MTB noob help please
Discussion
Im looking to buy a new bike as i want to start going off road. Trouble is im not to sure which are good / bad bikes or what the best thing to do is.
I dont really want to spend more than £600 hopefully less
Ive had a look at reviews and the Specialized Hardrock seems a good bit of kit for the cash.
Or possibly a 2nd had better bike. If i buy 2nd hand am i likely to be having to repair a load of stuff on it ? Do parts wear out quite quickly etc ?
Im unsure what to do - I dont really want to buy somethiing that i will need to upgrade in the near future when i get into MTB a bit more or have to spend a load of cash on a old banger.
What would you do in my shoes ? What bikes would you be looking at ?
I dont really want to spend more than £600 hopefully less
Ive had a look at reviews and the Specialized Hardrock seems a good bit of kit for the cash.
Or possibly a 2nd had better bike. If i buy 2nd hand am i likely to be having to repair a load of stuff on it ? Do parts wear out quite quickly etc ?
Im unsure what to do - I dont really want to buy somethiing that i will need to upgrade in the near future when i get into MTB a bit more or have to spend a load of cash on a old banger.
What would you do in my shoes ? What bikes would you be looking at ?
Morning,
Do you cycle already? I ask this because if you don't, you will be needing other kit, like a helmet, essential tools and spares, gloves, and potentially if you're going to start at this time of year some wet weather gear. if you dont have any of this will it have to come out of the budget for the bike?
I used to have a hardrock, loved it :-)
Do you cycle already? I ask this because if you don't, you will be needing other kit, like a helmet, essential tools and spares, gloves, and potentially if you're going to start at this time of year some wet weather gear. if you dont have any of this will it have to come out of the budget for the bike?
I used to have a hardrock, loved it :-)
Loads of choice at £600 quid (although as stated, if you need helmet, gloves etc, spend 500).
The usual suspects all make good hardtails (I'd avoid a full susser at this price point) bikes in this range. Ride the Marin, Specialised, Kona, Trek etc and see what you like. Also, I rode a Cube recently and it offered a lot of bike for the money....
The usual suspects all make good hardtails (I'd avoid a full susser at this price point) bikes in this range. Ride the Marin, Specialised, Kona, Trek etc and see what you like. Also, I rode a Cube recently and it offered a lot of bike for the money....
Well ive started to yes, just on a real cheap old bike i got years ago. Wanted to try and get my legs and bottom back into riding again before i went off road ( wont on the bike i have now anyway )
I will need a helmet, gloves and some spares. Not to botherd about clothes for now i can get them as and when.
I will need a helmet, gloves and some spares. Not to botherd about clothes for now i can get them as and when.
This might sound silly but what is the difference between for eg a Hardrock and a Rockhopper ? Obviously have different spec but in what way ? The more cash are the bikes lighter, better built, and stronger ?
Its about £200 difference but what the hell do you get for the extra cash ? This is what im trying to way up
Its about £200 difference but what the hell do you get for the extra cash ? This is what im trying to way up
Specialized rockhopper, lots on ebay and was sold in lots of sizes. The base spec this year looks crappy tbh. You should go for a minimum of slx / xt build with a RS tora or better fork. The pro version looks to be reasonable spec.
Don't buy anything with RS dart forks, there garbage.
Don't buy anything with RS dart forks, there garbage.
GG89 said:
Mr Tom what is wrong with rockshox dart?
They are a fork built to the lowest price, they produce them to bring the price of bikes down, I'm surprised they aren't OE only. I don't mean this in an insulting way, but you can't have ridden anything else to have such a blinkered view.RS darts
Heavy
Really bad stiction.
No high or low speed compression adjust.
Best of the dart range only has rebound and preload adjust.
Aforementioned adjustments don't work, usually because RS don't put enough oil in the damper side.
Poor seals (universal RS problem)
I find RS fork oversprung for recommended rider weights.
Also take a look at the genesis core 10 new for £539. But a good tip is to go to a trail centre and buy an ex rental bike, below is the blurb from the Glentress bike hire sale section:
EX-HIRE & NEW BIKE BARGAINS
We have a pretty much constant stream of ex-hire bikes for sale all year round, at up to 50% off their retail value.
Just to refresh your memory, all of our hire bikes only go out a maximum of 30 RIDES and are serviced after EVERY SINGLE RIDE, then fully prepped (many with new components) before going on sale. In addition to this, we also have some ex-Demo's, new bikes and frames.
If you're not sure that our bikes are for you, why not try before you buy? If you hire a bike from us and end up buying one, you'll get that hire cost (1 hire only) knocked off the price of the bike. Not much to lose then!
Our range of ex-hire / sale bikes changes all the time so you're best bet is to visit in person and take a look, but feel free to call us with any questions / advice needed.
EX-HIRE & NEW BIKE BARGAINS
We have a pretty much constant stream of ex-hire bikes for sale all year round, at up to 50% off their retail value.
Just to refresh your memory, all of our hire bikes only go out a maximum of 30 RIDES and are serviced after EVERY SINGLE RIDE, then fully prepped (many with new components) before going on sale. In addition to this, we also have some ex-Demo's, new bikes and frames.
If you're not sure that our bikes are for you, why not try before you buy? If you hire a bike from us and end up buying one, you'll get that hire cost (1 hire only) knocked off the price of the bike. Not much to lose then!
Our range of ex-hire / sale bikes changes all the time so you're best bet is to visit in person and take a look, but feel free to call us with any questions / advice needed.
Edited by Flippin' Kipper on Thursday 21st October 12:48
Edited by Flippin' Kipper on Thursday 21st October 12:48
buy a new bikes in the forthcoming sales that you think looks the best and fits you. you will get at least 25% off if you are not too fussy with regards to model or colour etc but sizing and fit are your priorities. dont get obsessed with what rear mech it has as this is the least of your priorities
so the pablo guide to getting a great bike in the sales...
1. DO NOT set your heart on a particular brand or model
2. scour the web NOW for good reviews and make a shortlist of ten or so bikes that you like and fit the bill that are between £600 and £800
3. try as many as you can for fit in the coming month or two
4. when the sales arrive, check everything, online shops like wiggle and merlin, cycle magazines, ebay etc
5. to get the timing right is hard, prices will plummet in January and february but you might be limited on size and preferred choices. if you see the bike that you want and its only 15% off in december but in your size, why risk missing out and just buy it.... remember that loads of people play this game so demand for the better bikes of the yearis high!
the reason i say look around £600 to £800 is simply because in the sales the £800 bikes are in your original price range but if a £600 is also reduced, it gives you some money for a new helmet, some functional cycling clothing etc and you are not over the original budget.
so the pablo guide to getting a great bike in the sales...
1. DO NOT set your heart on a particular brand or model
2. scour the web NOW for good reviews and make a shortlist of ten or so bikes that you like and fit the bill that are between £600 and £800
3. try as many as you can for fit in the coming month or two
4. when the sales arrive, check everything, online shops like wiggle and merlin, cycle magazines, ebay etc
5. to get the timing right is hard, prices will plummet in January and february but you might be limited on size and preferred choices. if you see the bike that you want and its only 15% off in december but in your size, why risk missing out and just buy it.... remember that loads of people play this game so demand for the better bikes of the yearis high!
the reason i say look around £600 to £800 is simply because in the sales the £800 bikes are in your original price range but if a £600 is also reduced, it gives you some money for a new helmet, some functional cycling clothing etc and you are not over the original budget.
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