Discussion
You could do worse than have a look at Bird...
http://shop.birdmtb.com/zero/zero-3-279.html
...I don't have one right now, but they are top of my shortlist for when I do replace my current bike. I'm looking at a Zero 1 with some extras and upgrades (you can customise the Zero 3, but to a lesser extent).
At £995 before you start tweaking the spec, it's right at the top end of your budget, but it's a hell of a lot of bike for the money, and has reviewed really well in a couple of bike mags, beating more expensive stuff from more established brands. What's more, it's a fairly new operation, and they design the frames in-house, and direct-sell, like Planet X and Ribble, etc. That's how they keep the prices low. They've done various demo days at trail centres, and you can always contact them to arrange a demo if you are anywhere near North Hampshire. They're based near Eversley, between Reading and Farnborough.
http://shop.birdmtb.com/zero/zero-3-279.html
...I don't have one right now, but they are top of my shortlist for when I do replace my current bike. I'm looking at a Zero 1 with some extras and upgrades (you can customise the Zero 3, but to a lesser extent).
At £995 before you start tweaking the spec, it's right at the top end of your budget, but it's a hell of a lot of bike for the money, and has reviewed really well in a couple of bike mags, beating more expensive stuff from more established brands. What's more, it's a fairly new operation, and they design the frames in-house, and direct-sell, like Planet X and Ribble, etc. That's how they keep the prices low. They've done various demo days at trail centres, and you can always contact them to arrange a demo if you are anywhere near North Hampshire. They're based near Eversley, between Reading and Farnborough.
Markspecc said:
Thanks guys, last time I had a bike was about 15 years ago. There is just so many to chose from and I don't really know what's good or not
I was in your situation a couple of years ago. Very glad I went for my Cube LTD Race. Depends what geo suits you etc, but at that budget spread your net wide and you'll find something good, in my experience.Check these out: http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s2p0/Mountain-Bik...
I'd suggest if your taller go for 29" wheels though
I'd suggest if your taller go for 29" wheels though
Scott's Scale is another possibility...
You get a choice of 29 inch (Scale 960) or 27.5 inch (Scale 760) wheels, and the two are both £899.00 and around the 12.6kg mark.
Stretch your budget to £1099.00 and you can shave off about 800 grams from each bike, with the Scale 750/950. These see an upgrade to a mixed XT/SLX 2x10 drive train, better hubs and upgraded forks.
Scale 750... http://www.scott-sports.com/global/en/products/238...
They're the other front runners on my shortlist for a new hard tail MTB.
You get a choice of 29 inch (Scale 960) or 27.5 inch (Scale 760) wheels, and the two are both £899.00 and around the 12.6kg mark.
Stretch your budget to £1099.00 and you can shave off about 800 grams from each bike, with the Scale 750/950. These see an upgrade to a mixed XT/SLX 2x10 drive train, better hubs and upgraded forks.
Scale 750... http://www.scott-sports.com/global/en/products/238...
They're the other front runners on my shortlist for a new hard tail MTB.
Edited by yellowjack on Friday 9th January 23:40
A couple of years old but it's half price at £900 plus pedals. http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s155p4266/CANNOND... Always had a thing for a lefty fork.
ecsrobin said:
A couple of years old but it's half price at £900 plus pedals. http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s155p4266/CANNOND... Always had a thing for a lefty fork.
Seem a really good deal but only available in medium, think I need a large or x-large as I'm 6'2Markspecc said:
ecsrobin said:
A couple of years old but it's half price at £900 plus pedals. http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s155p4266/CANNOND... Always had a thing for a lefty fork.
Seem a really good deal but only available in medium, think I need a large or x-large as I'm 6'2I have a cannondale sl1 2013 26. Excellent bike . I got mine from Paul's cycles.
My second cannondale . first one a 2001 f500 which I still have , both totally reliable.
So I say look at cannondale.
You really need to sit on the bike to make sure it's gonna be right for you though.
Happy shopping.
My second cannondale . first one a 2001 f500 which I still have , both totally reliable.
So I say look at cannondale.
You really need to sit on the bike to make sure it's gonna be right for you though.
Happy shopping.
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s155p5203/CANNOND...
£100 over budget but a hell of alot of bike for the money at £700 off.
Had one of these for 18 months and loved it.
So much that when it was nicked I had no thoughts other than to buy the carbon framed version!
£100 over budget but a hell of alot of bike for the money at £700 off.
Had one of these for 18 months and loved it.
So much that when it was nicked I had no thoughts other than to buy the carbon framed version!
Tried a few bikes today at my local shop, they mainly stock cube which I've not really looked into but they seemed pretty decent. Unfortunately they didn't have anything in my size but pretty close and it did give me the chance to try the different wheel sizes. I definitely preferred the 650 over the 29er, so the search continues....
What sort of rider are you/do you expect to be?
1. The sort that likes to munch miles and gets some sort of perverse pleasure out of nasty climbs,
2. The sort that doesn't mind climbing and a bit of distance riding, but it's always a means to an end to ride a good bit of singletrack
If the former, go for a lightweight short (80-100mm) travel 29er as some people have suggested
If the latter, go for a 650b or 26" (dare I say it) bike with 120-140mm travel. The Bird bikes look great at that price, and that's probably the bike I'd have.
1. The sort that likes to munch miles and gets some sort of perverse pleasure out of nasty climbs,
2. The sort that doesn't mind climbing and a bit of distance riding, but it's always a means to an end to ride a good bit of singletrack
If the former, go for a lightweight short (80-100mm) travel 29er as some people have suggested
If the latter, go for a 650b or 26" (dare I say it) bike with 120-140mm travel. The Bird bikes look great at that price, and that's probably the bike I'd have.
samj2014 said:
What sort of rider are you/do you expect to be?
1. The sort that likes to munch miles and gets some sort of perverse pleasure out of nasty climbs,
2. The sort that doesn't mind climbing and a bit of distance riding, but it's always a means to an end to ride a good bit of singletrack
If the former, go for a lightweight short (80-100mm) travel 29er as some people have suggested
If the latter, go for a 650b or 26" (dare I say it) bike with 120-140mm travel. The Bird bikes look great at that price, and that's probably the bike I'd have.
Definitely the latter, struggling to find a 650b wheeled bike with a 21-22" frame though ? Doesn't seem to be a lot of choice. Any more suggestions ?1. The sort that likes to munch miles and gets some sort of perverse pleasure out of nasty climbs,
2. The sort that doesn't mind climbing and a bit of distance riding, but it's always a means to an end to ride a good bit of singletrack
If the former, go for a lightweight short (80-100mm) travel 29er as some people have suggested
If the latter, go for a 650b or 26" (dare I say it) bike with 120-140mm travel. The Bird bikes look great at that price, and that's probably the bike I'd have.
Canyon bikes always seem to get great reviews. You can get a 11.5Kg 29'er with good components for circa £800
http://www.canyon.com/en/outlet/list.html#category...
http://www.canyon.com/en/outlet/list.html#category...
Markspecc said:
Definitely the latter, struggling to find a 650b wheeled bike with a 21-22" frame though ? Doesn't seem to be a lot of choice. Any more suggestions ?
21" or 22" frame sounds rather large to me really. I've never ridden frames that size and i am verging on 6'3".
After years of DH and playing around with bikes i wanted to get fit and crunch the miles so bought this.....
Cube Reaction Pro. 29". It was great bike with great spec and very well made and it was a perfect fit on a 20" frame. The 22" was massive and far far too big to ride. Unfortunately it just wasn't for me. 29" wheels were just not fun and the XC position didn't do anything for singeltrack or playing around so that went.
So i built/bought this which is a local to me new company run by some great lads with a superb company ethos and more importantly awesome bikes...
650b Hardtail in 19" frame. Now this may sound too small for me it is just perfect! I have shortish legs and longer body. I can ride all day doing the miles but then i can throw it down a good DH track or singeltrack and it just handles everything. It is simply the best bike i have ever owned and so much fun to ride. And the it is unbeatable in the value for money stakes if you buy a whole bike. They do a 21" frame as well and prices start from £995
Check em out here..http://www.birdmtb.com
Edited by nessiemac on Monday 12th January 13:23
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