Hard tail around £650

[Jimbomofo]

Right chaps ive decided to get a hard tail MTB, i popped down to my local bike store and i was told this was a good bike for the money (£650)... http://fisherbikes.com/bike/model/piranha/detail

im pretty new to this so i was hoping you guys could give me some feedback as to whether or not this is a good bike... im open to other bike as well.

Thanks in advance

Jim

[anonymous-user]

to be fair there are a plethora of hardtails around that price range and many will feature the same components and frame material= and you could get millions of recommendations. if you find that bike is a good size and the geometry is right for you, and you like the look of it then go for it.


there are a few others though such as the bianchi mutt
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bianchi/mutt-6... and the obligatory specilized rockhopper
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/ro... if it fits this Pinnacle is a bargain http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/evolu...

as i said though, its a competitive price bracket as its the first serious mountain bike price band so there are tons of options, all quite similar though. you are only looking at shimano slx bits here and there though. its unlikely you will find much difference.

haggle though, dont pay the price on the ticket as you can get it online for £610 so get sized up at the shop and then ask if they can through in some better pedals or a new helmet, people will flame me and say that you should support your local store, and i agree, but if they cant compete on rrp they should on make a deal accessories...

[plfrench]

Merlin Malt 1 get's my vote, with online discount you can tweak a few bits and bobs like upgrade fork or finishing kit and stay within your budget. Handbuilt wheels too, which are well worth having.

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/custom-mountain-bike...

Cheers,

Paul.

[snotrag]

Revolution Triad 2

This one (shameless plug) absolutely bums the spec on the Gary Fisher - Recon fork ( a whole model range higher than the Tora), Merida Frame, Outboard bearing cranks, Better derraileurs...

[plfrench]

You can have the recon sl on the merlin for 634.46.... Plus, even with the tora, the merlin is 1lb lighter than the triad. With them both on recons that'd be 2lbs...

Edited by plfrench on Friday 29th May 23:14

[mackie1]

I recently spent a similar amount on a Trek 6300. I'm pretty happy with it but there are probably better bikes (or bikes with better components) for similar money. I went through cyclescheme so was limited to what my participating LBS could supply. The other option was a Claud Butler Cape Wrath D27. That Triad 2 looks like a stonker for the money.

Edited by mackie1 on Saturday 30th May 09:53

[Jimbomofo]

Thanks for the reply gents, i've been out to a few shops today. I've even convinced the missue she should get one too, so we may be able to a deal if we buy together.

Had a ride on a Trek 6300, specialized rockhopper comp and a Gary Fisher Tassajara Disc 2009.

All nice to ride, couldn't really tell the difference between them if im honest, this was just up and down the road so hardly an extensive test.

Some nice suggestion above, i like the fact the merlin spec can be tweaked, the revolution look very nice indeed, good spec too.

Running out of shops to go to now, so i better start think about which one to go for.... i never realised it would be such hard work deciding

[anonymous-user]

its good that you have tested so many, dont worry about the fact that its on the road, its a case of making sure that the geometry is right, especilaly the top tube length. keep us posted...

[markoc]

I bought last season's Cannondale F4 and love it to bits. Not everyones cup of tea, but I'd always wanted a 'dale and haven't looked back. Got mine from Evans, but wrong time of year now for last seasons model.

[langy]

The July issue of mbr has a 12 bike test upto £650.

Equal 1st is the Specialized Rockhopper Disc and the Voodoo Bantu

[Jimbomofo]

langy said:

The July issue of mbr has a 12 bike test upto £650.

Equal 1st is the Specialized Rockhopper Disc and the Voodoo Bantu

Thats good to hear, it's got to be the 'hopper!

[anonymous-user]

dont discount the voodoo, joe murray (the man who started kona) designs them so if you are after a lively hardtail frame it could be worth a look.

[Dudd]

No one mentioned the Boardman yet?

[phil-sti]

i have an orange crush (think u can pick the 08 models up for £600) superb bike, hard as nails and gives u bags of confidence....... and built like a tank