Looking for a new bike
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Looking for a new bike
I'm looking for a new mountain bike for the summer but I've been out of mountain biking for a while so I don't know what's out there now.
I'm looking for a front suspension (possibly full suspension) bike that's light and pretty tough. Disc brakes would be an advantage. I've got about £250 to spend, maybe just a bit over if there's something I really like the look of (about £285 MAX!), but prefrably a bit less. It's not going to get seriously abused over anything rugged or extreme jumps (I ride BMX for that sort of thing) but I want something that can hold up because it will most likely be used for some light jumps and downhill use. Last mountain bike I had was terrible. Bunny hop was enough to buckle the back wheel that came stock.... stuck to BMX since.
I've been looking on eBay. Seen some Saracen Mantras going for a really good price but frame might be a bit too small (was only a 15") but from previous experience I seem to remember Saracen wasn't exactly a highly praised bike. Any suggestions?
I'm looking for a front suspension (possibly full suspension) bike that's light and pretty tough. Disc brakes would be an advantage. I've got about £250 to spend, maybe just a bit over if there's something I really like the look of (about £285 MAX!), but prefrably a bit less. It's not going to get seriously abused over anything rugged or extreme jumps (I ride BMX for that sort of thing) but I want something that can hold up because it will most likely be used for some light jumps and downhill use. Last mountain bike I had was terrible. Bunny hop was enough to buckle the back wheel that came stock.... stuck to BMX since.
I've been looking on eBay. Seen some Saracen Mantras going for a really good price but frame might be a bit too small (was only a 15") but from previous experience I seem to remember Saracen wasn't exactly a highly praised bike. Any suggestions?
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Originally Posted by Jason222
You're looking too cheap. You won't find any nice bikes in that price range.
I've told you my price range. I want the best I can get in that price range. It'll probably only get used in the summer.....
You can say the same with anything that you're looking too cheap. My price range is hardly at the bottom of the market
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It actually is at the bottom of the market these days unfortunatly. Criminal how expensive most bikes are these days.
You could look at the Hardrock from Specialized. Perhaps a Giant Yukon, or the Treks. You wont find a good FS at that price, but a basic hardtail should be within reach.
Good luck, let us know what you decide.
You could look at the Hardrock from Specialized. Perhaps a Giant Yukon, or the Treks. You wont find a good FS at that price, but a basic hardtail should be within reach.
Good luck, let us know what you decide.
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I know you said a max budget of £285, but if you could just push that 15 quid (lay off the beer for a week and you'll save that easy) further you could get an 05 terrago with hydraulic brakes, alivio derailers etc. If not hardrocks are extremely good as i'm sure others will agree.
Saracens are supposedly improving at the high end, but I think the company just exchanged hands or something, so things might change. At <£300 i doubt there's a lot of difference between them and other manufacturers.
Also, Flak is right, you should go for a hardtail.
Saracens are supposedly improving at the high end, but I think the company just exchanged hands or something, so things might change. At <£300 i doubt there's a lot of difference between them and other manufacturers.
Also, Flak is right, you should go for a hardtail.
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Ok thanks.
Well, there's mountain bikes around starting at less than half of my budget at about £120 so I could be lower down in the market than that.
I really wish I could stretch my budget but I haven't been out on the beer for quite a while and haven't spent any cash on anything that I don't need in the past couple of months. A new car might be in the pipeline too because mine has a few too many problems that might cost more than worth spending so I have to keep the budget fairly tight.
Thanks for the suggestions.
Well, there's mountain bikes around starting at less than half of my budget at about £120 so I could be lower down in the market than that.
I really wish I could stretch my budget but I haven't been out on the beer for quite a while and haven't spent any cash on anything that I don't need in the past couple of months. A new car might be in the pipeline too because mine has a few too many problems that might cost more than worth spending so I have to keep the budget fairly tight.
Thanks for the suggestions.
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Mountain bikes 300$ and lower aren't really worth it, I wouldn't look at anything lower than Trek's 3700/3900, Specialized Hardrock Sport, KHS's Alite 500, Haro's V2, Ironhorse's Maverick, Diamondback's Response and Giant's Yukon bikes, etc, bikes cheaper than that aren't worth the money.
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Ahh, sorry, didn't see it was GBP. The Giant Yukon is around that price with lower end disc brakes. Doesn't seem like a bad bike though. The Specialized Rockhopper is just over that price range but I'm look at it myself. There are a lot of bikes around that price range but nothing good in the FS realm. Unfortunately not many of those options are going to be very light (around 30 pounds can be expected). See what the LBS and ride some to see what you like. If you have a few models in mind it's easier to recommend.
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Originally Posted by KrisUK
I think you guys are mixing up with the currency.
I'm talking £285 GBP which would be about $500.
I'm talking £285 GBP which would be about $500.
Ok, I'm not sure how much prices and availability differ in the UK, but the Specialized Hardrock, Trek 4300 or 4500, Giant Yukon, and Jamis Cross Country or Durango are all at or right around your price limit. Don't be afraid to stretch your budget a little bit if you see something that you really like. You definitely will not regret it later. Also, I know Claude Butler is a brand available in Guiness country but not on our side of the pond. They have similar offerings.
Disc brakes are nice, but don't let them make or break your decision. Although they've been improving over the last 2-3 years, entry level mechanical discs do not have as good of modulation and only moderately more stopping power than ordinary V-brakes. Where they do shine is riding in wet conditions. However, expect a bike with disc brakes in your price range to have slightly lower level components in other areas to compensate, like the fork or drivetrain. If smooth shifting is more important to you than stopping power, you're better off sticking with V-brakes.
Happy trails!
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#12
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Welcome to the forums!
Saracen frames are reasonable at this price range and the Mantra is a good all round bike, if you were looking at doing more jumps and stuff like that (nothing too heavy) have a look at the Xray or Xile, these bikes will take a reasonable amount of abuse.
But the Specialized hardrock sport is the best bike for the money imo, you dont get disc brakes but the V brakes are sufficent for most riding, again have a look at the claude butlers, the cape wrath is a well set up bike for the money as far as i know although im not sure of the price.
Trek, Kona and giant are more companies to have a look at, best thing to do is to get yourself along to a local bike shop and test ride as many as you can in your price range, £270 ish isnt a bad price, you can find a reasonable bike for that money, maybe consider looking 2nd hand aswell as some bargains can be found in forum classifieds and ebay etc.
Welcome again!
Saracen frames are reasonable at this price range and the Mantra is a good all round bike, if you were looking at doing more jumps and stuff like that (nothing too heavy) have a look at the Xray or Xile, these bikes will take a reasonable amount of abuse.
But the Specialized hardrock sport is the best bike for the money imo, you dont get disc brakes but the V brakes are sufficent for most riding, again have a look at the claude butlers, the cape wrath is a well set up bike for the money as far as i know although im not sure of the price.
Trek, Kona and giant are more companies to have a look at, best thing to do is to get yourself along to a local bike shop and test ride as many as you can in your price range, £270 ish isnt a bad price, you can find a reasonable bike for that money, maybe consider looking 2nd hand aswell as some bargains can be found in forum classifieds and ebay etc.
Welcome again!
#14
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going to a local bikeshop and figuring it out would be the best idea. also, do some online search for having an idea or the bikes available at that price range. if you read some basic information from this forum and other forums, you may get some information like - the frame geometry, frame materials, components - fork, drivetrain, wheelset, etc.
here is my take,
I dont really know what bikes are available in UK at that price range. But, I am going with US market. and here is my pick.
Specialized Rockhopper (base model - to me the best bike for $500, you may get some discound if there is a left over 2005 model in the bikeshop)
Diamond back Response Sport 2006
GT Avalanche 2.0 Disk (2005 looks good and in your price range, 2006 would also be fine)
Giant Yukon
Trek 4300 or 4500 (I dont know the exact price for 2006)
Iron Horse Maveric Series
Jamis Durango
K2 Zed 2.0 (and if you want a full suspension, i think K2 has Attack 1.0 for USD $600, I dont know the UK pricing though. I dont recommend a full Suspension at this price range, but if that is what you want - Attack is an option)
check out the Gary Fisher bikes too, the may have something that you may like.
as you can see, there are lots of choices. If I were you I would pick the bike with the following priorities in mind:
1. Frame (design, geometry, upgradibility, strength/durability) - it will also depend on the type of riding. Check out if the frame is disk compitable or not, if it is you can put a disk brake later on, if you like to. you may also have to get some disk compitable wheels.
2. Drive train: front and rear derailluers, crankset
3. Fronk Shocks/fork: at least 80mm travel made by a good brand (Marzocchi, rock shocks, Manitou, Fox - I dont think you are going to get a bike at this price range with Fox though)
4. Wheelset: double wall rims with decent hubs.
5. other components: Bottom bracket, handlebar, seatpost, stem, tires etc.
Hope this is helpful. Sorry for taking so much of your time. good luck finding your new bike. enjoy it when you find it.
here is my take,
I dont really know what bikes are available in UK at that price range. But, I am going with US market. and here is my pick.
Specialized Rockhopper (base model - to me the best bike for $500, you may get some discound if there is a left over 2005 model in the bikeshop)
Diamond back Response Sport 2006
GT Avalanche 2.0 Disk (2005 looks good and in your price range, 2006 would also be fine)
Giant Yukon
Trek 4300 or 4500 (I dont know the exact price for 2006)
Iron Horse Maveric Series
Jamis Durango
K2 Zed 2.0 (and if you want a full suspension, i think K2 has Attack 1.0 for USD $600, I dont know the UK pricing though. I dont recommend a full Suspension at this price range, but if that is what you want - Attack is an option)
check out the Gary Fisher bikes too, the may have something that you may like.
as you can see, there are lots of choices. If I were you I would pick the bike with the following priorities in mind:
1. Frame (design, geometry, upgradibility, strength/durability) - it will also depend on the type of riding. Check out if the frame is disk compitable or not, if it is you can put a disk brake later on, if you like to. you may also have to get some disk compitable wheels.
2. Drive train: front and rear derailluers, crankset
3. Fronk Shocks/fork: at least 80mm travel made by a good brand (Marzocchi, rock shocks, Manitou, Fox - I dont think you are going to get a bike at this price range with Fox though)
4. Wheelset: double wall rims with decent hubs.
5. other components: Bottom bracket, handlebar, seatpost, stem, tires etc.
Hope this is helpful. Sorry for taking so much of your time. good luck finding your new bike. enjoy it when you find it.