Talk to me about mountain bikes please.

[Ariel Badger]

I am looking to buy myself a new MB as my old one is 15 years old and feeling its age. I am looking to spending £500 to £600 and another £100 on changing stuff that I do not like (such as adding SPDs and bar ends). I quite like This opinions please.
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Bikers make great organ donors, get 115 on your licence today.

[Aff]

Go second hand. You can get some epic deals from the people who bought a bike thinking "this will make me fit now" only to realise after one ride that it actually requires effort and gave up.
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Current Bikes:Honda 929RR Fireblade, Honda CD200 Benly (Project), Stomp Z2 140
Electric Bike Project

[Harold_Shand]

I ordered a Specialized Hardrock from Evans and it hadn't even been put together by the time it should have been delivered (3-5 working days), so I cancelled the order. Have a good look at the reviews of Evans.com before you decide to give them your money.
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BCF's 6th favourite poster 2009-2010

Harold_Shand's theory might be the best explanation.

[WannaBeDude]

[GetawayDj]

Yep, would say go second hand, I managed to get a 7 month old £900 hardtail bike for £400 off ebay with receipt and warranty...he'd gone and bought the the full suspension version plus the fact he listed it at 1.30am, I was on night shifts so messaged him with minutes of him listing it

Watch out for local chavs....the ones near me love the look of a nice bike, caught a few havin a nice gander at mine in my garden.....until I brought the rottweiler out
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CBF 125 (sold), XJ 600 Diversion (sold), RF900
Renault Kangoo x2 (sold), Ford Transit x 2

[Bubbs]

This one has some nice extras

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Scott-scale-60-mountain-bike-/200805543679?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item2ec0f16eff#ht_1174wt_1344

Ridden these downhill which is alright:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KONA-STINKY-DEE-LUX-2004-Front-and-rear-suspension-MOUNTAIN-BIKE-/261078634405?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item3cc97fcfa5#ht_1410wt_1344

Stumpjumper:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Specialized-stumpjumper-fsr-xc-comp-MOUNTAIN-BIKE-FULL-SUSPENSION-YETI-MANITOU-/190713349410?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item2c6766c522#ht_698wt_1344

I'm biased towards full suspension because I love a bit of downhill. Depends what you want from them though I guess.
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Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.

[Ariel Badger]

Mostly for what I was doing before surgery last year, 10 to 20 miles after work on the canals and trails at a weekend on Cannock Chase etc.
I was looking at new due to the benefits of "cycle to work" and the chance to try before I buy.
____________________
Bikers make great organ donors, get 115 on your licence today.

[Bubbs]

[J4mes]

I think at our place the "cycle to work" scheme takes the money out of your pre-tax salary not your take home, which effectively makes your money worth 25% more.

I'm not sure if that makes sense or not

[Ariel Badger]

It is rather complex but basically you pay the cost of the bike minus income tax and national insurance (it does get a bit more complex but that is the bones of the deal).
____________________
Bikers make great organ donors, get 115 on your licence today.

[stinkwheel]

Since you are into the slightly left of field in terms of transportation.

Have you considered a 29" er?

I'm sure I don't need to tell a hillclimb rider about the benefits of a larger rolling diameter wheel.

On-one make some pretty sweet frames and are a little left of filed (and slightly over your budget but their complete bikes are well specced). Genesis make some very nice bicycle shaped bicycles.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Bubbs]

[Kradmelder]

I have one. years ago I used to take my rotties down to the spruit in the nature reserve and I would ride along. I got so many punctures I said stuff this. It is too slow, has no motor, and far better to be on a dirt bike.
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2011 KTM 990 Dakar
2009 BMW 1200 GS

[G]

Need to know what you're using it for.

Me, I'd go for a lightweight longish travel full suspension bike such as the Boardman FS - that bike changed my view on FS with 5" on travel, yet no harder to go up hill than my lightweight hardtail.

[Aff]

[Ariel Badger]

The bit you pay in the end is tax on what is deemed to be a gift off your employer and varies on the value of the bike new
____________________
Bikers make great organ donors, get 115 on your licence today.

[Bubbs]

[Ariel Badger]

Quoted from an email from my employer...

"HMRC guidance enables your employer to calculate the value of your
selection at the end of the Hire term. The guidance states a selection
valued under £500 will be worth 18% after 12 months, where as a selection
over £500 will be worth 25% of its original value. For example: - If you
select £650, the market value would be calculated as £162.50 (25% of
£650). The £162.50 is the reported on your P11D which will allow you to
pay the tax on that value. Based on a 20% basic rate tax payer the cost to
you will total £32.50"
____________________
Bikers make great organ donors, get 115 on your licence today.

[Kradmelder]