What Bike?

[andycambo]

So I'm looking for a new bike. I currently have a carbon fibered Saracen Road Bike that suits all my road racing needs but I'm feeling a little more adventurous and want to get into the wilderness and explore.

I use to be into mountain biking a lot but I haven't been on one for 8 years so I've lost touch on what is actually good/bad. Therefore any advice is welcome!

My budget is £400 and I’m after a bike that is capable of going off-road and taking hard routes.

So what’s good? What brakes? What size (I’m 6’2”)? What suspension setup (full or front)? Where to buy(shop or online)?

Like I’ve mentioned, I have no idea where to start as I’ve been away from this area for so long.

Thanks in advance,
Andy.

[anonymous-user]

andycambo said:

S
My budget is £400 and I’m after a bike that is capable of going off-road and taking hard routes.

So what’s good? What brakes? What size (I’m 6’2”)? What suspension setup (full or front)? Where to buy(shop or online)?

£400. Forget about full suspension, any £400 full suspension bike will be rubbish.

how about a specialized hardrock?

At 6'2" you're probably looking at a 19" frame. Best to try it for size first though.

Does your work have a 'cycle to work' type scheme (You don't have to actually cycle to work). If they do or if you could start one up you'll get a new bike almost half price. It's worth looking into.

Edited by el stovey on Tuesday 22 June 19:30

[andycambo]

Didn't think a full setup would be on the cards with my budget. I'll look into the bike you suggested.

Thanks.

[anonymous-user]

There are plenty of Hard tail MTBs for that price TBH. I'm sure others will be on soon with some more recommendations. You don't have access to a cycle/ride to work type scheme?

[andycambo]

Didn't think a full setup would be on the cards with my budget. I'll look into the bike you suggested.

Thanks.

[Matthew_Eames]

Recent Grouptest in WMB that's worth a look, The Carrera Fury won, but I would also look at the Genesis Core 10

[eightseventhree]

i got a fury off the back off the WMB review. . .and think its great.

its down to 520 at the moment . . but mine was a display modal so managed to blag another 15% off !!

[anonymous-user]

i started off on a specialized hardrock and it took way more abuse than it really deserved. it did an admirable job of trips to afan and cwmcarn. i wouldnt hesitate to get another one. they are not light, but they are strong.

[Daveyraveygravey]

I've got a Hard Rock, front suspension, disc brakes. I bought it because the reviews said it was as good as some £500-£600 bikes, and it was £350 retail back then. You can probably get one off Ebay for a couple of hundred quid and then if you don't like it put it back on and splash some real cash at a later date.

I use it on the South Downs, so not the most extreme terrain in the UK, but as tough as a lot of it. I am hoping to do the whole of the South Downs on it in a couple of weeks, which will take me at least 12 hrs pedalling. Might not be so fond of it after that!

[andycambo]

el stovey said:

There are plenty of Hard tail MTBs for that price TBH. I'm sure others will be on soon with some more recommendations. You don't have access to a cycle/ride to work type scheme?

Nope, no schemes with my work. All the ones that have been suggested seem to be having good reviews. I think the next step is to pop down to a shop and sit on a few and see what is comfortable for me and to see what deals that can be done.

Thanks for the advice.

[Daveyraveygravey]

Some shops have demo days where you get to pedal a few metres or even out on the trails; it's a bit like taking a car for a test drive instead of sitting in it static in the showroom. You might even find some that hire them out and then if you buy deduct the hire fee from the purchase price.

[gradeAfailure]

Don't rule out buying used either - £400 will get you an absolute cracker of a bike if you look at slightly older stuff.

If you can stretch to a little more there's a gorgeous GT STS on retrobike.co.uk for sale that'll wee on anything new for the same price... If you're used to a high-end road bike, you'll want a similar quality MTB.

Just as a thought...!

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1...

[andycambo]

gradeAfailure said:

Don't rule out buying used either - £400 will get you an absolute cracker of a bike if you look at slightly older stuff.

If you can stretch to a little more there's a gorgeous GT STS on retrobike.co.uk for sale that'll wee on anything new for the same price... If you're used to a high-end road bike, you'll want a similar quality MTB.

Just as a thought...!

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1...

Looks great! I haven't got anything against going second-hand as long as it is in a well cared for condition.

I'm going to be, hopfeully, buying next month (15th) so hopefully there may be a few gems around then!

Thanks for the link though.

[missing the VR6]

I've got a Specialized Hard Rock Sport Disc and I'm 6'1" and now weight 17.5 stone and used to weigh just over 20 stone when I got it and it's taken all the abuse I've thrown at it. Only starting to look at upgrading as I'm riding harder and on more chalenging routes.

Get one you won't be dissapointed.

[Garlick]

gradeAfailure said:

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1...

That's lovely

[andycambo]

missing the VR6 said:

I've got a Specialized Hard Rock Sport Disc and I'm 6'1" and now weight 17.5 stone and used to weigh just over 20 stone when I got it and it's taken all the abuse I've thrown at it. Only starting to look at upgrading as I'm riding harder and on more chalenging routes.

Get one you won't be dissapointed.

Thanks for the info. I do like the look of the Specialized and it's within my budget. I don't want to go far over the budget as I've got to get a bike rack and some shoes as well so the Hard Rock looks ideal.

Are Giant any good? They have a shop in Liverpool which is about 5 mins walk from me, didn't know if it's worth having a look at their stock.

[missing the VR6]

I bought mine for two reasons a mate of mine has the same bike and used to ride it harder than I do and it never broke on him and the reviews for it were brilliant, it's possible things have moved on but a couple of years ago it was the bike to have in this price bracket.