which bike for £400 - £500?

[mvalek1]

Hi - looking to buy my first proper bike, after a halfords special (!) will probably have the above amount to spend, and am looking for the best allrounder, mainly for trail and gentle offroading. so as light, fast and strong as possible (stylish too). we have got a dawes 201 trekking bike, which is fast but a bit well, feminine.
suggestions please!
thanks
Mike

[Mr_C]

Look at Specialized, Trek or Kona, something along those lines. You may pick up one of last years models on offer so get a £700ish bike for £4-500 if you're not bothered about having the latest stuff.

[Chris71]

Limited help I'm afraid, but when I was in the same position a few years back the Giant XTCs seemed to be the bikes to go for. I absolutely adored mine and I'd still subject the who stole it to vile and depraved acts of prolonged torture before putting them out of their misery.

(Sorry, regaining composure...)

Also the Specialised hard tail trail bike (the Rockhopper?) is very well regarded.

[henrycrun]

Cycling Plus recently (June or July) had a 4 bike review of £400 bikes

[mvalek1]

after tryiong a few on saturday, bought a giant escape r2 and love it, with chunkier tyres. goes like the wind. here he is....



http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-GB/bikes/lifestyl...

[ApexJimi]

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/iron-horse/war...

Although, mine came with Deore, rather than SRAM.

Edited by ApexJimi on Monday 4th August 18:15

[y2blade]

Specialized hardrock sport

[a11y_m]

mvalek1 said:

after tryiong a few on saturday, bought a giant escape r2 and love it, with chunkier tyres. goes like the wind. here he is....



http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-GB/bikes/lifestyl...

Depending on how much serious off-roading the OP is looking to do, that could be a good shout. My wife's waiting on her bike-to-work voucher to go and buy this: http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-GB/bikes/lifestyl... - will be used for an off-road/road commute so pretty much perfect.

[y2blade]

mvalek1 said:

after tryiong a few on saturday, bought a giant escape r2 and love it, with chunkier tyres. goes like the wind. here he is....



http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-GB/bikes/lifestyl...

looks good

nice one