MTB noob - what bike?

[Gatsods]

I'll try to keep this relatively short as I imagine this type of post must be common and a little boring by now for you all.

Turning 21 in a couple of weeks and have decided that as work necessitates a diesel (long commute) and I sit behind a desk all day once I'm there I fancy a toy that will keep me fit. Already got a girlfriend so naturally the next logical step seemed to be a mountain bike!

Said girlfriend is actually going to be getting me the aforementioned MTB (or at least the majority of it depending on how carried away I get with your advice!) for my birthday, so because of that and that I'm scared it might be a 'phase', I don't want to spend much. £500 is pretty much the most I'd like the bike to cost.

I am completely new to mountain biking and living in East Anglia mountains are few and far between, so I think a 29er is the way forward for the type of riding I will be doing (mostly XC until I get more into it and start seeking out trails and stuff, which I fully intend on doing at some stage).

Without further ado, the bikes I have seen that seemed to fit the bill were:

Trek Marlin 6 (2014, £425)
Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc (2014, £425)
Whyte 603 (2015, £525)
VooDoo HooDoo (Not certain on MY or £)

Any comments regarding the above bikes or alternatives will be greatly appreciated but please don't suggest used/second hand as even if it's a bit better, I don't want someone else's bike for my birthday!

Cheers guys.

[Justin S]

I would look at a last years model bike as apart from a change of colour, opens up a better deal for you. Have a look at Pauls Cycles for thoughts. Remember that a lot of 2015 model bikes are now starting to filter through to shops in the coming weeks, so that might work as a bargaining tool.

[Gren]

Out of those the Voodoo get the better reviews. Also try the Rockriders from Decathlon. Seen by most as the best new bikes at that price point.

Aside from second hand, often the best value are end of season bikes which should be hitting the sales soon or try : http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s155p0/Mountain-B...

[yellowjack]

Worth looking at the Carrera Kraken @ £500 (4*) and the Voodoo Bizango @ £600 (5*) from Halfords, and the Genesis Core 10 @ £600 (4*), all tested and reviewed well in 'What Mountain Bike' mag August issue. If you have a Decathlon store nearby, their B'Twin Rockriders always seem to get good reviews and are also a lot of bike for the cash.

[Gizmoish]

yellowjack said:

Worth looking at the Carrera Kraken @ £500 (4*) and the Voodoo Bizango @ £600 (5*) from Halfords, and the Genesis Core 10 @ £600 (4*), all tested and reviewed well in 'What Mountain Bike' mag August issue. If you have a Decathlon store nearby, their B'Twin Rockriders always seem to get good reviews and are also a lot of bike for the cash.

And while you're in Halfords, the Boardman Comp 650b is great value too. 10% off for being a British Cycling member, on top of any discounts Halfords may be running at the time.

[rhinochopig]

Pinkbike.com and check the ads.

You'll get a nearly new bike that someone has lost a chunk on when they discovered that looking back at bmx'ing through the prism of their childhood memories tends to screen out the less pleasant bits of cycling

[Gatsods]

Hi all, thanks a lot for your replies.

I have been to Halfords and checked out the Bizango as I have that very copy of What Mountain Bike (I'm a nerd when it comes to research)! Didn't see the Boardman while I was there though, that certainly looks like a nice spec.

Is there much wrong with either the Specialized Hardrock Sport 29er or the Trek Marlins? I'm just concerned about upping the budget (even though it is only £100) to £600 because it feels like it's very easy to always look one better and end up with the Fuel EX9 or something

Any chance anyone on here owns any of the bikes I mentioned or could look at the following two Treks with a better MTB-eye and look for the stronger components?

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/marlin-7-...
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/x-caliber...

[Gren]

Nothing wrong with the Specialized or the Trek but you are paying for the name and getting cheaper, heavier components versus the other bikes mentioned.

[Gatsods]

I see so at this price point do you think it is wiser to prioritise the frame or the components (fork, gearing, cockpit etc)?

[caiss4]

Gatsods said:

I see so at this price point do you think it is wiser to prioritise the frame or the components (fork, gearing, cockpit etc)?

Prioritise the frame and 'fit' at this price point so a test ride is useful. Next priority are the forks (air with lockout for example). Everything else can be upgraded relatively cheaply before the frame itself becomes an issue.

And then go out and ride regularly. You'll soon find shortcomings but if you get the bug you'll soon be able to justify upping the budget.

For myself I started MTB'ing about 6 years ago. I bought a second-hand Marin on the Bay for about £400. I'm still riding it today albeit with new wheels, new chainset (several times) etc.and generally upgraded components. Of course the real upgrade is that I'm about 15kgs lighter

Only now am I considering buying new but I know exactly what I want (I think!)

[Hoonigan]

Last month bought a Voodoo Bizango, in budget for you too...



http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bik...

http://www.mbr.co.uk/reviews/hardtail/voodoo-bizan...

Must say its bloody good put about 100 trouble free miles on it so far and I would highly recommend it to anyone.
Bought it from Halfords with a RRP of £599.99 but only paid £421.30, here's how....

Joined british cycling for £16.00 to get 10% off all purchases in Halfords

Found an online discount code for 10% off MTBs (unfortunately now expired)

Calculated the cost of the bike -10% -10% =£485.99

Bought vouchers from here http://select.halfordsbusinessservices.co.uk for the value of the bike using this 10% discount code ELGHAL13 = £436.50, they arrive next day normally.

Reserved online (click and collect) through Quidco to get £16.20 back

Turn up in store, hand over cycling membership email or card, pay the vouchers send top up with around coin, job done...

A bit if leg work required but a good result I'm sure you will agree

Edited by Hoonigan on Tuesday 12th August 23:14

[Hoonigan]

To go with above...

[Woody]

I'd go Voodoo Bizango or Rockrider 8.1.

I was in a similar position a few weeks back - I got a Carrera Fury as I managed to get it £150 cheaper than the Rockrider. Was tempted by the Bizango but was concerned how it would be on the tight twisty single track.

[Gatsods]

Hoonigan said:

Last month bought a Voodoo Bizango, in budget for you too...



http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bik...

http://www.mbr.co.uk/reviews/hardtail/voodoo-bizan...

Must say its bloody good put about 100 trouble free miles on it so far and I would highly recommend it to anyone.
Bought it from Halfords with a RRP of £599.99 but only paid £421.30, here's how....

Joined british cycling for £16.00 to get 10% off all purchases in Halfords

Found an online discount code for 10% off MTBs (unfortunately now expired)

Calculated the cost of the bike -10% -10% =£485.99

Bought vouchers from here http://select.halfordsbusinessservices.co.uk for the value of the bike using this 10% discount code ELGHAL13 = £436.50, they arrive next day normally.

Reserved online (click and collect) through Quidco to get £16.20 back

Turn up in store, hand over cycling membership email or card, pay the vouchers send top up with around coin, job done...

A bit if leg work required but a good result I'm sure you will agree

Edited by Hoonigan on Tuesday 12th August 23:14

Well this is pretty epic haha! Liking the sound of this a lot and will look into doing something similar.

Could you explain how you got a British Cycling membership so cheaply though please? Seems to be £32.

[Gatsods]

Gatsods said:

Well this is pretty epic haha! Liking the sound of this a lot and will look into doing something similar.

Could you explain how you got a British Cycling membership so cheaply though please? Seems to be £32.

And also how did you manage to buy vouchers from that site, I take it you're either staff or you had a cycle scheme code or something? Think I'm going to try and go for the Bizango!

[Hoonigan]

Well it seems to be £20.00 here, I'm sure it was £16.00 but it could have gone up or I could have remembered that bit wrong....

Gatsods said:

Hoonigan said:

Last month bought a Voodoo Bizango, in budget for you too...



http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bik...

http://www.mbr.co.uk/reviews/hardtail/voodoo-bizan...

Must say its bloody good put about 100 trouble free miles on it so far and I would highly recommend it to anyone.
Bought it from Halfords with a RRP of £599.99 but only paid £421.30, here's how....

Joined british cycling for £16.00 to get 10% off all purchases in Halfords

Found an online discount code for 10% off MTBs (unfortunately now expired)

Calculated the cost of the bike -10% -10% =£485.99

Bought vouchers from here http://select.halfordsbusinessservices.co.uk for the value of the bike using this 10% discount code ELGHAL13 = £436.50, they arrive next day normally.

Reserved online (click and collect) through Quidco to get £16.20 back

Turn up in store, hand over cycling membership email or card, pay the vouchers send top up with around coin, job done...

A bit if leg work required but a good result I'm sure you will agree

Edited by Hoonigan on Tuesday 12th August 23:14

Well this is pretty epic haha! Liking the sound of this a lot and will look into doing something similar.

Could you explain how you got a British Cycling membership so cheaply though please? Seems to be £32.

[Hoonigan]

Gatsods said:

Gatsods said:

Well this is pretty epic haha! Liking the sound of this a lot and will look into doing something similar.

Could you explain how you got a British Cycling membership so cheaply though please? Seems to be £32.

And also how did you manage to buy vouchers from that site, I take it you're either staff or you had a cycle scheme code or something? Think I'm going to try and go for the Bizango!

Just register and pop em in your basket, simple as that! Not staff nor any scheme member...

[Gizmoish]

Hoonigan said:

Gatsods said:

Gatsods said:

Well this is pretty epic haha! Liking the sound of this a lot and will look into doing something similar.

Could you explain how you got a British Cycling membership so cheaply though please? Seems to be £32.

And also how did you manage to buy vouchers from that site, I take it you're either staff or you had a cycle scheme code or something? Think I'm going to try and go for the Bizango!

Just register and pop em in your basket, simple as that! Not staff nor any scheme member...

You also have to put a discount code in. ENGHAL13 worked last year.

[Hoonigan]

Gizmoish said:

Hoonigan said:

Gatsods said:

Gatsods said:

Well this is pretty epic haha! Liking the sound of this a lot and will look into doing something similar.

Could you explain how you got a British Cycling membership so cheaply though please? Seems to be £32.

And also how did you manage to buy vouchers from that site, I take it you're either staff or you had a cycle scheme code or something? Think I'm going to try and go for the Bizango!

Just register and pop em in your basket, simple as that! Not staff nor any scheme member...

You also have to put a discount code in. ENGHAL13 worked last year.

Yup as above still working.