Off the MTB radar : what 650b?

[rob999]

So I've been keeping my riding to road based for quite a while now and since my last hardtail was stolen I've not looked for another.

It makes sense to maybe pick up a 2016 bike now while the sales are on. It would be used for trails and nothing too serious.

Budget around £5-600. What are people's recommendations? I've read a few reviews on mbr/bikeradar but it's easy to get lost in the text. Are airforks a bonus if I can get them in the spec?

So what does PH recommend? Thank you

[P-Jay]

rob999 said:

Are airforks a bonus if I can get them in the spec?

As a rule yes, lighter than coil, more tunable etc.

[P-Jay]

I don't know a huge amount about HTs, I like a bit of rear skill compensator, but MBR gave the Voodoo it's award for best HT under £750 and they're on sale for £600 at the mo.

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bik...

Air forks, not great ones, not terrible ones.

Not 650b either, but 29ers seem to be making a resurgence.

[mackie1]

Second the Voodoo recommendation. Very hard to beat for the price.

[richardxjr]

Or go B+ low pressure tubeless rigid. Such a well thought out bike (that they might reduce at some point)

www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-ramin-3-plus-2017-mou...

[AndyWoodall]

Difficult to beat CRC's Vitus brand, the Sentier and Nucleus being the hard tails in that price bracket.

I'd also strongly consider Whyte and Saracen if you prefer to buy from a shop. Saracen's Mantra Trail should be findable for that kind of money for a 2016 bike. Whyte's 605 is probably just over budget but worth trying to do a deal.

[Craikeybaby]

AndyWoodall said:

Difficult to beat CRC's Vitus brand, the Sentier and Nucleus being the hard tails in that price bracket.

I'd also strongly consider Whyte and Saracen if you prefer to buy from a shop. Saracen's Mantra Trail should be findable for that kind of money for a 2016 bike. Whyte's 605 is probably just over budget but worth trying to do a deal.

I'd also suggest Vitus - I've done over 3,000km on mine, it cost £350 in the end of season sales a few years back and has an air fork.

[troc]

What about a Canyon?

https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/mtb/grand-canyon/2017...

Excellent value for money (IMHO) and well-designed bikes. They also have some 2016 bikes in their outlet which could be worth a punt.

[rob999]

Any thoughts on a Scale 770?

Agreed on the Canyon, trying to work out if I can fit on a Small frame!

I have a Canyon roadbike and that's in a Small. I just don't trust the PPS!

Thoughts? And thank you