MTB Advice Wanted

[Alex Gurr]

Hi Chaps,

Right, I am looking to get back into cycling after a number of years away. When I was younger (12 - 15 years old) I used to love cycling and would ride everywhere (20 - 50 miles a day). I even bought a half decent road bike (Dawes), which was pretty special for me at the time. Now 15 years later I am looking to get back into it.

The question is really, where to start?

I know I want a MTB as I am likely to want to get off the beaten track at weekends. I am not bothered by brand, or by having the latest model, but I do want a bike that will last and perform well. My budget is approximatley £600.

Can anyone recommend any websites where I can read a few reviews or any decent cycle shops around Hertford where I might be able to go and talk to some knowledgable staff?

Any help would me much appreciated.

Cheers,

Alex

[WildCards]

Look at hardtails as your money will go further. If you want new, look for sale or last years model bikes. If you don't mind used look for ex demo or brand name frames with decent kit. Your money will go alot further buying a used bike.

Look on singletrackworld.com, bikerader.com, mtbr.com & ebay amongst others for the classfieds and some reviews. Absolute bobby bargains can be had at the minute with regards to used bikes, alot of people seem to have finished a build recently, ridden it a few times and realised they've spent too much, so it ends up for sale.

Anything by Dialled Bikes, Orange, specialized, Marin, Commencal, Scott, Genesis, Kinesis, Scott, Giant, GT, Kona etc with Shimano or Sram kit will be good, and all of the above seem to be whats in fashion and selling at the minute.

Merlincycles.com are good for decent priced brand new bikes. For instance, the Malt-1 is said to be fantastic for £650.
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=category&cat...
or
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&prod...

[936ADL]

As above, at this money stick to a hardtail.

The Merlin stuff is pretty good, my brother in law had a Malt and loved it. Excellent VFM to!

At this time of year you may well be able to pick up a bargain by looking at last year's models.

Anything by one of the big producers(Spesh, Giant, Kona et al) will be fine.

Happy Shopping!

[gbbird]

I woulsd second the above. For an extra £100 than a Merlin Malt 4 with standard spec will pretty much do you. If not, look at Specialized or Trek models within in your price bracket, and you won't go far wrong.

g

[Chris71]

Haven't looked that much at new bikes for a year or two, but even then £600 would get you a very reasonable weekend hardtail and the same price in the sales would probably net you an entry level XC race bike (in hardtail form).

Things may have moved on, but at the time full-sus started to make sense at around £1,400 for a leisure bike with the cheaper Specialised and Marin designs.