I'm so, so out of touch...

[JulianHJ]

...that I'm not sure where to start. Please help!

When I was about 13-14 I got a Marin Muirwoods ad loved it to bits. I rode loads until getting a car when I turned 18. The bike went. I decided at uni to buy a new bike to get around, and bought a Scott Comp Racing. This was about 12-13 years ago and the bike has done maybe 100 miles.

I want to get back in to cycling, probably a mix of South Downs bridleways, plus some road stuff to get there, and along the seafront etc.

I am not particularly adept in terms of bike maintainence, but I'm willing to learn. The Scott has been sat in my parents' garage for over a decade, and at first glance it looks in good nick. I'm going to dust it off, give it a wash and lube the chainset, and maybe the cables. If it seems a bit off then I'm tempted to get it serviced at the local bike shop for £30-£35.

I never got on terribly well with the Scott - I didn't find it as comfortable as the Marin. This might have been down to different frame geometries, saddles and bars, or it might have been my reduced fitness levels. I'm not sure.

Anyway, to the point! Has MTB technology moved on massively in 13 years? Might I find a world of difference on a new machine? What has spurred me in to action is a continuing failure on my part to start running again, and the need to find an enjoyable form of exercise - and I did love riding. The other motivator is that I am eligible for the Cycle To Work scheme, providing it isn't axed by our new government. The next window of opportunity is in three months or so, and I've been looking today at shiny steeds in the £1000 bracket (which I'd be able to obtain for around £560).

Edited to ask: when will the 2011 models start to appear?

Edited by JulianHJ on Thursday 27th May 21:03

[Flippin' Kipper]

Mountain bike technology has come on a tremendous amount in the last 13 years, with components not only getting better but also filtering down from high to low end bikes. My previous bike was 8 years old, and you had to spend over 1k to get hydraulic discs, now you would struggle not to get them on a £500 bike.

For 1k you could get a very nice hard tail mountain bike, but maybe it would be worth doing a bit of cycling on your old bike to make sure you enjoy it before you take the plunge and buy a new one.

[Scooby72]

How about one of these ?

I'm on my second Specialized Hardrock, can't fault it.


http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/Detail/9/...

Edited by Scooby72 on Thursday 27th May 23:04

[JulianHJ]

The plan is to see how I get on with the Scott, and if I feel the need to upgrade in three months then take it from there.

Is there a current favourite/obvious choice for a £1k hardtail? I've looked at the offerings from Marin, GT, Kona and Orange and they all look very tasty...

[pdV6]

I'd be tempted to get back out on the bike you have and just ride it a lot. Once the riding fitness comes back and you start to learn what sort of riding suits you, you'll start to get a feel for what you want in a new bike. And then you'll be able to draw up a shortlist of suitable bikes to test-ride.

[TheGreatSoprendo]

JulianHJ said:

The plan is to see how I get on with the Scott, and if I feel the need to upgrade in three months then take it from there.

Is there a current favourite/obvious choice for a £1k hardtail? I've looked at the offerings from Marin, GT, Kona and Orange and they all look very tasty...

I'm looking at getting a £1000 HT through the cycle to work scheme at the moment and my shortlist is:

Boardman HT Pro
Felt Q920
Cube LTD Team
Trek 6500
Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo

I'm leaning towards the boardman at the moment as it gets great reviews, is very highly specced for the price and is amazingly light. I've had a look and a sit on one in Halfords, but unfortunately they don't allow test rides. It's also likely to be the path of least resistance as our C2W scheme is with Halfords although I know Leisure Lakes accept their vouchers and my LBS does to (they stock Gary Fisher and Trek).

The Gary Fisher is brilliant value at £899 and gets great reviews, but I can't see past the (IMO) hideous paint job.

The Felt is the best looker of the lot for me, but Evans don't have them in stock and won't have before I have to apply for my voucher, plus I don't know a lot about them.

Any thought/input/ideas very welcome...

[Nick_F]

It's two years ago now, but I had the Merlin Rock Lobster on my otherwise very simillar list - and that was far and away the best value so I bought it.

Halfords were able to supply it on Cycle-to-Work.