus 2011
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/commencal/prem...
Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc 2011
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/ha...
Specialized Hardrock Pro Disc 2011 (is this really worth so much more than the standard Hardrock Disc or Hardrock Sport Disc?) Seems expensive!
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/ha...
Trek 4300 Disc 2011 (similar spec to the Hardrock Pro Disc but £100 cheaper??)
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/4300-disc...
For those who want to help, here are the specs.
I would personally choose the one that you like the look of most and the one that feels best followed then by the best frame.
The hardrock in red/black looks freaking horrible for instance!
Just to add, if it was me, i would without doubt choose the Cannondale, it has a 1.5" supertough headstock which will take the lefty and the fatty cannondale forks, it has 9 speed also, the frame will be nice too, they make excellent bikes imo. Lightweight which the hardrock certainly wont be.
I recently bought one of these, I'm not experienced, but it seems very good to me.
http://thebicyclebuyer.com/bikes/bmc-blast-bl01-69...
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bmc/blast-bl01...
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