What MTB for beginner?
Discussion
Hi Guys,
Just need a bit of guidance on choosing a MTB.
I don't really know what I am looking for on the web since I will be using it for going downhill mainly and just general trecking around hills/rocks. I live quite close to some good bike spots but since the last bike I had was a green Raleigh Max at 15 I am not quite fully up on the biking scene at the moment. The plan this week is for a friend to take me out on one of his bikes and subject to me enjoying the trip (which is highly likely) then I will be buying one soon.
Few notes:
- Budget is around £400
- I am 6"4
- Ideally I would like a black/white bike with black wheel rims (simply because they look epic)
- Would prefer lightweight obviously
Many thanks
Just need a bit of guidance on choosing a MTB.
I don't really know what I am looking for on the web since I will be using it for going downhill mainly and just general trecking around hills/rocks. I live quite close to some good bike spots but since the last bike I had was a green Raleigh Max at 15 I am not quite fully up on the biking scene at the moment. The plan this week is for a friend to take me out on one of his bikes and subject to me enjoying the trip (which is highly likely) then I will be buying one soon.
Few notes:
- Budget is around £400
- I am 6"4
- Ideally I would like a black/white bike with black wheel rims (simply because they look epic)
- Would prefer lightweight obviously
Many thanks
Hmmm £400 doesn't get you too much these days I'm afraid. I don't really know what other manufacturers offer, but I like Specialized and they offer a bike at your price point in the colour you're looking for. 
http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/Detail/11...
http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/Detail/11...
Sadly £400 doesn't get you all that much new these days however the following should be fine:
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/ha...
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gt/avalanche-3...
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/scott/aspect-5...
Go as simple as possible - only hardtails and basic brakes. Get hydraulic disks or V brakes - do NOT get cable operated disks.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/ha...
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gt/avalanche-3...
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/scott/aspect-5...
Go as simple as possible - only hardtails and basic brakes. Get hydraulic disks or V brakes - do NOT get cable operated disks.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
this one gets my vote from list decent spec for money and if you register your card with quidco you will get 4.5% cashback around extra £14 back
this one gets my vote from list decent spec for money and if you register your card with quidco you will get 4.5% cashback around extra £14 back
Vladimir said:
Get hydraulic disks or V brakes - do NOT get cable operated disks.
Don't agree there. I'd take Avid BB5 or BB7 over Tektro or other no name hydraulic brakes personally. Easy to adjust and no bleeding needed.That said, don't get hung up on the brakes, they're easy and relatively cheap to upgrade in the future.
I personally think this would be a good starter bike:
http://paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s2p...
Decent fork, frame, brakes and drive train. A massive step up from those posted above if you can stretch to it, and it'll be worth hanging on to and upgrading in future.
Try and get a test ride for sizing if possible.
Edited by frontbum on Monday 11th April 17:24
Edited by frontbum on Monday 11th April 17:25
If anyone paid £850 for that Kona, they'd need certifying. Tora forks?!!
Cable brakes have the weight of disks and the PITA qualities of cables - it stretches and so the brakes need constant adjusting. Easy on V brakes, fiddly on disks.
Don't rate Konas much - overpriced and under performing.
Cable brakes have the weight of disks and the PITA qualities of cables - it stretches and so the brakes need constant adjusting. Easy on V brakes, fiddly on disks.
Don't rate Konas much - overpriced and under performing.
I would go for cable discs, if only to get the disc compatible wheels. At least you can then upgrade parts gradually, rather than a £200-£300 bill for discs and wheels.
Upgrading discs sounds like a possibility for someone who is 6"4 and wants to do downhill...I would ask if lightweight really a good criteria here?
Upgrading discs sounds like a possibility for someone who is 6"4 and wants to do downhill...I would ask if lightweight really a good criteria here?
ad551 said:
Hmmm £400 doesn't get you too much these days I'm afraid. I don't really know what other manufacturers offer, but I like Specialized and they offer a bike at your price point in the colour you're looking for.
http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/Detail/11...
I got a hardrock as my way back into MTB. Not had a problem with the mechanical discs. Love the bike in fact the first upgrade was some DMR V8 pedals.Next will be the front shock now i am much better and will do the brakes later in the year.http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/Detail/11...
http://www.rutlandcycling.com/7401/Dawes-XC-2-2---...
http://www.rutlandcycling.com/27090/Trek-Ticket-30...
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/rockrider-8-0-2010-1...
kona's are good bikes imo few mates ride them and never had a problem,they are used in many trail centres all over the uk as hard tail hire so cant be all that bad
http://www.rutlandcycling.com/27090/Trek-Ticket-30...
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/rockrider-8-0-2010-1...
kona's are good bikes imo few mates ride them and never had a problem,they are used in many trail centres all over the uk as hard tail hire so cant be all that bad
If your budget really is £400 and it has to be new this is the best spec for the money without doubt:
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/rockrider-8-0-2010-1...
If you can stretch a little further you will get a lot more with this.. Rock Shox Recon, SRAM x7 groupset & Avid Elixir 3 all for £499 New !?!?!?!?!
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/8-1-2011-172069577/
It is comparable to many £750+ bike from Specialized, Kona, Trek, Scott etc...
Second hand you could get a decent Boardman Comp or for a bit more a Boardman Team... Both great bikes that score highly in reviews also...
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/rockrider-8-0-2010-1...
If you can stretch a little further you will get a lot more with this.. Rock Shox Recon, SRAM x7 groupset & Avid Elixir 3 all for £499 New !?!?!?!?!
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/8-1-2011-172069577/
It is comparable to many £750+ bike from Specialized, Kona, Trek, Scott etc...
Second hand you could get a decent Boardman Comp or for a bit more a Boardman Team... Both great bikes that score highly in reviews also...
Vladimir said:
If anyone paid £850 for that Kona, they'd need certifying. Tora forks?!!
Cable brakes have the weight of disks and the PITA qualities of cables - it stretches and so the brakes need constant adjusting. Easy on V brakes, fiddly on disks.
Don't rate Konas much - overpriced and under performing.
not used bb5 or bb7s then? no constant adjustment needed, occassional tweaks only. I think you'll find budget hydros need almost constant maintenance anyway. Not to mention sCable brakes have the weight of disks and the PITA qualities of cables - it stretches and so the brakes need constant adjusting. Easy on V brakes, fiddly on disks.
Don't rate Konas much - overpriced and under performing.
tty bleed procedures and poor parts availability.As for the price of the kona, 850 seems expensive but is actually in line with most bikes these days.
E.g suntour forks on this http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/6000-2011...
but any way it's up for 550 so the rrp is irrelevant.
the decathalon posted above looks great value
Edited by frontbum on Monday 11th April 23:41
Thanks for the help so far guys!
Just come back from Decathlon, had a little ride on the Btwin 8.1 and it didn't feel right at all. I guess it didn't help that whoever had put it together had done so with two tooth picks and a fork - it was shaking all over. I realise things can be tightened up but first impressions mean a lot when your spending £400 on a bike...
Anyway, off to evans at weekend. Will report back
Just come back from Decathlon, had a little ride on the Btwin 8.1 and it didn't feel right at all. I guess it didn't help that whoever had put it together had done so with two tooth picks and a fork - it was shaking all over. I realise things can be tightened up but first impressions mean a lot when your spending £400 on a bike...
Anyway, off to evans at weekend. Will report back
Vladikar said:
Thanks for the help so far guys!
Just come back from Decathlon, had a little ride on the Btwin 8.1 and it didn't feel right at all. I guess it didn't help that whoever had put it together had done so with two tooth picks and a fork - it was shaking all over. I realise things can be tightened up but first impressions mean a lot when your spending £400 on a bike...
Anyway, off to evans at weekend. Will report back
Shame you had a bad experience with the Rockrider it gets great reviews:Just come back from Decathlon, had a little ride on the Btwin 8.1 and it didn't feel right at all. I guess it didn't help that whoever had put it together had done so with two tooth picks and a fork - it was shaking all over. I realise things can be tightened up but first impressions mean a lot when your spending £400 on a bike...
Anyway, off to evans at weekend. Will report back
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mount...
Evans will always try to sell you a Pinnacle (their own brand be aware) and they are always overpriced BUT will price match so if you decide on a bike be sure to do an internet search first for the cheapest price including postage... print it out and then buy it from Evans
For well built and great spec for money you should look a the Boardmans too.. they are only at Halfords and not all Halfords are the same when it comes to bikes.. you need a big one and a former Bikehut if possible. That said for value for money and reviews they always score highly...
Edited by Gnarlybluesurf on Tuesday 12th April 16:37
If you take any lightish-weight bike costing £400, that is suitable for trail riding, and show it a set of jumps with any degree of commitment, there is going to be damage.
A £400 full suspension bike will be total crap. At everything.
A £400 hardtail will be less crap at all the things described, but you're asking too much of one bike in your price range.
A £400 full suspension bike will be total crap. At everything.
A £400 hardtail will be less crap at all the things described, but you're asking too much of one bike in your price range.
Beyond Rational said:
If you take any lightish-weight bike costing £400, that is suitable for trail riding, and show it a set of jumps with any degree of commitment, there is going to be damage.
A £400 full suspension bike will be total crap. At everything.
A £400 hardtail will be less crap at all the things described, but you're asking too much of one bike in your price range.
What sort of price range are you looking at with regards full suspension? £600+?A £400 full suspension bike will be total crap. At everything.
A £400 hardtail will be less crap at all the things described, but you're asking too much of one bike in your price range.
Try 1k+ in my experience unless you go second hand. You really do get what you pay for when it comes to full suss (plus any other bike - plus anything else on earth) Can pick up good spec []have a look at Halfords website[/]
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
This is a great bike for the price (I have one - yes I'm biased) 09 model so could argue it's old, but this will take punishment all day and love you for it. With your height I'd go for 20" frame but see if your local Halfords have one in stock and get down and try it, only you know if you like the feel of it. Alternative is looking at 2010/waiting for the 2011 range of Boardman MTB's as they are very well specced too.
I know it's more than you want to spend but buying a cheap bike is a hella false economy, I've ridden a cheap £400 full suss and I thought it was good until I rode a £1500 bike, I binned mine the same day.
A £549
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
hard tail (Carrera Fury) will be fine for jumping as long as you ride with mechanical sympathy,; learn how to land properly etc but jumping should be down the list of priorities, you'll need to learn to flow down the trails first and get your confidence up.
In short, don't buy cheap you will regret it, spend as much as you possibly can, and don't forget your ancillaries - helmet (£40-£90) gloves (£20) camalbak, inner tubes, tyre levers for when you get a flat, multi tool, chain links, trail pump - I could go on.
Biking can be a light hearted stroll down a bridle way or a way of life. If it's A) a £400 will get you a fine machine, if you want to take it seriously heed the above advice. Hopefully you'll love it whichever you choose
Oh and get one bikeradar.com on the forum for some local riders and trails, get out with a good bunch who you'll learn off and will give you great advice, plus you might make some new friends
The bikeradar forum is also an awesome resource for knowledge, there's 100 of posts that will be directly relevant to your enquiry plus you can start your own and get specific advice (in addition to the fine advice on here of course)
I'll stop typing now...
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
This is a great bike for the price (I have one - yes I'm biased) 09 model so could argue it's old, but this will take punishment all day and love you for it. With your height I'd go for 20" frame but see if your local Halfords have one in stock and get down and try it, only you know if you like the feel of it. Alternative is looking at 2010/waiting for the 2011 range of Boardman MTB's as they are very well specced too.
I know it's more than you want to spend but buying a cheap bike is a hella false economy, I've ridden a cheap £400 full suss and I thought it was good until I rode a £1500 bike, I binned mine the same day.
A £549
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
hard tail (Carrera Fury) will be fine for jumping as long as you ride with mechanical sympathy,; learn how to land properly etc but jumping should be down the list of priorities, you'll need to learn to flow down the trails first and get your confidence up.
In short, don't buy cheap you will regret it, spend as much as you possibly can, and don't forget your ancillaries - helmet (£40-£90) gloves (£20) camalbak, inner tubes, tyre levers for when you get a flat, multi tool, chain links, trail pump - I could go on.
Biking can be a light hearted stroll down a bridle way or a way of life. If it's A) a £400 will get you a fine machine, if you want to take it seriously heed the above advice. Hopefully you'll love it whichever you choose
Oh and get one bikeradar.com on the forum for some local riders and trails, get out with a good bunch who you'll learn off and will give you great advice, plus you might make some new friends
The bikeradar forum is also an awesome resource for knowledge, there's 100 of posts that will be directly relevant to your enquiry plus you can start your own and get specific advice (in addition to the fine advice on here of course)
I'll stop typing now...
Edited by squareflops on Tuesday 12th April 22:33
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