Looking for a Circa £200 MTB
Discussion
Is there any chance of picking up a reasonable Mountain Bike suitable for fairly general riding for £150-£200? any recommendations on what to buy or what not to buy? I am fairly short legged (29" inside leg) but also a fat git so need something that isn't going to fall apart under the load.
Do you have access to the cycle to work programme? If so, you'd be add the tax on top of that, and therefore more or less double your budget, at which point some of the entry level bikes can be quite reasonable.
If not, then I'd certainly suggest getting something second hand. Look on Ebay to find stuff near you so you can check it out before you bid just to make sure it's not on its last legs.
There are lots of fashion conscious mountain bikers! If you look in the shops now, many of them are desperately discounting to get rid of their 2009 stock ahead of the 2010 bikes coming in, even though in many cases there's next to no difference between the two except maybe the colour. If you can get a brand new £1,500 bike for maybe £1,100 now just because it's soon not going to be the shiniest new bling, you can imagine how much you'll be able to pick it up for after 3 years or so of use!
As an example, this would've been around £1,600 new. OK, it's old, but I'd still rather that for £280 than the vast majority of new bikes for that price.
If not, then I'd certainly suggest getting something second hand. Look on Ebay to find stuff near you so you can check it out before you bid just to make sure it's not on its last legs.
There are lots of fashion conscious mountain bikers! If you look in the shops now, many of them are desperately discounting to get rid of their 2009 stock ahead of the 2010 bikes coming in, even though in many cases there's next to no difference between the two except maybe the colour. If you can get a brand new £1,500 bike for maybe £1,100 now just because it's soon not going to be the shiniest new bling, you can imagine how much you'll be able to pick it up for after 3 years or so of use!
As an example, this would've been around £1,600 new. OK, it's old, but I'd still rather that for £280 than the vast majority of new bikes for that price.
More than you said but an example of what you could get...
http://www.gumtree.com/london/54/51316854.html
http://www.gumtree.com/london/54/51316854.html
Trek, Specialized, Giant, GT tend to be popular.
I would look at specialized offerings, as there are loads of them out there, and they have a great rep, plus hold their value very well if you need to sell. I had my rockhooper (which was the same as the bike above, but blue) about a two years and lost £70 from the initial £350 I paid for it!
I would look at specialized offerings, as there are loads of them out there, and they have a great rep, plus hold their value very well if you need to sell. I had my rockhooper (which was the same as the bike above, but blue) about a two years and lost £70 from the initial £350 I paid for it!
I have a mate who decided to take up riding a couple of years ago, bought a Kona Blast with slick tyres and.... ....rode it about twice.
The new models retail at £600 but his was cheaper and he got a good deal so would probably sell it for £200. We have discussed ebaying it already.
I can swap the tyres for some old but serviceable MTB tyres and can get it to the west midlands (from Leicestershire) next Wednesday or after Christmas if you like.
Do you want pictures / full spec / me to put you in touch?
It is as good as new as far as I can tell and has certainly done sub 25 miles. I do not think you will get a better bike for the money.
The new models retail at £600 but his was cheaper and he got a good deal so would probably sell it for £200. We have discussed ebaying it already.
I can swap the tyres for some old but serviceable MTB tyres and can get it to the west midlands (from Leicestershire) next Wednesday or after Christmas if you like.
Do you want pictures / full spec / me to put you in touch?
It is as good as new as far as I can tell and has certainly done sub 25 miles. I do not think you will get a better bike for the money.
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