I'm after a mountain bike...

..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

Hello chaps,

Going to Enduroland really showed me I'm an unfit old git and need to do some decent exercise so I'm going to get a bike.

I'll be using it off-road only and have a maximum budget of £300. The trouble is I look at all these bike sites and TBH they all look the same to me. Obviously some are going to be better than others but I'll be fooked if I know the difference.

All I think I need is front suspension. I never had it as a kid but all the bikes seem to have it these days.

I'll just be mucking about on the local common and some local greenlanes/bridleways etc so not hacking down the side of Kilimanjaro so nothing too taxing but need it to be quite strong as I weigh about 15 stone at the moment.

Something like THIS looks like it might be OK but I know fook all.

Anyone got any recommendations?

Cheers.

Dischord · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 May 2005 Karma :

I was going to recommend a Specialised Hardrock, one of the best all rounders.

I was also impressed by my mates Saracen Mantra, it's a fairly heavy bike but it felt nicely balanced and tough as hell. Quite cheap also.
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TheFoxyDuke · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 11 Mar 2009 Karma :

Trek for me but my mate's just got a brand new Cube (German make) - absolutely lovely and much better spec than anything else for the same price.

Does your employer do the 'Cycle to Work Scheme'. Saves an absolute fortune as it's deducted direct from your salary and you don't pay tax, NI etc. I get mine for £30 a month for a £650 Trek over 12 months (=£360) Wink

Try here for info:-

https://www.cyclescheme.co.uk/

You also get to choose exactly which bike/model you want. Pretty cheap shopping spree if you ask me Laughing

Happy choosing.

FoxyD
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michael j · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Jan 2006 Karma :

I've got a GIANT Boulder and Mrs J has got a Specialised Hardrock. In my opinion the Specialised is a much better bike and I love riding it. Its the one I had with me on Sunday. They look good in white too.

Davo · Davo To The Rescue! Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Karma :

The hardrock should do you well. Keep an eye on ebay/gumtree etc.. as you can pick up a new/nearly new for considerably cheaper.

JonB · Afraid of Mileage Joined: 03 Jun 2004 Karma :

Another vote for the Specialized Hardrock, I have got the 2008 model and despite some of the components being a bit crappy, the frame is solid and well built as you would expect from Specialized.

You can always upgrade components as time dictates anyway.

The 2009 model is on for sale at Evans Cycles for £292, it has V-Brakes but to be honest mate they work really well, the frame and fork have disc mounts so if you decide you want more stopping power the upgrade to discs will take minimal effort.

https://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/hardrock-sport-2009-mountain-bike-ec016011?query=Specialized Hardrock

If you had asked a few days earlier the Sunday Times I think had a £20 off evans cycles voucher when you spend over £100.
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J0Al1 · World Chat Champion Joined: 25 Nov 2006 Karma :

I've just picked up a second hand Specialzed one for £100, it was about £300 new, not that I'd dream of paying that!

Its does the job, doesnt have suspension tho.

JonB · Afraid of Mileage Joined: 03 Jun 2004 Karma :

Whoops didn't read the first post fully. Embarassed

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Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it?s worth.

cagiva gezzer · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Mar 2003 Karma :

I was impressed with the value and quality of these Decathlon bikes - https://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/sport-mtb-3962638/
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Darth · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Mar 2008 Karma :

Would also consider looking at the halfords carrerra range at that budget. Don't have the pose value of the likes of specialised but if you can live without that then they do have some very well spec'd bikes at a good price. Well they always used to anyways - not done any miles on my bike for several years now although i did rescue it from the back of the shed the other week so once i motivate myself into buying a couple of new inner tubes i may venture out and curse myself for getting so badly out of shape!
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silky666 · Captain Rulebook Joined: 28 Aug 2006 Karma :

That Cyclescheme is just the ticket ... I am sure my company is signed up ... £800 bike and kit for £420 Very Happy

Joe, buy this from Asda.
Its only £70 ... I promise that me and Philo wont laugh at you or anything.

https://direct.asda.com/British-Eagle-Tulsa-Mens-Bike/000901527,default,pd.html
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mistergixer · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Karma :

..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

Cheers for the info Thumbs Up

I've found a local bike shop that will flog me the Specialized Hardrock 2009 for £249 - that could well be a go-er.

arry · Super Spammer Joined: 03 Jan 2009 Karma :

Look for clearance sales of the 2008 model bikes. You should be able to find a decent GT Avalanche 1.0 disc, a decent 08 Hardrock etc.

the grim reaper · World Chat Champion Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Karma :

Might be worth getting your arse over to www.bikeradar.com to see what they recommend. You might find something in the for sale section that's worth a look. Also have a look at Ebay, the second hand value of cycles is shockingly low and a bargain can be had.

Cheers

Grim
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Tarmacsurfer · World Chat Champion Joined: 29 Jun 2004 Karma :

As Grim suggests, if the cyclescheme thing isn't your bag the Ebay is often dirt cheap.

I picked up a Carrera Fury last year for less than £170, only a few months old. As you can probably guess, another vote for the range. Been impressed with the bike Thumbs Up

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silky666 · Captain Rulebook Joined: 28 Aug 2006 Karma :

Arse ... my company is still in the process of 'thinking' about signing up for the cyclescheme.

Off to ebay I go. (or Asda Embarassed

)
____________________
There's nothing that shouts "Poor Workmanship" more than wrinkles in the Gaffa tape.

Gaffa tape is like "the force" - it has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together.

arry · Super Spammer Joined: 03 Jan 2009 Karma :

This should see you well:

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GT-avalanche-1-0-mountain-bike_W0QQitemZ300322602855QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Bikes_GL?hash=item45ec9f3f67&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1688|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

How tall are you Joe?

Dischord · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 May 2005 Karma :

5v3d3b0 · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Sep 2006 Karma :

+1 for the Specialized Hardrock. I had one but it got stolen Sad

Very good all round bike and if you get into it and get some more money and get a better front fork, or disc brakes. I later got a Trek Bruiser for 500 euros but that's not gonna be as comfy all round (more trixxy oriented IMO)

arry · Super Spammer Joined: 03 Jan 2009 Karma :

..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

I have an old 1989 rigid Specialized Stumpjumper top of the range model hanging up on my wall. Needs a new crankset but you are welcome to take it away. Frame is 20inch iirc.

Only really worth it if you like seriously retro bikes with thumbshifters.

Darth · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Mar 2008 Karma :

I stuck by my thumbshifters for years when these new fangled rapidfire shifters started coming on the scene...all just a distant memory now Sad

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Harold_Shand wrote: I suppose it's like anything, you get your fingers burned when you start out, you learn from it and eventually become a complete arsehole about the whole thing.