Bloody Hell Choosing A MTB is SO HARD......

[996 sps]

Well my head is shot, was going to go for a hardtail, Straphpuffer in mind and Pablo and Matt's good advice has assisted that, however went to a shop today (yes another one) there thoughts were a full sus bike, they had a 2011 Giant Anthem X4 reduced from £1650 to £1250 my size really liked it, but didn't want to spend that budget but do have it, thoughts on this bike? Ideal for what i'm doing, also will be riding in Brecon Beacons and Northamptonshire area.

[nammynake]

and your reason for starting a new thread is...?

[anonymous-user]

nammynake said:

and your reason for starting a new thread is...?

who cares because

996 sps said:

Pablo and Matt's good advice

and I'm saving that for prosperity!

the X4 is a good bike, in terms of riding characteristics, it will ride like a hardtail far more than most other full sus bikes which will make it faster over the ground, particularly the xc stuff like the brecons. just get it bought...

Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 19th November 21:38

[shouldbworking]

2011 X4 @ £1100 with a quick google

[996 sps]

shouldbworking said:

2011 X4 @ £1100 with a quick google

Yep not my sizes, I also want to have the peace of mind that I've got someone to take it back to.

Pablo cheers again, shops open tomorrow so going to man up and get it brought.

The reason for starting the thread was for advice, hoping that was fairly obvious.

[squareflops]

996 sps said:

get it brought.

Aaah!!

[996 sps]

squareflops said:

Aaah!!

Thoughts square flops? Literally got 1 job to do and then im to the bike shop.

[anonymous-user]

Unless you're actually going to race it, then if your spending ~£1600 (or the equivalent of) a modern FS is probably the answer, especially if you're going to spend some time in the saddle. My Hardtail is superlight and fast, and i ride it for events, but after riding it on a couple of 24hr events and some all day rides i was enviously eyeing up my mates FS bikes by the end of the day ;-)

X4 is a prety good place to start. Buy it, ride it, then maybe next year or so, throw a few drivetrain and component upgrades at it and you've got a really nice bike !

[matt-ITR]

If you are spending that amount of money on a bike, then get the Charge with Alfine 11 hub I mentioned before.

The Anthem is a good bike, but after strathpuffer you can factor in a £200-300 repair if not more for all the parts destroyed by the grit.