Moutain Bike for £500?
Discussion
I know this has been asked many times before but....My mate is asking for advise for a MB for around £500. Obviously there are loads at this price range but does anyone know of any real gems at this price, anything that stands out as the best? He is a tall guy so probably a larger frame is needed.
A guy at work has one of these:
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
Seems pretty good for the dosh. I beleive it's a Halfords only model and has a better spec than the Avalanche 1.0 Disc you'd get elsewhere.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
Seems pretty good for the dosh. I beleive it's a Halfords only model and has a better spec than the Avalanche 1.0 Disc you'd get elsewhere.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Giant_XTC_4/5360...
see the other thread started by stew-s160. there are a plethora of bikes at this price range and they are all built to a budget as its a keenly fought competitive price bracket. most people consider it to be the first proper mtb price point.
concessions will be made with regards to keeping the bike sub £500 though be it cheaper forks for better wheels and vice versa etc. ignore things like the spec of mechs and shifters, too many people get fooled by a gucci rear mech... lower end mechs are functional and work well if maintained. things like that can be upgraded if required. a well designed frame, forks and wheels are the sound base of a good bike.
see the other thread started by stew-s160. there are a plethora of bikes at this price range and they are all built to a budget as its a keenly fought competitive price bracket. most people consider it to be the first proper mtb price point.
concessions will be made with regards to keeping the bike sub £500 though be it cheaper forks for better wheels and vice versa etc. ignore things like the spec of mechs and shifters, too many people get fooled by a gucci rear mech... lower end mechs are functional and work well if maintained. things like that can be upgraded if required. a well designed frame, forks and wheels are the sound base of a good bike.
mackie1 said:
A guy at work has one of these:
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
Seems pretty good for the dosh. I beleive it's a Halfords only model and has a better spec than the Avalanche 1.0 Disc you'd get elsewhere.
I have this bike also, lots of decent kit for the money. Not the lightest bike in the world, and the tires will slow you down on the road, but for the price i couldn't ague with it.http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
Seems pretty good for the dosh. I beleive it's a Halfords only model and has a better spec than the Avalanche 1.0 Disc you'd get elsewhere.
Matt
Been looking into this for my nephew.
Most 'decent' makes of bike; Giant, GT, Specialized, Trek etc. around this price point will have very similar specs - usually Suntour SR forks, which are a bit 'sticky' - but really, if it's for 'road' use then they're fine.
If he's venturing off road then he might be better trying to go a bit higher with his budget as the quality and weight of the frames are appreciably better - a Rockhopper is a lot lighter than a Hardrock - and arguably stronger. They also have better forks, like the Rock Shok Darts.
A mate who I bike with regularly turned up on one of our 3hr evening rides on his girlfriend's hardrock and had to pack in after about an hour because he was knackered!
ETA, there may be some good deals on 2009 bikes soon, as the 'new' 2010 models are rolled-out.
Most 'decent' makes of bike; Giant, GT, Specialized, Trek etc. around this price point will have very similar specs - usually Suntour SR forks, which are a bit 'sticky' - but really, if it's for 'road' use then they're fine.
If he's venturing off road then he might be better trying to go a bit higher with his budget as the quality and weight of the frames are appreciably better - a Rockhopper is a lot lighter than a Hardrock - and arguably stronger. They also have better forks, like the Rock Shok Darts.
A mate who I bike with regularly turned up on one of our 3hr evening rides on his girlfriend's hardrock and had to pack in after about an hour because he was knackered!
ETA, there may be some good deals on 2009 bikes soon, as the 'new' 2010 models are rolled-out.
Edited by Digga on Wednesday 8th July 13:43
[quote]
the Giant i found earlier today has dart forks too.
your mate was unfit. end of. i thrashed round cwm carn in under two hours on a hardrock!
Digga said:
Been looking into this for my nephew.
Most 'decent' makes of bike; Giant, GT, Specialized, Trek etc. around this price point will have very similar specs - usually Suntour SR forks, which are a bit 'sticky' - but really, if it's for 'road' use then they're fine.
If he's venturing off road then he might be better trying to go a bit higher with his budget as the quality and weight of the frames are appreciably better - a Rockhopper is a lot lighter than a Hardrock - and arguably stronger. They also have better forks, like the Rock Shok Darts.
A mate who I bike with regularly turned up on one of our 3hr evening rides on his girlfriend's hardrock and had to pack in after about an hour because he was knackered!
ETA, there may be some good deals on 2009 bikes soon, as the 'new' 2010 models are rolled-out.
theres in need to raise the budget and pander to the bike manufacturers, sure they would have you believe that the rockhopper is better on all accounts but its not. i was quite happy on a £500 bike for years taking in many well known mtb trails and forests. an entry level rockhopper is no more than two pound lighter than a hardrock and, having owned both, believe me, no stronger at all. two pounds is the difference between eating before a ride or not, or carrying a waterbottle and a multitool...Most 'decent' makes of bike; Giant, GT, Specialized, Trek etc. around this price point will have very similar specs - usually Suntour SR forks, which are a bit 'sticky' - but really, if it's for 'road' use then they're fine.
If he's venturing off road then he might be better trying to go a bit higher with his budget as the quality and weight of the frames are appreciably better - a Rockhopper is a lot lighter than a Hardrock - and arguably stronger. They also have better forks, like the Rock Shok Darts.
A mate who I bike with regularly turned up on one of our 3hr evening rides on his girlfriend's hardrock and had to pack in after about an hour because he was knackered!
ETA, there may be some good deals on 2009 bikes soon, as the 'new' 2010 models are rolled-out.
Edited by Digga on Wednesday 8th July 13:43
the Giant i found earlier today has dart forks too.
your mate was unfit. end of. i thrashed round cwm carn in under two hours on a hardrock!
pablo][quote said:
Digga said:
Been looking into this for my nephew.
Most 'decent' makes of bike; Giant, GT, Specialized, Trek etc. around this price point will have very similar specs - usually Suntour SR forks, which are a bit 'sticky' - but really, if it's for 'road' use then they're fine.
If he's venturing off road then he might be better trying to go a bit higher with his budget as the quality and weight of the frames are appreciably better - a Rockhopper is a lot lighter than a Hardrock - and arguably stronger. They also have better forks, like the Rock Shok Darts.
A mate who I bike with regularly turned up on one of our 3hr evening rides on his girlfriend's hardrock and had to pack in after about an hour because he was knackered!
ETA, there may be some good deals on 2009 bikes soon, as the 'new' 2010 models are rolled-out.
theres in need to raise the budget and pander to the bike manufacturers, sure they would have you believe that the rockhopper is better on all accounts but its not. i was quite happy on a £500 bike for years taking in many well known mtb trails and forests. an entry level rockhopper is no more than two pound lighter than a hardrock and, having owned both, believe me, no stronger at all. two pounds is the difference between eating before a ride or not, or carrying a waterbottle and a multitool...Most 'decent' makes of bike; Giant, GT, Specialized, Trek etc. around this price point will have very similar specs - usually Suntour SR forks, which are a bit 'sticky' - but really, if it's for 'road' use then they're fine.
If he's venturing off road then he might be better trying to go a bit higher with his budget as the quality and weight of the frames are appreciably better - a Rockhopper is a lot lighter than a Hardrock - and arguably stronger. They also have better forks, like the Rock Shok Darts.
A mate who I bike with regularly turned up on one of our 3hr evening rides on his girlfriend's hardrock and had to pack in after about an hour because he was knackered!
ETA, there may be some good deals on 2009 bikes soon, as the 'new' 2010 models are rolled-out.
Edited by Digga on Wednesday 8th July 13:43
the Giant i found earlier today has dart forks too.
your mate was unfit. end of. i thrashed round cwm carn in under two hours on a hardrock!
D'you think that wasn't the first thing we all said to him?!I did try the bike myself and, IMHO, it was heavy and the quality of the shock travel was useless. My old '93 Rockhopper would have been easier to ride, but for the cantilever brakes. Yes you can run a marathon barefoot but....
ETA the Giant XTC 4.5 does look a better spec and a quick Google reveals offers of under £400 quid - so I'm happy to admit my pricing argument was utter nonsense.
Edited by Digga on Wednesday 8th July 14:39
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
These are very good. I am getting rid of my MTB to get back into Road riding and buying the comp. road bike. All of the Boardman range gets good right ups from the press, albiet 50 quid over budget.
These are very good. I am getting rid of my MTB to get back into Road riding and buying the comp. road bike. All of the Boardman range gets good right ups from the press, albiet 50 quid over budget.
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?...
Triad 3.0, nearly sold out for obvious reasons!
Triad 3.0, nearly sold out for obvious reasons!
There are some great bikes on here for £500!
I went for one of these earlier in the year 2008 Giant Yukon FX3, though from an LBS who almost matched it for £460 incl a service ... I like to keep it local when I can, and what's in a fiver?
This is under half of what most people will say is the bare minimum to spend on a new full suss but it's been ragged non-stop since I've had it with no issues to date. So far have only upgraded the pedals...
I went for one of these earlier in the year 2008 Giant Yukon FX3, though from an LBS who almost matched it for £460 incl a service ... I like to keep it local when I can, and what's in a fiver?
This is under half of what most people will say is the bare minimum to spend on a new full suss but it's been ragged non-stop since I've had it with no issues to date. So far have only upgraded the pedals...
Fetchez la vache said:
There are some great bikes on here for £500!
I went for one of these earlier in the year 2008 Giant Yukon FX3, though from an LBS who almost matched it for £460 incl a service ... I like to keep it local when I can, and what's in a fiver?
This is under half of what most people will say is the bare minimum to spend on a new full suss but it's been ragged non-stop since I've had it with no issues to date. So far have only upgraded the pedals...
ragged where exactly?I went for one of these earlier in the year 2008 Giant Yukon FX3, though from an LBS who almost matched it for £460 incl a service ... I like to keep it local when I can, and what's in a fiver?
This is under half of what most people will say is the bare minimum to spend on a new full suss but it's been ragged non-stop since I've had it with no issues to date. So far have only upgraded the pedals...
pablo said:
Fetchez la vache said:
There are some great bikes on here for £500!
I went for one of these earlier in the year 2008 Giant Yukon FX3, though from an LBS who almost matched it for £460 incl a service ... I like to keep it local when I can, and what's in a fiver?
This is under half of what most people will say is the bare minimum to spend on a new full suss but it's been ragged non-stop since I've had it with no issues to date. So far have only upgraded the pedals...
ragged where exactly?I went for one of these earlier in the year 2008 Giant Yukon FX3, though from an LBS who almost matched it for £460 incl a service ... I like to keep it local when I can, and what's in a fiver?
This is under half of what most people will say is the bare minimum to spend on a new full suss but it's been ragged non-stop since I've had it with no issues to date. So far have only upgraded the pedals...
As you asked.
Fetchez la vache said:
pablo said:
Fetchez la vache said:
There are some great bikes on here for £500!
I went for one of these earlier in the year 2008 Giant Yukon FX3, though from an LBS who almost matched it for £460 incl a service ... I like to keep it local when I can, and what's in a fiver?
This is under half of what most people will say is the bare minimum to spend on a new full suss but it's been ragged non-stop since I've had it with no issues to date. So far have only upgraded the pedals...
ragged where exactly?I went for one of these earlier in the year 2008 Giant Yukon FX3, though from an LBS who almost matched it for £460 incl a service ... I like to keep it local when I can, and what's in a fiver?
This is under half of what most people will say is the bare minimum to spend on a new full suss but it's been ragged non-stop since I've had it with no issues to date. So far have only upgraded the pedals...
As you asked.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
this bike rated very highly last month in MBR in fact it came top beating the rockhopper
this bike rated very highly last month in MBR in fact it came top beating the rockhopper
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff