New mountain bike

[bondbill2k2]

In a pursuit of improved fitness and rekindling an old hobby from my teens I'm looking at purchasing a new mountain bike. I've been going on 3/4 bike rides per week the last month around 12-15miles each down local canal paths and other rural routes such as near by walk routes along south Stafford railway. Of the weekend I'm looking at visiting Cannock chase and its trial routes. I don't know alot about bikes but I currently use my 12ish year old Trek 4500 a pretty good bike which has taken some abuse and at times neglect over they ears I've had it but I'm thinking I may benefit from a new bike rather then my current beaten Trek which could do with some new cogs saddle and suspension really.

 

Bike radar seems good for review and an idea of what to buy, the best sub £500 mountain bike seems to be shockingly Halfords sold Carrera Vulcan but looking on the bay...as you do I've been looking at lovely Giant and Cannondale bikes in the £700-800 region reselling only sometimes 12months old for around the Carrera vulcans price range which Is really tempting but possibly overkill?

 

Anyone on here able to shed more light on the matter, maybe someone who's recently looked or purchased a bike or someone who enjoys their bikes? Much rather opinions on here then a sales man in my local bike store!

[pcstru]

Slightly off the question but sort of on topic : check if your employer participates in the cycle to work scheme. You could save a bit of cash.

[dave.81]

I've been sort of looking at doing the same over the past few months. I keep coming back to the Voodoo range from Halfords. I have been advised by many not to get a 2nd hand bike due to the cost of repairs to major parts which you wont really know until you've bought.

 

I've been around in circles over what to buy, may get a £100 one from Halfords and just know i've bought a bad one.

[hardtailstar]

Try finding a local forum not only can you meet people to ride with im sure they will give you great advice and maybe some bikes for sale there.

 

I got back into riding a year ago and joined a forum local to me and they have been great.

[bondbill2k2]

I've been around in circles over what to buy, may get a £100 one from Halfords and just know i've bought a bad one.

 

 

tbh doing some research voodoo and carrera both get much praise in the bike community for sub £1k bikes not just for value but equipment too! I suppose once you have a good base its worth just building on that upgrading forks tyres brakes etc as you see fit depending on your needs. Carrera are made in the same factory and same designers as specialized bikes I've read!

[aleach2]

Just been helping a colleague here with finding a bike. Specialized are very good quality. If you look around July-August time you might find some good deals as it’s the end of this year’s range for most manufacturers.

 

Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc 2012 Mountain Bike | Evans Cycles

 

This is a very good bike for the money.

 

Note: keep away from cable disk brakes, as they are no use to man or beast. Hydraulic disk's or V breaks.

 

Happy shopping

[AWicher]

Naaaa, you wana get your self a "Real" bicycle. Ribble Bikebuilder | Frames | Wheels | Groupsets

 

Can highly recommend the Ribble Sportive 7046 Curved, got it for this season and its performing very well.

[Oaktech]

I'd go for a good secondhand cannondale over a new carrera any day, I'd also have a look at felt and whyte bikes too, as they are not such well known brands you can often get serious discounts for secondhand, or even last years model new. I have a felt QX hybrid which retails for around £900, but off the bay I got one for £470 brand new.

 

Bike parts are generally pretty cheap unless you want sexy bits with carbon and stuff...

 

Oh, and don't touch cable discs. World of hurt. Hydraulic discs, hydraulic rims or well set up v brakes.

Edited June 13, 2012 by Oaktech

[jmak]

At the risk of being boring, you need to go and try them. In a previous life, I worked in Evans (when they only had 3 branches in London, before they were a national chain). The Treks were always great bikes, but were never any good for me, as they don't fit me. The differences in quality between the decent brands isn't massive, but if you get one that doesn't suit your dimensions, you'll never be happy on it. As Awicher said, Ribble have always had a great reputation -for their own bikes and as an independent. I might be being a snob and I'm sure that there are some good staff in Halfords, but I would compare them to going to Currys for electronics. If you're 100% sure of what you want and they have a good price, give it a go. Equally, you'll always do better with an independent if something does go wrong.

[mats]

Anyone on here able to shed more light on the matter, maybe someone who's recently looked or purchased a bike or someone who enjoys their bikes? Much rather opinions on here then a sales man in my local bike store!

 

You're right to avoid the siren call of full sus bikes - they're no good unless you spend £1000+. Most bike bits are easy to upgrade with the exception of the fork - £££ and needs the right tools to upgrade. The Vulcan looks like a lot of bike for £350 though.

 

Re ebay bikes - I did it and bought a 'ridden twice, decided mountain biking isn't for me' bike and it's been great. It was a minter 3 years ago and certainly isn't now. I'd be very cautious about used bikes, as another poster said - there are plenty of bits that can wear out which you don't want to be paying to replace.

 

If you know your stuff, local ads might be the way forward because you can inspect before handing over the dosh.

 

Again, cycle to work can save about 30% if you have a nice employer and aren't planning to change jobs for 18 months. Can include kit too so panniers, repair kit, waterproofs, lock, lights, lid can all be added.

 

Hth

[Singist]

I go mountain biking quite a lot with my partner and if you want somewhere to go to really test out your bike then Llandegla near Wrexham is awesome. Cafe at the end of whatever trail you choose is even better. This will be my next bike

[bondbill2k2]

Ebay bikes I've only been looking in a 20mile radius so I can inspect before I buy and take someone who knows abit more then me, generally looking at 2010> models aswell so they tend to be less 'used and abused' bang for buck the hellfrauds bikes seem alright but I'd rather spend more and get something better but also those new are getting out of my price range so pre-owned bike does seem to be the best option!

[bondbill2k2]

Well did the Follow the dog chase trail tonight what a laugh that was! Tired now tho, bike held up ok but a new one wouldn't go amiss. Just missed a nice Giant Xt3.5 as it was too far away

[bondbill2k2]

Anyone know if this is a decent buy for £350ish? Full decent suspension setup and decent frame but thinking lack of discs must mean this is a fairly old near 10year old model? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221045341210?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_500wt_1361

[mats]

Anyone know if this is a decent buy for £350ish? Full decent suspension setup and decent frame but thinking lack of discs must mean this is a fairly old near 10year old model? TREK FUEL DOWNHILL MOUNTAIN BIKE (18" MEDIUM FRAME) | eBay

 

They've done a great job cleaning it but the v brakes and what looks like a 7 speed cassette suggest it's pretty old. I'm no expert on forks but they look pretty elderly too. For £350 I'd be looking at a 2-3 year old hardtail, it's not enough cash for a fully bouncy.

[chilbs]

I would suggest looking a year old/2 year old models that are available new from excess stock in shops. Pauls Cycles, Rutland cycles, Cyclestore.co.uk, etc (loads more, these a re just the ones I know of). Decathlon also get good write ups for their bikes. I'd agree with Mats. Edited June 15, 2012 by chilbs

[bondbill2k2]

The Carrera Banshee X looks like a good option if I can drop on one for my price range, one on ebay in travel distance at the moment having seen one go for under £500 last week, also a none 'x' model Banshee fairly local on the bay

 

 

Slightly off the question but sort of on topic : check if your employer participates in the cycle to work scheme. You could save a bit of cash.

 

I'd love to make use of this scheme but work is a 75mile commute each day!

Edited June 15, 2012 by bondbill2k2

[Oaktech]

They've done a great job cleaning it but the v brakes and what looks like a 7 speed cassette suggest it's pretty old. I'm no expert on forks but they look pretty elderly too. For £350 I'd be looking at a 2-3 year old hardtail, it's not enough cash for a fully bouncy.

 

^^ this, for that bike i would expect to pay less than £200 if. My friend had the fuel EX5 2010, which he bought new which cost nearly £1400, he's just sold it for £450 which was what he could get, he set a reserve of £800 first time round and didn't get near it, then £600. It got bid up to £480 and then it stalled, third time lucky he set a buy it now of £650 and a reserve of £450, it just made reserve.

[bondbill2k2]

^^ this, for that bike i would expect to pay less than £200 if. My friend had the fuel EX5 2010, which he bought new which cost nearly £1400, he's just sold it for £450 which was what he could get, he set a reserve of £800 first time round and didn't get near it, then £600. It got bid up to £480 and then it stalled, third time lucky he set a buy it now of £650 and a reserve of £450, it just made reserve.

 

Yea having looked at previous selling prices of some bikes its not worth paying much for that one its abit dated! Misleading due to how clean it looked when I first saw the advert. A 2010 Giant XtC2 hardtail sold last weekend for £380 in good condition gives me an idea what to expect for my money

[mats]

I'd love to make use of this scheme but work is a 75mile commute each day!

 

Suitability for getting to work makes no difference whatsoever. You could buy a bmx, a childs bike, a trials bike or a unicycle if the bike shop will sell it to you under bike to work. Similarly, nobody checks if half the bikes use is going to work (as it's supposed to be). I use old low-value bikes for work / pub / shopping duties - wouldn't dare lock a shiny new bike at school regularly.

 

If you want a new'un, bike to work scheme. If you're less bothered, I'd ebay - like that Giant.

Edited June 15, 2012 by mats

[pcstru]

I'd love to make use of this scheme but work is a 75mile commute each day!

 

That doesn't matter. I bought my bike on the scheme when I had an 80 mile commute. This year I'm thinking about using the scheme to buy an electric conversion kit (don't laugh at the back!). No one checks and the agreement is between you and your employer. It's less beneficial than it used to be but can still be worthwhile for a new bike.

[bondbill2k2]

Picked up a Giant XTC off ebay for £200, took it for a run after changing the tyres and tubes over cannock chase's

. What a difference, owned those hills compared to before and drops were so much smoother and easier!