First mountain bike - 29er hardtail?

[torqueofthedevil]

Considering a first mountain bike. Just had a quick look and is this the sort of thing I should be after?

Budget is the right ball park.

I currently have a road bike and (admittedly it was years ago) I once rode a full suspension MTB and didn't like how I lost all my power through the rear suspension.

Hence the hard tail.

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s155p5311/GT-TIMB...

29er just because I like the look of larger wheels and will have to do some sections of road on it so seems a better choice?

[torqueofthedevil]

This looks better

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s155p3842/GT-KARA...

Notice sizes are small medium large etc.

Road bike is 56 cm but a touch small. Would I be large then?

Edited by torqueofthedevil on Friday 26th September 07:58

[Herman Toothrot]

torqueofthedevil said:

This looks better

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s155p3842/GT-KARA...

Notice sizes are small medium large etc.

Road bike is 56 cm but a touch small. Would I be large then?

Edited by torqueofthedevil on Friday 26th September 07:58

Size wise smallest frame you can get away with on a MTB's, mediums are usually 18" and good for people up to 5'11.

[Herman Toothrot]

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/cube-analog-29-...

If budget can go up to £500 then this gets you better Shimano brakes and other stuff Deore mech, Rock Shoxs.

[Zaim]

Personally I'd go for a 27.5 size wheel. The market is a bit muddled at the moment but what is clear is 26" wheels are dead. Now it's a tussle between the 29" and 27.5". I think the 27.5" is going to give you the best of both worlds, rolls easily over most dips but quick to spin up and easy to manoeuvre.

Although the GT's both look good there is better out there for the money, plus I think GT are hampered by their triple triangle design and both your examples look compromised when it comes to geometry and kit.

Both of these look like ridiculous VFM:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-bikes-nuc...
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-bikes-sen...

I'd go for the Sentier due to the air fork and better kit plus the next model up got some rave reviews from the bike press and they both use the same frame.
http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/category/bikes/m...

For £550 even I'm tempted to add another bike to the collection.

[richardxjr]

Evans' own Pinnacle Ramin 4 29er. £400.

[anonymous-user]

Agree with above, 650b/27.5 is the way forward at the moment.

That Vitus is great value for money, British built etc.

[BeerMonster1]

Zaim said:

Personally I'd go for a 27.5 size wheel. The market is a bit muddled at the moment but what is clear is 26" wheels are dead. Now it's a tussle between the 29" and 27.5". I think the 27.5" is going to give you the best of both worlds, rolls easily over most dips but quick to spin up and easy to manoeuvre.

Although the GT's both look good there is better out there for the money, plus I think GT are hampered by their triple triangle design and both your examples look compromised when it comes to geometry and kit.

Both of these look like ridiculous VFM:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-bikes-nuc...
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-bikes-sen...

I'd go for the Sentier due to the air fork and better kit plus the next model up got some rave reviews from the bike press and they both use the same frame.
http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/category/bikes/m...

For £550 even I'm tempted to add another bike to the collection.

As above really!! I have the Sentier VR 275 and it is fantastic, it rolls really well and the forks and brakes are great. It is a little more than £500 but the nucleus is a good option too as my dad has the 29er version and seems to get on with it really well

[Craikeybaby]

Zaim said:

Personally I'd go for a 27.5 size wheel. The market is a bit muddled at the moment but what is clear is 26" wheels are dead. Now it's a tussle between the 29" and 27.5". I think the 27.5" is going to give you the best of both worlds, rolls easily over most dips but quick to spin up and easy to manoeuvre.

Although the GT's both look good there is better out there for the money, plus I think GT are hampered by their triple triangle design and both your examples look compromised when it comes to geometry and kit.

Both of these look like ridiculous VFM:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-bikes-nuc...
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-bikes-sen...

I'd go for the Sentier due to the air fork and better kit plus the next model up got some rave reviews from the bike press and they both use the same frame.
http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/category/bikes/m...

For £550 even I'm tempted to add another bike to the collection.

I'm going to be ordering the Nucleus next week - it says that it has the air fork too, or am I missing something?

[Zaim]

Craikeybaby said:

I'm going to be ordering the Nucleus next week - it says that it has the air fork too, or am I missing something?

I'm the one missing something. The Nucleus definitely has an air fork.

Still can't believe the value. When I started riding off road 20 years ago this kind of bike was only in my dreams. I know it's 20 years but that is seriously cheap.

[bingybongy]

Worth a look.

http://pinnacle-bikes.co.uk/mountain/pinnacle-rami...

[Craikeybaby]

Zaim said:

I'm the one missing something. The Nucleus definitely has an air fork.

Still can't believe the value. When I started riding off road 20 years ago this kind of bike was only in my dreams. I know it's 20 years but that is seriously cheap.

It was £430 a couple of weeks ago and I thought it was a bargain then!

[Sargeant Orange]

I just picked up a Voodoo Bizango for £500 from Halfords after some advice here. I wasn't expecting the size to be suitable (only 18 & 20 frames) but the 20 was perfect after trying it out.

Haven't tried it out yet though so can't give you any feedback

[torqueofthedevil]

Speaking to a lad at work and showing him some of the bikes I'd seen, he was surprised that the forks only had 100mm travel and said I need at least 160, saying they would bottom out all the time.

I've had a look through and I haven't been able to find one bike (even doubling my budget to 1k) that has more than 100mm.

Was he talking st?

[richardxjr]

Yes.

With cheaper forks the longer the travel the weaker and noodlier it will be. 100mm is plenty if set up right.

[Herman Toothrot]

100mm is more than enough, people used to race XC full rigid and DH with 100mm.

[YankeePorker]

I've updated my old Specialized hard tail MTB with a Thudbuster seat post suspension. Saves your arse without eating up the pedalling efficiency. Have a look on Amazon if the idea appeals.

[Hoonigan]

Sargeant Orange said:

I just picked up a Voodoo Bizango for £500 from Halfords after some advice here. I wasn't expecting the size to be suitable (only 18 & 20 frames) but the 20 was perfect after trying it out.

Haven't tried it out yet though so can't give you any feedback

I have one too, Brilliant bike and excellent value, only cost me about £425.00 from halfords.

Edited by Hoonigan on Friday 26th September 20:50

[Sargeant Orange]

Hoonigan said:

Sargeant Orange said:

I just picked up a Voodoo Bizango for £500 from Halfords after some advice here. I wasn't expecting the size to be suitable (only 18 & 20 frames) but the 20 was perfect after trying it out.

Haven't tried it out yet though so can't give you any feedback

I have one too, Brilliant bike and excellent value, only cost me about £425.00 from halfords.

Edited by Hoonigan on Friday 26th September 20:50

Just taken it out, all I can say is wow, why didn't I buy this 2 years ago The 29's make a huge difference up the hills, can't believe how it eats up the ground. Great fun

[wetny]

Can't comment on the bike, but I got a Scott Scale 70 a few years ago from Paul's Cycles and it was great. Minimum assembly, set up ok, tyres even pumped up. Had clearly been looked over.