Will any of these do...
Discussion
my trusty Claud Butler is long overdue retirement after many years service. Trust is that 10- 15 years ago I was into biking in a big way, but it has taken a back seat with kids and all..
Still. I have the feeling that any of these will do, but was wondering if alarm bells ring out so I can stay clear. Thing is that the local shops selling bikes is limited to say the least, so I may well have to order off the web without having a ride / sit first, which I dont like at all...
Limit of £500
Having had good times with the current steed.. Claud Butler Cape Wrath D27 2008
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/claud-butler/c...
GT Avalanche 1.0 disc. Alwys seem to do well (too well?) in MBUK...
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b...
GT Agressor XC 02 09.. similar to the below but in black..
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
Specialised Hardrock Pro disc 09
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?...
BeOne Ten Hardtail Bike - Ltd Edition 2007
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...
(maybe a risk with a 17" without trying first). I'm a lofty 5 7
I'm not fussed about getting an 09 model in the least.. Not actually too fussed about 2nd hand but thought I'd start looking new. Could potentially get one in a line between West Wales & Northampton as thats where I work most weeks...
If looking on the web are there any other "usual" sites I should be perusing too?
Cheers all. ps Isn't this snow riding great
Couldn't not go out this monrning before work...
Still. I have the feeling that any of these will do, but was wondering if alarm bells ring out so I can stay clear. Thing is that the local shops selling bikes is limited to say the least, so I may well have to order off the web without having a ride / sit first, which I dont like at all...
Limit of £500
Having had good times with the current steed.. Claud Butler Cape Wrath D27 2008
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/claud-butler/c...
GT Avalanche 1.0 disc. Alwys seem to do well (too well?) in MBUK...
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b...
GT Agressor XC 02 09.. similar to the below but in black..
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
Specialised Hardrock Pro disc 09
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?...
BeOne Ten Hardtail Bike - Ltd Edition 2007
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...
(maybe a risk with a 17" without trying first). I'm a lofty 5 7
I'm not fussed about getting an 09 model in the least.. Not actually too fussed about 2nd hand but thought I'd start looking new. Could potentially get one in a line between West Wales & Northampton as thats where I work most weeks...
If looking on the web are there any other "usual" sites I should be perusing too?
Cheers all. ps Isn't this snow riding great
Couldn't not go out this monrning before work...Due in part to currency fluctuations and the 'credit crunch' many 09 models are either a lot more expensive, or to hit a specific price point are kitted out with lesser grade kit. As such, if you don't mind an 08 model and can find one the right size, then they may well be the better choice.
From your list, I've no experience of the Claud Butler, but we have a set of Avalanches and Aggressor's at work as hire bikes and they're good to ride, not too heavy and seem pretty solid. However the Avalanche is definitely the better of the two we have there to ride, yet on the links you've shown the specs are pretty much the same. The 08 Specialized was a good bike but a bit of a tank, and this years model looks better and is supposed to be a bit lighter, which is usually a good thing. I think the Be One isn't such a great option - they're imported directly by CRC but don't get amazing reviews. Quite European in style and shape, which might suit you, but it wil be very difficult to try one for size anywhere around the country.
Other options to look at are the Malt 1 from Merlin Cycles, Inbred from On One, Focus Fat Boy from Wiggle which have all had good reviews.
If you are looing for other kit, Merlin, CRC and Wiggle are usually the cheapest online retailers, although building up a relationship with your local bike shop (LBS) is always useful in case of problems and for servicing.
From your list, I've no experience of the Claud Butler, but we have a set of Avalanches and Aggressor's at work as hire bikes and they're good to ride, not too heavy and seem pretty solid. However the Avalanche is definitely the better of the two we have there to ride, yet on the links you've shown the specs are pretty much the same. The 08 Specialized was a good bike but a bit of a tank, and this years model looks better and is supposed to be a bit lighter, which is usually a good thing. I think the Be One isn't such a great option - they're imported directly by CRC but don't get amazing reviews. Quite European in style and shape, which might suit you, but it wil be very difficult to try one for size anywhere around the country.
Other options to look at are the Malt 1 from Merlin Cycles, Inbred from On One, Focus Fat Boy from Wiggle which have all had good reviews.
If you are looing for other kit, Merlin, CRC and Wiggle are usually the cheapest online retailers, although building up a relationship with your local bike shop (LBS) is always useful in case of problems and for servicing.
For £29 over your budget you get a much better spec.
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&prod...
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&prod...
Thanks for the responses all.
Nervy - I'd love your bike but since I simply can't afford £600 so I won't insult you with an offer that I could afford. Hope you get what you want for it as it does seem to be the mutts nuts - couldn;t find a bad word said about it.
Change of tack now, but I wont bore you with the 3 I'm now down to, as I'm sure to be honest that which ever I chose will be fine for my abilities. To be honest I took a brief ride on a full suss and was blown away with it, so am looking at the cheaper end of the full suss market - what the hell.
Ignoring my usual inhibitions of Halfords, their Carerra Banshee 08 seems great for £450 or
Giant Yukon FX 3 2008 again for the same money. Failsafe option is the GT Avalanche 1.0 disc for £400.
I'm sure I'll not get to the limits of any - and if I do then thats great to be honest as I'll be quite chuffed!
Crap - I just did what I said I wouldn't and listed them...
Any knightmare stories about either suss please let me know - I'm dusting off the wallet at the weekend
Nervy - I'd love your bike but since I simply can't afford £600 so I won't insult you with an offer that I could afford. Hope you get what you want for it as it does seem to be the mutts nuts - couldn;t find a bad word said about it.
Change of tack now, but I wont bore you with the 3 I'm now down to, as I'm sure to be honest that which ever I chose will be fine for my abilities. To be honest I took a brief ride on a full suss and was blown away with it, so am looking at the cheaper end of the full suss market - what the hell.
Ignoring my usual inhibitions of Halfords, their Carerra Banshee 08 seems great for £450 or
Giant Yukon FX 3 2008 again for the same money. Failsafe option is the GT Avalanche 1.0 disc for £400.
I'm sure I'll not get to the limits of any - and if I do then thats great to be honest as I'll be quite chuffed!
Crap - I just did what I said I wouldn't and listed them...
Any knightmare stories about either suss please let me know - I'm dusting off the wallet at the weekend
Don't go for a full sus on your budget.
There is a reason most manufacturers don't make cheaper (less than £1k) full sus bikes and that is because they cannot afford to manufacture and put the necessary components on a bike, and feel happy putting their brand sticker on them. A rear shock alone is £150 minimum, and realistically well over £200 leaving little left in the budget for the rest of the stuff like forks, wheels, frame etc.
Secondly, bikes in that budget area will be fitted with components which are less likely to last. That means you'll be paying for replacements a lot sooner, and it will cost you more in the long run.
Thirdly, riding a hardtail will be far better for developing your skills and finesse as well as being substantially lighter.
Really, the hardtails on your original list, plus some of the other suggestions would be a much better investment.
There is a reason most manufacturers don't make cheaper (less than £1k) full sus bikes and that is because they cannot afford to manufacture and put the necessary components on a bike, and feel happy putting their brand sticker on them. A rear shock alone is £150 minimum, and realistically well over £200 leaving little left in the budget for the rest of the stuff like forks, wheels, frame etc.
Secondly, bikes in that budget area will be fitted with components which are less likely to last. That means you'll be paying for replacements a lot sooner, and it will cost you more in the long run.
Thirdly, riding a hardtail will be far better for developing your skills and finesse as well as being substantially lighter.
Really, the hardtails on your original list, plus some of the other suggestions would be a much better investment.
Hi Julian,
thing is these bikes were originally iro 600 - 650 as far as I can tell, so aren't at the bottom of the ladder when they came out, plus the chances are I wont be riding as full on as I did some years back.
I do understand what you're saying though, and initially hadn't even looked at full suss for that very reason. I've googled around quite a bit the last few days and find it hard to find many -ve comments about either though, bar maybe the Banshee with its initial setup.
(and I forgot the Merlin Malt 1 is on the final list too...)
thing is these bikes were originally iro 600 - 650 as far as I can tell, so aren't at the bottom of the ladder when they came out, plus the chances are I wont be riding as full on as I did some years back.
I do understand what you're saying though, and initially hadn't even looked at full suss for that very reason. I've googled around quite a bit the last few days and find it hard to find many -ve comments about either though, bar maybe the Banshee with its initial setup.
(and I forgot the Merlin Malt 1 is on the final list too...)
Either What Mountain Bike or MBUK did a review of cheap full-sussers a few months ago. Might be worth looking on Bike Radar if you can identify the issue and get hold of a copy, or see if the review is online. There was one bike that beat all of the others and may have been the Banshee, but I can't remember enough of the detail now, sorry.
I'll have a hunt for the article. sorry but another "avoid a full susser" comment here. at that price its just going to be heavy, unresponsive and cheap components. the world of hardtails at that price will get you a very good bike.
full sus means they have made cut backs throughout the bike to get it in at that price and that just means components will wear or fail quicker...
of course the bike mags might say otherwise but they arent reknowned for their impartial and honest advice...
full sus means they have made cut backs throughout the bike to get it in at that price and that just means components will wear or fail quicker...
of course the bike mags might say otherwise but they arent reknowned for their impartial and honest advice...
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