What mtb for £700 ish
Discussion
Hi all
After an annoying ride at a off road centre I've decided I need a new bike. I currently ride a Specialized rockhopper comp that I've had since doing the C2C in 2000. Im planning to re ride the C2C in May and will not be spending any more fixing the problems on the old bike.
So not knowing that much about bikes and looking into the potential minefield I've come up with a few possibles
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bik...
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bik...
Budget is around 6 -800.
I am getting back into biking and want a good xc bike for fitness and fun weekends so nothing too technical.
There have been a few changes since I last looked for a bike and I'm not sure what I need. The wheel sizes have changed a bit and Im not sure about the 2 x 10 gears that are appearing on some bikes so any advice is welcome.
Also can anyone recommend a good bike shop in North Notts to try a few out.
After an annoying ride at a off road centre I've decided I need a new bike. I currently ride a Specialized rockhopper comp that I've had since doing the C2C in 2000. Im planning to re ride the C2C in May and will not be spending any more fixing the problems on the old bike.
So not knowing that much about bikes and looking into the potential minefield I've come up with a few possibles
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bik...
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bik...
Budget is around 6 -800.
I am getting back into biking and want a good xc bike for fitness and fun weekends so nothing too technical.
There have been a few changes since I last looked for a bike and I'm not sure what I need. The wheel sizes have changed a bit and Im not sure about the 2 x 10 gears that are appearing on some bikes so any advice is welcome.
Also can anyone recommend a good bike shop in North Notts to try a few out.
Both good options there. I bought a voodoo bizango from halfords back in October when they had a 10% off all bikes offer. Looked at the Boardman too, but decided on the voodoo in the end saving myself about £80 which I spent on a bike rack for the car! The bizango also had good reviews which was deciding factor in the end, but both are good bikes. I can't really comment on the wheel size as I am a MTB noob and have no real experience of riding a 26 or a 27.5. I am very happy with my purchase overall and for my needs (non-technical forest trails and tracks) it does a great job! Hope this helps OP.
Should also add the 2 x 10 gear ratio is great and has all the range I would need. Certainly wouldn't bother with a 'triple' tbh)
Should also add the 2 x 10 gear ratio is great and has all the range I would need. Certainly wouldn't bother with a 'triple' tbh)
Edited by stu1984 on Friday 1st January 20:44
I got one of these http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bik...
The only problem I have had was a noisy free wheel hub and they supplied some better new wheels which worked out well for me!
The gears, brakes etc are all good stuff so less to upgrade.
The voodoo always gets good reviews and looks better in real than in the pictures
The only problem I have had was a noisy free wheel hub and they supplied some better new wheels which worked out well for me!
The gears, brakes etc are all good stuff so less to upgrade.
The voodoo always gets good reviews and looks better in real than in the pictures
I have the Boardman and enjoy it. I come from a 26 to the 27.5 and it feels good. The most I notice the difference is rolling on the road. I have only ridden it a handful of times off road but it has climbed well and goes over lumpy stuff equally as good.
I spend most of my time on a road bike so not a great authority on MTB but it gets my vote.
I spend most of my time on a road bike so not a great authority on MTB but it gets my vote.
Good place to start would be http://www.pinescycles.co.uk/hardtail-402-c.asp - they have Cube bikes for demo at Sherwood Pines.
- call in advance and arrange to get some advice on different models, geometry then go ride the trails, skills loop to see what suits.
Make sure to ride a 29-er, they roll faster with a slight reduction in precision off road but if you're doing XC, trails and some road riding, recommended.
- details of wheel sixes here: https://www.cyclesolutions.co.uk/guides/best-2015-...
Aim to get an Air shock as well - more adjustable for you're weight and the conditions
If you feel brave enough to buy online, the best MTB according to the reviews is from Canyon because their direct sell model means you get more bike for your money
- http://www.mbr.co.uk/reviews/hardtail/mbr-hardtail...
But with your budget, if you want to ride it first, I'd take a trip to Planet X (not far from Pines so can be done in a day if you get organised) they can build to order
- http://www.planetx.co.uk/c/q/bikes/mountain-bikes
Let us know how you get on, bikes are a personal thing but rather than compromise for a few ££, get one you love, you'll ride it more and can trade it in later !!
- call in advance and arrange to get some advice on different models, geometry then go ride the trails, skills loop to see what suits.
Make sure to ride a 29-er, they roll faster with a slight reduction in precision off road but if you're doing XC, trails and some road riding, recommended.
- details of wheel sixes here: https://www.cyclesolutions.co.uk/guides/best-2015-...
Aim to get an Air shock as well - more adjustable for you're weight and the conditions
If you feel brave enough to buy online, the best MTB according to the reviews is from Canyon because their direct sell model means you get more bike for your money
- http://www.mbr.co.uk/reviews/hardtail/mbr-hardtail...
But with your budget, if you want to ride it first, I'd take a trip to Planet X (not far from Pines so can be done in a day if you get organised) they can build to order
- http://www.planetx.co.uk/c/q/bikes/mountain-bikes
Let us know how you get on, bikes are a personal thing but rather than compromise for a few ££, get one you love, you'll ride it more and can trade it in later !!
it may be worth taking your bike along to a bike shop and seeing what actually is wrong with it - you'll get a better, probably more comfortable bike for your cash now than 15 years ago but I'm not convinced a well set up rockhopper would be that much worse than your choices of today.
cheers guys. I knew there would be some good advice.
I was at Sherwood pines new years eve morning when I decided to just get a new bike. I've got problems with the brakes and drivetrain and having spent £200 on it a couple of years ago it will def be relegated to 2nd bike duties. if I was more hands on then I might try.
I think I need to ride a few bikes so will try a few this weekend.
I'm thinking 29 wheels (or maybe 650) for me as my riding is half on road and half off and red route.
How do the 2 x 10 gears compare with say the 3 x 9 I've got at the moment as I don't want to lose any top speed or hill ability.
I was at Sherwood pines new years eve morning when I decided to just get a new bike. I've got problems with the brakes and drivetrain and having spent £200 on it a couple of years ago it will def be relegated to 2nd bike duties. if I was more hands on then I might try.
I think I need to ride a few bikes so will try a few this weekend.
I'm thinking 29 wheels (or maybe 650) for me as my riding is half on road and half off and red route.
How do the 2 x 10 gears compare with say the 3 x 9 I've got at the moment as I don't want to lose any top speed or hill ability.
gsxrblue said:
How do the 2 x 10 gears compare with say the 3 x 9 I've got at the moment as I don't want to lose any top speed or hill ability.
On mine the lowest gear is very low ie walking pace and highest will see you pedalling easily through 25mph. No big gaps in between either. And certainly much better than my old 3x7 as it stays mainly in one front ring most of the time.Another cube vote here.
I've been riding an Acid hardtail for two years and my lad is now riding the new attention sl.
Both 29ers, both have good components. No problem round trail centres or natural trails and both pretty nippy.
If I was buying again I would probably lean more towards the 27.5. Tried to get my lad to get the 27.5 but he wouldn't have it. Personal choice really. The only slight downside a 29er has is tight turns, mainly switchbacks, but it's not a huge problem and easily overcome with practice.
Both bikes 3x10 setup.
I've been riding an Acid hardtail for two years and my lad is now riding the new attention sl.
Both 29ers, both have good components. No problem round trail centres or natural trails and both pretty nippy.
If I was buying again I would probably lean more towards the 27.5. Tried to get my lad to get the 27.5 but he wouldn't have it. Personal choice really. The only slight downside a 29er has is tight turns, mainly switchbacks, but it's not a huge problem and easily overcome with practice.
Both bikes 3x10 setup.
I know it is a good bit above budget but I just bought a 2016 Cube LTD SL 27.5 with cycle to work, I love it and it has a great spec, light, fast.
It is running full XT, the brakes are superb and is 2x11 which is all the gears you could ever need, ever!
If you can get C2W scheme I would recommend one, if not there are some bargains on 2015 models.
It is running full XT, the brakes are superb and is 2x11 which is all the gears you could ever need, ever!
If you can get C2W scheme I would recommend one, if not there are some bargains on 2015 models.
Take out the British cycling fan membership for £18 and you will get an extra 10% if you buy from halfords so still a win win
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/membership/fan
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/membership/fan
Update
In the end I found most place didn't want to offer a test ride so I hired a Scott 29er from Sherwood pines bike shop and went round the red route. Liked the wheel size but the bike was a bit basic.
Anyway to cut a long storey short I bought a Bizango from Halfords. It ended up costing under £500 with their discounts. So far very pleased though the usual Halfords inept setup means I will probably have to have the gears and brakes set up properly.
My thinking was its a great cheap bike to get back into riding and work on my fitness. Should be able to sell on easily in a year or so when I've worked out what to upgrade to.
Next time will be harder as last week I had my first ride on a full suspension bike and liked it.
In the end I found most place didn't want to offer a test ride so I hired a Scott 29er from Sherwood pines bike shop and went round the red route. Liked the wheel size but the bike was a bit basic.
Anyway to cut a long storey short I bought a Bizango from Halfords. It ended up costing under £500 with their discounts. So far very pleased though the usual Halfords inept setup means I will probably have to have the gears and brakes set up properly.
My thinking was its a great cheap bike to get back into riding and work on my fitness. Should be able to sell on easily in a year or so when I've worked out what to upgrade to.
Next time will be harder as last week I had my first ride on a full suspension bike and liked it.
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