First mountain bike - recommendations?
Discussion
Hi Guys,
Looking to get a mountain bike for general trail use and wondering what do I need to look for.
Bikes these days seem to come with front suspension as a given, with rear suspension available on some models. Is the rear suspension a necessity or a nice-to-have?
They all seem to have disk brakes, some hydraulically operated, some cable operated. Obviously the hydraulic brakes are better but how much difference do they make?
I'm not looking to do serious downhill mountain tracks, more just trail-riding with a few uphill/downhill gradients.
I've noticed the Boardman range at Halfords, and am wondering if they're a good starting point?
Appreciate any input!
Looking to get a mountain bike for general trail use and wondering what do I need to look for.
Bikes these days seem to come with front suspension as a given, with rear suspension available on some models. Is the rear suspension a necessity or a nice-to-have?
They all seem to have disk brakes, some hydraulically operated, some cable operated. Obviously the hydraulic brakes are better but how much difference do they make?
I'm not looking to do serious downhill mountain tracks, more just trail-riding with a few uphill/downhill gradients.
I've noticed the Boardman range at Halfords, and am wondering if they're a good starting point?
Appreciate any input!
Bad/cheap/inappropriate rear suspension is a hinderance. Good/appropriate suspension is nice, but not a necessity. For what you describe, even moreso.
Good hydraulic discs are more powerful, more reliable/less maintenance and generally "nicer" than cable discs, which in turn are better than rim brakes.
Boardmans are jolly good bikes.
Good hydraulic discs are more powerful, more reliable/less maintenance and generally "nicer" than cable discs, which in turn are better than rim brakes.
Boardmans are jolly good bikes.
slf2012 said:
Hi Guys,
Looking to get a mountain bike for general trail use and wondering what do I need to look for.
Bikes these days seem to come with front suspension as a given, with rear suspension available on some models. Is the rear suspension a necessity or a nice-to-have?
They all seem to have disk brakes, some hydraulically operated, some cable operated. Obviously the hydraulic brakes are better but how much difference do they make?
I'm not looking to do serious downhill mountain tracks, more just trail-riding with a few uphill/downhill gradients.
I've noticed the Boardman range at Halfords, and am wondering if they're a good starting point?
Appreciate any input!
Looking to get a mountain bike for general trail use and wondering what do I need to look for.
Bikes these days seem to come with front suspension as a given, with rear suspension available on some models. Is the rear suspension a necessity or a nice-to-have?
They all seem to have disk brakes, some hydraulically operated, some cable operated. Obviously the hydraulic brakes are better but how much difference do they make?
I'm not looking to do serious downhill mountain tracks, more just trail-riding with a few uphill/downhill gradients.
I've noticed the Boardman range at Halfords, and am wondering if they're a good starting point?
Appreciate any input!
slf2012 said:
Was looking to spend up to £1000, but obviously don't want to spend more than I need to.
Hardtail all the way then. Sorted.http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
EDIT: Ignore the size on that link. First one I found with a price!
slf2012 said:
neilbauer said:
What budget do you have?
Was looking to spend up to £1000, but obviously don't want to spend more than I need to.Here's some ideas.. http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/article/best-mou...
Jimbo. said:
Hardtail all the way then. Sorted.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
EDIT: Ignore the size on that link. First one I found with a price!
Would the rear suspension on this one not be worth the extra £150?http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
EDIT: Ignore the size on that link. First one I found with a price!
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
I have a brand new unused boardman ht pro you can have.
It's won every award going.
http://www.boardmanbikes.com/mtb/ht_pro.html
RRP £1000.
£800 if you want it. Got all receipts etc so you can still get the free servicing at Halfords.
PM me if you're intrested, or anyone else for that matter.
It's won every award going.
http://www.boardmanbikes.com/mtb/ht_pro.html
RRP £1000.
£800 if you want it. Got all receipts etc so you can still get the free servicing at Halfords.
PM me if you're intrested, or anyone else for that matter.
Edited by GALLARDOGUY on Friday 17th May 21:02
neilbauer said:
I prefer a hard tail with lockable front suspension you have a good choice for around 1k but you can get something decent for a lot less. My brother bought a nice Trek for just over £300.
Here's some ideas.. http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/article/best-mou...
Some good ideas there. Thanks.Here's some ideas.. http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/article/best-mou...
Don't look at rear suspension as an upgrade to a hard tail. These days they are aimed at different types of riding. For general stuff just get a hard tail, seriously... Most of the riders in the Olympic MTB race last year were _not_ on full-suspension.
As said: Boardman bikes are bloody good: and if its not for you or you upgrade, the resale values are good.
Also in Halfords: check out the Voodoo range.
As said: Boardman bikes are bloody good: and if its not for you or you upgrade, the resale values are good.
Also in Halfords: check out the Voodoo range.
Gizmoish said:
Don't look at rear suspension as an upgrade to a hard tail. These days they are aimed at different types of riding. For general stuff just get a hard tail, seriously... Most of the riders in the Olympic MTB race last year were _not_ on full-suspension.
As said: Boardman bikes are bloody good: and if its not for you or you upgrade, the resale values are good.
Also in Halfords: check out the Voodoo range.
Thanks, appreciate the advice.As said: Boardman bikes are bloody good: and if its not for you or you upgrade, the resale values are good.
Also in Halfords: check out the Voodoo range.
GALLARDOGUY said:
I have a brand new unused boardman ht pro you can have.
It's won every award going.
http://www.boardmanbikes.com/mtb/ht_pro.html
RRP £1000.
£800 if you want it. Got all receipts etc so you can still get the free servicing at Halfords.
PM me if you're intrested, or anyone else for that matter.
What size of frame is yours? Where are you based?It's won every award going.
http://www.boardmanbikes.com/mtb/ht_pro.html
RRP £1000.
£800 if you want it. Got all receipts etc so you can still get the free servicing at Halfords.
PM me if you're intrested, or anyone else for that matter.
Edited by GALLARDOGUY on Friday 17th May 21:02
This is what my brother just bought I like it for the money!
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/3500-d-20...
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/3500-d-20...
My mates and I are all 30-40 yr olds. Seriously, if you try and ride a hard tail properly across country for a few hours you'll be knackered in no time unless you're pretty fit! I ride 100miles a week on my XC full susser and when I try the wifes hard tail it really annoys me. A full susser will carry you across alsorts of muck in comfort. Your legs will thank you for buying a full sus bike)
Meanwhile, I bought a Black 2012 Trek Fuel EX 7 last year as an emergency stop gap while my daily ride was being repaired. Its only been out a few times. It barely has a mark on it. I've blinged it up with a tubeless tyre conversion, SLX crank, XT pedals and I've put a Rockshox Reverb seat post on it too. I paid £1570 for it, plus £30 for the tubeless conversion, £80 for the crank, £50 for the pedals and £200 for the seat post (which is a thing of beauty and if you will love it). Its a medium large size, 18.5" actual, 19.5" virtual seat post and suits me ( 5'11" ) just fine. I'd like to get £1000 back for it so I can buy a nice road bike.
Meanwhile, I bought a Black 2012 Trek Fuel EX 7 last year as an emergency stop gap while my daily ride was being repaired. Its only been out a few times. It barely has a mark on it. I've blinged it up with a tubeless tyre conversion, SLX crank, XT pedals and I've put a Rockshox Reverb seat post on it too. I paid £1570 for it, plus £30 for the tubeless conversion, £80 for the crank, £50 for the pedals and £200 for the seat post (which is a thing of beauty and if you will love it). Its a medium large size, 18.5" actual, 19.5" virtual seat post and suits me ( 5'11" ) just fine. I'd like to get £1000 back for it so I can buy a nice road bike.
Bobley said:
My mates and I are all 30-40 yr olds. Seriously, if you try and ride a hard tail properly across country for a few hours you'll be knackered in no time unless you're pretty fit! I ride 100miles a week on my XC full susser and when I try the wifes hard tail it really annoys me. A full susser will carry you across alsorts of muck in comfort. Your legs will thank you for buying a full sus bike)
Meanwhile, I bought a Black 2012 Trek Fuel EX 7 last year as an emergency stop gap while my daily ride was being repaired. Its only been out a few times. It barely has a mark on it. I've blinged it up with a tubeless tyre conversion, SLX crank, XT pedals and I've put a Rockshox Reverb seat post on it too. I paid £1570 for it, plus £30 for the tubeless conversion, £80 for the crank, £50 for the pedals and £200 for the seat post (which is a thing of beauty and if you will love it). Its a medium large size, 18.5" actual, 19.5" virtual seat post and suits me ( 5'11" ) just fine. I'd like to get £1000 back for it so I can buy a nice road bike.
You whinge about how knackered you'll be on a hard tail, but you're selling your full-sus to buy a road bike? Not sure you've thought this through. Meanwhile, I bought a Black 2012 Trek Fuel EX 7 last year as an emergency stop gap while my daily ride was being repaired. Its only been out a few times. It barely has a mark on it. I've blinged it up with a tubeless tyre conversion, SLX crank, XT pedals and I've put a Rockshox Reverb seat post on it too. I paid £1570 for it, plus £30 for the tubeless conversion, £80 for the crank, £50 for the pedals and £200 for the seat post (which is a thing of beauty and if you will love it). Its a medium large size, 18.5" actual, 19.5" virtual seat post and suits me ( 5'11" ) just fine. I'd like to get £1000 back for it so I can buy a nice road bike.
Yeah, okay, you got me there!!!
My daily ride is a short travel full sus Giant Anthem X1, I use it to go down back lanes and tow paths and a bit of grand day out hilly stuff occasionally (Long Mynd, Hopton, Woburn, Quantocks, Edale etc) but the Trek with its longer travel is a bit much for me. I'll never be up to its standard so I'll keep the Giant.
I am tempted to sell the Giant too and get the Anthem X29 as one of my mates bought a 29 Stumpy FSR a few weeks back and he does amazing things on it (probably just him though)
Meanwhile my 10 yr old son has just got a CX bike its he's firkin quick on it (beat the national girls standings leader in his first race) so I need a speed machine to keep up with him on training rides!
My daily ride is a short travel full sus Giant Anthem X1, I use it to go down back lanes and tow paths and a bit of grand day out hilly stuff occasionally (Long Mynd, Hopton, Woburn, Quantocks, Edale etc) but the Trek with its longer travel is a bit much for me. I'll never be up to its standard so I'll keep the Giant.
I am tempted to sell the Giant too and get the Anthem X29 as one of my mates bought a 29 Stumpy FSR a few weeks back and he does amazing things on it (probably just him though)
Meanwhile my 10 yr old son has just got a CX bike its he's firkin quick on it (beat the national girls standings leader in his first race) so I need a speed machine to keep up with him on training rides!
Boardmans are great bike, Halfords customer service is very hit and miss though.
For general larking about I'd recommend a hardtail, it's less weight like-for-like to haul around and on easier terrain they're more efficient as more of the power you put into the cranks goes to the rear tyre instead of being lost to suspension 'bobbing'.
If you decide you want to get more into the sport and more demanding terrain then the skills you picked up riding a HT will let you exploit the extra grip and compliance of a FS when you get one, riding a FS from the get-go can mean poor technique is masked by it.
In regards to fatigue, it goes both ways, a couple of inches of 'give' at the back can make life a lot easier for us no longer in our teens and twenties over rocks, roots and such, but, as above, you'll need to put more effort into your pedalling, with experience it's not a massive difference, but watching new riders fighting the pedals as the back bobs and their weight is pulled back and forth is just painful to look at.
Sorry for the ramble, I've been drinkin'.
For general larking about I'd recommend a hardtail, it's less weight like-for-like to haul around and on easier terrain they're more efficient as more of the power you put into the cranks goes to the rear tyre instead of being lost to suspension 'bobbing'.
If you decide you want to get more into the sport and more demanding terrain then the skills you picked up riding a HT will let you exploit the extra grip and compliance of a FS when you get one, riding a FS from the get-go can mean poor technique is masked by it.
In regards to fatigue, it goes both ways, a couple of inches of 'give' at the back can make life a lot easier for us no longer in our teens and twenties over rocks, roots and such, but, as above, you'll need to put more effort into your pedalling, with experience it's not a massive difference, but watching new riders fighting the pedals as the back bobs and their weight is pulled back and forth is just painful to look at.
Sorry for the ramble, I've been drinkin'.
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