New bike 250 - 300 Pounds

[sneijder]

As per my other thread I have had my bike stolen and need a new one, on a bit of a budget.

I have seen these :

http://www.xxl.no/shopping/showitem.aspx?id=63009 Scott Aspect 50

http://www.xxl.no/shopping/showitem.aspx?id=63007 Scott Voltage YZ-3

For the price just divide the Norwegian Kr by 10 for UKP. Are Scott bikes any good, or will I be buying something that'll drop to bits in a year. I'd rather buy a used bike, but no one sells them in Oslo.

I'd be using it just for bombing through the city, rather like a bike messenger, but the potholes and tram tracks rule out anything with skinny tyres. I'd also be having a bit of a pootle in the countryside but nothing to extreme.

Also I've never had a bike with suspension forks on, I'm guessing I'd need ones that 'lock out' as racing down the street I would loose some pedal power to the forks soaking it up ?

Thanks in advance !

[AstraVXR]

Rear suspension certainly soaks up pedal power but ive never found forks a nuisance, there good for dealing with those potholes and tramtracks etc. Most forks now have a lockout setting if you find that more suitable though.

[sneijder]

Cheers, Rear suspension is way out of my budget / needs. I guess if they have a proper lockout I get the best of both worlds.

[Miffy964RS]

Scott are some of the best low budget bikes in my opinion.
Stay well away from dual suspension in the sub £500 price range!

[sneijder]

Found this in a sale :



Scott Scale 60 '08

Worked out at just shy of 500 quid, but with decent front forks and XT on it it was worth a bit of overtime this weekend to pay for it !

Took it for an urban blast around Oslo this afternoon and I'm well chuffed ! I love the way you can press down on the front forks and pop up to mount a kerb. I'll be taking it out into the great outdoors as soon as I can.