Help me choose my new bike.

[Prev]

I have been looking at hardtail MB's for a while and have finally shortlisted 2.

They are as follows.

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Specialized-Rockhopper-Exp...

or

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cannondale-Trail-SL-3-Moun...

Which one would you choose? Or maybe someone knows of something with a bit more bang for my buck?

Edited by Prev on Tuesday 21st February 11:38

[tuffer]

Or maybe:

http://www.canyon.com/_uk/mountainbikes/bike.html?...

[anonymous-user]

Prev said:

Back in the day (10years ago) I had a Marin Nail trail and then followed that up with a Specilized P3. Used to cut around cliff paths and inland trails. But never really looked in to the technical side of things.

So question.

Whats better for trail riding with the odd bit of downhill. 26" wheels or 29" wheels?

the problem is if you say "trail riding with the odd bit of downhill" to 100 different people you will get 100 different responsnes...

trail riding to me is trail centres, bridleways and forest paths all of which feature variations in height but have nothing steep on the descent. downhill is a faster course, larger drops in height and man made technical features such as jumps, berms and you really would be looking at a purpose built hardtail or a full sus bike. I am inclined to think that by downhill you mean the faster, technical side of trail riding rahter than a purpose built downhill course. a hardtail will be fine, just learn to adapt your lines and riding style on the trails accordingly.

i guess the budget is under a grand from the bikes you have on the short list, personally you could do a lot worse than the rockhopper and if you spend too long looking, all you are likely to do is end up with a very long "shortlist" of hugely similar high end hardtails (with similar spec) which only vary in colour and the name on the downtube. You wont get a bad bike from Trek, Giant, Kona etc at that price.

from what i have seen, lots of people are quick to recommend canyon but are not ballsy enough to take the plunge and buy one, i am looking at the grand canyon myself and having bought two bikes without trying them first, dont have an issue
buying from the web, but do your research on geometry online and try to find something similar that you can fit on.

29" wheels are roll faster and are great for the less technical stuff but UK trails tend to suit 26" stuff better from what i gather, though i am itching to try a 29er for a day to see if there is anything to be gained when riding somewhere like Afan forest...

[Gren]

From the same shop, I'd be looking maybe at these :

http://www.tredz.co.uk/cube-hardtail-race-mountain...

Lot of bike for your money. The LTD range particularly

[bananarob]

If you are after trails and a little bit of downhill, seriously look at the 29ers that are about. I just bought a Carve for exactly that reason, its fantastic and so quick on the trails, just soaks up the bumps. Was out with a mate ruding a 7k Yeti, was faster than him and as nibble downhill.

[Prev]

To be more specific. Alot of what I will be doing is cliff paths etc. But a few of my mates do alot of downhilling so I will be going out with them from time to time.

I will also be heading over to the Mainland to cycle trails over there from time to time. So I want something that can do all the above to some degree but mainly trails. Had a look at cude's and they look great. Taking the LTD and a Trek out for a test ride this weekend now.

[Red 4]

+ 1 for the Cube bikes

You generally get a decent groupset, brakes, fork, etc. compared to other bikes in the same price range

The LTD series are good value. Same frame across the range, the price increases with more expensive forks, hubs, etc. fitted. You'll get a mix of Deore, XT, SLX bits. Frames are 6061 series alloy now though, they were 7005. Not that it makes any real difference.

I've been riding one for a couple of years. Great bikes. Love mine.

If you get the bug for mountain biking Cannondale also make very good frames which are easily upgraded with parts if/ when things wear out. Cannondale would be my second choice. My mate rides a 20 year old Cannondale and the frame is still going strong (everything else has disintegrated)

Edited by Red 4 on Tuesday 21st February 19:38

Edited by Red 4 on Tuesday 21st February 19:45

[Prev]

Well after all that im going for this.

http://www.ashcycles.com/site/giant-talon-0-2011?z...