My First Mountain Bike
Discussion
Second hand hardtail (suspension at the front only) is your best bet for that kind of money.
Frame, fork and wheels are where to spend your money. Look for anyone describing their frame as 'butted', it means the tubes are different diameters on the inside to save weight where strength isn't needed and it the preserve of half decent bikes which will attract half decent components elsewhere.
Regarding forks you ideally want some manufactured by RockShox or Mazzorchi. These range from half decent to amazing but avoid SR Suntour, RST, Zoom etc as these are (to my knowledge) universally cheap and nasty.
The most important advice is to get a bike the right size, you want to be able to stand over the top tube (crossbar) with a good couple of inches between it and your gentlemans area. At the same time make sure that the handlebars are a decent distance away, nothing worse than a bike that's too small with handlebars hitting your knees when you corner. OK, there is something worse coming off of the saddle on a bike thats too big and getting hit in the painfuls.
Ignore manufacturers at this price point. Most of them just assemble rather than produce and there will be no real difference between a Giant and a Trek etc.
You might want to avoid Carerra thought, you'll get laughed at on the trails as everyone will think you went to Halfords to buy it.
With regards to drivetrain most is shimano, some is SRAM.
Shimano always used to go (in order of poor to great)
No name, Tourney, Acera, Alvio, Deore, Deore LX, Deore XT, XTR
With SRAM the higher the number the better/
Good luck and most of all just get out and ride.
Frame, fork and wheels are where to spend your money. Look for anyone describing their frame as 'butted', it means the tubes are different diameters on the inside to save weight where strength isn't needed and it the preserve of half decent bikes which will attract half decent components elsewhere.
Regarding forks you ideally want some manufactured by RockShox or Mazzorchi. These range from half decent to amazing but avoid SR Suntour, RST, Zoom etc as these are (to my knowledge) universally cheap and nasty.
The most important advice is to get a bike the right size, you want to be able to stand over the top tube (crossbar) with a good couple of inches between it and your gentlemans area. At the same time make sure that the handlebars are a decent distance away, nothing worse than a bike that's too small with handlebars hitting your knees when you corner. OK, there is something worse coming off of the saddle on a bike thats too big and getting hit in the painfuls.
Ignore manufacturers at this price point. Most of them just assemble rather than produce and there will be no real difference between a Giant and a Trek etc.
You might want to avoid Carerra thought, you'll get laughed at on the trails as everyone will think you went to Halfords to buy it.
With regards to drivetrain most is shimano, some is SRAM.
Shimano always used to go (in order of poor to great)
No name, Tourney, Acera, Alvio, Deore, Deore LX, Deore XT, XTR
With SRAM the higher the number the better/
Good luck and most of all just get out and ride.
Edited by Golaboots on Tuesday 27th August 09:30
nagsheadwarrior said:
Are you actually going to go off road much with your mtb?
Im upto nearly 1000 miles since may commuting on my sub £200 Carrera Subway hybrid and its been great.
I guess their mtbs mau not be up to massive off road punishment but might do a more general job.
This is what I'd suggest, if you're not doing much off-road stuff (or can avoid it). My brother just got his for £160 brand new, and it's a nice bit of kit. He rode with me recently doing a bit of off-road stuff and some road stuff, having no real problems on the (mild) off-road stuff and on the road he was sticking to me no problem!Im upto nearly 1000 miles since may commuting on my sub £200 Carrera Subway hybrid and its been great.
I guess their mtbs mau not be up to massive off road punishment but might do a more general job.
Golaboots said:
You might want to avoid Carerra thought, you'll get laughed at on the trails as everyone will think you went to Halfords to buy it.
I'd say the total opposite, a recent second hand Carrera Fury or Kraken will be a very good buy at this price point. Edited by Golaboots on Tuesday 27th August 09:30
I've been mountain biking for 5 or 6 years, all over the UK and the alps, and not once have I seen someone laugh at someone else's bike.
I think there are better buys than a carerra for £200-£300 but I agree about the laughing comment.
Maybe from 'groms' whose parents splashed out 2k for little jimmy to get a new bike but anyone with any maturity would be decent enough to live and let live.
We are all enjoying cycling regardless of what we ride.
Same as the 26/17.5/29 issue. Am I going to laughed at now because I ride a yeti 575 that's only a 26er?
Maybe from 'groms' whose parents splashed out 2k for little jimmy to get a new bike but anyone with any maturity would be decent enough to live and let live.
We are all enjoying cycling regardless of what we ride.
Same as the 26/17.5/29 issue. Am I going to laughed at now because I ride a yeti 575 that's only a 26er?
Tiger Tim said:
I think there are better buys than a carerra for £200-£300 but I agree about the laughing comment.
Maybe from 'groms' whose parents splashed out 2k for little jimmy to get a new bike but anyone with any maturity would be decent enough to live and let live.
We are all enjoying cycling regardless of what we ride.
Same as the 26/17.5/29 issue. Am I going to laughed at now because I ride a yeti 575 that's only a 26er?
Yep, they will drive you off the trails with pitchforks for riding such an antique. You'll then not be able to buy tyres etc as they will have been removed from shops for being obsolete.Maybe from 'groms' whose parents splashed out 2k for little jimmy to get a new bike but anyone with any maturity would be decent enough to live and let live.
We are all enjoying cycling regardless of what we ride.
Same as the 26/17.5/29 issue. Am I going to laughed at now because I ride a yeti 575 that's only a 26er?
I'll then make a fortune by selling the random pile of part worn 26" tyres I have in the shed....
Golaboots said:
You might want to avoid Carerra thought, you'll get laughed at on the trails as everyone will think you went to Halfords to buy it.
Everything Golaboots said is true, except for this bit. Carrera are respectable and known for making decent bikes to a budget.Also, the name and logo is the very same as the one found on the back of certain cars made by a well known Stuttgart based sports car manufacturer, and is used under license.
akaRob said:
I've just stumbled across this Diamondback Ridge at £268
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/diamondback-ridge-p181...
I've not seen hydraulic discs at this price so far and fear they will be a bit crap (the reviews aren't favourable). Are they best avoided?
Yes. http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/diamondback-ridge-p181...
I've not seen hydraulic discs at this price so far and fear they will be a bit crap (the reviews aren't favourable). Are they best avoided?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Specialized-Rockhopper-R...
For your sort of budget I'd be looking at something like this. Ok this particular one is a bit of a bitsa but at least it'll ride pretty well and take a few knocks.
For your sort of budget I'd be looking at something like this. Ok this particular one is a bit of a bitsa but at least it'll ride pretty well and take a few knocks.
Depends on what riding you are doing on them.
I have a dirty bike (one off frames made by Dawes I believe ) that I have had for some 5 years. Paid iirc just over £300 for it with some discounts. It was bought just for family rides with the young lad and has been fine for that.
Young lad is now a young teen and riding red routes in Cannock chase quite competently, my family bike is holding up well, popping over jumps rather than hitting them for air. Bike is holding up well and we don't go slow neither. I'm completely aware my bike is going to be slowly but surely being destroyed on these routes. It's light and chuckable, but some of the components just don't feel strong enough. It will need upgraded with a bigger budget,in time.
I have a dirty bike (one off frames made by Dawes I believe ) that I have had for some 5 years. Paid iirc just over £300 for it with some discounts. It was bought just for family rides with the young lad and has been fine for that.
Young lad is now a young teen and riding red routes in Cannock chase quite competently, my family bike is holding up well, popping over jumps rather than hitting them for air. Bike is holding up well and we don't go slow neither. I'm completely aware my bike is going to be slowly but surely being destroyed on these routes. It's light and chuckable, but some of the components just don't feel strong enough. It will need upgraded with a bigger budget,in time.
A friend has offered me a Norco Charger he's wanting rid of for £50. I've had a look at it and it's in surprisingly good order apart from a little play in the back wheel and a few marks on the frame.
If it lasts me a few months it's paid for itself in travel fees anyway. I will continue my search in the meantime.
Thanks for all the suggestions.
It's the same as this:
http://www.bikepedia.com/quickbike/BikeSpecs.aspx?...
If it lasts me a few months it's paid for itself in travel fees anyway. I will continue my search in the meantime.
Thanks for all the suggestions.
It's the same as this:
http://www.bikepedia.com/quickbike/BikeSpecs.aspx?...
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