Which basic moutain bike upto £300?

[studog]

What do the assembled masses reccomend as practical Moutain bike to ride to work
on in all weathers.
Almost always on roads but might get the odd muddy tyre so hard tail is fine.

[Digga]

If you're mostly on roads and it's for commuting and not playing on, a cross-over type bike would be way faster and better. Even if you do go off road (people forget that) you do not need suspension forks. For commuting they're just extra weight and complication.

IMHO better pushing the budget towards something that give you the most benefit.

[anonymous-user]

as the man said, keep it simple. sadly at that price the bike will be heavy so a city/hybrid makes sense as it will be somewhat easier to ride on the flat. i would look for a rigid bike and i am sure it will be fine for the sort light off road stuff i imagine you have in mind.

have a look at these
Focus Arribia:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Focus_Arriba_200...
GT Transeo
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/GT_Transeo_30_V-...
Kona Dew
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Kona_Dew_2009/53...

all bar the focus are available elsewhere so shop around.

[okgo]

Second hand whatever it is, and maybe a Specialized!

[anonymous-user]

okgo said:

Second hand whatever it is, and maybe a Specialized!

i was going to suggest second hand but i always think its not really fair on someone who wants a "new" bike to suggest a sh bike unless value for money is really the aim and that said, there is the danger with a sh bike that hidden things like bearings in the hubs are on their way out etc...

[A - W]

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/ha...

Job done.

[Digga]

A - W said:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/ha...

Job done.

I'd say something like this would be better suited: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/saracen/ventur...

[Hard-Drive]

Be honest with yourself...if you are really mainly on road, a hybrid or commuter will be soooooo much faster than an MTB. However if you are set on an MTB, 2nd hand will get you just so much more for your money (and give you scope to upgrade a quality frame with better parts if you do get into it) and if you are worried about things going wrong, a trip to your local Leisure Lakes or similar LBS will often throw up some good second hand bargains that will be serviced and have some kind of guarantee.

My missus got her roadie from LL, it was still available new on the internet as a "last year's" model for twice what she paid for it. She's ridden it loads and I've never touched it with a spanner in a year of riding.

[waheikedawn]

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Saracen_Trace_2_...

Saracen have been in the twilight zone for a few years but the frame is decent enough and you won't find this kit on many, if any, other frames for this price.

Forks can be locked out to improve efficiency when commuting and then unlocked for when you wan't to take it out on the weekend. A cheap pair of slicks will turn it into proper commuting machine.

[Althalus]

Hiya,

I'm in the market for exactly the same thing as you studog.

I was initially looking to repair my old claud butler enduro MTB, but it's now about 14 years old. The rear wheel is knackered, the ball bearrings have come loose and bent the metal. The rear dérailleur also seems to be getting dodgy. I would rather from an eco point of view, reuse the old steel frame, but new drive chain, wheels, breaks etc seems to be more expensive than a new bike -silly! Any advice on this?

Anyone else seen anything like the Saracen Venturer listed above, that looks nice... But I am on a student budget, so as cheap as possible really! I also quite like the look of the rockriders...

[buccal]

Yup, i'm in exactly in the same boat as the OP and others, budget crica £300 maybe more.

In my case i'm going to be 100% on road/cycle path and have absolutely no idea what makes a decent/useless bike.

Just came back from my nearest shop totally confused, what's the difference between a hybrid and an urban bike?

Apologies if OP feels i'm hijaking but i reckon any replies are highly relevant!

[Mx_Stu]

Firstly studog, legendary name, It's what I'm commonly referred to in the real world!

pablo said:

Kona Dew
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Kona_Dew_2009/53...

^^^^ I have a 2009 Kona Dew Plus (think its slightly more than your budget but I use it everyday (all weathers) and it still feels as solid as the day I got it (almost a year ago!)

If you are using it for work see if your company do/ or will offer a cycle to work scheme. Will save you shedloads of money.

http://www.cyclescheme.co.uk/

ETA: The 2010 range of Kona's appear to have just come out so you might want to wait a few weeks.

Edited by Mx_Stu on Tuesday 18th August 17:16

[studog]

Having now looked at the cycle to work scheme the options have opened somewhat!

I hav been looking at the Cubes for around the £600 mark. Still unsure between Hybrid or
hardtail Mountain bike. Hybrid makes the most sense and theirs is ace although there is a Specialised
hybrid in polished ali and carbon that does look mighty fine.

Any thoughts on the above?

At the £300 level the GT Aggressor still looks good to me.

But waht do I know! if it had four wheels I'd have a clue....

[sawman]

I was looking at the cycle to work deal but my employer only works with halfords and only does an order twice a year - next one end of October! due to lack of car I need to commuting my the end of next week

Found this locally to me, I would prefer a hybrid, but as an entry level mtb for commuting it looks useful
http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/product/trek3700m...

[The jiffle king]

sawman said:

I was looking at the cycle to work deal but my employer only works with halfords and only does an order twice a year - next one end of October! due to lack of car I need to commuting my the end of next week

Found this locally to me, I would prefer a hybrid, but as an entry level mtb for commuting it looks useful
http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/product/trek3700m...

We thought that where we worked, but you can go and get a bike specced and take it to Halfords who will do the deal for you.. Ask them as they will eventually admit this

[Althalus]

Hya, I have been looking into this alot, and i'm getting more confused budget seems to have streached up to £350 but that is a hard cap, it can not go higher!!

The vulcan seems like a good buy, I have also been adviced that the bikes from decathlon are very good value, essp the 5.3
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/sport-mtb-3962638/
if you happen to have a store near you! They get really good reviews.

I was also concidering the cube aim
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...
There is also the gt chucker 3.0
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...
and the viper crazy boy -but the name and looks would put me off!
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...


There also seems to be quite a good selection of bikes here, but to be honest i'm getting quite muddled about what is really better!
Giant Terrago
http://activesport.co.uk/shop/article_1065.001/Gia...
and
Mongoose tyax super elite
http://activesport.co.uk/shop/article_MONGOOSE%252...

Then from evans Loads more but this is a selected few..

the Pinnacle Peak 1.0
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/peak-...
The Scott aspect 50
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/scott/aspect-5...
The Dawes XC 1.2
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/dawes/xc-12-di...
The Scott voltage Yz
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/scott/voltage-...
The Scott aspect 55
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/scott/aspect-5...

Help!
Scott

[Althalus]

Hmm, any thoughts on Kona fire mountain 2008, I can get on for £324..

[sawman]

spotted a kona dew in local halfords for 299, which sounds tempting,

halfords own carrera subway looks neat for 220, but has grip shifters which i have never got on with. the next one up seems to come with discs which I didnt want either!