bikerdave

Im a roadie and finally going to purchase a MTB,but dont have a clue on what to get.Im basically wanting to use the mtb for a bit of off-road training during the winter.

I will probally to use the bike a lot during the off season and very occasionally during the summer while im racing.Not bothered about full suspension;front would be fine.Thinking about spending around £600-£700 or so.

cheers

Richard D

With that sort of budget you've got a lot of choice, both in this years models and last years (currently reduced all over the place).

Brand wise, in general, there's little to choose between most of the manufacturers in terms of quality, but fit varies a fair bit so it's worth trying a few out. If you're looking for magazine reviews I'd recommend 'What Mountain Bike' above the other UK magazines.

I'd recommend a hard-tail, at that price full-suspension isn't wonderful, although Dawes do one thats okayish by most accounts.

One thing worth considering is paying a little extra at purchase to upgrade the fork, even at £500 some bikes still use cheapish forks. Most bikeshops will swap components at initial puchase for only a little extra.

Richard

Bokkie

bikerdave - there is a lot of good stuff you can get. As Richard D says, you have a lot of choice.

Some lbs' I 've been to are lowering prices (a) to clear the 'old' 2002 stock, and (b) sales are down a bit on last year especially with the Christmas period coming.

I'd suggest a good starting point: Dawes make a nice bike called the Edge FS Comp. It has two flavours, the Team version has discs but otherwise the specs are identical. I think my wife Caroline's bike cost about £450. That'd leave some room for an upgrade if you want, but it is a good out-of-the-box deal. The suspension is sort of no-name-brand choice, so you'd probably want to updgrade that later.

There are some good deals on Trek. The local Evans shop by Gatwick airport has a nice choice if you want to get there one day. They are one of the best of the large shops, but being busy-ish they can't always give the personal attention you'd like.

Personally, I'd avoid the Halfords Bike Huts (my personal opinion). The sell not so good stuff, stuff you've never heard of, and they don't really know much anyway.

If you want one of the best bike experiences in the south east, next time you are in London, go to Selfridges, Oxford Street. They have one of the most amazing shops you will ever go to (again, just my opinion).

Richard D suggests What Mountain Bike and I endorse that. It is one of the best mags and has good reviews on just about everything. Mountain Bike Rider (MBR) is also very good. Avoid Mountain Biking UK - it's a pretty crappy magazine.

danr

It sounds like you're more into cycling and endurance training, but want to break up the monotony.

You can't go wrong with a cross-country hardtail. Some people will tell you different. They will swear up and down that your life is in the hands of a full-suspension. I wouldn't listen to them.

However, I am only familiar with what is sold here in the US. The word here is that it rains a lot in England. I'd get something a little more rustproof, like an aluminum frame. You can get a nice aluminum frame, with nice bike parts for that price. The most important thing is proper fit, and get what works for you.

It sounds like the previous 2 posts will steer you into the right direction.

Maelstrom 

From what you describe, go with a mountain bike ht. It will do everything you want and introduce you to offroad. If you are finding you really like mtbing then you can decide from there if / when what type of bike to buy.

What kind of bikes can you get over there?

bikerdave

Everything....GT, Cannondale,Klein.. There is a lot of good companys who do mail order in uk a lot cheaper than LBS so id proablly get test ride in LBS and get one mail order

Maelstrom 

You are set. Go try a couple of xc bikes on for size. You shouldn't have a problem finding a bike that feels good. When you have a couple come back to us and we can recommend one or two over the rest.

The reason I say that is it is a VERY popular geometry you will need and every company makes two or 3 and sometimes more. So it is really going to come down to what you are comfortable on and owning.

Bokkie

bikerdave - Caroline and I went to the big seething metropolis they call London on Saturday. We passed through Selfridges (wife was on a mission to get some chocolates from the food hall) so I popped into their bike area called 'The Cycle Surgery'.

What I said about it being great, you must now ignore. It has sadly gone down - maybe I caught it when it first opened. Before where they used to have a wide range of bikes, they now have but two. Specialized and Ridgeback. Maybe they lost their franchise for Trek, Cannondale, Klein and others, I don't know. Even their bikes are in the low price range. Before they went from the £250 upto £4000 range, but now it almost looks like they want to cater for the Xmas Club.

They did have some really nice Specialized bikes but they don't have any demo bikes. You go there knowing what you want, and walk out with it. Sorry!

bikerdave

Had thought about giant xtc nrs 3, cannondale jeckel 600, Specialized Rockhopper A1 FS, cannondale F500.Mainly looking for hard tail but had seen the Giant.Do you need to be weary of full-susp under £1000?Do they not usually weigh the same as a small bus until start paying a bit more.

Basically one that has a strong frame and good feel.I can get test ride on all(from different shops).Any thought again?

Maelstrom 

ok..1000pounds is equal to 2500$ cdn (if the currency coversion site I found is right). Hell no. For 2500 bucks you can get a 'decent' dually to good quality. It wouldn't be race level but definately take big hits and be lots of fun for recreational riders.

My limit for a dually is 2000cdn. Any less and I dont think it will hold up to my abuse.

Richard D

It's not a magazine I would generally recommend, but the current Mountain Biking UK has a reasonable review of four full-sussers under £1000. The Giant looks good apart from the fork, and average wheels. Good value though.

Richard

BigHit-Maniac

I have my 00' Enduro for sale... $950 USD ..

if I'm not mistaken.. that's well within your price range..

as long as you pay the S&H.. it's yours.


Check out: https://xcaliber007.tripod.com and then goto the projects section for pictures...

I also have it in the Buy / Sell / Trade thread here..

lemmie know. She's mint condition, everything works right, and the only reason I'm selling her is because I want a bike with more travel..

bikerdave

Thanks BigHit-Maniac, but a friend gave me his Kona to use while im searching for one.Its a hardtail but at least its getting me off-road and getting me some time to search about over next few months for a bike to buy.Got a few mags and got plenty of help here.

cheers.

BigHit-Maniac

aight'