Back to biking, which bike?

[Wildfire]

I'm considering taking up the Bike to Work scheme at my office, in order to purchase a new mountain bike and occasionally ride to work. A good few years ago I enjoyed riding a lot and would like to get back into it.

I've always fancied a Full Sus bike, but am not sure what to go for.

I'm looking at aroudn £900-1kish.

[Mike400]

Full sus would be a bit overkill for commuting I would have thought, unless you have a few forest stages to cover!

Decent hardtail MTB would give the best compromise if you are mostly going to be using it for XC outside of your commute, however if its going to be used mostly for the commute you would be far better off with a road bike depending on terrain - lighter, quicker, better suited to tarmac.

IMHO "hybrid" bikes tend to be jack of all trades, master of none and not really much better than a hardtail MTB on slicks.

[Wildfire]

No, I just need to commmute on it for the t&c of the scheme, once in a while.

I don't really want a hard tail as I've always ridden them (until around 01, when I broke my wrist).

[mk1fan]

Check out the Boardman range from Halfords. Even better value than Specialised.

[craig_s]

Have a look at one of these as well as the Boardman bikes. It's a GT I-Drive but with parts chosen by Halfords so like the Boardmans, Halfords' buying power = good value for money. Linky. Only comes in 18 and 20 inch frames though.

[Wildfire]

Hmmmm too big for me. I'm only 5'6" so I'd need a 15" or small frame.

[M400 NBL]

I'd suggest checking the MTB magazines (as you want full suspension) and see if there are any half price 2008 models. As for rear suspension being overkill for a road commute, it depends on the road surface/potholes/drains that you need to ride over.

Besides, most rear air shocks can be locked out or pressured somewhere close to it.

[mk1fan]

Bike is being bought through 'Bike to Work' scheme. The above is pointless advice unless the OP decides not to purchase through the scheme.

[M400 NBL]

Oh, they don't just give you the wedge then.

I gather from the other advice that the scheme requires him to purchase from Halfords?

[mk1fan]

There are a few schems around with different names but they are all the same. Companies need to sign up to each scheme though which usually means they just sign up to one. Halfords have one scheme, Wiggle do another. There are others.

No, YOU don't get any cash. Your company buys the bike via a credit note that you hand to the shop. The Tax Mans rules mean that Sale bikes aren't allowed but things have been, err, manipulated before.

Edited by mk1fan on Thursday 30th April 14:22