Trail bike for £400 - £500

[Zaxxon]

I live just over the back of Swinley and Bracknell forest in Berkshire and I'm looking at staying fit as I'm now 37 and I don't fancy getting chubby in my mid 40's.

I'm looking at getting out on a bike during the summer evenings and weekends. I fancy a MTB but the forest location has pretty good trails so I'm not sure I need full on fat nobbly tyres.

If I really get into it i may spend a bit more on parts (I do like customiziong things (motorbikes etc)
But I don't fancy spending 2k on something that may be a passing fad.....hope not.

I was wondering what would be a good base bike, light frame preferably, no rear suspension as I don't like the power sapping feeling and won't be throwing myself downhills.

Doesn't need to come with amazing extras as I may well add these later.

I have looked at various GIANT's but the choice is pretty vast.

If I have missed another thread asking the same thing, my apologies, please just point me that way.

Thanks

[Chris71]

Giant has traditionally been a good source of mid-priced hardtails. I loved my old XTC, but that was the best part of a decade ago.

The Specialized Hardrock always seems to come out quite well these days.

I suspect they're standard at this price range now, but I'd be looking for a hard tail with good hydraulic discs, a reasonable groupset and a decent 'brand' fork. You should be able to reliably get up and down most trails with that. I reckon it's a good price point for a hard tail. Significantly below that and you're into dodgy componentry; much above it and you're getting diminishing returns if you're a casual rider looking for front suspension only.

Edited by Chris71 on Monday 14th March 11:59

[Flippin' Kipper]

From Halfords, but you sound mechanically minded, so you should be able to give it a quick check over when you get it to make sure they have not put the forks on the wrong way round or anything.

Very goof VFM at £559

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

[AVeryNaughtyBoy]

The best bet is a last year's model. Have a look at this link, taken from another thread:

MrTom in another thread said:

The best component spec for the price I can find, £9 over budget. I'm sure ebay has some gems.

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

Paul's cycles are reliable as far as I am aware but you need to be aware that any mail order bike will require a certain amount of building. This is normally simple and does not require specialist tools.

Flippin' Kipper said:

From Halfords, but you sound mechanically minded, so you should be able to give it a quick check over when you get it to make sure they have not put the forks on the wrong way round or anything.

Very goof VFM at £559

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

They seem similarly specced in terms of quality of kit. The main difference is Sram vs Shimano and unknown wheels vs WTB rims. The boardman one may come built from a shop.

I prefer Sram, mainly because of the benefits of their 1:1 cable pull ratio but other people disagree.

I will be surprised if anyone can find better bikes for the money...

[Zaxxon]

Thank you very much for the advice, leaning towards the Specialized Hard Roc but the Diamondback looks great for the price.

[Stack]

Hello Zaxxon - you could be me !

Last autumn I was lookingfor a sub £500 Hardtail & I had one of these on order

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

But the shop ran out of stock but they offered me a free upgrade to a Specialized Rockhopper SL. It a really nice bike hard to fault & i'm very impressed with the hydraulic disc brakes ..

[JPJ]

Once you get your bike there are lots of groups going out in Swinley Forest which will show you some of the more 'hidden trails rather than just the firetracks. Berks on Bikes (BoB's) is the local club and can provide some good riding advice, people to ride with and discounts at the local shops.

[Zaxxon]

Had the day off today and did a naughty thing.

Bought one of these at £200 over budget



Frame: Premium Double Butted Aluminium frameset with semi-integrated headset
Fork: RockShox Tora TK Coil 100mm travel
Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore M591
Rear Derailleur: Shimano SLX M662 SGS Shadow
Number of Gears: 27
Shifters: Shimano Deore M590
Chainset: Shimano FC-M430 Alivio Octalink
Chainrings: 44-32-22 tooth
Bottom Bracket: Shimano BB ES25 Octalink Sealed cartridge
Cassette: Shimano HG50, 9 speed, 11-34 tooth
Chain: Shimano CN-HG53
Pedals: Alloy black cage, black body
Front Brake: Shimano M445 Hydraulic Disc brake with 160mm rotor
Rear Brake: Shimano M445 Hydraulic Disc brake with 160mm rotor
Brake Levers: Shimano M445
Handlebars: Scor MKIII Low Rise 31.8mm oversize
Stem: Scor MKIII 31.8mm oversize (S: 80mm, M and L: 90mm, XL: 100mm)
Headset: Semi Integrated with 30mm spacers
Grips: BMC dual density red/black
Rims: Weinmann Taurus 2000
Front Hub: Shimano HB-M495 Centrelock 32H with QR Skewer
Rear Hub: Shimano FH-M495 Centrelock 32H cassette hub with QR Skewer
Spokes: Stainless 14G
Front Tyre: Kenda Nevegal StickE wire bead 26 x 2.1
Rear Tyre: Kenda Nevegal StickE wire bead 26 x 2.1
Tubes: Kenda standard Schrader valve
Saddle: Scor mtn
Seatpost: Scor MKIII, two-bolt clamp, 27.2mm
Seat Binder: BMC alloy 31.8m



Went out on it this afternoon around some trails, crikey, I had forgotten how much hard work cycling can be. I was corpsing, I am so out of fitness, it'll take me a while to get to the stage where I can really use it.