Strong starter MTB?

[anonymous-user]

Having been away from the world of pedal power for nigh on 20 years it's time to get back in the saddle. I'm after something I can do a bit of off-riding on without worry and don't want to spend more than a couple of hundred if I can avoid it.

The main brief though is that, having become a fat bd, it needs to be strong!!

Been looking at Apollos and Carreras in Halfords, B'Twin or whatever the bikes in Decathlon are called etc.. I really don't have a clue what I'm looking for. I would like front suspension and V-brakes as a minimum along with 21 speed (although I guess this is a minimum these days) but beyond that I have no preferences.

Any suggestions will be most welcome, cheers.

[richardxjr]

You want a proper, strong, mtb, with a bouncy fork that won't fall apart, for less than £200. Take off VAT, retailer and distributor margins, import duty and shipping and that means a fully assembled bike that cost about £50. Plus a helmet and clothing I hope.

Good luck. Half a chance at Decathlon, everything else will be st.

OR you could spend some weeks researching about what's happened in the last 20 years and buy a half decent, few year old, pre owned hardtail off ebay which would likely cost about a grand new today, for not much more than your budget.

[ecsrobin]

Lots have changed over the years wove a move to cable operated discs at the lower end of the market and a shift towards 2x10 gearing. £300 is the minimum I would suggest and take a look at decathlon as suggested

[Mr E]

Seriously consider looking at a second hand bike.

[aka_kerrly]

http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/

http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/mountain_bikes

http://www.bikesales.org.uk/

My favourites are the GT Aggressors and Specialized Hardrocks.

[anonymous-user]

richardxjr said:

You want a proper, strong, mtb, with a bouncy fork that won't fall apart, for less than £200. Take off VAT, retailer and distributor margins, import duty and shipping and that means a fully assembled bike that cost about £50. Plus a helmet and clothing I hope.

Good luck. Half a chance at Decathlon, everything else will be st.

OR you could spend some weeks researching about what's happened in the last 20 years and buy a half decent, few year old, pre owned hardtail off ebay which would likely cost about a grand new today, for not much more than your budget.

It doesn't need to be less than £200, it was just a turn of phrase. What I mean is, I don't want to spend £6/7/800 or more. There seem to be plenty of bikes about for close even to £100, so surely there must be passable product out there for 3 times that? I'm not fussed about aluminium or space-age alloy frames, disc brakes, 27 speed cassettes or any other developments of the last 20 years. Just something that's not made of cheese.

Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 18th June 17:22

[anonymous-user]

aka_kerrly said:

http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/

http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/mountain_bikes

http://www.bikesales.org.uk/

My favourites are the GT Aggressors and Specialized Hardrocks.

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s2p3852/GT-AGGRESSOR-1-0-2012

This looks very good, thanks

[pembo]

How about this? http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
It was pretty expensive originally so must be half decent, what would people say? I know more about roadies now.

[anonymous-user]

pembo said:

How about this? http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
It was pretty expensive originally so must be half decent, what would people say? I know more about roadies now.

Blimey! Looks spot on for the money, thanks! My local halfords don't have one so will have to take a run out at the weekend. Thanks

[aka_kerrly]

^ just to be clear that Carrera is a hybrid more so than a mountain bike, it will be fine for canal paths & light cross country use though.

[richardxjr]

You must ignore Halfords laughable RRPs. That bike is similar to Decathlon Rockrider 340 which is £180, their regular price. Carrera Subways are alright hybrids, £230 with disk brakes or perhaps have a look on ebay for something local for sub £100. At this price level, bouncy forks just add weight.

Apologies for earlier grumpiness. You appeared to want the moon on a stick without having done any research.

Edited by richardxjr on Tuesday 17th June 22:31

[anonymous-user]

No worries. I probably should have been a bit clearer. I just need something to get me back into it. My thinking was that front suspension would just make it a bit easier on my aging body when I was 18 I didn't have to worry about these things! I don't intend to be doing downhill stuff and huge jumps, so didn't see any point in a full suspension bike.

Few ideas to go for now anyway so thanks to all. It also seems that the Decathlon bikes aren't as bad as I feared, so I may pop back there and have another nosey

[Woody]

The CALIBRE BIKES at Go-outdoors seem to get good REVIEWS.

[L22KMD]

See if your work does a cycle to work scheme.

[anonymous-user]

always go 2nd hand and spend a month on ebay looking.

[MiseryStreak]

MrBig said:

No worries. I probably should have been a bit clearer. I just need something to get me back into it. My thinking was that front suspension would just make it a bit easier on my aging body when I was 18 I didn't have to worry about these things! I don't intend to be doing downhill stuff and huge jumps, so didn't see any point in a full suspension bike.

Few ideas to go for now anyway so thanks to all. It also seems that the Decathlon bikes aren't as bad as I feared, so I may pop back there and have another nosey

You don't need full suspension, cheap full suspension bikes are heavy and crap. Get on Gumtree and find a decent well looked after alloy hardtail for £3-400.

i.e.
http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/specialized-rock...
Although there will be better for less, I don't know your region.

[missing the VR6]

My first mountain bike when I got back into bikes was a Specialized Hardrock Sport disc, and my mate had the same bike, we're both large chaps and we took them to Surrey Hills a few times and a couple of times a month round Bedgebury, tough as old boot, mine now earns it's keep with another mate as his pub bike, lives outside all year round never serviced since new in 2006. Could 100% reccomend it. My mate is currently looking to build his frame back up into something of a winter hack.

[stephenfarr]

Hi guys,

Bought a Cube Analogue 29er blue ' n flash red 2014 from wheels direct and absolutely loving it. Have not done any training, so first Saturday was only 42km, rather pathetic by anybodys standards. Anyway, 100mm Rock Shox with remote lockout from the bars, 100mm travel (unlike Specialized at double the price), rotors with hydraulic brakes, massive gear ratios in 27, rock solid and very comfortable to ride, freewheels far better than my mates bikes. Spinning the pedals in reverse I can get 10 revolutions which I can't do on other bikes. Really good quality Shimano Desire and Olivia cassettes, with Shimano Alt us trigger shifters. 0% APR and 14.75 for 36 months with free delivery. 599.00 new is a damn good price for what you get. Can climb extremely steep hills very easily and managed 71 kph on a steep downhill run ! Would absolutely buy the same MTB again, brakes being hydraulic are ferocious, just like a good motorcycle !!!

[anonymous-user]

stephenfarr said:

Hi guys,

Bought a Cube Analogue 29er blue ' n flash red 2014 from wheels direct and absolutely loving it. Have not done any training, so first Saturday was only 42km, rather pathetic by anybodys standards. Anyway, 100mm Rock Shox with remote lockout from the bars, 100mm travel (unlike Specialized at double the price), rotors with hydraulic brakes, massive gear ratios in 27, rock solid and very comfortable to ride, freewheels far better than my mates bikes. Spinning the pedals in reverse I can get 10 revolutions which I can't do on other bikes. Really good quality Shimano Desire and Olivia cassettes, with Shimano Alt us trigger shifters. 0% APR and 14.75 for 36 months with free delivery. 599.00 new is a damn good price for what you get. Can climb extremely steep hills very easily and managed 71 kph on a steep downhill run ! Would absolutely buy the same MTB again, brakes being hydraulic are ferocious, just like a good motorcycle !!!

i bought a 29er race cube 2012 off ebay 2nd hand pretty much mint for 550, they are good bikes, and overlooked as well.

[anonymous-user]

I was a proper tub of lard when I started cycling last year (29 stone) and I rode around 1000 miles on a Specialized Rock Hopper Pro and it soaked up my weight, bad weather and incompetence with ease. I'd highly recommend one if your worried about breaking your bike due to being a heavy weight. (circa £850 for a 2013 Rockhopper Pro currently).