MTB Buying Advice Please.......
Discussion
Many thanks for the advice so far, i've visited loads of shops this week and watched loads of videos on the Straphpuffer on you tube, do I need full suspension or hard tail?
I've found a deal on a Specialized Rockhopper, also a Giant Revel Limited Edition but finally a GT Sensor 3.0 2011 full suspension, what do you think I should go for?
Any advice appreciated.
I've found a deal on a Specialized Rockhopper, also a Giant Revel Limited Edition but finally a GT Sensor 3.0 2011 full suspension, what do you think I should go for?
Any advice appreciated.
it really does depend on the rider and their personal preference. as an example, some world cup xc riders favour hardtails, others favour full suspension bikes, its down to the course, the conditions and their style. for an endurance event some would favour the comfort of full sus, others the potential weight advantage of a hardtail.
one thing i have found as a convert from hardtail is full sus does help reduce fatigue on a long ride, especially the arms and upper body. this is worth bearing in mind but it does depend on the quality of the bike. a cheap fs bike will be horrid and wallow around the trails like a bouncy castle in a storm, you will waste energy on a cheaper fs bike.
you want a bike that will be comfortable and efficient. given potential weather conditions, i would be looking for a hardtail like a charge duster.
if you go looking through the secondhand adverts, keep an eye out for the (FS) Specialzed Epic or the Giant Anthem X1 or X2 from 2010/11. they were superb bikes and (the Giant) won lots of magazine bike of the year awards but crucially also has good feedback from joe public on forums. it is a particularly efficient and competent full suspension design. whatever you buy, you will need a good few hours on it to get a comfortbale set up and adjust your riding accordingly.
one thing i have found as a convert from hardtail is full sus does help reduce fatigue on a long ride, especially the arms and upper body. this is worth bearing in mind but it does depend on the quality of the bike. a cheap fs bike will be horrid and wallow around the trails like a bouncy castle in a storm, you will waste energy on a cheaper fs bike.
you want a bike that will be comfortable and efficient. given potential weather conditions, i would be looking for a hardtail like a charge duster.
if you go looking through the secondhand adverts, keep an eye out for the (FS) Specialzed Epic or the Giant Anthem X1 or X2 from 2010/11. they were superb bikes and (the Giant) won lots of magazine bike of the year awards but crucially also has good feedback from joe public on forums. it is a particularly efficient and competent full suspension design. whatever you buy, you will need a good few hours on it to get a comfortbale set up and adjust your riding accordingly.
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 16th November 16:18
Well it is almost impossible to answer correctly, but last year we raced it on singlespeed hardtails.
The reason for this is because the grit is very abrasive and destroys everything on the bike, including forks and shocks.
So if you really are set on doing Strathpuffer then a hardtail might work out cheaper. Both to buy and maintain.
But long term, after that event it might be that a full suspension will be better, who knows?
What is your budget?
The reason for this is because the grit is very abrasive and destroys everything on the bike, including forks and shocks.
So if you really are set on doing Strathpuffer then a hardtail might work out cheaper. Both to buy and maintain.
But long term, after that event it might be that a full suspension will be better, who knows?
What is your budget?
matt-ITR said:
Well it is almost impossible to answer correctly, but last year we raced it on singlespeed hardtails.
The reason for this is because the grit is very abrasive and destroys everything on the bike, including forks and shocks.
So if you really are set on doing Strathpuffer then a hardtail might work out cheaper. Both to buy and maintain.
But long term, after that event it might be that a full suspension will be better, who knows?
What is your budget?
Matt I limited myself to £700 and then see this GT reduced from £1200 to £884, would you sugget hardtail then mate?The reason for this is because the grit is very abrasive and destroys everything on the bike, including forks and shocks.
So if you really are set on doing Strathpuffer then a hardtail might work out cheaper. Both to buy and maintain.
But long term, after that event it might be that a full suspension will be better, who knows?
What is your budget?
If you can stretch your budget, then this would be perfect:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/charge-duster-11-2011/
It has an internal geared hub, so it will be less affected by winter conditions.
Plus a good steel frame and good components.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/charge-duster-11-2011/
It has an internal geared hub, so it will be less affected by winter conditions.
Plus a good steel frame and good components.
996 sps said:
Thanks Pablo, how does the GT Sensor 3.0 Full Suspension look to you? Its a 1200 pound bike but would a £750 hard tail do the job?
put it this way, any HT around £750 and above will still be capable of going long after you have thrown in the towel but in all seriousness you need remember that a FS bike is no "better" than a HT simply of being FS. although i appreciate that £1200 is an awful lot of money, it does represent the lower end of the new FS market as far as mountain bikes go and that means that the spec of the components throughout the bike are about base level. there will be some cost savings throughout the bike whcih wil laffect performance but thats the same with any bike, you just have to decide if the spec is suitable for you, things to look for are forks, rear shock (if applicable), wheelset and groupset.
a price reduction doesnt increase the quality of the bike, it just lowers the price. I appreciate that sounds really patronising but i cant really expalin what i mean any better. when a bike is reduced, you are not getting "more" bike for your money, just the same bike for less money?!?!??!
what you really want is the most bike for your money, hence i would still be looking at hardtails like the duster.
Gooby said:
I wouldn't touch a £1200 FS bike with a barge pole. Get a decent hard tail for this money.
Really? Not even this?http://www.canyon.com/_uk/mountainbikes/bike.html?...
nammynake said:
canyon are the thorn in every what bike thread because they are incredible value for money but unless you are content with buying online, sizing yourself up and not having the dealer back up on the high street, its probably not the right bike for everyone. nammynake said:
Gooby said:
I wouldn't touch a £1200 FS bike with a barge pole. Get a decent hard tail for this money.
Really? Not even this?http://www.canyon.com/_uk/mountainbikes/bike.html?...
It comes down to bottom of the acceptable range of full sus bikes or really good hard tail.
Anyway for that money - this is better;
http://www.primera-sports.com/products/clearance-m...
Still wouldnt buy it... For that budget, get a hard tail and have a great bike!
Many thanks for all your advice much appreciated, was going to buy the full sus GT for the money but I will now get either a Giant Revel 0 Ltd Edition for £600 or a Specialized Rockhopper for same price.
The only thing I felt with the Specialized was a more comfortable riding position but components not as good.
The only thing I felt with the Specialized was a more comfortable riding position but components not as good.
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