Hardtail bike for £400 to £500

[Sarkmeister]

Hi

Im looking to buy a hardtail mountain bike for a few rides in the lake district this summer. Im looking to spend approx £450.

Any got any quick suggestions?

So far i seem to be focussing on Spec Hardrocks, any decent alternatives?

Should i really be looking for hydraulic discs?

Any help is appreciated, cheers

[Gooby]

Up the budget a little and get an Orange G2. Great bike!

[schmalex]

I recently picked up a Trek 6000, which for £500 list (I paid £450 at my LBS) is reasonably specced and rides very well. The frame also make a good platform for upgrades.

[Otter's pocket]

shameless plug:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

sorry- but it really is as new...

[Sarkmeister]

Otter's pocket said:

shameless plug:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

sorry- but it really is as new...

That is exactly the bike im looking at. What size is it?

[village idiot]

on-one inbred... nice and retro!

[Otter's pocket]

Sarkmeister said:

Otter's pocket said:

shameless plug:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

sorry- but it really is as new...

That is exactly the bike im looking at. What size is it?

Sorry- yes should have said- 19"

[Sarkmeister]

Otter's pocket said:

Sarkmeister said:

Otter's pocket said:

shameless plug:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

sorry- but it really is as new...

That is exactly the bike im looking at. What size is it?

Sorry- yes should have said- 19"

I need at least s 21" frame sadly (im 6ft 3). Otherwise id definitely be putting a bid in......

[littleandy0410]

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_241877_langId_-1_CarSelectorCatalogIdCarSelectorGroupId__varientcategoryId_124466_crumb_33980-33957-124465_parentcategoryrn_124466 

These are supposed to be great, and with 10% off, if you order quick you'll get one for £550.

[mat205125]

Sarkmeister said:

Otter's pocket said:

Sarkmeister said:

Otter's pocket said:

shameless plug:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

sorry- but it really is as new...

That is exactly the bike im looking at. What size is it?

Sorry- yes should have said- 19"

I need at least s 21" frame sadly (im 6ft 3). Otherwise id definitely be putting a bid in......

19" should be ok with the saddle high up. 21" frames are huge, and 6'3" isn't really THAT tall.

[Sarkmeister]

mat205125 said:

Sarkmeister said:

Otter's pocket said:

Sarkmeister said:

Otter's pocket said:

shameless plug:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

sorry- but it really is as new...

That is exactly the bike im looking at. What size is it?

Sorry- yes should have said- 19"

I need at least s 21" frame sadly (im 6ft 3). Otherwise id definitely be putting a bid in......

Ive tried a couple of rock hopper and am stuck between the 21" and 23", no way im gonna buy a 19". its a shame, i could have got myself a bargain. Im sure he'll find a buyer, its a nice bike.

19" should be ok with the saddle high up. 21" frames are huge, and 6'3" isn't really THAT tall.

[smack]

For £450 I would look at 2nd hand. IMHO £300 is the minimium I would look at for a new hardtail - anything less is heavy, shocks that don't do anything, hubs that die, and wheels that will become untrue if you breath on them, and just be thrown in the skip after you quickly wear it out.

Good second hand bikes can be found through friends, bike forums (try singletrackworld or bikemagic), and sometimes ebay. You would get something with much a better frame, forks, brakes and drivetrain. I would say a bike that is a 1 or 2 years old, in decent condition you can get for anything up to half the purchase price. A mate bought a S-Works hardtail with Hope bits on it back years ago for £600...
But buy wisely as a thrashed bike can quickly get expensive if parts are worn out.

People in the bike trade are also good to buy 2nd hand bikes off, as they usually buy them at cost price, usually are well maintained, and always want some new model, so will sell and upgrade at very little cost to them. They get paid badly, but at least get some perks!