Best MTB for around £1000
Discussion
I used to own Marins about 12 years ago (Team Issue was my last one IIRC) and then moved on to a custom Manitou (sp?) Hardtail which ended up getting sold when I went off to uni. Since then I haven't really been on a bike - however Cycle2work is available to me now and a £1000 bike will only cost me around £500 so I'm thinking of getting back into the saddle.
It seems Halfords can source me any bike I'd like so I'm open to suggestions. I'm thinking MTB, as thats all I really know, and probably front suspension.
When I was last 'into' biking Marin were pretty good, but seemed to be going downhill (not in the good way;)). Who are the big/good players in my price range? Marin, Cannondale, Specialized, Orange?
Cheers folks!
It seems Halfords can source me any bike I'd like so I'm open to suggestions. I'm thinking MTB, as thats all I really know, and probably front suspension.
When I was last 'into' biking Marin were pretty good, but seemed to be going downhill (not in the good way;)). Who are the big/good players in my price range? Marin, Cannondale, Specialized, Orange?
Cheers folks!
Maxf said:
I used to own Marins about 12 years ago (Team Issue was my last one IIRC) and then moved on to a custom Manitou (sp?) Hardtail which ended up getting sold when I went off to uni. Since then I haven't really been on a bike - however Cycle2work is available to me now and a £1000 bike will only cost me around £500 so I'm thinking of getting back into the saddle.
It seems Halfords can source me any bike I'd like so I'm open to suggestions. I'm thinking MTB, as thats all I really know, and probably front suspension.
When I was last 'into' biking Marin were pretty good, but seemed to be going downhill (not in the good way;)). Who are the big/good players in my price range? Marin, Cannondale, Specialized, Orange?
Cheers folks!
Some of the finest / lightest / well specced / range you are likely to come across here:It seems Halfords can source me any bike I'd like so I'm open to suggestions. I'm thinking MTB, as thats all I really know, and probably front suspension.
When I was last 'into' biking Marin were pretty good, but seemed to be going downhill (not in the good way;)). Who are the big/good players in my price range? Marin, Cannondale, Specialized, Orange?
Cheers folks!
http://scottusa.com/product/bikes/overview
Cheers,
Ian.
If you're going through Halfords C2W scheme then look at the Boardman Pro. It is an XC bike with a killer spec and decent frame. Should last you ages. And it's one of the bikes they carry.
Under the scheme Halfords shouldn't, but they do, make it hard for people to order bikes from marques they don't usually carry.
Above all test ride before you buy. One persons idea of perfection differs from the next.
Under the scheme Halfords shouldn't, but they do, make it hard for people to order bikes from marques they don't usually carry.
Above all test ride before you buy. One persons idea of perfection differs from the next.
mk1fan said:
If you're going through Halfords C2W scheme then look at the Boardman Pro. It is an XC bike with a killer spec and decent frame. Should last you ages. And it's one of the bikes they carry.
Under the scheme Halfords shouldn't, but they do, make it hard for people to order bikes from marques they don't usually carry.
Above all test ride before you buy. One persons idea of perfection differs from the next.
But it's impossible to test ride via Halfords and it's not really cricket to be wasting other bike shops time when you're blatantly not going to buy from them. Unless of course you have mates with bikes you can try.Under the scheme Halfords shouldn't, but they do, make it hard for people to order bikes from marques they don't usually carry.
Above all test ride before you buy. One persons idea of perfection differs from the next.
I had to rely on recomendation from here and other research. Ended up with a Specialized rockhopper comp disc and I'm very, very happy with it.
I went through the same process a couple of months ago and plumped for the Rog Lobster Tig Team SL from Merlin; huge spec for a whisker under a grand, and they can deal with Halfords Cycle2Work, which not all smaller manufacturers can.
Downsides as follows: you have to have a 'list price' bike, not a 'sale price' bike - which is a shame in the case of Merlin as the Tig Team Limited Edition is cheaper and provides an even better spec - and the ordering process is as follows:
1. Commit to Cycle2Work scheme
2. Receive 'Letter of Collection' from Halfords
3. Contact Halfords with full spec of desired bike and ask them to order it
4. Halfords order bike if they are willing to deal with manufacturer
5. Manufacturer invoices Halfords
6. Halfords raise cheque and send to manufacturer (once a month)
7. Cheque clears
8. Manufacturer builds bike
9. Bike delivered to your chosen Halfords branch
10. You collect bike from branch
Call it 2 1/2 months from start to finish for a bike with a build time of a week to ten days...
Downsides as follows: you have to have a 'list price' bike, not a 'sale price' bike - which is a shame in the case of Merlin as the Tig Team Limited Edition is cheaper and provides an even better spec - and the ordering process is as follows:
1. Commit to Cycle2Work scheme
2. Receive 'Letter of Collection' from Halfords
3. Contact Halfords with full spec of desired bike and ask them to order it
4. Halfords order bike if they are willing to deal with manufacturer
5. Manufacturer invoices Halfords
6. Halfords raise cheque and send to manufacturer (once a month)
7. Cheque clears
8. Manufacturer builds bike
9. Bike delivered to your chosen Halfords branch
10. You collect bike from branch
Call it 2 1/2 months from start to finish for a bike with a build time of a week to ten days...
Edited by Nick_F on Wednesday 21st May 13:03
2 1/2 months sounds like a real slog though and the summer will be almost over (if we get one
).
I'm leaning towards the Boardman Pro MTB. Never used spds before though so that could be interesting (or I may just remove them and put some old fashioned pedals on). The Boardman seems like a good buy but with some question marks over the quality of the frame - long term I guess I could swap the componants over to a better frame anyway though.
For a cost to me of £502 it looks like a good bet.
The problem is most of the preferred names of componant manufacturers seem to have changed so I'm not sure who is good these days!
). I'm leaning towards the Boardman Pro MTB. Never used spds before though so that could be interesting (or I may just remove them and put some old fashioned pedals on). The Boardman seems like a good buy but with some question marks over the quality of the frame - long term I guess I could swap the componants over to a better frame anyway though.
For a cost to me of £502 it looks like a good bet.
The problem is most of the preferred names of componant manufacturers seem to have changed so I'm not sure who is good these days!
I'd be very supprised if you have any issues with the quality of the frame? It's an XC machine so, unless you're intending on riding DH or Trials events, it'll last the course.
The Boardman range appears to be a well considered, designed and spec'd range that has received excellent reviews in the cycling press. There are plenty of detractors though, who rubbish the range simply because it's sold through Halfords. But I doubt Mr B would enter lightly into producing a range of bikes with his name on them.
As for test rides - I've test riden a bike from Halfords before. Unless they've brought in a rule that no one can test ride a bike. Pretty foolish if they did considering they're trying to build up credibility within the Cycling fraternity.
The Boardman range appears to be a well considered, designed and spec'd range that has received excellent reviews in the cycling press. There are plenty of detractors though, who rubbish the range simply because it's sold through Halfords. But I doubt Mr B would enter lightly into producing a range of bikes with his name on them.
As for test rides - I've test riden a bike from Halfords before. Unless they've brought in a rule that no one can test ride a bike. Pretty foolish if they did considering they're trying to build up credibility within the Cycling fraternity.
Not all branches of Halfords stock Boardman bikes - there's a store locator on their site - but I imagine you'd be able to test ride at any that do.
Aside from that I've only ever read glowing reviews of them - would have been my next choice if the Merlin arrangement hadn't been possible - and I happen to prefer Shimano to Avid/Sram/Truvativ.
Aside from that I've only ever read glowing reviews of them - would have been my next choice if the Merlin arrangement hadn't been possible - and I happen to prefer Shimano to Avid/Sram/Truvativ.
Evans own brand "Pinnacle" has the "Arrow 1.0" model up on sale at 1200 quid according to the website. Also good value for money with full XT (XTR rear der), crossride wheels and an 80mm Fox fork. The frame has Carbon rear stays and looks remarkaly like a Kinesis frame that has been rebadged. So unless you are a badge snob thats another option.
Me, i am not pissed as I bought one last month for the full 1500, lol..
Me, i am not pissed as I bought one last month for the full 1500, lol..
That's because (under the rules of the schemes, as dictated by HMRC) you're not buying a bike; your employer is!Halfords will order pretty much any brand of bike you want. call 08700 660511 and they will give you price and avalibility on what you want.
The Boardman range is very good for the price, frame is the cheapest part but is good enough, I have the Team one which seems to have suvived allot to bashing!
The Kona Kula 08 is the bike I would go for if doing it again, £875 which leaves you with money to change the stem, seat post and bars which I would change right away as they are budget parts.
But with Kona you know you are getting one of the best frames out there, which anyone who has riden or owns one would probably vouch for.
I have also been looking into the Spesh Rockhopper Pro which seems like a good bike.
As far as test rides go, Helfrauds told me they would need to take full payment for the bike before your let near it. I pointed out that is F**king stupid to the manager and he would be loosing sales cause of it, If you have a C2W voucher you will only spend it there so they should let you ride whatever is in the store, argue with them, I did and it worked.
Only down side is the lack of choice in the store to ride.
The Boardman range is very good for the price, frame is the cheapest part but is good enough, I have the Team one which seems to have suvived allot to bashing!
The Kona Kula 08 is the bike I would go for if doing it again, £875 which leaves you with money to change the stem, seat post and bars which I would change right away as they are budget parts.
But with Kona you know you are getting one of the best frames out there, which anyone who has riden or owns one would probably vouch for.
I have also been looking into the Spesh Rockhopper Pro which seems like a good bike.
As far as test rides go, Helfrauds told me they would need to take full payment for the bike before your let near it. I pointed out that is F**king stupid to the manager and he would be loosing sales cause of it, If you have a C2W voucher you will only spend it there so they should let you ride whatever is in the store, argue with them, I did and it worked.
Only down side is the lack of choice in the store to ride.
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