Buying a MTB - advice please

[evenflow]

About a decade ago I was massively into MTB-ing, had a Marin Pine Mountain.

Looking to get back into it so went to have a poke around my local bike shop at the weekend. My budget is c.500 (for the bike), and they have the following in stock in my size on offer:

Cannondale Trail SL6 Lightning White 2010 @ £429
http://www.noahsark.co.uk/cannondale-trail-sl6-lig...

Specialized Rockhopper SL Red 2010 @ £599
http://www.noahsark.co.uk/specialized-rockhopper-s...

I'd just be using it for trail riding and hopefully a bit of enthusiastic mud-plugging. The guy at the shop indicated that the frames were similar but the components on the Specialized would be more durable.

Firstly, are these decent prices for those bikes?
Secondly, would you consider the extra £170 was worth it - that would kit me out with helmet, lights etc?

Cheers.

[JPJ]

The Specialized certainly has the better components on it, notably the fork and brakes although over time you'd probably upgrade these if you stay with the sport. Is it worth £170 over the other one, I'm not sure, but the other deciding factor for me is the 9 speed set up, meaning you wouldn't need new wheels and other components all at once if you decided to upgrade. You really need to swing a leg over the bikes to check which you prefer the position and feel of.

The main makes of Specialized, Giant and Trek have enormous buying power so they can usually put better specced kit on a frame than some of the 'smaller' companies. However, I would suggest that most of them do not compare to the quality of the Boardman bikes at the moment (okay, so dealing with a spotty oik in Halfords isn't much fun).

The other option is to look at second hand where you could get a lot more bike for your money. There are bikes for sales on this site, plus Bike Radar and Singletrackworld which might be better for your budget.

Edited by JPJ on Monday 8th November 11:55

[evenflow]

Thanks for that JPJ, good advice.

[Frimley111R]

I can't image buying a new MTB. Second hand ones are all over eBay for peanuts. I bought a Carrera Kraken which was like new for £150. They are £400+ in the shop (nearer £500 now iirc).

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/i.html?_nkw=Specialized+Roc...

Edited by Frimley111R on Tuesday 9th November 13:52

[With these feet]

But unless you can go look before buying its one hell of a lottery. You could be getting a bargain or receiving stolen goods..

I nearly bid on what looked like a minty Orange 5 that was hardly used (went for £700 rrp £1800) though in reality it would have cost me another £50 for delivery and still be bought blind.

I like the way Speciaized put their bikes together, just bought an Enduro Comp.
Best advice is go ride them at the nearest LBS. No one on here knows what will fit except you.