What bike for about £600

[matc]

I used to be into quite a bit of downhill riding but haven't been on a bike for about 5 years due to a change of job with a lot less free time. Anyway some colleagues have just started riding again on a regular basis and as it's mainly XC so my old battered DH bike will be pretty useless so I'm looking to get something new.

I've always fancied a Kona but also in the same sort of budget is a Specialized Rockhopper Disc or maybe an Orange G3. What would you all recommend? Or are there any good deals on old models that anyone has seen?

Thanks for any help.

Edited by matc on Thursday 22 May 21:13

[littleandy0410]

Have a look at Halfrauds website,(no, really!)

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_241917_langId_-1_CarSelectorCatalogIdCarSelectorGroupId__varientcategoryId_124466_crumb_33980-33957-124465_parentcategoryrn_124466 

These are supposed to be brilliant - probably what I'd buy if I was looking for a new hardtail. Also, have a look at wiggle.com, the Focus range are also very good.

MBR this month had the "dirty dozen" group test, a Kona won. (can't remember which model, sorry.)

[prand]

That link looks a bit shagdd. I assume you're talking about Boardman bikes? As an owner of an MTB Pro and very happy with it too, have a look at www.boardmanbikes.co.uk and follow the link to "buy online". There's a discount for purchasing online too.

[littleandy0410]

Yeah, that link didn't want to play, did it!?

Try this one then!

http://tinyurl.com/5hgvc7 

[matc]

Would you recommned the Boardman instead of the Orange which is the bike I'm probably leaning towards at the moment (always fancied one)?

I read the MBR test but the Kona that won was a bit garish, I would probably preffer the CinderCone if I went down the Kona route. My bro has had a CinderCone for about 10 years and he's done '000's of miles on it and he's a similar build to me so the geometry could be just right, I just fancied something a bit different.

[P-Jay]

Personally for that sort of money I'd look at a GT Avalance

This one is last years and comes with a good discount

https://sslrelay.com/s96379727.oneandoneshop.co.uk...

or Spesh Rockhopper Disc.

The slightly lower spec GT Avalanche 1.0 has won almost every "£500 hardtail test" in every MTB mag for about 5 years. The Spesh won the most recent test in MBR this month. They both very good.

Don't know much about Boardman bikes and Oranges IMHO are overpriced/under specced

[mk1fan]

The Cinder Cone has changed considerable in the last ten-years.

Of the 'Dirty Dozen' bike test I'd happily test the Commencal or the Kona with the prospect of spending the cash.

All comes down to the individuals preferences. You need to be honest about what type of riding you're actually going to do with the bike. An XC race bike won't fair too well in the Alps and a Freeride rig won't be too pleasant pootling round Richmond Park.

Edited by mk1fan on Friday 23 May 15:51

[matc]

mk1fan said:

All comes down to the individuals preferences. You need to be honest about what type of riding you're actually going to do with the bike. An XC race bike would fair too well in the Alps and a Freeride rig won't be too pleasant pootling round Richmond Park.

I'll probably be doing some pretty gentle rides with the OH, and some 100% off-road rides around the purbecks (as it's only on my doorstep)with the guys from work so I need something that does both really. I would rather have a bike that's more tailored to proper off-road riding and put up with a bit of dis-comfort when riding outwith the misses.

So is the general consensus that the Orange wouldn't be the bike to go for? I've got a mate that works for hot-wheels (GT distributor) so I'll have a word with him about the avalanche.

[mk1fan]

I doubt you'd be dissapointed with the Orange. Merlin's (The Lancastrian bike shop rather than the American Ti specialist) range of Malt bikes are worth a looky too.

You really do have a huge range of choice at this price point and in all honesty you'd be hard pressed to find a 'bad' one. You're best bet is to visit some LBS's and throw a leg over a few different bikes to see what fits.

Edited by mk1fan on Friday 23 May 15:55

[Gooby]

I have an Orange G2 for my wife. It is so good I sometimes take it out. The only difference on the G3 is brakes but the ones on the G2 are very good.

Try one, it isa great bike.

The only dissapointment is that Orange is a british manufacturer and on the bottom of the frame there is a little "made in Taiwan" sticker....

[matc]

My mate has said he can get me a GT Zaskar Expert 08 in budget!! Anyone got one? I assume this would be a better bet than my previous options?

[Sarkmeister]

I just bought a Trek 6500 Dics 2008 for £600, reduced from £700. Very impressed so far. Much lighter than my housemates Spec Hardrock Pro. Check out the pictures thread for a nice pic of it looking all cleanin my kitchen.....