What MTB - £1250ish?
Discussion
Hello,
I'm in the market for a new MTB, in fact it'll be my first MTB having always riden road bikes. I'll take advantage of the Cycle to Work scheme, but I'm happy to throw in some extra cash (and the local C2W bike shops seem happy to accept). Sensible budget is therefore ~£1250, but stretching that isn't a problem if needs be.
Usage will be approx one-third commuting (10 miles, mostly rural) one-third Sunday afternoon rides with the other half (quiet lanes and old railway lines), and one-third more serious off-road riding with mates. As a novice to this off-road malarky I don't harbour any illusions about my riding skills, and will be limiting off-road riding to trails, no banzai downhill runs for me!
A few years ago I cycled a lot, commuting most days and 50-60 mile Sunday rides weren't uncommon. However a few years of laziness have caught up with me, and I'm currently as unfit as I've ever been. More than anything the bike needs to be fun to tempt me out of the house.
My preference is currently leaning towards a decent hardtail. I've riden a Kona Kula at my LBS, and my mate's Rockhopper. The Kona rode really nicely, easily the nicest handling MTB I've ever riden. But I only rode it a mile on tarmac so that doesn't mean much. The Rockhopper felt heavy and sluggish in comparison, just not as polished a ride.
I'm very tempted by the Kona, but I suspect there's better value for the money. I'm also vaguely tempted by a full-suspension bike, but given my budget and the road miles I expect to do I'm not sure that's for me.
I'd appreciate any helpful advice!
Cheers, Rob.
PS. I'm 6'7" which limits my options!
I'm in the market for a new MTB, in fact it'll be my first MTB having always riden road bikes. I'll take advantage of the Cycle to Work scheme, but I'm happy to throw in some extra cash (and the local C2W bike shops seem happy to accept). Sensible budget is therefore ~£1250, but stretching that isn't a problem if needs be.
Usage will be approx one-third commuting (10 miles, mostly rural) one-third Sunday afternoon rides with the other half (quiet lanes and old railway lines), and one-third more serious off-road riding with mates. As a novice to this off-road malarky I don't harbour any illusions about my riding skills, and will be limiting off-road riding to trails, no banzai downhill runs for me!
A few years ago I cycled a lot, commuting most days and 50-60 mile Sunday rides weren't uncommon. However a few years of laziness have caught up with me, and I'm currently as unfit as I've ever been. More than anything the bike needs to be fun to tempt me out of the house.
My preference is currently leaning towards a decent hardtail. I've riden a Kona Kula at my LBS, and my mate's Rockhopper. The Kona rode really nicely, easily the nicest handling MTB I've ever riden. But I only rode it a mile on tarmac so that doesn't mean much. The Rockhopper felt heavy and sluggish in comparison, just not as polished a ride.
I'm very tempted by the Kona, but I suspect there's better value for the money. I'm also vaguely tempted by a full-suspension bike, but given my budget and the road miles I expect to do I'm not sure that's for me.
I'd appreciate any helpful advice!
Cheers, Rob.
PS. I'm 6'7" which limits my options!
For that mix of riding a hardtail is going to be the best compromise. The new Boardman range look tasty and have stunning spec. If you really want a full sus then take a look at the Canyon Nerve range. Stonking spec and probably nothing out there to touch it. That said you can't try before you buy as the bikes cone direct from Germany.
More rolling momentum, rolls better over bumps, more grip.
Downsides is not as light or manoeuvrable & takes more to get going.
(Assuming same build levels).
I have a chromo 29er HT and its a nice comfy ride even with only 80mm but I more often take out my aly 26 ht as its quicker to chuck around on technical stuff.
Downsides is not as light or manoeuvrable & takes more to get going.
(Assuming same build levels).
I have a chromo 29er HT and its a nice comfy ride even with only 80mm but I more often take out my aly 26 ht as its quicker to chuck around on technical stuff.
RobDickinson said:
More rolling momentum, rolls better over bumps, more grip.
Downsides is not as light or manoeuvrable & takes more to get going.
(Assuming same build levels).
I have a chromo 29er HT and its a nice comfy ride even with only 80mm but I more often take out my aly 26 ht as its quicker to chuck around on technical stuff.
forgot the most important one..... won't look as silly in XXXXXL!!Downsides is not as light or manoeuvrable & takes more to get going.
(Assuming same build levels).
I have a chromo 29er HT and its a nice comfy ride even with only 80mm but I more often take out my aly 26 ht as its quicker to chuck around on technical stuff.
On One Scandal race I'd say:
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOO29SCXT/on-one-scan...
Very light fast 29er with great spec & reviews.
Gary Fisher, Kona & Scott all offer decent 29ers too.
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOO29SCXT/on-one-scan...
Very light fast 29er with great spec & reviews.
Gary Fisher, Kona & Scott all offer decent 29ers too.
I'm in a pretty similar positon as you although spending a little less.
I have come across this bike which gets rave reviews:
http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/mountain/core/...
I am going to go for the Core 40 I think as it's more in my price range.
I have come across this bike which gets rave reviews:
http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/mountain/core/...
I am going to go for the Core 40 I think as it's more in my price range.
danrc said:
I'm in a pretty similar positon as you although spending a little less.
I have come across this bike which gets rave reviews:
http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/mountain/core/...
I am going to go for the Core 40 I think as it's more in my price range.
The Genesis bikes are lovely, the steel frames especially so.I have come across this bike which gets rave reviews:
http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/mountain/core/...
I am going to go for the Core 40 I think as it's more in my price range.
i would probably ignore the C2W scheme (as the benefits are now lower and only equate to a circa 25% saving) and look towards a new Canyon. You get fantastic value for money and a bike that really really works.
Had I not gone for a full custom build, I would have gone for a high-spec Canyon... you can pretty much buy the bike, strip it down and sell the components for more than the price of the bike.
Had I not gone for a full custom build, I would have gone for a high-spec Canyon... you can pretty much buy the bike, strip it down and sell the components for more than the price of the bike.
You'll struggle to get a good full susser for that budget. As you are v tall a 29er would work well. I'd agree with the suggestion of on-one . They have a good rep : you may be able to get a carbon frame HT build for that price from them which would take the sting out of not having full suss.
Unless you are built like a rake, I'm guessing you're quite heavy?
I'd rule Boardmans out - the frames seem to like breaking.
Get something made of steel, a hardtail and fairly burly.
The Orange is a good suggestion but also look at this:
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOO456SSTR/on-one-sum...
Might be tricky on C2C but it's a cracking bike that will last ages.
I'd rule Boardmans out - the frames seem to like breaking.
Get something made of steel, a hardtail and fairly burly.
The Orange is a good suggestion but also look at this:
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOO456SSTR/on-one-sum...
Might be tricky on C2C but it's a cracking bike that will last ages.
Thanks for all the suggestions, keep 'em coming. Your replies have certainly been food for thought. One of my LBS stock Genesis and Orange so I will definitely have a look at those ASAP.
The On-ones and Canyons look fantastic but are outside the C2W. However, I'm starting to reconsider whether to bother with C2W; while our scheme seems fairly efficient (I reckon more like 35% saving) our next batch isn't being processed until mid-June, followed by a another month of waiting... and I'll miss the best part of the summer. Canyons seem such fantastic value for money they have to be considered.
I'm ~17 stone, should be nearer to 15 but too many years of waddlesome sloth have seen to that!
Thanks again.
The On-ones and Canyons look fantastic but are outside the C2W. However, I'm starting to reconsider whether to bother with C2W; while our scheme seems fairly efficient (I reckon more like 35% saving) our next batch isn't being processed until mid-June, followed by a another month of waiting... and I'll miss the best part of the summer. Canyons seem such fantastic value for money they have to be considered.
I'm ~17 stone, should be nearer to 15 but too many years of waddlesome sloth have seen to that!
Thanks again.
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