What MTB for newbie (1-2k)

[Tiggsy]

Last year I started MTB'ing with the GF never having riden since school days (I'm 42....she's 26 but never rode to school so I'm ahead )

We have a Specalised Hardrock Pro and a Janes thing....mines a few years old and prob cost £500 back then. Hers was £200 used. So both are ok, but not stunning.

All we do is 3/4 hr treks around the chilterns and the odd day away to Peaks/Devon and some single track stuff. Nothing extreem but if it's quiet and we wont cause a hold up we'll have a blast on red runs!

So - we want new bikes just because! Budget is 1-2k unless VERY good reason why not....here's our "wants"...

Carbon - Just sounds cool! And when the hills are mental and I have to end up pushing two bikes up a track, I want them lighter!!!

1x11 - We spent the last few months not shifting the front cog to see if we could live with 1X somthing and like the idea....simpler, less to go wrong, etc

29 or 27.5 - I'm 6ft6 and my 26 is too small (rode a mates 27.5 and liked it)

Tubeless - So many punctures (maybe my weight (16st) doesnt help with pinching?)

Hydrolic brakes - just fitted some to my 26" and love them.

Pretty (thats her idea)

Whats out there in that budget?

[Don1]

What suspension? I'd say with the requirements, you'll be lucky at that price....

[piecost76]

Sod the bike, well done on getting a 26 year old GF!

I had a Santa Cruz before it got nicked although Carbon may be out of your budget with all the gizmos too?

[zed4]

A lightly used Scott Scale probably best in that budget. Doubt you'd get a new carbon bike with full suspension for that budget.

[W00DY]

Carbon hardtails are mostly limited to more race-orientated stuff which can be quite twitchy with old-school geometry designed for speed over fun. I'd seriously consider something a bit more relaxed.

http://whyte.bike/gb/905-rs-2/


Something like this would be a reasonable wight and lots of fun if you decide to become a bit more adventurous with your riding.

[Tiggsy]

ok....

Will I notice carbon for trail riding or is it only in a RedBull style event it will shine through!

If I will notice it - what should I budget? £2.5 ... £3k?

If not, forget the carbon bit!

[Don1]

Get MTB Magazine or the like - several shops having big sales. I was shocked at some of the prices - you might be able to get everything all together in one!

[Don1]

Good bikes:
Whyte 130 £1700 alloy
Cannondale Trigger (carbon) £2000 (rrp £4000!)

Or my personal favourite

YT Capara AL £1615. Looks a bit like this, but not carbon!

[W00DY]

A Capra would be such overkill for what he's after. And too small. Whyte T-130 is a top choice for what the's after though. I'd also look at the 2016 Stumpjumper, Orbea Occam and Kona Process 111/134.


I went from carbon back to alu and I'm more than happy, the material of the frame is pretty low on the list of performance considerations.

The best idea is to go on a demo day or two and see what you like.

[With these feet]

Gf will probably appreciate a FS, I know it was a game changer when my missus rode my enduro comp.

Bossnut is a magazine fav, though I doubt many will have ridden one. Think they are around £1k if you join go outdoors.

Carbon is pricey, sure its lighter but a decent spec ally bike is a better bet than an entry carbon.

Ive got a 2015 stumpy FS 29er that I got for £1500 in the sales, you just have to look, there are bikes out there but sometimes need a bit of finding. Wife has a carbon camber comp but that was £2k in sales again, brilliant bike and weighs 29lbs for a FS, another plus.

I wouldn't get too hung up on travel, 120mm is probably the max you'll need or get in the price range.

Edited to add link http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/specialized-camber-...

Edited by With these feet on Monday 18th January 21:10

[Nedzilla]

I got one of these last year and have been very happy with it. Works well everywhere though I needed to change the bars,stem and rubber to get it perfect!

http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/scott-spark-720-...

[Craikeybaby]

I would add dropper post to that list, you'll notice that more than a carbon frame.

[With these feet]

1x11 is only on higher priced bikes, my SiL bought a Whyte 130 (?) That came with 11 speed but retailed at just under £3k.

You can convert to 1x10 for under £100 if you keep the shifter and derailleur.

Most bikes 1k+ will have hydraulic brakes. Though personally I hate Avid - issues with dragging brake/ excess pressure / noise and the Formula levers on my wifes bike as no amount of bleeding gets any better feel.
Depending on manufacturer tubless rims may be standard and all you need to do is buy the slime/ no tubes etc and remove the tube. Specialized took me no more than 10 minutes to convert both wheels, though my Cannondale wit supposedly "good" Mavic wheels and tyres to a hell of a long time due to the design. Ive not had any punctures though do find the Mavics lose a bit of pressure as the tyres are slightly porous by design.

[S10GTA]

zed4 said:

A lightly used Scott Scale probably best in that budget. Doubt you'd get a new carbon bike with full suspension for that budget.

Picked one up new from Rutland cycles for just under 1k a month or so ago. Not sure if they still have them.

[Don1]

MTB Magazine this month has £1500 trail bikes. Giant Anthem 3, Marin Rift Zone 5, Scott Spark 760 and Trek Fuel Ex 5.


Giant wins.

[BadgerBenji]

Don1 said:

MTB Magazine this month has £1500 trail bikes. Giant Anthem 3, Marin Rift Zone 5, Scott Spark 760 and Trek Fuel Ex 5.


Giant wins.

I got rid of my Anthem and got an XTC 29er instead, couldn't be doing with all the squishing and squashing about, no matter how I adjusted the shock and fork.

[PDP76]

I wouldn't go anywhere near a full suspension bike for a) the price bracket and b) the riding you are doing.
A hardtail Would do nicely.
Something to think about, your budget is low end f/s but higher end h/t.

[Gren]

PDP76 said:

I wouldn't go anywhere near a full suspension bike for a) the price bracket and b) the riding you are doing.
A hardtail Would do nicely.
Something to think about, your budget is low end f/s but higher end h/t.

Yep. Sounds like 29er hardtails would be perfect for the job - perfect for long XC jaunts. Carbon will be (a bit) lighter but will you really notice it? A decent modern aluminium job will be far lighter than what you're riding now.

If you end up pushing 2 bikes up the hills then 1x11 sounds daft! Why make things difficult, I've never known a front mech go wrong.

You'll be able to get 2 more than decent aluminium hardtails for £2k. Full sussers or carbon will mean compromise.

[G0ldfysh]

How about this?
https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/mtb/grand-canyon/gran...

Within budget allowing money for dropper post upgrade, and new lid for both of you.
Also do a Wmn's version for missus.


Assuming the budget is for each bike not total of course.
:-)

[missing the VR6]

G0ldfysh said:

How about this?
https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/mtb/grand-canyon/gran...

Within budget allowing money for dropper post upgrade, and new lid for both of you.
Also do a Wmn's version for missus.


Assuming the budget is for each bike not total of course.
:-)

I've always swerved Canyon as I think they're a bit , but that is incredible value for money.