Best bike for as little as possible

[BikeNewbie]

Hi,

Looking for some advice, I have no idea what i'm looking at, Had a bad motorbike accident last year. Decided i'm not interested in riding on the road anymore, So decided to buy a mountain bike for the local forests etc.

Not a huge budget but willing to spend a couple of hundred if it gets me something fairly decent, Just wanting brands etc so I can keep an eye out on ebay and such.

I'm 5ft10 if thats any help regarding sizing.

Thanks.

[G]

Like motorbikes, I would go second hand and buy on condition.
£200 is probably still hard tail territory. £300 and you can consider a full suspension bike, I'd say.

Saying that, if it was me, I'd get this...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Carrera-Banshee-/321462344536?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item4ad8a61b58

It's overkill for forest tracks, but for the price provides a very decent package. With that sort of full suspension you ARE going to be slower on the boring stuff. But you should also be quicker on the fun stuff to make up for it .

[Jrod]

As you are just getting into it I'd assume you are not going to be planning on any extreme courses for a while, in which case I'd I'd stick to the hardtail.

They weigh less than an equivalent priced Full sus, also less energy is lost through the suspension.

As G says, for such a small budget I'd be looking second hand.

Personally I'd look for an old Gt but its down to preference really, Gt's are nothing special but the triple triangle frame design has been around for years so is tried and tested as reliable. They also usually have a half decent gearset which is what you are really paying for.

[Mark65]

Have a mooch on Retrobike , they have older MTB on there for sale.
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07 Yamaha YBR125, 07 Honda CG125 , 15 CBR300R (Chocolate Crank, Deaded), 16 CB500FA, 19 Honda Forza 300, 70 Suzuki SV650

[BikeNewbie]

Thanks for the replies. I've been looking at some Carrera bikes and they look great for the money. My budget is not stupidly low, willing to spend up to £300 but I understand it's not much when it comes to getting a decent mountain bike.

I won't be doing any extreme tracks. Just at the weekends and some riding during the week.

Thanks.

[Marcg868]

Second Hand Carerra Vulcan, Kraken, Decathlon Btwin 5.3 or Voodoo Bantu.
Don't get a Specialized Hardrock they are very poorly specced.

Look for bikes with at least the Suntour XCM if it's the XCT fork steer well clear it's gash.
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JACK, MISS YOU LOADS YOU LEGEND.

[Marcg868]

https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/161356394642?nav=SEARCH
____________________
JACK, MISS YOU LOADS YOU LEGEND.

[BikeNewbie]

I'll keep an eye out for the bikes which have been mentioned. Don't understand all the different types yet as in frames etc. Will have a look around ebay etc.

Thanks.

[G]

Hartail - suspension at the front.
Full suspension - suspension at the front and back.

Any suspension will take out some power, especially if you are standing up to pedal. On bikes designed to handle harsh terrain often this means that there's no point standing up to pedal (which would normally allow you to pedal harder), because the force goes to making the bike bob up and down on the suspension.
I would certainly consider one with a fork lock out if you're going hardtail - ideally with the option of a handlebar switch, though I doubt any would come with one at that price point.

[BikeNewbie]

Most places is be riding around here is just woodland, some dirt paths and Tarmac. Certainly not looking to do any extreme trails etc.

Thanks.

[Marcg868]

I had a Carrera Vulcan for woodland riding and bridle paths etc, it also managed mountain bike trail centres like Gisburn forest, Whinlatter, Lee Quarry, Llandegla and Mabie forest.

I now have a Cannondale hardtail, cost me £800 and I've spent another £500 upgrading front forks, brakes and drive train.

The Carerra could do exactly what the Dale does, just the Dale is lighter and has a nicer geometry. But for basic woodland riding , bridle paths and trail centres the Carrera and the others I mentioned will be more than up to the job.

£300 budget, Carerra, Voodoo, Btwin..avoid apollos and full suspension at this price range. £500 plus Carrera fury, Voodoo Hoodoo, Btwin 8.3 Cubes etc.
____________________
JACK, MISS YOU LOADS YOU LEGEND.

[BikeNewbie]

Thanks for giving me the brands so I can look at them more in depth. £300 is top of my budget, maybe upgrade next year at some point, but for now that is a big enough budget.

Thanks.

[Omega]

I like my Rockrider 5.2 from Decathlon. Was £200 I think. Their bikes are decent for the money but a lot of the extra stuff is crap so I'd buy that elsewhere.

[daemonoid]

[JonB]

[BikeNewbie]

As posted above. Found a decathlon rockier 8.0 for 270. Seems pricey to me. But then I know next to nothing about bicycles. Still searching.

Thanks.

[400bandit]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Voodoo-Bantu-/191269408592?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item2c888b8f50
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Current Bikes 650 Honda Bros, VTR1000 Firestorm // Past Bikes: Sachs Madass 50/110cc - Bandit 400 - FZR750
(+ a XS650 in lots of pieces in my garage and other places...)

[Marcg868]

[Rigga]

You'll pick up a decent hardtail second hand for £300. Check eBay, gumtree and pinkbike.
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Current bike: Honda CBR 1100xx

[BikeNewbie]

Well I've read reviews etc, I've found a Carerra Vulcan nearby for a good price. Looks like the perfect beginners bike.

Thanks.

[BikeNewbie]

Found a carerra vulcan for 175. Been used four times. Good price? It's mint.

Thanks.

[G]

Sounds ok, though I'm not that up on the details.

Try and get the original receipt if it's under a year old.

[daemonoid]

[BikeNewbie]

Went and viewed it with the intention of buying the bike and I did. Mint condition. Very pleased with it.

Cheers for all the advice everyone. It's appreciated.

Thanks.