Which of these bicycles?

[Nick__C]

Hi all,
Any help is appreciated as I'm a bit of a noob when it comes to specs.

I'm looking for a bit of advice on a new push bike

I made a thread about 2 years on the same topic but never got round to doing anything, just continued to ride my knackered bike

Been having a look on Evans and was wondering if any of you kind folk could point me in the right direction as to which of these bikes would be the best bet/best value for money.

I was considering a £170 Decathlon jobbie and then decided I'd be better upping my budget.

I'm looking to spend about £300, so bearing in mind I've had a Shogun Cult XC (sub £200) for 7 years or so and that suited my needs for the most part, which of these would be the best option?

Saracen Tufftrax 2014 £299.99
https://www.evanscycles.com/products/saracen/tufftrax-2014-mountain-bike-ec056724


Norco Storm 6.3 2014 £300
https://www.evanscycles.com/products/norco/storm-63-2014-mountain-bike-ec053933

GT Aggressor 3 2014 £329.00
https://www.evanscycles.com/products/gt/aggressor-3-2014-mountain-bike-ec054144#features

Specialized Hardrock 26 2014 £330
https://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/hardrock-26-2014-mountain-bike-ec053416#reviews

Mongoose Switchback Sport 2014 £349
https://www.evanscycles.com/products/mongoose/switchback-sport-2014-mountain-bike-ec057501#reviews

Trek 3500 2013 £260
https://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/3500-2013-mountain-bike-ec040336

All of the above likely to have £30 knocked off from trading in my old knackered bike

Cheers
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'02 GS 500.

[instigator]

If you were considering decathlon before, why not now? The rockrider 520 is in your price range. It's what I have and I don't find myself wanting anymore. (well, I want more BIKES but not more from this particular bike)

[Nick__C]

Teeeeny bit over my budget really, would be a consideration though if it's comparable to those others, cheers
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'02 GS 500.

[Seb]

They are all much of a muchness, very similar spec and so forth. Personally I'd probably buy the trek purely because it's the cheapest. Failing that I'd buy the Hardrock due to it being the safest bet for selling on down the line.

You could do so much better by carefully buying used though.
____________________
2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[instigator]

[Nick__C]

Not gonna lie I'd probably have to pay someone to take it
____________________
'02 GS 500.

[400bandit]

Does it have to be brand new?

Plenty of chunky people buy bikes with good intentions...
____________________
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...)

[Nick__C]

Yeah I'd prefer new tbh, rather not risk buying a lemon and something being wrong with it down the line..

Carrera Vengeance £299.99 from Halfrauds
https://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_810721_langId_-1_categoryId_165499?shouldCachePage=true&msg=#tab2

Mongoose Tyax Elite £299
https://www.damianharriscycles.co.uk/prod/har_0005_mo/mongoose-tyax-elite-hardtail-mtb-2011-hardtail-mountain-bike

But both are older models still for that similar price..
Both disc brakes, does that make a difference?
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'02 GS 500.

[MrFagin]

None of the bikes in your first post have damped forks - so will be clunky and nasty off road, and heavy on it.
Only the Mongoose has damping, plus hydraulic brakes and decent other bits.

The Rockrider would be my other choice.

At this price range the fork is the most important bit - anything else can be upgraded cheaply, but most will work fine.

A rubbish fork will make any bike rubbish.

Prices have risen significantly over the past few years, and spec reduced, so an older new bike will normally be the best value.

[G]

Another vote for secondhand.

If not, how about this:
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/avanti-montari-2-29er-2013-ex-demo/

They've got a similar Kona not ex-demo for the same price.

Do you plan to ride off road?
If not - I'd go for a hybrid.

[el_oso]

[Seb]

Can't agree more. I got my Stump Jumper when it was 4 years old, I've had it for a further 2-3 years and the only issue I've ever had with it in that time was with the seat post. I forget the exact sum I paid for it, but it wasn't much more than some of these bikes I'm sure.

If you do look at some used stuff, the important checklist is as so:

Check the frame for dents and cracks, pay particularly close attention to the underneath of the Downtube, all around the Bottom Bracket and the ChainStays. Next up, check the Wheels, Cranks and Forks for any play whatsoever, if you are prepared to do a little work, worn out bearings can be a good bargaining tool to get a decent bike on the cheap, otherwise walk away. Lastly, go over the little bits such as the levers and Derailleurs, look for cracked or damaged fittings, missing bolts etc.

Beyond that, pay attention to surface rust on bolts and cheap components, whilst it might not be the end of the world to have rusty brake callipers, just remember that the bearings are likely going to be in the same state. Walk away or haggle accordingly.
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2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[sidewinder]

Myself I'd go for this to be honest

Cube aim 26
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/cube-aim-26-hardtail-bike-2014/rp-prod114091