Recommend me a mountain bike, £750-£900 ish
Discussion
Right then, I procrastinated about this last year, never did anything, I've just earnt a few quid in bonus, spring is on the way, and I'm not getting any thinner! I want to buy a new mountain bike...used to be into it in my teens but I am so far out of touch I have no idea what to buy.
It won't be used as everyday transport, I want to ride off road quite a bit, (tends to be flat and muddy round here) but with the ability to take it places like Derbyshire and give it a good hammering over rocks, but with the occasional Sunday jaunt with the missus.
I guess I'd like disc brakes and all the toys, and if possible full suspension, but perhaps with the ability to lock it out for road work (if this can be done?) Or am I genuinely better off with a hardtail unless I am going downhill racing or similar?
A mate did recommend the Merlin Malt 1, is this any good, or are there new 2008 model year bikes out now?
Also, if anyone can recommend what i should be looking for in terms of a frame, groupset, wheel spec etc, that would be great.
Thanks in advance!!
It won't be used as everyday transport, I want to ride off road quite a bit, (tends to be flat and muddy round here) but with the ability to take it places like Derbyshire and give it a good hammering over rocks, but with the occasional Sunday jaunt with the missus.
I guess I'd like disc brakes and all the toys, and if possible full suspension, but perhaps with the ability to lock it out for road work (if this can be done?) Or am I genuinely better off with a hardtail unless I am going downhill racing or similar?
A mate did recommend the Merlin Malt 1, is this any good, or are there new 2008 model year bikes out now?
Also, if anyone can recommend what i should be looking for in terms of a frame, groupset, wheel spec etc, that would be great.
Thanks in advance!!
H-D - your in luck, kind of.
Your budget is bang on the money for a lot of very nice bikes, its a very popular 'price-point'.
Before talking about specific bikes...
A hardtail sounds like what you want. This is good. A classic, XC orientated hardtail is the most common type of MTB.
A suspended frame is going to be too off-road orientated for you by the sounds of things - they are no good on roads, and you'll be wanting to add £400 or so to your budget really for something nice,
What you want to look for first is a good quality frame. it should be well finished, light and stiff. And most importantly - the right size.
After that, Forks, Brake and Wheels. these are the big, expensive, important bits that affect how a bike rides, after the frame.
Sealed hubs and good quality (mavic) rims make for strong light wheels, that dont need much maintenance. Shimano hubs are also common, and while a different design are still great.
Air forks will be common - this allows you to tune them easily, and most will offer some kind of compression lockout.
As for brakes - Shimano, Avid, Hope, Hayes hydraulic discs. You might find some peopel using Formula too.
The best thing you can do after reading endless amounts of guff, is go the some bike shops. Amazing how many people ignore this.
Each manufacturer has a different feel, different qualities. You will find some bikes 'fit' you and some dont, no matter what size. Just like buying runnin shoes.
Im bored, so ill have a shufty at some possible candidates.
Where are you in the country?
Your budget is bang on the money for a lot of very nice bikes, its a very popular 'price-point'.
Before talking about specific bikes...
A hardtail sounds like what you want. This is good. A classic, XC orientated hardtail is the most common type of MTB.
A suspended frame is going to be too off-road orientated for you by the sounds of things - they are no good on roads, and you'll be wanting to add £400 or so to your budget really for something nice,
What you want to look for first is a good quality frame. it should be well finished, light and stiff. And most importantly - the right size.
After that, Forks, Brake and Wheels. these are the big, expensive, important bits that affect how a bike rides, after the frame.
Sealed hubs and good quality (mavic) rims make for strong light wheels, that dont need much maintenance. Shimano hubs are also common, and while a different design are still great.
Air forks will be common - this allows you to tune them easily, and most will offer some kind of compression lockout.
As for brakes - Shimano, Avid, Hope, Hayes hydraulic discs. You might find some peopel using Formula too.
The best thing you can do after reading endless amounts of guff, is go the some bike shops. Amazing how many people ignore this.
Each manufacturer has a different feel, different qualities. You will find some bikes 'fit' you and some dont, no matter what size. Just like buying runnin shoes.
Im bored, so ill have a shufty at some possible candidates.
Where are you in the country?
Hi
I have a specialized rock hopper and it is great cost me £750.
It gets quite a hammering and i have had a few accidents on it and i came of alot worse than the bike did, i can lock my forks out for road riding when needed and the frame is well built and light weight, and it, has a decent set of mavic rims with good mud munching tyres, it also has a middle of the road shimano groupset with disk breaks.
Dont go to halfords to buy a bike they are pretty pants at selling bikes and they are pretty standard bikes try and go to an independent bike shop you will get better service be able to try a few bikes out, they will suggest the right size frame and access your budget and needs.
You can pick up some good deals on bikes if you get last seasons spec, there really is not a huge amount of differance between the new and the old.
Happy hunting
Dave
I have a specialized rock hopper and it is great cost me £750.
It gets quite a hammering and i have had a few accidents on it and i came of alot worse than the bike did, i can lock my forks out for road riding when needed and the frame is well built and light weight, and it, has a decent set of mavic rims with good mud munching tyres, it also has a middle of the road shimano groupset with disk breaks.
Dont go to halfords to buy a bike they are pretty pants at selling bikes and they are pretty standard bikes try and go to an independent bike shop you will get better service be able to try a few bikes out, they will suggest the right size frame and access your budget and needs.
You can pick up some good deals on bikes if you get last seasons spec, there really is not a huge amount of differance between the new and the old.
Happy hunting
Dave
Hard-Drive said:
Right then, I procrastinated about this last year, never did anything, I've just earnt a few quid in bonus, spring is on the way, and I'm not getting any thinner! I want to buy a new mountain bike...used to be into it in my teens but I am so far out of touch I have no idea what to buy.
It won't be used as everyday transport, I want to ride off road quite a bit, (tends to be flat and muddy round here) but with the ability to take it places like Derbyshire and give it a good hammering over rocks, but with the occasional Sunday jaunt with the missus.
I guess I'd like disc brakes and all the toys, and if possible full suspension, but perhaps with the ability to lock it out for road work (if this can be done?) Or am I genuinely better off with a hardtail unless I am going downhill racing or similar?
A mate did recommend the Merlin Malt 1, is this any good, or are there new 2008 model year bikes out now?
Also, if anyone can recommend what i should be looking for in terms of a frame, groupset, wheel spec etc, that would be great.
Thanks in advance!!
I think your mate means the Merlin Malt 4? An excellent hardtail in white, if i may say so myself (i have one). There are lots out there for that price range, so it really depends if you want one of the bigger makes eg specialized, trek, or want to go for something a bit more different and rare eg Merlin, Orange. I would go for the latter category any day It won't be used as everyday transport, I want to ride off road quite a bit, (tends to be flat and muddy round here) but with the ability to take it places like Derbyshire and give it a good hammering over rocks, but with the occasional Sunday jaunt with the missus.
I guess I'd like disc brakes and all the toys, and if possible full suspension, but perhaps with the ability to lock it out for road work (if this can be done?) Or am I genuinely better off with a hardtail unless I am going downhill racing or similar?
A mate did recommend the Merlin Malt 1, is this any good, or are there new 2008 model year bikes out now?
Also, if anyone can recommend what i should be looking for in terms of a frame, groupset, wheel spec etc, that would be great.
Thanks in advance!!
Good full suspension are fine on roads, most will now come with lockouts on the shocks so you can firm everything up to solid if you like.
However.....your budget is not what good full suspension bikes cost... in my mind you need to be spending something like £1400 for a decent full suspension bike. For your budget a full suspension bike will be quite heavy and won't use great components. Not terrible mind, jut more of a compromise than I would want to make.
I'm talking new bikes of course, there are plenty of bargain 1/2 year old bikes around in good nick at that sort of price.
Cheers,
FT.
However.....your budget is not what good full suspension bikes cost... in my mind you need to be spending something like £1400 for a decent full suspension bike. For your budget a full suspension bike will be quite heavy and won't use great components. Not terrible mind, jut more of a compromise than I would want to make.
I'm talking new bikes of course, there are plenty of bargain 1/2 year old bikes around in good nick at that sort of price.
Cheers,
FT.
gbbird said:
I think your mate means the Merlin Malt 4? An excellent hardtail in white, if i may say so myself (i have one).
I bought mine based on gb's recommendation and I honestly couldn't love it more, its fast and light and gives me at least 5 years back on the guys i ride with.Its genuinely the best thing Ive ever bought, ever, in terms of quality and value for money.
Awesome. Thanks GB
nervous said:
gbbird said:
I think your mate means the Merlin Malt 4? An excellent hardtail in white, if i may say so myself (i have one).
I bought mine based on gb's recommendation and I honestly couldn't love it more, its fast and light and gives me at least 5 years back on the guys i ride with.Its genuinely the best thing Ive ever bought, ever, in terms of quality and value for money.
Awesome. Thanks GB
Spoke to Merlin but they are out of stock of 17" frames at the mo for the Malt4. But they do have a deal on the Rock Lobster tig team, which has a marginally better frame, and full XT groupset and comes in under the grand mark.
What do people think of this?
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&prod...
What do people think of this?
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&prod...
The Rock Lobster is a good bike and has had some very favourable reviews. In my opinion the thinner tubes on the frame aren't as good looking as the Malt 4 but it's probably a slightly nicer ride. I've got a Malt 4 and while I do enjoy it, the frame is very stiff. It's good that it's precise, but you do tend to feel it on long rides.
Other option is to see what's kicking around in bike shops of the 07 model, there are probably some bargains still to be had.
On-One are also worth looking at for great bikes at a good price, but they are mainly steel frames, so a little heavier. They are about to release a titanium frame though which could be very good indeed.
Other option is to see what's kicking around in bike shops of the 07 model, there are probably some bargains still to be had.
On-One are also worth looking at for great bikes at a good price, but they are mainly steel frames, so a little heavier. They are about to release a titanium frame though which could be very good indeed.
Hard-Drive said:
Spoke to Merlin but they are out of stock of 17" frames at the mo for the Malt4. But they do have a deal on the Rock Lobster tig team, which has a marginally better frame, and full XT groupset and comes in under the grand mark.
What do people think of this?
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&prod...
Rock Lobster is a good bike, and looks good in black too. Did they say how long for a 17' Malt 4. Might just be worth waiting........What do people think of this?
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&prod...
Me again...
Going by what people were saying about needing to spend £1400 ish for a decent full susser, and the possible '07 bargains, I had a look at the sale section of Evans cycles and came up with these...really good discounts. Would I be better with one of these?
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=70138
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=70606
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=70929
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=70606
Going by what people were saying about needing to spend £1400 ish for a decent full susser, and the possible '07 bargains, I had a look at the sale section of Evans cycles and came up with these...really good discounts. Would I be better with one of these?
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=70138
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=70606
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=70929
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=70606
H-D - what are you realistically gonna be using it for?
Don't bankrupt yourself buying the most expensive bike possible - make sure you keep some aside to pay for spares and accesories. I guarantee you'll get more fun out of a slightly cheaper bike with some money left over to buy some decent riding kit, a good lightweight helmet, and chuck some petrol in the car for a day-trip away to a trail centre of the lakes.
If your gonna be doing some proper off roading, and you can afford it, then great. I'm not trying to be patronising at all, just a lot of people I used to sell to used to over-estimate their riding.
The Cannondale looks the best bet to me - frames are superb. But all 3 are not particularly well specced. Specialized is quite basically specced and the FSR XC is their base level frame - the fisher is better specced but has undesireable forks/shock. Very short travel too, quite 'niche'.
Of course, this is me being a bit of a bike geek here - there all very good, capable bikes. You won't buy much for that money that could be called bad.
Remember that a f/s bike can require more maintenance and setting up to get the best out of it.
Oh, and Evans, Paulscycles, Wiggle etc are all great.
But go to a shop and ride some. Please! Get to a demo day and you can even ride a tonne of different bikes on proper trails. Its good fun and the best way to make your mind up about what you need.
Don't bankrupt yourself buying the most expensive bike possible - make sure you keep some aside to pay for spares and accesories. I guarantee you'll get more fun out of a slightly cheaper bike with some money left over to buy some decent riding kit, a good lightweight helmet, and chuck some petrol in the car for a day-trip away to a trail centre of the lakes.
If your gonna be doing some proper off roading, and you can afford it, then great. I'm not trying to be patronising at all, just a lot of people I used to sell to used to over-estimate their riding.
The Cannondale looks the best bet to me - frames are superb. But all 3 are not particularly well specced. Specialized is quite basically specced and the FSR XC is their base level frame - the fisher is better specced but has undesireable forks/shock. Very short travel too, quite 'niche'.
Of course, this is me being a bit of a bike geek here - there all very good, capable bikes. You won't buy much for that money that could be called bad.
Remember that a f/s bike can require more maintenance and setting up to get the best out of it.
Oh, and Evans, Paulscycles, Wiggle etc are all great.
But go to a shop and ride some. Please! Get to a demo day and you can even ride a tonne of different bikes on proper trails. Its good fun and the best way to make your mind up about what you need.
Just found this for the same money -
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=70625
The MkIII is a kick ass bike - very, very good.
Not sure if its what your after, its a 5" trail bike, very much aimed at some serious off-road. wont be the lightest but they are fast, plush, and great to ride in the rough stuff.
For an all round bike at that money that would be right near top of my list at that price.
Proper branded kit on it aswell, only downside is the mechanical discs - however, there the only mechanical ones worth using and its an easy upgrade next autumn if you feel the need.
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=70625
The MkIII is a kick ass bike - very, very good.
Not sure if its what your after, its a 5" trail bike, very much aimed at some serious off-road. wont be the lightest but they are fast, plush, and great to ride in the rough stuff.
For an all round bike at that money that would be right near top of my list at that price.
Proper branded kit on it aswell, only downside is the mechanical discs - however, there the only mechanical ones worth using and its an easy upgrade next autumn if you feel the need.
Another good deal -
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b...
Baby brother to what I'm currently riding, and very well specced. Giant have a bit of a Ford/Vauxhall type rep, however in reality this just means cracking value.
That is a shit-load better specced than the first 3 you posted for the same money.
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b...
Baby brother to what I'm currently riding, and very well specced. Giant have a bit of a Ford/Vauxhall type rep, however in reality this just means cracking value.
That is a shit-load better specced than the first 3 you posted for the same money.
Snotrag...not patronising at all...you clearly know a shed load more than me on cycling so I really appreciate the advice!
Just been paid annual bonus so it's not a bank-breaker...if I'm honest then yes, any one of those bikes will be a million times more capable than me, however if I've spent some decent money on one then I am more likely to ride it, and I'd like to be able to "grow into it" if that makes sense. Some people have said go for a good hardtail (which I'm not adverse to doing) and then upgrade after 18m or so, however as I see it if I have the chance to take advantage of a really good 2007 bike discount because of the time of year and do it now then surely that will work out cheaper than buying a decent hardtail, losing the money on that when I sell it, and then potentially upgrading mid 2009 when there are no more discounted 2008 bikes available if that makes sense. I did also buy some new riding kit under a year ago, all I really need is boots and a new helmet.
I spoke to Evans last night and the really helpful guy there basically said exactly what you did about the Specialized, and also said that the Fisher and Canondale were quite niche and designed for the American market. He was full of praise for this Pinnacle though...he said they are a new make but with a load of R&D behind them, much more of an allround bike, and much more suited to UK riding conditions, and quite a "cool" brand (if that makes a shred of difference) http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=70732
I'm going to have a ride of all 3 one evening next week...in fairness it will be a car park job and much more a case of making sure it fits as let's be honest if it was on a trail I'm probably not going to be able to tell the merits of each yet.
So you reckon the Iron Horse is worth a look at? How big/expensive an upgrade is it to go to hydraulic brakes? What are the advantages apart from presumably a lot more power and control?
Thanks for the lead on the Paul's Cycles bike but it's just a bit far away really...Evans are in Milton Keynes so it's only 30 miles or so...
Thanks again all, appreciate your help here!
Just been paid annual bonus so it's not a bank-breaker...if I'm honest then yes, any one of those bikes will be a million times more capable than me, however if I've spent some decent money on one then I am more likely to ride it, and I'd like to be able to "grow into it" if that makes sense. Some people have said go for a good hardtail (which I'm not adverse to doing) and then upgrade after 18m or so, however as I see it if I have the chance to take advantage of a really good 2007 bike discount because of the time of year and do it now then surely that will work out cheaper than buying a decent hardtail, losing the money on that when I sell it, and then potentially upgrading mid 2009 when there are no more discounted 2008 bikes available if that makes sense. I did also buy some new riding kit under a year ago, all I really need is boots and a new helmet.
I spoke to Evans last night and the really helpful guy there basically said exactly what you did about the Specialized, and also said that the Fisher and Canondale were quite niche and designed for the American market. He was full of praise for this Pinnacle though...he said they are a new make but with a load of R&D behind them, much more of an allround bike, and much more suited to UK riding conditions, and quite a "cool" brand (if that makes a shred of difference) http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=70732
I'm going to have a ride of all 3 one evening next week...in fairness it will be a car park job and much more a case of making sure it fits as let's be honest if it was on a trail I'm probably not going to be able to tell the merits of each yet.
So you reckon the Iron Horse is worth a look at? How big/expensive an upgrade is it to go to hydraulic brakes? What are the advantages apart from presumably a lot more power and control?
Thanks for the lead on the Paul's Cycles bike but it's just a bit far away really...Evans are in Milton Keynes so it's only 30 miles or so...
Thanks again all, appreciate your help here!
Edited by Hard-Drive on Friday 8th February 08:42
Pinnacle are closely connected with Evans Cycles so they will plug them. not saying they are a bad bike - to be fair they look and sound really good and at decent prices, but just beware of the Evans sell on them.
I would recommend you get a hardtail than a full susser. Thye are the best to learn with, feel more responsive, and IMHO look better than full sussers. And buck for buck, you get more quality for your money. I guess the best is to have one of each, if one can afford to, but always start with a hardtail.
g
I would recommend you get a hardtail than a full susser. Thye are the best to learn with, feel more responsive, and IMHO look better than full sussers. And buck for buck, you get more quality for your money. I guess the best is to have one of each, if one can afford to, but always start with a hardtail.
g
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