Mountaint Bike Advice
Discussion
Get2Jaime said:
Agreed, but others are suggesting have the same discussion with the Saturday kid in Halfords/Go-Outdoors armed with his/her online reviews. Think its fairly straight forward where the OP should spend their time....
Not one person has suggested that. They've suggested bikes that are sold by halfords/Go-outdoors, not to go and ask what they should buy in these places. The OP shouldn't spend their time talking to a LBS either without first having a bit of knowledge. Trying to get any sense out of a halfords employee is the last thing anyone should do though, and most of the bikes sold by Halfords/Go-outdoors are junk. However... there are a couple of very good bikes that are sold there - 2 of which being the Voodoo Bizango, and the Calibre Bossnut V2. These are what others have reccomended the OP consider. And with good reason...You can't ignore online reviews by multiple sites and magazines (and multiple forum reccomendations by owners), if a bike was a heap of junk the reviews would reflect this. Like it or not, the big brands, at this price level, just cannot compete.
For example...
Pinkbike said:
The Bossnut is a bargain bike that can be made into a competitive machine with a few small changes. Add a single ring, budget dropper post, and some grippier rubber to this bike and you might think you were riding something that cost three, four, or even five times the price
Singletrack Magazine said:
The Bossnut is quite an achievement, and the new version of the frame is even better than the original. For a bike at this price point, there are usually lots of things that I’d change shortly after buying, from squirmy grips to terrible tyres. With the Bossnut, I was happy to slap on a dropper post and a grippier back tyre and ride it down anything I’d take my posh bike down. To prove a point, Calibre recently put out a video of 11 year-old Kenzie Nevard sending his down Super Morzine, which almost broke our Facebook page when we shared it. The Bossnut has got the basics and the details sorted, and to get a bike that performed significantly better, you’d have to spend half as much again.
Dirt magazine said:
Sorted suspension, bang-on-the-money geometry, under £1,000. In the mountain bike world, this is a hugely, hugely important bike.
And for the Voodoo:MBR said:
In the £750 category there are better made frames than the Bizango, better components, lighter wheels and suspension forks with better damping, but the Bizango is our test winner because it has the best frame shape and feels like a proper trail bike. Even the 725mm handlebar on the Bizango is fairly narrow, but the 60mm stem is the shortest here, so you’re never fighting for control when you’re trying to pick your way down a technical trail. Despite the name, there’s no black magic going on here; VooDoo has just got the basics right and it really shows in how the bike feels. Killer value with a great ride quality, this bike easily deserves top marks.
Bikeradar said:
The Voodoo humiliates its rivals with an outstanding ride and kit list that puts pricier machines to shame.
offroad.cc said:
Even neglecting the fact you’d struggle to find a better frame or nicer kit elsewhere for this money, the Bizango is a nimble, well-balanced package that’s not only fun, it rides and steers like a proper trail bike on flatter trails. The controlled air-sprung Suntour fork is easy to set up for all weights and the sorted rider position is combined with well-thought-out kit for a great overall package. And with the basics nailed down, for a tad over £500 this Voodoo is simply a killer deal anyone can enjoy riding.
You getting the jist? 
DanielSan said:
If you’re going to go upto £1k then there’s only one bike I’d suggest. The Calibre Bossnut, seems overkill as it’s a full sus but when the inevitable happens and you want to start riding trails that are a bit trickier you won’t need to upgrade it.
It’s an astoundingly good bike for the money
Careful now! GetJaime will be along in a sec to tell you you're a brainless buffoon 'cause you've dared to suggest that the OP might contemplate a bike that isn't from an LBS! It’s an astoundingly good bike for the money
Tall_Paul said:
Get2Jaime said:
Agreed, but others are suggesting have the same discussion with the Saturday kid in Halfords/Go-Outdoors armed with his/her online reviews. Think its fairly straight forward where the OP should spend their time....
Not one person has suggested that. They've suggested bikes that are sold by halfords/Go-outdoors, not to go and ask what they should buy in these places. The OP shouldn't spend their time talking to a LBS either without first having a bit of knowledge. Trying to get any sense out of a halfords employee is the last thing anyone should do though, and most of the bikes sold by Halfords/Go-outdoors are junk. However... there are a couple of very good bikes that are sold there - 2 of which being the Voodoo Bizango, and the Calibre Bossnut V2. These are what others have reccomended the OP consider. And with good reason...You can't ignore online reviews by multiple sites and magazines (and multiple forum reccomendations by owners), if a bike was a heap of junk the reviews would reflect this. Like it or not, the big brands, at this price level, just cannot compete.
For example...
Pinkbike said:
The Bossnut is a bargain bike that can be made into a competitive machine with a few small changes. Add a single ring, budget dropper post, and some grippier rubber to this bike and you might think you were riding something that cost three, four, or even five times the price
Singletrack Magazine said:
The Bossnut is quite an achievement, and the new version of the frame is even better than the original. For a bike at this price point, there are usually lots of things that I’d change shortly after buying, from squirmy grips to terrible tyres. With the Bossnut, I was happy to slap on a dropper post and a grippier back tyre and ride it down anything I’d take my posh bike down. To prove a point, Calibre recently put out a video of 11 year-old Kenzie Nevard sending his down Super Morzine, which almost broke our Facebook page when we shared it. The Bossnut has got the basics and the details sorted, and to get a bike that performed significantly better, you’d have to spend half as much again.
Dirt magazine said:
Sorted suspension, bang-on-the-money geometry, under £1,000. In the mountain bike world, this is a hugely, hugely important bike.
And for the Voodoo:MBR said:
In the £750 category there are better made frames than the Bizango, better components, lighter wheels and suspension forks with better damping, but the Bizango is our test winner because it has the best frame shape and feels like a proper trail bike. Even the 725mm handlebar on the Bizango is fairly narrow, but the 60mm stem is the shortest here, so you’re never fighting for control when you’re trying to pick your way down a technical trail. Despite the name, there’s no black magic going on here; VooDoo has just got the basics right and it really shows in how the bike feels. Killer value with a great ride quality, this bike easily deserves top marks.
Bikeradar said:
The Voodoo humiliates its rivals with an outstanding ride and kit list that puts pricier machines to shame.
offroad.cc said:
Even neglecting the fact you’d struggle to find a better frame or nicer kit elsewhere for this money, the Bizango is a nimble, well-balanced package that’s not only fun, it rides and steers like a proper trail bike on flatter trails. The controlled air-sprung Suntour fork is easy to set up for all weights and the sorted rider position is combined with well-thought-out kit for a great overall package. And with the basics nailed down, for a tad over £500 this Voodoo is simply a killer deal anyone can enjoy riding.
You getting the jist? Kermit power said:
Careful now! GetJaime will be along in a sec to tell you you're a brainless buffoon 'cause you've dared to suggest that the OP might contemplate a bike that isn't from an LBS!
Get2Jaime said:
Lol...do you work for Go Outdoors/Bossnut (no idea who runs the brand!) by any chance?!
LOL. Well called Kermit GetJamie - no, I don't. I work in IT. And you'll see I reccomended an HT in my earlier posts (not the bossnut), I'm also in the market for a £1000 HT and the Bizango was a possibility but I want a boost 148 frame so will probably be going with a Vitus Sentier. I don't work for Chain reaction cycles either BTW
Kermit power said:
DanielSan said:
If you’re going to go upto £1k then there’s only one bike I’d suggest. The Calibre Bossnut, seems overkill as it’s a full sus but when the inevitable happens and you want to start riding trails that are a bit trickier you won’t need to upgrade it.
It’s an astoundingly good bike for the money
Careful now! GetJaime will be along in a sec to tell you you're a brainless buffoon 'cause you've dared to suggest that the OP might contemplate a bike that isn't from an LBS! It’s an astoundingly good bike for the money
Get2Jaime said:
Kermit power said:
DanielSan said:
If you’re going to go upto £1k then there’s only one bike I’d suggest. The Calibre Bossnut, seems overkill as it’s a full sus but when the inevitable happens and you want to start riding trails that are a bit trickier you won’t need to upgrade it.
It’s an astoundingly good bike for the money
Careful now! GetJaime will be along in a sec to tell you you're a brainless buffoon 'cause you've dared to suggest that the OP might contemplate a bike that isn't from an LBS! It’s an astoundingly good bike for the money
I've not at any point suggested that the OP buy a Bossnut. I've merely questioned your absurd suggestion that you're "shuddering a little bit inside" at the thought of someone buying one because it hasn't been sold by an LBS.
Kermit power said:
Get2Jaime said:
Kermit power said:
DanielSan said:
If you’re going to go upto £1k then there’s only one bike I’d suggest. The Calibre Bossnut, seems overkill as it’s a full sus but when the inevitable happens and you want to start riding trails that are a bit trickier you won’t need to upgrade it.
It’s an astoundingly good bike for the money
Careful now! GetJaime will be along in a sec to tell you you're a brainless buffoon 'cause you've dared to suggest that the OP might contemplate a bike that isn't from an LBS! It’s an astoundingly good bike for the money
I've not at any point suggested that the OP buy a Bossnut. I've merely questioned your absurd suggestion that you're "shuddering a little bit inside" at the thought of someone buying one because it hasn't been sold by an LBS.
The Mk1 Bossnut was flawed, the reviews saying stick a grippier tyre on the back obviously didn't try it with the size large as there is very little(or no) clearance with the already skinny tyre fitted. 
We tried all of bikes in the shop of the same size and they all had the same problems. The bloke behind the brand was pretty dismissive to the shop staff about it when they contacted him, he wanted to fit offset bushes to the rear shock to remedy the situation.
It weighed a ton but rode ok, it survived a bike park Wales trip, just. The chain was always falling off and it pinch flatted a few times, I don't think it would last many days of hard riding before things started to break. We got a refund and bought a Commencal Meta TR, it's better in everyway.
We tried all of bikes in the shop of the same size and they all had the same problems. The bloke behind the brand was pretty dismissive to the shop staff about it when they contacted him, he wanted to fit offset bushes to the rear shock to remedy the situation.
It weighed a ton but rode ok, it survived a bike park Wales trip, just. The chain was always falling off and it pinch flatted a few times, I don't think it would last many days of hard riding before things started to break. We got a refund and bought a Commencal Meta TR, it's better in everyway.
Build your own now it's sale time:-
NS Eccentric Alu frame £173
Complete M8000 brake and gearset groupset £469
XT M785 Wheelset £180
Brand X Dropper £89
Suntour Radion forks £159
£1050 then just somewhere like Planet X for headset, bars, stem tyres sub £100 and you have a really nice bike for the £1150 mark. How many fully 11 speed full XT kitted bikes can you buy at that price off the shelf?
NS Eccentric Alu frame £173
Complete M8000 brake and gearset groupset £469
XT M785 Wheelset £180
Brand X Dropper £89
Suntour Radion forks £159
£1050 then just somewhere like Planet X for headset, bars, stem tyres sub £100 and you have a really nice bike for the £1150 mark. How many fully 11 speed full XT kitted bikes can you buy at that price off the shelf?
Herman Toothrot said:
Build your own now it's sale time:-
NS Eccentric Alu frame £173
Complete M8000 brake and gearset groupset £469
XT M785 Wheelset £180
Brand X Dropper £89
Suntour Radion forks £159
£1050 then just somewhere like Planet X for headset, bars, stem tyres sub £100 and you have a really nice bike for the £1150 mark. How many fully 11 speed full XT kitted bikes can you buy at that price off the shelf?
You can get full SLX with a RS Reba instead of the Suntour for £1170, and let's face it you probably won't notice much difference between SLX and XT. That's the bike that is top of my list at the moment, Vitus Sentier VRS+ (2018). Apart from the Marin with Yari's posted in the other thread I can't see anything else better value hardtail wise.NS Eccentric Alu frame £173
Complete M8000 brake and gearset groupset £469
XT M785 Wheelset £180
Brand X Dropper £89
Suntour Radion forks £159
£1050 then just somewhere like Planet X for headset, bars, stem tyres sub £100 and you have a really nice bike for the £1150 mark. How many fully 11 speed full XT kitted bikes can you buy at that price off the shelf?
Decent finishing kit too - Maxxis tyres, Nukeproof bar/stem/seat, WTB rims, brand-x ascend XL dropper.
TheTrash said:
The Mk1 Bossnut was flawed, the reviews saying stick a grippier tyre on the back obviously didn't try it with the size large as there is very little(or no) clearance with the already skinny tyre fitted.
We tried all of bikes in the shop of the same size and they all had the same problems. The bloke behind the brand was pretty dismissive to the shop staff about it when they contacted him, he wanted to fit offset bushes to the rear shock to remedy the situation.
It weighed a ton but rode ok, it survived a bike park Wales trip, just. The chain was always falling off and it pinch flatted a few times, I don't think it would last many days of hard riding before things started to break. We got a refund and bought a Commencal Meta TR, it's better in everyway.
I'm sure Kermit will be along in a moment to tell you that your wrong and this is the best bike on the market, cause the online reviews say so, but then he'll correct us and tell us the reviews relate to the v2 not the v1 which is what your experience is based on.We tried all of bikes in the shop of the same size and they all had the same problems. The bloke behind the brand was pretty dismissive to the shop staff about it when they contacted him, he wanted to fit offset bushes to the rear shock to remedy the situation.
It weighed a ton but rode ok, it survived a bike park Wales trip, just. The chain was always falling off and it pinch flatted a few times, I don't think it would last many days of hard riding before things started to break. We got a refund and bought a Commencal Meta TR, it's better in everyway.
Good to see you upgraded to a proper manufacturer in any case and that the OP didnt go to Go Outdoors to buy his either...good work!
Get2Jaime said:
I'm sure Kermit will be along in a moment to tell you that your wrong and this is the best bike on the market, cause the online reviews say so, but then he'll correct us and tell us the reviews relate to the v2 not the v1 which is what your experience is based on.
Good to see you upgraded to a proper manufacturer in any case and that the OP didnt go to Go Outdoors to buy his either...good work!
Out of interest, how did you develop the ability to write without that of being able to read? That's a pretty unique skill!Good to see you upgraded to a proper manufacturer in any case and that the OP didnt go to Go Outdoors to buy his either...good work!
Get2Jaime said:
I'm sure Kermit will be along in a moment to tell you that your wrong and this is the best bike on the market, cause the online reviews say so, but then he'll correct us and tell us the reviews relate to the v2 not the v1 which is what your experience is based on.
Good to see you upgraded to a proper manufacturer in any case and that the OP didnt go to Go Outdoors to buy his either...good work!
Can you please stop posting this kind of stuff ? If you have an issue with Kermit. please PM him. Thank you.Good to see you upgraded to a proper manufacturer in any case and that the OP didnt go to Go Outdoors to buy his either...good work!
I'd take a Voodoo Bizango currently at £500 (down from £625) and get another 10% off with the British Cycling discount (for £22). So circa £450 for the bike.
Leaves a few £ for kit. Spare tubes, pump, helmet, pedals eye. All of which are discounted at present.
Leaves a few £ for kit. Spare tubes, pump, helmet, pedals eye. All of which are discounted at present.
I’ve just purchased a Boardman Pro 29er on EBay for £600 in as new condition. It’s an incredible bike for the money with real quality parts. These bike are available through Halfrauds but really don’t let that put you off. Amazing frame and 1 x 11 gears take away all the faff, I have found I’m not lacking in the gear department. I am going to change the saddle and bars but that’s it. Here’s a pick after my first ride today....
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