Mountain Biking - Lost, need a bit of help about choices.

RANT ON
Before, I thought about getting a cheaper bike like a Specialized HR. After a tad of thought, I decided against it, cut a long boring story short, i'm better off saving until after exams (5th june) , so i can have the use out of a decent bike instead of having the HR lying around until after and then regretting it.

As of now, I have £600, and then i'll have £700 (plus £50 for a decent helmet) after my exams, and instead of getting 350 worth of bike, and 350 worth of accessories, im going to get a decent bike and then add components as I go along, like a project.
RANT OFF

There are a few bike im currently interested in but i really have no idea about what i should be buying. with 1150USD to spend, i'd more than likely geared toward a hardtail , but with a decent front fork, nice and light, with decent shifting. Weight is probably my main concern. The Kona Kula looks tempting, as does the Specialized Stumpjumper and Trek 8000

Should i consider FS?
The Cannondale Jekyll looks quite good, GT i-Drive 2.0, Kona Kahuna Deluxe (REALLY like the look of the Kona)
I am put of by the weight of the FS's and the fact that 40% of my pedal power on my current FS is mopped up by the shocks.

ANY help please, i really dont fancy wasting me dosh on a second rate peice of kit.

:beer: Cheers

Sorry a few things to add here.

Usage, i'll end up doing a lot of road (thats why i want the least weight) but quite a bit of XC in the nearby country park, and a bit of downhill.Commuting also.

Oh and what is the best online retailer to buy from, preferably US, due to cheaper prices. Thank you

Best bet for your money is a hard tail, lighter, nicer parts, better for the XC and commuting.

And less likely to get nicked while you're at work or school!

And less likely to get nicked while you're at work or school!

Not really a problem, as when im at work, itll be outside in the warehouse, and for some schmuck to steal it, they would have to walk through the store, past security gaurd, into the employee section, and outside into the yard. Then bring the bike past me, so nah its not goin to happen. And i wont really take it to school so thats not much of a problem.


better for the XC
Dont mean to be contradicting to you, but arent FS's supposed to be more comfortable?, and ive heard good things about their climbing abilities (was a review on mtbr about the XtC NRS).

Sorry i just want to get all this sorted out in my head before i make the commitment. :)


nicer parts
Out of the bikes ive researched in my price range, they've bascially all got Shimano Deore components.

Is there anything im missing here?

I cant really resist!
http://www.pennysportcycles.co.nz/2003/images/kona/kona-kahuna-deluxe-lrg.jpg
Do you guys think this bike would bob or pogo much, that basically what steering me away from it.

It least make sure you ride it before you buy it. You may well find the full suspension is not to your liking on technical climbs.

That could be a problem, the nearest bike shop is 65+ miles, plus i dont have transport. I suppose its worth the journey if im saving a few bob.

Just read the MTBR reviews on the Giant XtC2, looks like an amazing piece of kit.

It is based on a four bar rocker system. The bob will be insignifigant compared to most other systems. (single pivot for example). It is a very popular xc rac bike design out here and usually beats out the NRS design for racing. You will always get bob when pedalling standing up and will always get brake jack with all of the current designs unless they incorporate a floating disc. Simple fact of suspension desing that can't be avoided.

I do agree with Dil, some people love it some people hate it, I would never buy a bike without testing it but then again I am anal :)

If you could go up a bit in price I would say check this bike out

BEAR (http://wheelworld.com/site/itemdetails.cfm?ID=1734&Catalog=39&sort=Price)

:beer:

VERY nice looking bike that BEAR, the components look a lot better too, but im afraid that site (or any ive seen) doesn't deliver the bikes, you have to buy it in shop.

god im really stuck here.

Personally, I like to ride a bike before I spend that much money. However, being 65 miles away I can see how that's difficult. The best thing to do to try out a wide variety of bikes is to go to a local race. There you'll see every type of bike made, and you have the opportunity to talk to a person who actually rides one. Heck, if they're cool about it and explain you want to buy one, they may even let you take a ride on it. Plus, a race is a great place to buy used stuff, as almost every racer I know is always selling their gear.

L8R

Ive sorted out with my parents a trip to Belfast, Halford among many other retailers are situated there, its about 65miles, but im sure you will agree its worth it for the experience of a few bikes.

I had a look through the Yellow pages, theres a huge number of retailers in belfast, alongside a registered Kona dealer, so ill try and get there and try out the Kahuna Deluxe.

After a trip to a local town today (20miles) i had a look around a bike shop, he sold Barracuda, Claud Butler, Concept, GT and Saracen.

The GT Avalanche 1.0 looked really nice, and light, only around 350pounds!.

I thank you very much for your help, and ill be sure to post up some pics as soon as i get my choice ride :beer:

350 pounds...OMG...:D

Id def look for something lighter...

Call before you go, set up some times and let them know what you're looking for. A lot of shops don't carry a huge inventory of FS bikes. Plus, they might have the exact bike you need, but still in a box. If you call ahead and set-up and appointment, they'd probably build it for you!

No point in wasting a 65 mile trip and your parents time.

Plus, by calling ahead, you can limit the places you need to go, then hit them if there's time!

L8R

350 pounds...OMG...


Id def look for something lighter...

lol too funny guys, too funny


Call before you go, set up some times and let them know what you're looking for. A lot of shops don't carry a huge inventory of FS bikes. Plus, they might have the exact bike you need, but still in a box. If you call ahead and set-up and appointment, they'd probably build it for you!

Cheers, i actually didnt think of that! I called into the Local bike dealer, good chap, our family has bought four or five bikes from him, and he offers good discount and is only 2 odd miles away. He sells Giant, DMR, Gary Fisher, Bianchi, Trek, so i took a catalogue (Giant) from him. I'd rather give him the business than some online retailer id never be able to get support from.

The Giant XtC 2 has caught my eye, but something has confused me, on MTBR the bike has lots of rave reviews, but they all say that it has V brakes, but in the new catalogue, it has hydro discs.The pic has silver wheels while in the catalogue theyre black (better) Is there a mistake with MTBR?

MTBR sometimes isnt the bible, you have to wade through reviews by people who dont like anything. I dont think they update their pictures all to often, and maybe that is a pic of last years model?

Scoob