Help a novice!

[Donatello]

I used to ride a Mongoose fireball in about 2004 and got quite confident on single track runs and jumps.

It got a little small as I grew and I ended up with a Carrera subway for commuting. Now I'm 21 I want to get back into mtb'ing. Am absolutely stumped as to what bike to go for, hardtaill or full suspension?

I kind of understand the benefits of both and the disadvantages, but just wondered if anyone else has had to make this decision. Not sure on budget, £800? if it needs stretching I will do so.

I am a little nervous as I haven't ridden off road for a good 4/5 years now and not ridden at all for about 2! I do want to get into it properly, it was a huge passion for me when I was younger and bikes re bought for me! Now I can buy my own again!

[Roadru77er]

Sub 1K go hardtail!

[madbadger]

Roadru77er said:

Sub 1K go hardtail!

+1.

An £800 hardtail will be a much better bike than an £800 full sus.

[Donatello]

Cheers for the replies. Like I said, if it was necessary I would stretch, just depends whats available.

So £800 is quite decent hard tail, what price would the equivalent full suspension start?

[Roman]

Around £1,100-£1,200.

These two are exceptional value at £1k though:
http://www.boardmanbikes.com/mtb/fs_team.html

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/rockrider-9-2-2011-1...

[Donatello]

They look good! My OH is trying to narrow down my budget but. Found this: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/evil-bikes-faction-2010/#i... top

What do we think? More jump bike than downhill trails?

[gbbird]

Donatello said:

They look good! My OH is trying to narrow down my budget but. Found this: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/evil-bikes-faction-2010/#i... top

What do we think? More jump bike than downhill trails?

Yeh thats a downhill/jump bike. A good all rounder is what you need.

Have a look at this one - http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop/Bikes/Moun...

ar the Malt4 for a bit more money - http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop/Bikes/Moun...

[Donatello]

Thanks for the advice, I did think it looked a little too jump specific.

Would it be better to buy a complete bike or would it help me to build it from different parts myself? Then I can be quite specific?

[anonymous-user]

stick with a hardtail as others have said, a cheap full suspension bike is more trouble than its worth.

the merlin malt 4 regularly features high in bike of the year competitions so they are well worth a look. they are popular on the trails so they are not just liked by the magazines.

building your own bike from components for that price will not be economical and you will not be able to get the same spec for the money that you can buy a bike. the shops and manufacturers get huge savings on rrp for components by buying in bulk, you will have to pay shop rrp for all the bits and the costs will be high.

[Donatello]

pablo said:

stick with a hardtail as others have said, a cheap full suspension bike is more trouble than its worth.

the merlin malt 4 regularly features high in bike of the year competitions so they are well worth a look. they are popular on the trails so they are not just liked by the magazines.

building your own bike from components for that price will not be economical and you will not be able to get the same spec for the money that you can buy a bike. the shops and manufacturers get huge savings on rrp for components by buying in bulk, you will have to pay shop rrp for all the bits and the costs will be high.

Fair enough Thanks for the reply!

I understand that a hardtail at that price is highly recommended, but I can't help thinking I will wish I spent more and got a full suspension bike?


I am rubbish at decision making lol

[curlie467]

Just get a nicely specced hardtail, you certainly wont regret it.
Around singletrack etc they are fantastic, just work out what you will be riding the most of, i take my hardtail everywhere and it is fine, in fact, a lot of the full suspension money isnt an issue guys get in the way!

[Donatello]

Ok ok lol Hardtail it is! I suppose it makes sense, probably won't be too hardcore for a while and a lot will probably be fairly flat to start with.

Just looking on Evans Cycles at a list of Mountain bikes between £500-£800 (as a guide for now) and the amount of choice is much bigger than I expected!

I liked the Malt4, just looking at all sorts for now...

Any recommendations from this link - http://www.evanscycles.com/categories/complete-bik...

[anonymous-user]

Donatello said:

Fair enough Thanks for the reply!

I understand that a hardtail at that price is highly recommended, but I can't help thinking I will wish I spent more and got a full suspension bike?


I am rubbish at decision making lol

to get a worthwhile full sus though, you are looking at around £1200 at a minimum and ideally closer to £1500 so thats really your decision. If you can afford £1200 then wait for the sales to start in september/october and get a bargain... if you cant wait, go hardtail... remember that you will need a helmet, suitable shoes, a good rucksack for "stuff" (never discount how much "stuff" you will need on the trails), some quality tools for the trail, suitable clothing etc.... you might not think its worth it and be content riding around in old trainers and football shorts once its all added up becasue it eats into the budget but it will make riding all day infinately more comfortable,

hardtails are great fun, i rode one for years around most of the trail centres around north and south wales without an issue, i just got the dreaded upgrade-itus and had cash to spend so i went full sus but i didnt need too.

[Donatello]

pablo said:

to get a worthwhile full sus though, you are looking at around £1200 at a minimum and ideally closer to £1500 so thats really your decision. If you can afford £1200 then wait for the sales to start in september/october and get a bargain... if you cant wait, go hardtail... remember that you will need a helmet, suitable shoes, a good rucksack for "stuff" (never discount how much "stuff" you will need on the trails), some quality tools for the trail, suitable clothing etc.... you might not think its worth it and be content riding around in old trainers and football shorts once its all added up becasue it eats into the budget but it will make riding all day infinately more comfortable,

hardtails are great fun, i rode one for years around most of the trail centres around north and south wales without an issue, i just got the dreaded upgrade-itus and had cash to spend so i went full sus but i didnt need too.

Cheers for that. As mentioned above I think I agree hardtail is more for me right now.

I will keep my eyes peeled and make a decision soon. Might need to wait until we buy our house this year, OH might want me to save the money just incase!

I have read all sorts on equipment needed and I can see there is lots to have! I'm someone who likes to have things that are made specifically for purpose, so mountain biking shoes and rucksacks, clothes etc.. I also fancy a full face helment for no reason other than they look bloody awesome!

[rhinochopig]

Just to add, a hard-tail is a far better bike to come back to mountain biking on. A hard-tail forces you ride the bike properly, in that you have to get your body position correct, and pick the right line. You just won't learn these skills as well on a full bouncer because they allow you take massive liberties in terms of route and body position. Unfortunately, this means that when you do get it wrong, you're speed is usually much much higher and the off tends to hurt more.

A lad I used to pedal with who is now on the WC circuit still does most of his winter training on a hard-tail for this very reason. A hard-tail keeps you sharp, a full sus makes you lazy.

[Donatello]

Sounds like I would be lining myself up for a bit of trouble with a full suspension bike. Hardtail it definitely is then!

Help me pick from the link below lol

Donatello said:

Any recommendations from this link - http://www.evanscycles.com/categories/complete-bik...

[rhinochopig]

Donatello said:

Sounds like I would be lining myself up for a bit of trouble with a full suspension bike. Hardtail it definitely is then!

Help me pick from the link below lol

Donatello said:

Any recommendations from this link - http://www.evanscycles.com/categories/complete-bik...

You'll struggle to buy a bad bike (in build and component terms) these days.

If I were you I would make a weekend of visiting a trail centre - N Wales or one of the SS projects in Scotland - and try out a range of 1k hardtails.

It really is about picking one that works for you and not one that someone with a different body-shape recommends. Ignore what the mags say too - they're full of st. I have a Whyte 46, which I stupidly bought after just a pedal around the streets when they first came out; a bike that got 5 stars from every mag that reviewed it. Worst bike I've ever owned, and the reason why I bang on about test rides on here. They really are that st. Hopefully if it saves someone else from wasting their money then it's worth my stuck record on the subject.

[Louisa911]

As above, but don't bother with a full face helmet.... you will look like a numpty on the stuff you will be riding and they are the most horrible claustrophobic things to ride in if you are doing anything other than hardcore downhill or freeride- which won't be for a few years yet!

Fox Flux helmet is very good, you will also need some riding glasses as flies have a habit of landing in your eyes at high speed- endura make some good cheap starter ones, have a look at the shark glasses. They come with three interchangeable lenses.

Also a pump and tyre levers, two or three tubes, a cheap camelback is a lifesaver on the trails. Some decent gloves, some riding shorts with padded liner (endura hummvee?) decent shoes (if riding flats, look at the Five Ten Freerider / Impact / Karver or the Shimano Am41s depending on taste) and a basic jersey, sorted

Edited to add: I have heard very good things about the Orange Crush. For a £1k hardtail it will be hard to beat and they are made in the UK in Halifax. Brilliant bikes, a friend hired one for the day who is big on his hardtails and loved it.

Edited by Louisa911 on Tuesday 26th July 13:26

[nammynake]

Full sus:

http://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes/bike.html?...

Hardtail:

http://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes/bike.html?...


As you can probably tell, I am a massive fan of Canyon bikes. I dont think anyone can touch them for price/spec at the moment. Love my Nerve XC7.