Noob MTB purchase, help

[foxmeister]

So its been a good 20yrs possibly since my last bike, was interested at a young age but all that went in my latter adolescent years. So i have been back into gym recently and have been thinking of getting back on a bike for the fitness reasons mainly, but also interested in trying some trails etc

So ideally im looking for a mountain bike that can be used for both scenarios, but things have changed a lot over the years, no real idea what spec im looking for. Quick read over some threads here and mention of air forks (no idea if i need these, but sound good) and Deore something or other

Im not sure how "into it" i'll get again but keen to try it, so dont want to spend loads incase it doesnt get used as often as it should however i hope to get regular weekend use out of it

Just looking at a starting point, i liked the look of this

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

I know its their own brand, but thinking as a starting point, easy to get etc, but some people not best pleased with the Carrera brand and what value you get with it in some reviews, any advice?

Would this be a big difference over the Carrera?

https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-kapur-2-2018-...

As a budget, nothing in mind but set about 500, but can push above again if its worth it to achieve something with better spec for not much more

Anything else recommended?

[mikey P 500]

Catch 22, the more you spend the nicer the bike so more likely to enjoy using it more. £500 sounds enough for a good hard tail to get started, I would also look at go out doors options as they normally do well in tests etc and offer good value.

[Craikeybaby]

First of all it is a good idea! I was in your position a few years ago.

A hardtail MTB would be my recommended starting point, there have been a few threads with bike recommendations recently, so maybe worth searching them out on page 1 and 2 of this forum.

FWIW I bought a Vitus Nucleus from Chain Reaction cycles and have been pleased with it. As per your previous post, air forks are worth having. I wouldn't be quite so fussed about getting Deore mechanicals, as they are wear and tear parts, so will probably get upgraded anyway.

[lufbramatt]

https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s182p8394/CUBE-A...

Coil fork but decent spec on the drivetrain

[foxmeister]

lufbramatt said:

https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s182p8394/CUBE-A...

Coil fork but decent spec on the drivetrain

Good shout, cheers, im liking the look of that!

So whats the entry level price for something with air forks and will i see the benefit in going for them, or is it more for people utilising the off road potential of a bike, climbs, jumps etc?

[lufbramatt]

Air forks slightly lighter and can be tuned to suit the riders weight more easily by altering the pressure of the air spring. Coils generally more rugged (at that end of the market) and can feel "plusher" as there is less friction in the seals, but harder to tune if you're abnormally heavy/light.

Had a quick look, you're looking at another £100 for an air fork

https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s182p8393/CUBE-A...

Edited by lufbramatt on Tuesday 29th May 13:33

[foxmeister]

lufbramatt said:

Had a quick look, you're looking at another £100 for an air fork
https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s182p8393/CUBE-A...

Cheers again

Sorry to be a pest, i am 5ft 8 and weigh 180lbs, will the air forks be a benefit for me then? TBH, i prefer the paint scheme on the one with air forks anyway, and its a Cube, seems to me a good price for a good starter hardtail then?

[Sa Calobra]

I'd get a decent secondhand 29'er hardtail bike.

Air forks

I wouldn't get one from Halfords and Evans isn't the cheapest

Try wheelbase. They are based in Cumbria but mail-order like paulscycles

[lufbramatt]

Depends what sort of riding you're going to be doing. If you just want to do canal towpaths and old railway lines, its probably not worth it. If you want to get into a bit of cross country, bridleways and trail centre type stuff, then yes it probably would make a difference. Having said that I took the suspension fork off my hardtail and put a rigid fork on it as I prefer the way it handles.

If I was in the market for a hardtail then I'd be happy rolling around on that Cube.

RE. 27.5 vs 29 in wheels, might be worth trying both as at 5'8", a 29er might feel a bit big and unwieldy.

Edited by lufbramatt on Tuesday 29th May 13:57

[syko89]

I'd be looking for something second hand if you're not sure how much riding you're going to be doing. For £3-400 you should find a really nice specced 27.5/29" hardtail.

Ride it for a while and see how you get on. You'll be able to sell it for similar money if you want to upgrade or go full suspension etc.

[mikey P 500]

As said above go out doors better value than the last year's Cube bikes

http://m.gooutdoors.co.uk/calibre-gauntlet-650b-mo...

Has air forks and prob get another 15% off the £500 price at moment.