Advise on buying a new MTB

[djt100]

Hi All,

Looking for a new MB the last bike I bought was in 2001 a Klein Adept Comp so it's getting on a bit now but still a good bike, but i want a change something a bit more modern.

So looking up to about £1500 and going to get a nice deal via the cycle to work schemes. Myself and the misses both have then at our works. Her's is limited to £1000 mines not.

But we can use different shops so she can order via Go outdoors and I'm limited to independents and Halfords / Tredz / etc group and a few independents.

I'm undecided on a few things 650B wheels or 29" ?
Full suspension or Hardtail.

I'm going to be riding local trails nothing too demanding I'm too old and brittle for that.

What I've found so far are these, Does anyone have any of them or opinions on them, the reviews are good for all of them.

https://www.halfords.com/bikes/mountain-bikes/boar...

https://www.halfords.com/bikes/mountain-bikes/vood...

https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/15903687/calibre-boss...

https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/15905426/calibre-trip...

So the Go outdoors ones I would have to go for these as else it would take us over the misses £1000 limit, but I'm open to suggestions from other brands I'll just have to look out for the right independent to get it from.

Thanks in advance.

[Brads67]

CTW does not have a limit now afaik

Bossnut evo is a fantastic bike.

[mikey P 500]

I would get the 2020 bossnut as better spec and frame over older one. Can get grey/green one (ladies version) for £899 and it's basically the same as men's other than better colour scheme anyway.

[djt100]

Brads67 said:

CTW does not have a limit now afaik

Bossnut evo is a fantastic bike.

Cycle2work doesn't but Cyclescheme does annoyingly.

[djt100]

mikey P 500 said:

I would get the 2020 bossnut as better spec and frame over older one. Can get grey/green one (ladies version) for £899 and it's basically the same as men's other than better colour scheme anyway.

Frame is the same but shorter cranks and softer suspension, I'm 15st so would go for it but softer suspension is not going to work for me. The new mens is £1100 so over £1000 allowance on cycle scheme else I'd be going for the new triple b

[Macron]

Brads67 said:

CTW does not have a limit now afaik

Employer's discretion, if they haven't upped it, and they have no obligation to up it, it's a grand still.

[opieoilman]

I've got the Bossnut 2, so just before the Evo. Still the orange frame, but 2x10 Deore, different handlebars and the worst tyres I've ever used. I prefer 1x10/11 so I wish I held on for the Evo, the handlebars are fine with me and the tyres were replaced. Mine was brilliant for the money, the Evo looks even better.

[Court_S]

djt100 said:

Brads67 said:

CTW does not have a limit now afaik

Bossnut evo is a fantastic bike.

Cycle2work doesn't but Cyclescheme does annoyingly.

Have your employer not upped the limit? We use Cycle Scheme and my choice was unlimited last year when I bought my bike.

For a grand, I’d personally be looking at a hardtail.

I ended up with a Vitus Sentier VR for £1,100. Nothing else came close in the value stakes; best forks in this price range, decent brakes and proper tyres.

[Daveyraveygravey]

For your riding, I think a hardtail will be all the bike you need. A mate just bought a Specialised Chisel for £1400. I didn't know anything about it, so I thought "meh" but then I found out it weighs 11kg, which is light for an off road bike. They get great reviews too.
The Bossnut is a great bike, but I bet it weighs a lot more than 11kg, and it's complicated compared to the Chisel so there is a lot more to go wrong and maintain.
I would go for 650b wheels if I had the choice, but I think the Chisel is a 29er. I still ride an old school 26er, for me a 29er is heavier and less agile. They do go downhill quicker, somehow battering the terrain into submission, but I scare myself at the speeds I can go on the 26er so I don't want to go down any quicker!

Edited by Daveyraveygravey on Saturday 15th February 16:27

[stuarthat]

Marin hawk hill 1 is all you will need under £1500 .

[djt100]

stuarthat said:

Marin hawk hill 1 is all you will need under £1500 .

Just looked at one of those nice but shop also had a 2019 La Pierre zesty 29 for £1500 down from £2000 that looked good value for the spec and felt a good size / weight
Do tempted with that

[lickatysplit]

can I add my penny's worth?

https://www.sunsetmtb.co.uk/shop/index.php?product...

Great bike IMO, much better than anything Halfords can currently offer, light enough for climbing trails and supple enough for twisty downhills

[Court_S]

lickatysplit said:

can I add my penny's worth?

https://www.sunsetmtb.co.uk/shop/index.php?product...

Great bike IMO, much better than anything Halfords can currently offer, light enough for climbing trails and supple enough for twisty downhills

Good bikes: I nearly bought one but the Vitus VR was £150 and had better brakes, forks and tyres. And it comes with a good dropper.

[djt100]

Thanks for the advice all, I saw a bossnut and triple b but not the greatest build quality despite the spec, you could buy one to strip for parts and sell the frame, ended up going over budget and getting this

https://www.lapierre-bikes.co.uk/gamme/2019/mtb/al...

Had a go of the 29er and really liked it

[vwsurfbum]

Nice looking bike that.

[djt100]

vwsurfbum said:

Nice looking bike that.

Thanks massively more than I need in a bike but it will last a while hopefully