Complete MTB Noob - Help me pick a bike! £300-500

[amusingduck]

Hello All,

I'm looking for a MTB, but I have no idea what I'm looking for.

Criteria:
Primarily for Commuting (6 miles), though I would like to try some trails in the future
I'm 5'11 and around 15 stone, if that makes a difference?

I like the look of these:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fuji/nevada-19...
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/norco/storm-71...
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/norco/charger-...

Though I couldn't tell you which one is better and why. It seems Suntour forks get poor reviews, though I'm not sure how much of a difference I'd notice.

All suggestions welcome!

Thanks.

[Gren]

The price reflects how good each is in the 3 you link to above. The Norco models have better Shimano groupsets and hydraulic brakes.

Do you need to buy from Evans? For that price (if you must buy new), I'd be looking at the Rockriders from Decathlon or have a look in Pauls Cycles for some last seasons (or older) bargains.

[dudleybloke]

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/cube-analog-29-...

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ghost-se-2950-h...

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-540-mountain-...

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-520-mountain-...

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-560-mountain-...

[Jorrocks]

Would you consider something secondhand? You'd get a hell of a lot more bike for your money, that is to say better suspension, groupset etc.

[Beer Man]

http://www.propelbikes.co.uk/product/big-seven-20-...

http://www.propelbikes.co.uk/product/big-nine-40/

http://www.propelbikes.co.uk/product/big-seven-100...

http://www.propelbikes.co.uk/product/matts-20-md/

[lllnorrislll]

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/calibre-two-two-alloy-...

[Gren]

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bik...


£100 off (down to £400) and great reviews. If you can get past that fact that you're buying from Halfords then this is a good option.

[Beer Man]

Honestly wouldn't feel comfortable with anything bought at Halfords. Genuinely.

[ecsrobin]

Beer Man said:

Honestly wouldn't feel comfortable with anything bought at Halfords. Genuinely.

Care to elaborate?

[bingybongy]

Rockrider 8.1 on sale at Decathlon.

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-560-mountain-...

If you can find a better MTB for £400. Buy it.

[DUMBO100]

I recently bought a Kona Blast De Luxe at a smidgen over the op's budget but it's a decent light weight(ish) bike. I'm wondering if I really need 28 gears and Rock Shocks though,as I prefer the feel of the bike with them locked out. Basically don't buy stuff that you don't need but the hydraulic brakes are very impressive

[ecsrobin]

DUMBO100 said:

I recently bought a Kona Blast De Luxe at a smidgen over the op's budget but it's a decent light weight(ish) bike. I'm wondering if I really need 28 gears and Rock Shocks though,as I prefer the feel of the bike with them locked out. Basically don't buy stuff that you don't need but the hydraulic brakes are very impressive

Standard now for a mountain bike is 20gears in the next few years that's likely to be 22gears.

As for suspension depends where your riding and how you've got it setup. If I'm on the road I'll lockout my front and rear if I'm on a smooth trail centre I'll unlock the front and for anything else I go full suspension.

But yes hydraulic breaks are impressive if you haven't used them before and gone is the issues you'd have with a V brake in the wet.

[Sarkmeister]

Beer Man said:

Honestly wouldn't feel comfortable with anything bought at Halfords. Genuinely.

If you ignore the sometimes ludicrous "RRPs" then they have some very good value bikes in the Voodoo/Carrera/Boardman ranges. Just avoid anything that is claiming to be half price.

Maybe just check all the bolts are tight before you ride it anywhere

[Beer Man]

ecsrobin said:

Care to elaborate?

just a massive distrust of their 'brand', their staff, their quality and choice dictated by their buyers.

Let them assemble a bike ? Errrrm, No. Most of their staff can't even apply clearasil properly.

MUCH rather pay a little bit extra and go to a LBS where they actually KNOW what they're doing rather than pretending. I'm lucky that my LBS is owned and run by guys that seriously seriously know their stuff.

[amusingduck]

Thanks for all the responses!

Gren said:

Do you need to buy from Evans? For that price (if you must buy new), I'd be looking at the Rockriders from Decathlon or have a look in Pauls Cycles for some last seasons (or older) bargains.

I will be getting the bike through the cycleplus scheme that my company has just implemented. The Rockriders look very nice indeed, but I think they are part of a different cycle to work scheme. I'll check if I can go there anyway, since they have been so highly recommended.

Jorrocks said:

Would you consider something secondhand? You'd get a hell of a lot more bike for your money, that is to say better suspension, groupset etc.

It's got to be brand new as far as I'm aware.



If I cannot buy from decathlon, I think I will probably end up at Halfords or Evans Cycles. What do you guys think of this? It seems similar to the rockriders to my untrained eyes - http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bik...

[ecsrobin]

Beer Man said:

ecsrobin said:

Care to elaborate?

just a massive distrust of their 'brand', their staff, their quality and choice dictated by their buyers.

Let them assemble a bike ? Errrrm, No. Most of their staff can't even apply clearasil properly.

MUCH rather pay a little bit extra and go to a LBS where they actually KNOW what they're doing rather than pretending. I'm lucky that my LBS is owned and run by guys that seriously seriously know their stuff.

So halfords provided the parts for your unreliable BMW you owned? Anything else you have a deep hatred for so we can get it out the way now?

I guess your not aware of bike hut and the fact staff need to be qualified or get put through a qualification. Halfords serve a purpose mass products so reduced price (generally) yes you get student workers but you also have a lot of passionate staff who care about motoring/cycling.

Op do you have a list of cycle plus providers.

Edited by ecsrobin on Thursday 13th November 10:51

[amusingduck]

ecsrobin said:

Op do you have a list of cycle plus providers.

These seems to be the best stores on the list:
http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/
http://www.brothertoncycles.com/store/
http://www.racecouk.com/
http://www.evanscycles.com/
http://www.cyclesurgery.com/
http://www.ladypoolcycles.co.uk/bikes/mountain-mtb...
http://www.fortdunlopcycling.co.uk/
http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/

Also, halfords.

[ecsrobin]

Ok a couple stand out for me.

http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/rockhoppe... (It says Nottingham offers but it is a uk wide offer including from other retailers)

It has 29" wheels which with your height will be fine and for your commute will mean you are quicker than on a smaller wheeled bike.

If it was me however I would go for this http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/p/17133/whyte-603...

However it is £25 more than the top of your budget but it is a 2015 spec bike. It's a 650b wheel size which will be quicker than 26" bikes on the commute and off-road you shouldn't have the drawbacks of a 29" mainly manoeuvrability.

It's a great brand and a good starting point if you do get the bug and decide to upgrade.

However have you thought about helmet and associated equipment as this can also be purchased on the scheme so if your intending on doing that you may need to look at cheaper bikes.

[dienamic]

Can't believe no-one had mentioned the Voodoo Bizango yet! Add a spare inner tube to take it over £600, and you'll get £60.00 off, making it just £40.00 over budget for MBR's hardtail of the year, 29er with air fork.

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bik...

[Silver940]

dienamic said:

Can't believe no-one had mentioned the Voodoo Bizango yet! Add a spare inner tube to take it over £600, and you'll get £60.00 off, making it just £40.00 over budget for MBR's hardtail of the year, 29er with air fork.

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bik...

My Brother in law just bought one of these, Halfords had a 10% off deal like they do regularly. He is a British cycling member too so extra 10% off. Paid £483 for it. Cracking bike for that money!