Which mountain bike? New to riding...
Discussion
Hi guys,
Looking into starting to ride and I'm really looking for some bikes that you think would match what I'm looking for/budget?
Looking to spend around £300 (this is flexible).
Not looking for full suspension (hard tail will be fine).
Should I be looking second hand or just purchase a new bike?
Any thing else to take in to consideration?
Many thanks
Looking into starting to ride and I'm really looking for some bikes that you think would match what I'm looking for/budget?
Looking to spend around £300 (this is flexible).
Not looking for full suspension (hard tail will be fine).
Should I be looking second hand or just purchase a new bike?
Any thing else to take in to consideration?
Many thanks
Ask your Local Bike Shop if they have any second hand hardtails, advantage being it'll have been serviced unlike a stolen/ragged ebay hack, my local shop always has a couple of bikes out back from part exchange that with abit of spit and polish, spray of lube etc have plenty of life left in them and good enough to start out with.
If you take your £300 and buy brand new you will be looking at pretty base level stuff, second hand you can have some pretty good stuff from only a few years ago, certainly better than a new base level bike.
Just IMVHO of course :-)
If you take your £300 and buy brand new you will be looking at pretty base level stuff, second hand you can have some pretty good stuff from only a few years ago, certainly better than a new base level bike.
Just IMVHO of course :-)
secondhand will get more bike for the money but you need to take someone who knows what to look for or you risk buying a wreck. places like bikeradar, singletrackworld and retrobike are worth a look. dont discount a rigid bike (without suspension forks) either they are a little less comfy on the really steep technical descents but how many of these are you really likely to encounter? htey are obvioulsy lighter and faster on the flat bits though and will help make you a better rider in time. there are loads of Konas, Specialiseds, etc on the various websites, all around £300 but do your research first and see what is around. the bargains best bikes will be sold quickly so you wont have too much time to make up your mind.
new bikes at that price are fairly heavy and wont have quality components, the riding sensation will be very muted and it wont be fun. cheap hardtails have awful suspension forks which are unresponsive and you are better without them.
alternatively wait a few weeks whlist the sales pick up and see if you can get a £500 2011/12 bike on sale. places like pauls cycles often have a good range of new "old" stock
new bikes at that price are fairly heavy and wont have quality components, the riding sensation will be very muted and it wont be fun. cheap hardtails have awful suspension forks which are unresponsive and you are better without them.
alternatively wait a few weeks whlist the sales pick up and see if you can get a £500 2011/12 bike on sale. places like pauls cycles often have a good range of new "old" stock
You're sort of stuck between a rock and a hard place, your budget being a touch on the low side, if you could go to £500 you'd have more choice a much better bike.
Personally I'd wait a few weeks till Sept, which in Bike terms is 2013, you should see a lot of discounts become available on the old 2012 stock.
As above, you might get a bargain on a second-hand bike, but at this level if it comes with a worn out drivetrain, a fork that needs a service etc it can negate any saving pretty quickly.
Personally I'd wait a few weeks till Sept, which in Bike terms is 2013, you should see a lot of discounts become available on the old 2012 stock.
As above, you might get a bargain on a second-hand bike, but at this level if it comes with a worn out drivetrain, a fork that needs a service etc it can negate any saving pretty quickly.
Try secondhand and look through the MTB forums - BikeRadar, Singletrack, MTBE etc.
Most of the bikes advertised on there will have been loved by their current owners and well looked after - they are usually being sold off in order to upgrade. Also there's little chance of picking up anything stolen as the communities are pretty active at targeting that sort of thing.
Most of the bikes advertised on there will have been loved by their current owners and well looked after - they are usually being sold off in order to upgrade. Also there's little chance of picking up anything stolen as the communities are pretty active at targeting that sort of thing.
This:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mobile/MobileMo...
and spend the remaining £25 on some off-road tyres.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mobile/MobileMo...
and spend the remaining £25 on some off-road tyres.
nammynake said:
This:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mobile/MobileMo...
and spend the remaining £25 on some off-road tyres.
...And some gears.http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mobile/MobileMo...
and spend the remaining £25 on some off-road tyres.
I realise you're sorted, but if anyone else is having a gander at this thread a mate of mine managed to get his hands on one of these:
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolutio...
Brand new with Tora's and Avid Juicy hydraulics for £349...
Ok, it's only Acera drivetrain but that's ok and as a very wise (exceptionally talented pro) once said, if it works, ride it till the bits wear out then upgrade to something better.
If I didn't already have a GT hard tail that I've loved and fettled to something that's pretty darn perfect for my needs then I'd definitely be tempted.
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolutio...
Brand new with Tora's and Avid Juicy hydraulics for £349...
Ok, it's only Acera drivetrain but that's ok and as a very wise (exceptionally talented pro) once said, if it works, ride it till the bits wear out then upgrade to something better.
If I didn't already have a GT hard tail that I've loved and fettled to something that's pretty darn perfect for my needs then I'd definitely be tempted.
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