MTB help - reasons why I shouldn't!

[Shuttle Cock]

I can see this turning into a what bike thread, so apologies first.

I'm a road rider, don't own an MTB, so not really sure what to get or what's good, not after anything to serious, my teenage son has expressed an interest in doing more, he has a Calibre Saw from Go Outdoors which seems adequate for the type of light trail riding we want to do, nothing to mental as I don 't really want to hurt myself to much.

So trawling to internet, what are your thoughts on this, or suggest possible alternatives within a similar budget.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/27-5-full-suspension...

[take-good-care-of-the-forest-dewey]

For that budget, get a hardtail.

MBR so a budget bike of the year review most years so check that out for the 2020 winner.

If you can spanner, second hand evertime.

[Evanivitch]

take-good-care-of-the-forest-dewey said:

For that budget, get a hardtail.

MBR so a budget bike of the year review most years so check that out for the 2020 winner.

If you can spanner, second hand evertime.

Bossnut wins the £1000 every time. Good luck finding one in stock at Go Outdoors!

Agreed, hard tail for the budget.

[AceKid]

Definitely go hardtail, for £500 budget good options are Voodoo Bantu or Aizan, or Specialized Rockhopper, Trek Marlin, Cube Aim pro. All good options and all perfect for your needs.
Going full suspension at the budget end is pointless as you will be paying a heavy weight penalty and have lower spec components compared to a sorted hardtail.

[Sheets Tabuer]

Where are you gonna ride it?

I'd go hardtail or gravel unless you were going down proper bike trails in wales.

[caiss4]

Definitely hardtail and for light trails I'd go 29'er as opposed to 27.5. Halfords Voodoo Bizango has good reports although a little over budget at £675.

As others have said if you're handy with spanners then go secondhand and you could find something with better front shocks and drivetrain.

[emicen]

caiss4 said:

Definitely hardtail and for light trails I'd go 29'er as opposed to 27.5. Halfords Voodoo Bizango has good reports although a little over budget at £675.

As others have said if you're handy with spanners then go secondhand and you could find something with better front shocks and drivetrain.

My Bizango 29er was picked up used for £400 off Facebook marketplace in August.

That’s where I would start looking and, as above, hardtail all the way.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

I wouldn't buy a mtb new at £500. I'd buy a decent used one.

I most certainly wouldn't buy a boss nut. A grand spent elsewhere is better spent.

[iansp]

If buying new at around £500 I would definitely go for a hardtail. For value for money the Voodoo Bantu is a good buy and for a bit more the Voodoo Bizango is very good. Surprisingly Halfords have them in stock at present, at least in my area (South West).

[Evanivitch]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

I wouldn't buy a mtb new at £500. I'd buy a decent used one.

I most certainly wouldn't buy a boss nut. A grand spent elsewhere is better spent.

Your opinion versus just about every budget full sus review website/YouTube/magazine.

The reality is that a £1000 budget doesn't buy a £1000 second hand bike, it buys a £700 second hand bike with £300 for repairs and wear.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

I bought a £1000 as new bike last year (2.2 new).. It didn't require 300 or even £5 to repair. It also came with spare new tyres.

I don't trust or believe any mountain bike reviewer. Bikes are highly subjective anyway, imagine being told how a bike should ride for you and what you prefer by a stranger who has many financial tags with advertisers etc etc.

[gradeA]

As someone who has personal experience of riding a Bossnut (back to back with my £3.6k full suss) I can honestly say it didn't ride like a £1k bike. Stick a dropper on it and I'd be more than happy with one for everyday trail riding, Wales, Scotland, etc. Good luck finding one though, and I've heard there are issues getting spares though.

If you go hardtail, any of the Decathlon or Voodoo bikes at your budget will be fine - I'd go 29er for a HT as opposed to 27.5.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

You honestly couldn't tell the difference between a Rockshox Recon and a decent higher end fork?

[gradeA]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

You honestly couldn't tell the difference between a Rockshox Recon and a decent higher end fork?

🤦‍♂️ Point me to where I said that..

Given that my fork is a Luftkappe'd Lyrik Rct3, yes, of course I can tell a difference. I said the Bossnut didn't ride like it cost less than a third of what mine did. This was on typical trail riding (which is what the OP is thinking of doing) - sure, if you're hitting big mountain stuff or full-on alpine riding then yes, the difference will be much more evident.

[Shuttle Cock]

Thanks for all the advice, I'm going to visit my lbs on Monday and have a nose at the hardtails, as the riding will mostly be light trails, local woods and maybe Bedgebury which is local.

[iansp]

Worth a read - https://www.mbr.co.uk/buyers_guide/best-mountain-b...