1st MTB Help Required.

[Les84]

Ok I am looking for my first MTB purchase, it’s mainly going to be used for canal/river paths and also light gravel surfaces.

Price range upto £1.5k, maybe a little higher if worth it, any opinions welcome.


Thanks

Edited by Les84 on Monday 20th June 14:41

[Superlightdaa]

A decent Hardtail will be easily in your price range. Where do you live?

[Les84]

Superlightdaa said:

A decent Hardtail will be easily in your price range. Where do you live?

I am more looking for a decent spec groupset for the price also that’s reliable etc, not very clued up on MTB hiracecy.

I have a Specialized Diverge gravel with 105 at the moment which is pretty nice and smooth.

I am in surrey.

Edited by Les84 on Monday 20th June 15:25

[vwsurfbum]

Under a bag
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/nukeproof-scout-290-race-...

but this gets my vote.
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/ragley-big-al-20-hardtail...

[JayRidesBikes]

A Trek Roscoe 8 will be in your budget. I have a Trek Roscoe 7 and it's perfectly capable of tackling canal tow paths and any offroad trail I can throw at it.

However, if you are only intending on riding light gravel and canals, consider going for a gravel bike. It will be more than capable of doing what you've stated, however you'll be able to ride faster for far less effort. Worth thinking about if you aren't doing trails.

[Les84]

JayRidesBikes said:

A Trek Roscoe 8 will be in your budget. I have a Trek Roscoe 7 and it's perfectly capable of tackling canal tow paths and any offroad trail I can throw at it.

However, if you are only intending on riding light gravel and canals, consider going for a gravel bike. It will be more than capable of doing what you've stated, however you'll be able to ride faster for far less effort. Worth thinking about if you aren't doing trails.

Shall have a look, thanks. They are around 2k.

I have a Specialized diverge 2019 gravel at the moment.

This is going to be a little cramped with a front facing seat attached, that’s why I was thinking a MTB.

Edited by Les84 on Monday 20th June 15:30

[Ouroboros]

Funny I've been riding over 10 years, had a few bikes, but bought a 300 quid bike from go outdoors and is the finest bike I've owned for a while. Price doesn't always equate more fun.

[missing the VR6]

I'd be looking for the best suspension I could get rather than group set, gears are much cheaper than suspension if you want/need to upgrade.

[Les84]

missing the VR6 said:

I'd be looking for the best suspension I could get rather than group set, gears are much cheaper than suspension if you want/need to upgrade.

That’s good to know, I am so used to looking at gravel bikes etc, which the one I have only has the future shock on the headset.

Do built bikes come with decent spec shocks if they do are they mega money, again not sure what brand or level I am looking for.

Edited by Les84 on Monday 20th June 15:41

[Ouroboros]

missing the VR6 said:

I'd be looking for the best suspension I could get rather than group set, gears are much cheaper than suspension if you want/need to upgrade.

Depends really I've bought high spec air forks, that had issues with, yet heavier coil forks that are cheaper and indestructible. If it was I would just start riding on a cheaper bike and upgrade as it is personal really, people think higher spec means better rides, but mtbing is more than that.

[missing the VR6]

Les84 said:

That’s good to know, I am so used to looking at gravel bikes etc, which the one I have only has the future shock on the headset.

Do built bikes come with decent spec shocks if they do are they mega money, again not sure what brand or level I am looking for.

Edited by Les84 on Monday 20th June 15:41

I'd be tempted by the Ragley Big Al 1, Nice fork and albeit entry level Shimano drive train, I believe they're easily upgradable without changign the free hub body not like the lower end SRAM stuff. I've a Ragley but the Mmbop with 27.5 wheel and it's brilliant.

[Les84]

missing the VR6 said:

I'd be tempted by the Ragley Big Al 1, Nice fork and albeit entry level Shimano drive train, I believe they're easily upgradable without changign the free hub body not like the lower end SRAM stuff. I've a Ragley but the Mmbop with 27.5 wheel and it's brilliant.

Deore & NX seem to be the ones fitted mostly unless spending mega bucks, I assume these ones are ok. What brand of shocks am I looking at?

[Les84]

missing the VR6 said:

I'd be tempted by the Ragley Big Al 1, Nice fork and albeit entry level Shimano drive train, I believe they're easily upgradable without changign the free hub body not like the lower end SRAM stuff. I've a Ragley but the Mmbop with 27.5 wheel and it's brilliant.

Deore & NX seem to be the ones fitted mostly unless spending mega bucks, I assume these ones are ok. What brand of shocks am I looking at?

[GCH]

vwsurfbum said:

but this gets my vote.
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/ragley-big-al-20-hardtail...

The big al is more suited for downhill bike parks than canal paths. It's also not wonderful at slow speeds due to the wide bars (800mm if you run a L) and slack geometry, and the DHF/DHR factory fit will suck on the OPs intended surface.

In all honestly it sounds like the OP needs a gravel bike, or a slightly less aggressive MTB....

Edited by GCH on Monday 20th June 16:36

[missing the VR6]

Les84 said:

Deore & NX seem to be the ones fitted mostly unless spending mega bucks, I assume these ones are ok. What brand of shocks am I looking at?

NX will pose upgrading issues in the future as the higher spec SRAM bits have a different free hub body. Shimano 12 speed all have the same free hub body, so upgrading is easy.

The Big Al has a Marzocchi fork which are pretty decent, the 2 had a fairly basic Rock Shox. Nowt wrong with it, just the Marzocchi will be less likely to want upgrading in due course, if you really get into it and start doing more proper MTB.

[Les84]

GCH said:

The big al is more suited for downhill bike parks than canal paths. I have that exact one and do exactly that on it. It's also not wonderful at slow speeds due to the wide bars (800mm if you run a L) and slack geometry, and the DHF/DHR factory fit will suck on the OPs intended surface.

In all honestly it sounds like the OP needs a gravel bike, or a slightly less aggressive MTB....

I already have a gravel bike, but looking for a MTB so I can then get a front facing toddler seat for riding, the gravel bike will be a little uncomfortable for this.

[Les84]

missing the VR6 said:

NX will pose upgrading issues in the future as the higher spec SRAM bits have a different free hub body. Shimano 12 speed all have the same free hub body, so upgrading is easy.

The Big Al has a Marzocchi fork which are pretty decent, the 2 had a fairly basic Rock Shox. Nowt wrong with it, just the Marzocchi will be less likely to want upgrading in due course, if you really get into it and start doing more proper MTB.

Sounds like it will be better if I stick to Shimano because of this.

[missing the VR6]

If you're not looking at getting into proper trail riding, and just canal paths, I'd be looking at £3-500 in Halfords.

[Evanivitch]

Boardman Hardtail sounds ideal IMO.

https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Boardman-MHT-8-6-Mountain...

I also have a gravel bike (ADV8.9) and will be fitting the front-mounted child seat on my Boardman Hardtail.

[TT1138]

Les84 said:

Sounds like it will be better if I stick to Shimano because of this.

Either is fine. The SX and NX cassette is fully compatible with the GX derailleur and shifter. SX components aren’t great so I’d avoid, but NX is good as long as it’s set up well. In terms of hierarchy, it sits a smidgen below Deore.

If you can get a GX groupset, I’d highly recommend it. Cranks, derailleur and shifter are excellent in my experience.