Mountain Biking - Looking for a new bike.

I'm currently looking for a nice new bike. I have a £400 budget to buy me a decent bike that won't fall apart.

I have found this one: http://www.heathcycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s1p833

What do you think? Any other recommendations?

Adam

What is your weight and intended riding terrain?

I am about 10 stone, and 6ft.

Intended riding... ummm, mostly old tracks (english green lanes, don't know how to explain them).

Adam

For that price stay away from full suspention (FS) - its not worth buying a full FS bike for less than £1000 - a half decent rear shock will cost upwards of £200 alone.

From that same shop I would have this:

http://www.heathcycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s2p652

Its well within your price range, its a better make and has better bits hanging off of the frame (Forks, Gears etc)

I'm guessing your a Brit so check out www.wiggle.co.uk, by far the best online bike shop in the UK IMO.

[edit - its also worth buying what mountain bike magazine - they have a list of pretty much every bike at every price range at the back which is great for comparing different bikes]

I had just been looking at that bike!

I understand the advice on FS bikes.

Anything else I should look out for?

Adam

I have also been advised that the Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc (http://www.dalescycles.com/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=13328) is quite good.

Adam

Not really but check out these two sites:

http://www.bikemagic.com/review/reviewproduct/mps/RPN/30122/v/1/sp/v/2

and

http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/2003_hardtail/product_121491.shtml

They both offer reviews written by people who have bought the bikes (I've linked you straight to the reviews of the GT to save you some time) but you should be able to find out information about virtualy every bike on thsoe two sites and chances are if you find a bike thats not listed on either of those sites, avoid it like the plague.

[edit - Specialized are a good make]

http://www.bikemagic.com/review/reviewproduct/mps/RPN/28519/v/1/sp/v/2

seems to get a good review on here.

Adam

Its not a bad bike and is an ideal starter. If you do go for it (or the GT for that matter) only replace things as they fail. For all the time and money you spend upgrading parts you would be better off putting the money in a jar towards your next bike. Ride this one to death (it should last you years if well looked after) so you can get an idea of what to look for in future. Its also worth buying magazines simply to learn a little bit more about mountain bikes in general, MBUK and What Mountain Bike being the best IMO. Their both from the same company and MBUK deals with the more extreme side of things while WBM gives more of an all round view.

Ok thanks. I'll go out and buy a magazine or two, see what comes up.

I'll have a look around a few, see if there are any more options, and come up with a plan of attack :p

Adam