Opinion on a MTB

[mikees]

As a committed roadie and Cannondale addict I'm thinking of getting this.


http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b65s155p4265/CANNON...

Seems a bargain and good spec. Any good and if not what's better?

Cheers
Mike

[Matt Sketch]

Can't comment on the bike but I can thoroughly recommend the shop.
I bought my last two bikes from Paul's (both Cannondale MTBs) and the service has been faultless each time.

[mikees]

Ditto. Got a dale super 6 carbon and it was very well priced


Mike

[mikees]

I can also get one of these for 750 I'd better

http://www.awcycles.co.uk/bikes/mountain-bikes/har...

Mike

[anonymous-user]

i have a cube 29er race and really cant see where all the negativity against 29ers is for, it is so much better and feels like a road bike,

Edited by The Spruce goose on Sunday 22 June 21:28

[nammynake]

Decent spec for that price but RRP of £1400 is a bit of a joke. Are you looking specifically for a 29er? Might have a better choice if you look at 26 inch too.

[Justin S]

Bought 2 Cannondales from Pauls in the last 6 months and have been great. Bikes well packed up. Decent prices. 2013 bikes are better deals than 2014 stuff currently. Go for the Dale.
26 and 29 debate will rage to the grave...............

[mikees]

Justin S said:

Bought 2 Cannondales from Pauls in the last 6 months and have been great. Bikes well packed up. Decent prices. 2013 bikes are better deals than 2014 stuff currently. Go for the Dale.
26 and 29 debate will rage to the grave...............

All I'm gonna do is hammer down tracks in the chiltrens so 29er prob better as no complex stuff. I know the rrp is inflated but a dale 29er with slx and deore with rockshox recon seems like a bargain even if it is 2012

Mike

[Rob_T]

29er for chilterns is perfect. Used to have a kids size 26, went to adult spec 29er and the difference is immense. So much faster, more fun just perfect. My only comment is don't get a hard tail. Too many people I know either had one then sold in favour of FS or are too stubborn to change. I ride in the chilterns 2 or 3 times a week. Hard tail is a wasted opportunity on a 29er. That's all I'll say on the matter!

[Gren]

Reasonable spec for that price. Very much a cross country bike so will be fine as long you're not pointing it downhill too often.

[mikees]

Rob_T said:

29er for chilterns is perfect. Used to have a kids size 26, went to adult spec 29er and the difference is immense. So much faster, more fun just perfect. My only comment is don't get a hard tail. Too many people I know either had one then sold in favour of FS or are too stubborn to change. I ride in the chilterns 2 or 3 times a week. Hard tail is a wasted opportunity on a 29er. That's all I'll say on the matter!

So what FS? Ps where do you ride? I'm thinking Wendover woods

Mike

[Sarkmeister]

Rob_T said:

29er for chilterns is perfect. Used to have a kids size 26, went to adult spec 29er and the difference is immense. So much faster, more fun just perfect. My only comment is don't get a hard tail. Too many people I know either had one then sold in favour of FS or are too stubborn to change. I ride in the chilterns 2 or 3 times a week. Hard tail is a wasted opportunity on a 29er. That's all I'll say on the matter!

Not sure I agree with this, a 29er hardtail is perfect for that kind of riding (IMO).

Also, what FS would you suggest for around £750?

[Justin S]

There's nothing in the Chilterns which makes a FS bike really needed. I ride it on a rigid singlespeed at times. My only FS bike is a 6 inch All mountian and only use it abroad or in Wales for away days.

[rhinochopig]

Rob_T said:

29er for chilterns is perfect. Used to have a kids size 26, went to adult spec 29er and the difference is immense. So much faster, more fun just perfect. My only comment is don't get a hard tail. Too many people I know either had one then sold in favour of FS or are too stubborn to change. I ride in the chilterns 2 or 3 times a week. Hard tail is a wasted opportunity on a 29er. That's all I'll say on the matter!

Whilst FS bikes have been proven to be faster over pretty much all terrain these days, you're forgetting a few very important points.

• FS bikes flatter the rider more which means when it goes wrong it's typically at a much higher speed.
• Having to navigate a complex line on a HT which you can ride through on an FS de-skills you IMO. You also get used to staying seated, whereas on an HT you need to move your body weight around more, which is a key skill in MTB'ing.
• Riding an FS through the winter can cost you a couple of hundred quid a year more in bearings, bushings and shock maintenance.

Everyone I know has both, and tends to ride them pretty much 50:50 as they're different beasts - neither is 'better' unless you rate absolute speed as paramount and at that point you're into weight weenie, 1.9" tyres, and race number land.

[mikees]

Just looking at some posts about the original rrp at Paul's cycles being inflated but similar 2014 bikes (albeit with lefty forks) seem similar prices.

Mike

[West4x4]

Pretty good but my LBS has the latest 2014 version for just £800. Which really tempted me but I ended up with a Voodoo Bizango from halfords for £600 and I love it. Great bike fast handles well really please with it