1st MTB Help Required.

[Les84]

TT1138 said:

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.

So pretty much Shimano SLX OR SRAM GX.

[LordHaveMurci]

Voodoo Bizango is about £700, MTB of the year several times if you believenin all that.

Bought both my kids one in 2020, seem pretty decent for the money.

[Pablo16v]

LordHaveMurci said:

Voodoo Bizango is about £700, MTB of the year several times if you believenin all that.

Bought both my kids one in 2020, seem pretty decent for the money.

I was going to suggest this as well. Still getting good reviews…..

https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/bikes/mountain-b...

[vwsurfbum]

I'd just want to say that gravel bikes are not comfortable for tow paths or any good on the road. pointless bikes.

A decent HT is far better for what the OP needs and opens doors to actually do something enjoyable off road.

[Ouroboros]

I took my road bike up Cannock chase was fun. I've used hts on downhill sections.

Again if I was op instead of spending loads off the bat, just get a cheap bike have fun then upgrade. Too many people think more expensive means better, yes if you use everyday, but most buy it and end up not really using it.

[Evanivitch]

vwsurfbum said:

I'd just want to say that gravel bikes are not comfortable for tow paths or any good on the road. pointless bikes.

And road bikes are useless outside of a velodrome!

[Les84]

Ouroboros said:

I took my road bike up Cannock chase was fun. I've used hts on downhill sections.

Again if I was op instead of spending loads off the bat, just get a cheap bike have fun then upgrade. Too many people think more expensive means better, yes if you use everyday, but most buy it and end up not really using it.

Thankfully this will get used every time the evening and weekends are nice, I have a gravel bike that gets used daily for my ride to work.

[Les84]

Pablo16v said:

I was going to suggest this as well. Still getting good reviews…..

https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/bikes/mountain-b...

I did see this and was not sure what the reviews and thoughts was.

[Les84]

Saw this one also, seems a good spec, what are peoples thoughts?

https://www.halfords.com/bikes/mountain-bikes/vood...

[Pablo16v]

Les84 said:

Saw this one also, seems a good spec, what are peoples thoughts?

https://www.halfords.com/bikes/mountain-bikes/vood...

Looks decent enough to me. You're getting a better fork, slightly better brakes and a 12 speed drivetrain instead of 11sp so worth the extra £200 in my opinion.

[harry henderson]

I'd recommend one of these

https://www.merlincycles.com/wilier-503x-race-moun...

I don't think they are that well known and so are really good value bikes. My son and me both have the Shimano XT version and I honestly can't fault them. Merlin are local to me and they offer great service a d are easy to deal with. 10% at the moment too.

[PDP76]

vwsurfbum said:

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...

Good shout on the nukeproof scout. I’ve been after one of these since before lockdown.
Then obviously lockdown happened so the stock went to zero.
I ended up spending money on my 2014 Cube acid instead. That became a nightmare when the rear bearings totally collapsed ! Could not get a hub anywhere so ended up having to buy a new back wheel with hub.
It got a complete overhaul of moving parts when the new wheel finally arrived.
Still rides like new and very chuckable, so holding off until something else fails on it. Then I’d definitely go for a scout in the 27.5.

[Blink982]

I’ve been looking at getting back into MTB and have a similar budget. Hardtail wise, there is a Vitus Sentier around £1150 but I’d like to get a full sus. Halfords well a green Boardman at £1500 that looks decent (11sp deore) and Vitus do the Mythique at £1800 which looks a bargain but the one I keep going back to is the Sonder cortex with Deore at £2k on the nose but a dropper post is another £115 upgrade and tubeless setup is £40. Sadly my bike fund has been diverted elsewhere or else I’d have already bought one.

[OutInTheShed]

Les84 said:

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

For that kind of intended use I would suggest the OP asks himself whether he likes/wants the concept of a 1x drivetrain.
Personally I find the gearing just way too low on the flat.

It may be best to consider what surfaces you want to ride on, what tyres, what you want out of it, before spending proper money.

[lickatysplit]

for canal paths etc, I'd also mention the voodoo Bizango. Unless you were planning on heading out and doing trails, spending much more than that is not worth it.

[Les84]

lickatysplit said:

for canal paths etc, I'd also mention the voodoo Bizango. Unless you were planning on heading out and doing trails, spending much more than that is not worth it.

I might do trails but nothing extreme, shame they are not is stock at the moment, this is what I might spend my money on.

I need to sit on a M and a L to see what’s more comfortable.

[Tribal Chestnut]

Recently bought a Titus El Vag.

Last MTB I purchased was a Specialized Stumpjumper M2 Comp about 25 years ago, so there are a few differences.

Largely used for local lanes, footpaths and bridleways.

Cost circa £1500 and am happy with it so far.

[Les84]

Tribal Chestnut said:

Recently bought a Titus El Vag.

Last MTB I purchased was a Specialized Stumpjumper M2 Comp about 25 years ago, so there are a few differences.

Largely used for local lanes, footpaths and bridleways.

Cost circa £1500 and am happy with it so far.

Are the Planet X frames good quality these days, I’m sure the other frames for big manufactures are from China also.

Edited by Les84 on Thursday 23 June 19:20

[Tribal Chestnut]

Les84 said:

Are the Planet X frames good quality these days, I’m sure the other frames for big manufactures are from China also.

Edited by Les84 on Thursday 23 June 19:20

Don’t seem to have been any issues in the recent past and what little I could find on their current offerings was, anecdotally at least, positive.

My daughter was getting me to look at all sorts of tiny framed fancy bikes, but I thought something with more of an XC bias would suit my riding better.

I love to think of myself doing bloody great jumps, etc, but in reality I can’t see it happening.

[BaronVonVaderham]

Vitus Sentier could fit the bill here, spec can’t be beaten for the money:

https://vitusbikes.com/collections/sentier