No idea what to buy

[black5]

I haven't bought a new bike for over 10 years, but for some silly reason I volunteered to do a sprint triathlon a month back.

I have done some training on my current bike, but with brakes that need looking at, the need for a new bottom bracket, old tyres and lots of other little issues, I am thinking a new bike is in order.

I know I should be looking for a road bike to do a triathlon, but I like mountain bikes. I would also like to do a little more mountain biking.

I've started looking around and now I'm more confused than ever. Ideally I don't want to spend more than £350-400. I am thinking front suspension only, with disc brakes with separate road & off road tyres . . .

Can anyone offer any advice?

[Rednut05]

You won't get a very good bike for £300 with good disc brakes, good front suspension brand new.

You can get cable disc brakes but they aren't much better than V Brakes and you'll end up upgrading them.

Could look on the second hand market?

Otherwise I would look at bike like the Specialized Hardrock. I'm sure there has been a thread on these before and they got positive reviews.

I would look for a lightish frame and a good groupset. So maybe Shimano Deore or LX gears. Forks you can upgrade easily and look for the right amount of travel for your needs. Good sets can change to reduced travel at the push of a button so they will be good for your road cycling as well.

Tyres wise you can get some good 2.1" knoberly tires for off road use and some 1.95" semi slicks or slicks for mountain bikes as well. Tyres won't got the earth and there are normally deals on. If You buy brand new. Try getting some thrown in?

Time for bed,
David

[black5]

Thanks for the info.

I have been looking at the following:

GT Avalanche 2.0 Disc
Kona Fire Mountain 2007
Kona Cinder Cone
Mongoose Tyax Super
Scott Reflex 30 Disc
Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc
Specialized Hardrock Sport Hydraulic Disc

All are lessthan £500, most less than £400.
But are they any good?

[mat205125]

Rednut05 said:

Otherwise I would look at bike like the Specialized Hardrock. I'm sure there has been a thread on these before and they got positive reviews.

I've had (and still have sitting around in the spare room) a Specialized Hardrock. Great value entry MTB with a Bombproof frame. Componentry on mine is basic but its a great base to upgrade from.

Shame we ain't allowed to post classifeds on here else "people" would be able to let others know that they could have it for a few quid

[beyond rational]

PH classifieds has a section for other items...if people start listing bikes, I'm sure others will follow

OP, this topic has been done to death so probably why the lack of replies, either read back or try out the ones you are interested in, sorry to sound so obtuse.

[mat205125]

beyond rational said:

sorry to sound so obtuse.

It's Monday afterall

[black5]

Think I can add a Trek 6000 to my list.

Just gone & looked at one. Really liked it (but it is the first I've seen in the flesh). Going up a bit in the cost dept though - £550

[drewcole81]

I'd go for a Kona or Spesh. Best thing you could do is to get a bike with a good frame then the other stuff you can change as you need.

Out of the Konas go for the Cinder Cone.

[steviebhoy28]

Hello all, first post!!!

I bought a 2006 Giant XTC SX last October for £499, Really good bike, XT,hydraulic disk brakes, ect. Slightly let down in reviews because of the forks but I think they are fine. I'm sure the bike is down in price again.

[bigmanszetec]

The Hardrock is a decent bike, and i'm pleased with mine. My onnly major criticism is that the frame is quite heavy compared to its competitors, and for that reason I wish I had spent the extra on a Rockhopper.

[JPJ]

However if you want something that is a lot lighter and comes with a decent XC pedigree, may I introduce the following - the Merlin Malt 1.

There's a link here, but if you scroll to the bottom of the page, you will see the one I am talking about - £399.

www.merlincycles.co.uk/acatalog/Sale_Bikes.html

[bga]

steviebhoy28 said:

Hello all, first post!!!

I bought a 2006 Giant XTC SX last October for £499, Really good bike, XT,hydraulic disk brakes, ect. Slightly let down in reviews because of the forks but I think they are fine. I'm sure the bike is down in price again.

Another vote for the XTC

[black5]

steviebhoy28 said:

Hello all, first post!!!

I bought a 2006 Giant XTC SX last October for £499, Really good bike, XT,hydraulic disk brakes, ect. Slightly let down in reviews because of the forks but I think they are fine. I'm sure the bike is down in price again.

Looks like a good price. I can only see them at £569.
The LX is probably enough for me.

Off to have a look at some more bikes tomorrow.

[steviebhoy28]

www.dalescycles.com/giant_bikes.asp

Thats where I got mine, some cracking deals on a few different bikes too if you shop around

good luck

[Roman]

If you want a bike that you can stick semi slicks on for the odd sprint tri the GT you mention is well specced & light for the price but personally I would go for a Decathlon Rockrider 8.1 which is a really well specced bike for the price (£499). Comes with SPDs, hydraulic discs, lockout front forks & lightweight frame set up for CC racing (same as their old £800 bike).

You should get some vouchers too to put towards slick tyres, shoes or tribars.

www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/Product_arborescence/cycle-and-rolle/bikes/mountain-bikes/mtb-racing/product_8014527/index.html

[black5]

Roman said:

If you want a bike that you can stick semi slicks on for the odd sprint tri the GT you mention is well specced & light for the price but personally I would go for a Decathlon Rockrider 8.1 which is a really well specced bike for the price (£499). Comes with SPDs, hydraulic discs, lockout front forks & lightweight frame set up for CC racing (same as their old £800 bike).

You should get some vouchers too to put towards slick tyres, shoes or tribars.

www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/Product_arborescence/cycle-and-rolle/bikes/mountain-bikes/mtb-racing/product_8014527/index.html

I like the look of this, but as the West Mids is the closest place to me (Cornwall), it's a bit far to have a look.

[gazzab]

I got a 96 Trek 6700 SLR - great bike. I have upgraded to XT stuff in places and better brakes (AVIDs). Had it for a year and used it on average 1.7 times a week. Nothing has really gone wrong except wornout a chain, rear cassette, discs and pads. Needs a tune and clean very regularly but is a great bike. I have had a lot less probs that the specialised owners.
I sometimes wish I had bought a full suspension and probably will do so before long.

[catso]

I've got a Hardrock, have upgraded the wheels/disc brakes, gears/shifters & bars etc. I'm very happy with it, don't know about it being heavy as it's lighter than my previous bike but the frame certainly appears to be 'heavy duty'.

[black5]

Thanks for all the comments on this thread.

I took my old Cannondale Delta V 900 into a local shop at the weekend. After they offered me £50 P/X, I asked how much it would cost to 'sort' it.

Changing the old 'V' brake braking system for new Deore stuff, replacing cables, servicing the front shock, truing wheels and a full service = £70

So it's in tomorrow for the work!