BMC Mountain Bikes?

[ParanoidAndroid]

Anyone got any thoughts/experience on the BMC Trailfox TF02 (2009)? Just started to get into trail riding (Swinley forest mainly) and really enjoiying it but feel it's now time to upgrade my 10+ year old Trek. Want to get something that will do me for a number of years whilst I progress and hopefully(?) improve!

Noticed this bike at Evans but struggling to find any reviews online anywhere. Seems very good value given it's original price and Evans have most sizes in.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bmc/trailfox-t...

Thoughts or alternatives?

Cheers,
Graham

[curlie467]

http://www.bicycling.com/gear/detail/0,7989,s1-16-...

It looks like a good spec.

What about a Boardman, i would go for one definitely given the chance!

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

[timbo48]

Worth pointing out that the review was of a bike with a Rockshok Revelation whilst the Evans bike comes fitted with a Marzzochi Bomber which doesn't compare that well, as well as being on the heavy side. Apparently the latest Marzzochis have had good reviews but this is an 09 bike plus there's a lot of SLX on it for a bike that originally cost well over 2k and a heavy wheelset. Before you commit, have a look at Boardman bikes as has been said, not for the first time on this forum, their very good and can't be beat on spec for the money, even if it does mean dealing with Halfords.

[ParanoidAndroid]

Many thanks, appreciate your thoughts and advice. It's a bit of a minefield for a newby. I'll pop into Halfords and take a look. Do they allow test rides?

My budget is up to £1500, would you still recommend the Boardman at this price point? Obviously that would leave some cash for any upgrades needed (tyres?).

Cheers,
Graham

Edited by ParanoidAndroid on Monday 29th November 11:31

[paulrockliffe]

I doubt anyone paid £2.5k for that bike, there are hundreds of substantially better options at that price. There are much better options at £1500 as well.

Quite a lot of old discounted stock ends up on ebay, so worth having a look at bikes on there. Restrict your search to price range £1200-£1600, Buy It Nows and you should have a decent sized list to look through.

I'd recommend these from the Pauls Cycles Website:

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b...

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b...

Personally, if that was my budget I'd be going second hand, but that's a personal preference for someone that's happy fixing/replacing bits if necessary.

[paulrockliffe]

Here as well:

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/18135/Ma...

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/29808/No...

[curlie467]

It is true, there is a huge choice at that price range, spend some time just sitting on them first and seeing how they fit you and whether you are comfortable.
Once you have narrowed it down then arrange for test rides etc, it is amazing how different bikes can feel once you ride them properly.

[timbo48]

Try this http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/fs...

Boardman 2011 bikes don't appear to be out as yet but somebody mentioned that they might not be as well specc'd as this years. Have a look at Halfords web site for models. I think that the fs bike has the same frame, but comes with better kit the more you pay which means you could buy the cheaper one and upgrade as and when necessary.

[paulrockliffe]

Rutland Cycles on Ebay:
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Rutland-Cycling-Establish...

Others worthy of consideration:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ghost-AMR-5900-mountain-bike...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SCOTT-GENIUS-60-MEDIUM-150mm...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2010-KONA-ABRACADABRA-/20054...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2010-Lapierre-Zesty-214-SMAL...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/specialized-stumpjumper-fsr-...

[Gooby]

Before Evans was awarded the sole distribution rights for BMC, I had a brief ride on the carbon fibre full sus model. It was superb.
Only problem I could find was that mud clearence was very small and on a claggy day around here it would probably need clearing out. They are quite expensive but beautifully made and great frames to ride.

[ParanoidAndroid]

The power of pistonheads! Thanks for the comments and taking the time to lookup/suggest some alternatives. I think I'm going to visit my local cycle shops (PedalOn and Cycology), get sizing and look at a few examples. I'll also pop into Halfrauds to look at the Boardman's - googled, they seem to get very good reviews - problem is to my knowledge they won't let you ride them.

Cheers,
Graham

[timbo48]

PedalOn are pretty good, my son bought a road bike from them and they should at least let you pedal around the car park. Should also be a few deals in there at the moment.

[Gooby]

Would you buy a car with no test drive? Dont buy a bike without a ride.

[biggun]

I bought a Trailfox02 from Evans about 5 months ago having testridden it and a Specialised Pitch Pro. I had to put a £50 deposit down on each to get them to order the sizes on for me but then there was no obligation and it was refundable as well.
I was looking to spend about £1500 and the Trailfox was on offer with a £1000 knocked off at that point. I'm pretty cynical about those sorts of offers but to be honest having tried them both the BMC felt much better than the Specialised. So far it has been great (although I am lusting after a Lapierre or Santa Cruz now...!) and I am really enjoying it - roll on some better weather and lighter evenings!

[biggun]

BTW - SW London and Swinley are pretty much my stomping ground so if you see a BMC with a big fella on it cutting about give me a wave!

[anonymous-user]

Gooby said:

Would you buy a car with no test drive? Dont buy a bike without a ride.

but how many shops allow a test ride that wil lactually offer anything like insightful feedback? without actually taking it on the trail and giving it a good thrash, a test ride is pointless.

riding up and down a street for a minute outside the shop will not offer you any useful feedback at all. you will ride along, push down the forks, think " oooh they squish and rebound well" then change a few gears and think "yep they work" then take it back to the shop. How the bike performs on a 45 degree slope caked in mud, with the shocks doing overtime and the mechs full of mud remains an unknown...

you can sit on a bike and get an idea whether its the right size in the shop easily enough but demanding a test ride or making it a necessity before buying a particular bike is pretty much a waste of time.

[Gooby]

pablo said:

Gooby said:

Would you buy a car with no test drive? Dont buy a bike without a ride.

but how many shops allow a test ride that wil lactually offer anything like insightful feedback? without actually taking it on the trail and giving it a good thrash, a test ride is pointless.

riding up and down a street for a minute outside the shop will not offer you any useful feedback at all. you will ride along, push down the forks, think " oooh they squish and rebound well" then change a few gears and think "yep they work" then take it back to the shop. How the bike performs on a 45 degree slope caked in mud, with the shocks doing overtime and the mechs full of mud remains an unknown...

you can sit on a bike and get an idea whether its the right size in the shop easily enough but demanding a test ride or making it a necessity before buying a particular bike is pretty much a waste of time.

I am not disagreeing with you - that is why my LBS of choice has a fleet of demo bikes to pick up and ride over 2-3 days on you favourite trails so you can get a feel and understanding for the bike.

[anonymous-user]

Gooby said:

pablo said:

Gooby said:

Would you buy a car with no test drive? Dont buy a bike without a ride.

but how many shops allow a test ride that wil lactually offer anything like insightful feedback? without actually taking it on the trail and giving it a good thrash, a test ride is pointless.

riding up and down a street for a minute outside the shop will not offer you any useful feedback at all. you will ride along, push down the forks, think " oooh they squish and rebound well" then change a few gears and think "yep they work" then take it back to the shop. How the bike performs on a 45 degree slope caked in mud, with the shocks doing overtime and the mechs full of mud remains an unknown...

you can sit on a bike and get an idea whether its the right size in the shop easily enough but demanding a test ride or making it a necessity before buying a particular bike is pretty much a waste of time.

I am not disagreeing with you - that is why my LBS of choice has a fleet of demo bikes to pick up and ride over 2-3 days on you favourite trails so you can get a feel and understanding for the bike.

you are lucky, so many shops are reluctant to let you even leave the store on a bike these days!...

[biggun]

Evans in Kingston were pretty good - I took the BMC and the Specialised out for about an hour each and had a blast around Richmond park - alright, not exactly the most challenging but I got a reasonable feel for the bikes.