Advice for a first time mountain bike.
Discussion
I'm moving to Buckhurst Hill in Essex in a week or so. I work in Tottenham so its a good opportunity to buy a bike and start cycling to work. As Epping forest is quite close I thought a mountain bike would be a good choice so I could enjoy the area on weekends.
I have a budget from £400 to £800. I wondered what bike people would suggest as looking at so many bike sites and review pages is still not making it easier to know which would be a good one to go for. Are the Boardman bikes that Halford's sell any good?
Any input would be appreciated!
I have a budget from £400 to £800. I wondered what bike people would suggest as looking at so many bike sites and review pages is still not making it easier to know which would be a good one to go for. Are the Boardman bikes that Halford's sell any good?
Any input would be appreciated!
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/commencal-el-ca...
If you are of average height 5'10" ish then I'd order this.
If you are of average height 5'10" ish then I'd order this.
The Boardman bikes are supposed to be great - I have a 2008 (I think) Boardman Comp road bike, and it's still going strong. Pretty sure the Boardman FS just won a group test in one of the MTB magazines in the shops at the moment.
This has just won an award in a mag this month too: http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/category/bikes/m...
...and if you hurry, you could get it for less than £540. (Or £506 if you have British Cycling membership)
This has just won an award in a mag this month too: http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/category/bikes/m...
...and if you hurry, you could get it for less than £540. (Or £506 if you have British Cycling membership)
My personal preference for your budget would be one of the Cube LTD range. Secondhand. About 550-600 should see you with a minter this time of year.
Nicely spec for the money on most of them. You might even get a Reaction for similar money?
I've just bought a Cube LTD SL 29 for my winter trainer. £650 quid with a few bits. It's like new only done 20 miles. Another of the cycle to work bikes that the owner thought looked nice but had forgot how much effort was evolved to pedal :-D
Karl.
Nicely spec for the money on most of them. You might even get a Reaction for similar money?
I've just bought a Cube LTD SL 29 for my winter trainer. £650 quid with a few bits. It's like new only done 20 miles. Another of the cycle to work bikes that the owner thought looked nice but had forgot how much effort was evolved to pedal :-D
Karl.
I used to live in Buckhurst Hill. Nice part of the world - and many of us frequent Epping Forest a lot. We really should arrange a group ride at some point.
Boardman bikes are good: great spec usually. The downside is having to buy from Halfords (speaking as someone who bought a bike from Halfords last month) - although I believe it very much depends on which Halfords you go to.
Boardman bikes are good: great spec usually. The downside is having to buy from Halfords (speaking as someone who bought a bike from Halfords last month) - although I believe it very much depends on which Halfords you go to.
Gizmoish said:
I used to live in Buckhurst Hill. Nice part of the world - and many of us frequent Epping Forest a lot. We really should arrange a group ride at some point.
Boardman bikes are good: great spec usually. The downside is having to buy from Halfords (speaking as someone who bought a bike from Halfords last month) - although I believe it very much depends on which Halfords you go to.
I would be up for a group ride for sure. Im having to get into cycling after having my knees messed up from football. Boardman bikes are good: great spec usually. The downside is having to buy from Halfords (speaking as someone who bought a bike from Halfords last month) - although I believe it very much depends on which Halfords you go to.
I live in Hampton at the moment and there are a few Halfords stores not too far. Just need to find one where the staff actually know what their talking about when it comes to bikes.
assadahmed said:
I would be up for a group ride for sure. Im having to get into cycling after having my knees messed up from football.
I live in Hampton at the moment and there are a few Halfords stores not too far. Just need to find one where the staff actually know what their talking about when it comes to bikes.
Don't worry, Halfords are as good, or better, than most other bike shops. The predictable Halfords bashing is just an internet inventionI live in Hampton at the moment and there are a few Halfords stores not too far. Just need to find one where the staff actually know what their talking about when it comes to bikes.
Jimboka said:
Don't worry, Halfords are as good, or better, than most other bike shops. The predictable Halfords bashing is just an internet invention
Yes, of course it is. As I said, I bought a bike from there last month.
Have a search on Twitter for @Halfords_cycling and see how many times they're apologising to customers saying their bikes were badly built...
Gizmoish said:
Jimboka said:
Don't worry, Halfords are as good, or better, than most other bike shops. The predictable Halfords bashing is just an internet invention
Yes, of course it is. As I said, I bought a bike from there last month.
Have a search on Twitter for @Halfords_cycling and see how many times they're apologising to customers saying their bikes were badly built...
I'd agree with the cube suggestion. I had a similar budget earlier this year, after a lot of research I got a Cube Acid 29er (their cheaper models didn't have an air fork that I was wanting), think it was about £620 in the sale, but the list price of the 2014 model is within budget at £800
Herman Toothrot said:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/commencal-el-ca...
If you are of average height 5'10" ish then I'd order this.
What a great name for a bike, but imagine a look on your mates face when you arrive at the pub with your El Camino! If you are of average height 5'10" ish then I'd order this.
Just got back from Halfords.
Ended up getting a Boardman. Was quite impressed with the staff at the Halfords store at Twickenham. Managed to get a helmet, front and rear lights, hi-vis jacket, cleaning stuff, mudguards at a very reasonable price with all the discount applied.
Here's a link to the bike.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
Bit more than what I planned to spend but what the hell. I will be saving £160 a month on public transport costs so its worth it!
Ended up getting a Boardman. Was quite impressed with the staff at the Halfords store at Twickenham. Managed to get a helmet, front and rear lights, hi-vis jacket, cleaning stuff, mudguards at a very reasonable price with all the discount applied.
Here's a link to the bike.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
Bit more than what I planned to spend but what the hell. I will be saving £160 a month on public transport costs so its worth it!
As mentioned;
http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/category/bikes/m...
Is regarded as one of the best 'entry' mountain bikes.
It's got 29'' wheels though - Roll faster, more grip, more comfortable and roll over objects better.
I looked at the Bizango, but Voodoo don't really do larger sized frames
(I'm 6'8'')
So I went for this instead;
http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/category/bikes/m...
And it's awesome!
Local bike shop/Halfords should be able to give you more pointers though.
http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/category/bikes/m...
Is regarded as one of the best 'entry' mountain bikes.
It's got 29'' wheels though - Roll faster, more grip, more comfortable and roll over objects better.
I looked at the Bizango, but Voodoo don't really do larger sized frames
(I'm 6'8'')So I went for this instead;
http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/category/bikes/m...
And it's awesome!
Local bike shop/Halfords should be able to give you more pointers though.
Edited by TACottle on Monday 2nd December 22:37
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