Need a MTB, suggestions welcome

[MDian]

Having not purchased a mountain bike in a very long time, I bought a hybrid Boardman last year but have regretted it ever since; not because it isn't fit for purpose, but because I keep finding myself wanting to go off-road and not being confident on the skinny tyres!

Anyway, I plan on selling the hybrid and buying a decent MTB instead, but I'm completely lost by the number of choices. Basically, I want something around £1k max, suitable for leisure only, both off-road and on the road, so I think I can at least confirm I want a hard-tail.

Putting the snobbery aside, I have considered a Boardman HT/Pro from Halfrauds, simply because the reviews suggest it is well prices, I'm a sucker for a good looking bike (first and foremost!) and I want something light for pub bragging rights (just kidding, but light suits me); I believe the boardman weighs in at around 11kg, and the carbon version at 10kg (my hybrid is 10.5kg I think).

Is this a good bike choice, or would you suggest there are other makes more suitable for the money?

[DMN]

Keep the Hybrid for road work, thats first thing I'd suggest. I have an old Scott SUB Hybrid for just that. For £1000 or less you can go full suss, but its not worth it. You'll get a much better hardtail at that price, as you've realiased yourself.

Plenty of decent lightweight XC bikes about, try a few shops and see what they sell (always try before you buy), but things like the Specialized Rockhopper Pro: http://www.wheelies.co.uk/p56088/Specialized-Rockh... and GT Zaskar: http://www.wheelies.co.uk/p56208/GT-Zaskar-9R-Comp... should be afordable.

[MDian]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll have to sell the hybrid unfortunately because the money will go towards the MTB, plus I don't have space for both!

I wish these bike shops would make an effort of confirming the weight assembled as that is a key factor for me.

[anonymous-user]

Default to Canyon for epic value for money and top spec.
https://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes/bike.html...

I personally dont think you need to sit on a bike before you buy it, sitting on it in a shop or riding round their car park pushing down on the suspension is not a particularly good indicator of how it will ride off road. Get a good idea which is the right size for you using some online guides, be cheeky and sit on a few in the shop, do some research and you get the best bike for the money. Canyons need a bit of minor spannering when they are delivered but if you really dont know one end of a spanner from the other, bribe a mate who does with beer...

As far as pub bragging rights go, XT, SLX, Crossrides, Rebas...

[jfdi]

pablo said:

Default to Canyon for epic value for money and top spec.
https://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes/bike.html...

I personally dont think you need to sit on a bike before you buy it, sitting on it in a shop or riding round their car park pushing down on the suspension is not a particularly good indicator of how it will ride off road. Get a good idea which is the right size for you using some online guides, be cheeky and sit on a few in the shop, do some research and you get the best bike for the money. Canyons need a bit of minor spannering when they are delivered but if you really dont know one end of a spanner from the other, bribe a mate who does with beer...

As far as pub bragging rights go, XT, SLX, Crossrides, Rebas...

+4
Bit of a canyon fetish here, 2 hardtails (1 mine & 1 hers) and 2 road bikes (1 mine& 1 hers) everything else just looks so expensive for same spec. Quality is spot on as is the service.

[LRJP]

Yep I'd go for a canyon. Just ordered one myself





Buy one. You know it makes sense.

[MDian]

Ok, questions, based on using the bike for fairly basic off-road but nothing too serious, do I need to go for a 29er (which I assume is the size of wheels)?

Also, are there such a thing as MTB's with fewer gears, as I've always found most gears are wasted on me, as I generally just use a few (probably riding wrong)?

Finally, should I be going for mechanical brakes, or hydraulic (if that is the correct word)?

[Mr E]

29er is the 'new thing'. I'm currently unconvinced to be honest. 27.5" next I reckon.

I wouldn't get mega hung up on weight unless you're regularly racing. I built a steel hard tail because I preferred the way steel rode, and I've raced it. The poor lap time was bugger all to do with the bike.

2x10 or 1x10 not unusual, but not at your price point.

[GuinnessMK]

I've had a Cube Acid for a few years now and it's been brilliant. Just got my eldest a Giant Revel 0 Ltd and I have to say I think it's a better bike! Damn.

I've tried a 29" wheel bike, outside the bike shop, and it went quick enough along the straight pavement and up and down kerbs, but I felt it was a bit slow to turn.

[MDian]

Should I be going for mechanical or hydraulic brakes?

So much choice out there! Sort of looking at this one at the moment, just around the price mark, https://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes/bike.html...

Edited by MDian on Thursday 2nd May 08:10

[bobbo89]

For the same price you could have some carbon porn

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FBOOWHCAB/on_one_whipp...

....or longer travel:

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FBOOC456V2/on_one_456_...

Edited by bobbo89 on Thursday 2nd May 08:28

[Mr E]

MDian said:

Should I be going for mechanical or hydraulic brakes?

Hydro all day.
And canyon are staggering value.

[MDian]

The Canyon's certainly look good on spec, but I'm concerned about what to do if there were any problems given they are in Germany and I don't have expertise in fixing potential issues. Anyone had experience with them for customer/technical assistance?

[dave_s13]

pablo said:

Default to Canyon for epic value for money and top spec.
https://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes/bike.html...

I personally dont think you need to sit on a bike before you buy it, sitting on it in a shop or riding round their car park pushing down on the suspension is not a particularly good indicator of how it will ride off road. Get a good idea which is the right size for you using some online guides, be cheeky and sit on a few in the shop, do some research and you get the best bike for the money. Canyons need a bit of minor spannering when they are delivered but if you really dont know one end of a spanner from the other, bribe a mate who does with beer...

As far as pub bragging rights go, XT, SLX, Crossrides, Rebas...

Bloody hell, they look good.

I wish I'd seen that before buying my Scott Scale the other week!!

[jfdi]

MDian said:

Should I be going for mechanical or hydraulic brakes?

So much choice out there! Sort of looking at this one at the moment, just around the price mark, https://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes/bike.html...

Edited by MDian on Thursday 2nd May 08:10

That's one of the canyon fleet, my MTB to be exact. Stupidly light for it's size, when I first picked up the delivery box I thought UPS had nicked the bike out of it

Do it, you won't be disappointed.

[jfdi]

MDian said:

The Canyon's certainly look good on spec, but I'm concerned about what to do if there were any problems given they are in Germany and I don't have expertise in fixing potential issues. Anyone had experience with them for customer/technical assistance?

I've not had to try the technical assistance, but at the end of the day it's a canyon frame with a pile of off the shelf parts bolted on. Any bike shop worthy of your cash should be able to fix any issues you have.

Service from canyon on the purchasing side has been superb though, recently ordered a road bike for my wife and selected the optional (free) change to a ladies saddle. Received a phone call from canyon stating they had no ladies saddles in stock and the moment, but so's not to delay the order they would send the bike with a standard saddle which i can keep and they will send a ladies saddle as soon as they come in stock. Yes it's only a £20 saddle but there was no obligation on their part to do this.

I hope your taking note of these recommendations Canyon, I want big discount off the next one

[Watchman]

MDian said:

Having not purchased a mountain bike in a very long time, I bought a hybrid Boardman last year but have regretted it ever since; not because it isn't fit for purpose, but because I keep finding myself wanting to go off-road and not being confident on the skinny tyres!

How "off road"? The Boardman hybrid should have enough clearance for some 33mm CX tyres. That'd keep you from sliding off. It's also strong enough to use on unpaved paths. If you're thinking of more rough stuff, then consider a MTB by all means but also remember before bikes became one-trick-ponies, we used to use our ill-suited steel monsters for everything including some quite lurid jumps.

I like the Boardman range. Their hybrids are perfect for road use and I'm sure would be great trail bikes.

I have a very road-oriented hybrid and a HT MTB. I only bought the MTB because my hybrid didn't have enough clearance for CX tyres. I wish now I'd bought a more suitable hybrid because I've come to the conclusion that I don't like front suspension alone. I'd rather have a rigid fork, save some weight, stick with the 700c wheels (which are so good on the road) and just use that on the gravelly trails I ride. The MTB is complete overkill.

[MDian]

jfdi said:

That's one of the canyon fleet, my MTB to be exact. Stupidly light for it's size, when I first picked up the delivery box I thought UPS had nicked the bike out of it

Do it, you won't be disappointed.

I can't believe how light it is! Less than the weight of my Boardman hybrid!!!

[Gren]

Nice light agile bikes. My FS Canyon is only another kilo on top of that one and can cope with pretty much anything

[GALLARDOGUY]

You can have my boardman pro HT for £750.

Brand new. Never ridden. With receipt from Halfords so you still get all their free servicing etc.