Mountain Bike Buying?

[Bush Tucker Man]

With a bit of a nod at my previous thread; Any Cyclists In..?

I'm trying to persuade SWMBO that we need a pair (again)

After all, she did ride for a complete season way back

And now that's she's decided to get fit again, but can't really run (as she's found she seems to have knee problems)


Can anyone recomend a decent Mountain Bike for about £500 - £600?

My thoughts go towards the established brands;
Kona
Marin
Specialised
Trek

1. I don't want full-suspension, but may accept front (Rock-Shox, or Manitou?)
2. For ease of maintenance & sheer stopping power, I suppose Discs are the thing to have?
3. Are they still all on these small-chain rings & sprockets nowadays, or are the old style (ie; proper sized!) 46/34/24 chaninrings back in use?
4. I want it fairly light, as it might be used for Cyclo-Cross next winter :roll:

5 Steel or Aluminium at the price mentioned??



I doubt that I can persuade her to let me have another Pace Research, or even look for a Yeti, or Ritchey??

One friend had a Yeti 'FRO', then got an ARC, an utterly gorgeous bike (the link shows the current model)

[Yoshi]

Bleeding heck!  We pay half that ammount for all our bikes together!

[sleeplessparadise]

Tell Joanne I love the head gear Richard, and sorry to hear she can't do the running :(

[strapping young lad]

edited

[simon15]

if your not going for full sus. then a decent saracen with front sus. carrera I have never had a problem with and had 3 of them and all stolen. :(

you have already mentioned kona but not one of my favourites.

also got giant and specialised.

it just depends on what bike takes your fancy when you look at it. :)

[Bush Tucker Man]

if your not going for full sus. then a decent saracen with front sus. carrera I have never had a problem with and had 3 of them and all stolen. :(

No, certainly not full-suspension!
I want to be able to pedal up hills relatively easily, not struggle

you have already mentioned kona but not one of my favourites.

also got giant and specialised.

it just depends on what bike takes your fancy when you look at it. :)

Brother-in-law had a (carbon) Giant road-bike & it was rather nice.

I might go have another look at Evans Cycling this weekend (in 'Xscape'at Castleford)

I used to fancy a Specialised MMC(?), but stuck with the Pace.

A Yeti ARC would fit the bill nicely (but a frame-set is £650+), as would a Ritchey P22 (if I could find one nowadays)

[damohick]

hi, i'm new to the forum and the 4x4 thing but not to MTBs s will try to help!  :D

1. For £500-£600 your right to stick to a hard tail but might want to think about marzocchi forks as well as the other two as they make very nice hard wearing kit.

2. Discs are really the thing to have your right but a set of XTR v's are still very good breaks but you do go though pads.

3. Small chain rings are still the order of the day ... dont really know why ? :?

5. Alloy or steel? hard question but if you dont mind the harsher ride of alloy then it's prob the best bet as it's more commonly used so you will find it easier to pick up a better deal.

To add something else to the mix this is a nice bike with a carbon frame which you could upgrade in the future.

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s2p363&z=429

As for where to buy from i can recomend

www.paulscycles.co.uk ... they have some really good deals

www.chainreactioncycles.com for your biking kit

www.merlincycles.co.uk do some well priced custom builds on their website and their own brand of frames ride very well

hope this has helped

Damo

[alaric]

£500-600 is a reasonable budget for a decent hardtail (You won't get an MTB without front suspension for that money), but at that price point disc brakes are likely to be cable operated - my advice is to stay away - stick to V's or make sure you get hydraulic discs.

Again, at that price the frame will be aluminium - not a lot of choice here.

Cable discs lack stopping power and reliability, and even if you get them working well, they only move one pad, and rely on the disc bending slightly to contact the inside pad. There is an adjustment on the inside pad for you to move it to allow for pad wear, but this is an allen key job, and more hassle than it's worth.

V brakes are simple, reliable and easy to maintain. Their main downfall for UK XC (Cross country) riders is the reduction in performance in wet and muddy conditions - are you likely to be riding in the depths of winter?

All XC mountain bikes will have a 22-32-44 set of front chainrings, and at that price either 8 or 9 at the rear with either 11-32 or 11-34 range. If you look closely at the crankset, and make sure that it has removeable rings you can change this fairly easily (although any significant increase in size will necessitate a new chain).

There are, realistically, 3 options for purchase:

"LBS" (Local bike shop): This is most likely to get you the best pre and after sales service. However, you are not likely to pay significantly less than RRP

Chainstore (Halfords): Service quality is likely to be a lucky dip - a few shops have good, knowledgeable staff in "The Bike Hut", but most lack this. They do now have some good brands, so don't totally discount them.

Internet: There are some real bargain to be had, particularly from last years models - you're not too bothered about this years colours are you? Although a lot of the online retailers have very good customer service departments it's not as easy as just popping back to your LBS to get a minor problem tweaked.

Evans Cycles is a good source of low-price quality bikes, and they have a number of stores as well. Customer service can be patchy sometimes - I've had 4 bikes from them, though, and not had any problems.

They have quite a few bikes in your price range (some reduced from £800 or more!).

This in particular caught my eye - a £750 Cannondale for £600, with a range of sizes still in stock.

Damohick's suggestions are all good. Also try Wiggle.co.uk for kit.

Then book your holiday in Greece  :lol:

Have fun!

Alaric.

[KevinStorr]

I would look at Trek or Specialised. Also for your SOH they do WMS models now.

If you want Steel then take a look at Merlin Cycles (link mentioned earlier) and the Rock Lobster range.

Sus forks no problems make all day rides more comfortable. However if cycle cross on the cards I would look at a ridged fork perhaps or a fork which can be locked out.

Re chain-set I think they all run compact rations  unless you go for a custom chain set.

If you are looking at someone like Merlin you might want to consider a Middleburn Duo chain-set 2 rings I have found this better for Cross Country / Cyclo Cross.

I would also take a look at On-One Bikes run by Brant Richards.  They do some nice Stell bikes and a good price .

[Bush Tucker Man]

£500-600 is a reasonable budget for a decent hardtail (You won't get an MTB without front suspension for that money), but at that price point disc brakes are likely to be cable operated - my advice is to stay away - stick to V's or make sure you get hydraulic discs.

I'll bear that in mind. I presume that the hydraulic ones aren't operated by a complete line?
My old Pace had Maguras, with a (small) cylinder in the brake lever.

Again, at that price the frame will be aluminium - not a lot of choice here

It still seems slightly strange that it's gone full circle, as aluminium used to be the 'top end'

V brakes are simple, reliable and easy to maintain. Their main downfall for UK XC (Cross country) riders is the reduction in performance in wet and muddy conditions - are you likely to be riding in the depths of winter?

Mud?, yes, I hope to get fit enough & continue riding, so I'll be riding Cyclo-Cross next winter

All XC mountain bikes will have a 22-32-44 set of front chainrings, and at that price either 8 or 9 at the rear with either 11-32 or 11-34 range. If you look closely at the crankset, and make sure that it has removeable rings you can change this fairly easily (although any significant increase in size will necessitate a new chain)

Not so much of a problem, as the bikes I'll be looking at are Shimano equipped.
Sadly I've still got a stash of the earlier (110mm??) PCD Shimano (& Stronglight) chainrings

"LBS" (Local bike shop): This is most likely to get you the best pre and after sales service. However, you are not likely to pay significantly less than RRP

There's a good one locally (Kendells in Castleford) but it's predominantly a 'roadie' shop.
I used to race as a member of the club they sponsor

Evans Cycles is a good source of low-price quality bikes, and they have a number of stores as well. Customer service can be patchy sometimes - I've had 4 bikes from them, though, and not had any problems.

Alaric.

There's an Evans at Castleford 'Xscape', it's about 15minutes drive away

[Bush Tucker Man]

I would look at Trek or Specialised. Also for your SOH they do WMS models now.

So I see from a recent previous visit to Evans

If you want Steel then take a look at Merlin Cycles (link mentioned earlier) and the Rock Lobster range.

I'd like one of the (USA) Merlins, ie; the titanium frames :(biglove):

Sus forks no problems make all day rides more comfortable. However if cycle cross on the cards I would look at a ridged fork perhaps or a fork which can be locked out.

I'd make sure they had lock-outs, or swap the forks for 'cross.

I would also take a look at On-One Bikes run by Brant Richards.  They do some nice Stell bikes and a good price .

Brant Richards!!!
That's a name from the past, I wonder if it's the same one I know who used to work in 'Two Wheels Good' in Leeds with John Stevenson? (ex -Mountain Bike UK editor)

[littlepow]

At that price range, avoid disk brakes as they will come at the cost of lower spec frame or gearing. Also they usually have heavier wheel set up compared to V brakes.
Best is to look for a really good frame, that's the only bit you will never change.
Should be able to get decent entry level front suspension at this price range.

Have you looked at Orange?

http://www.orangebikes.co.uk/

[Gav_T]

I got this http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/index.html?action=detail&prodID=31352 athough i paid 5% less the top price last year.

I really cant fault it at all, and is as good if not better than the orange gringo that i was looking at next to it, which was another £100ish i think.

Gav.

[narked]

I'd give another vote for On One. And yes I believe that's the fella you're thinking of, he was previously a cycling journo.

They do complete bikes as well as just frames. Check out the Inbred, they do it as a complete bike with rigid or suspension fork. Can get cheaper bikes, but they are nice bikes, and the service and support is great. My last bike was an On One 456 steel framed bike, lovely machine. Nice and compliant, yet tough as old boots without too much weight.

[muddymart]

try this link, They have a place in leeds on Harrogate road.

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/comms/srv.a4d?f%5Fpg=info%2Ehtm&f%5FCardinal=10

[iluvmud]

:lol: Plenty of choice there then Richard at that price just really down to your choice. Evans does have quite a good choice bought my Gt from there and not bad service either !
My personal choice would be a Kona always liked them :D  Got a Kona last year and have no arguments about it great bike !! love it!!

[Jamin]

I always find it more fun to build your own!
I originaly bought a Scott a few years ago and its slowly evolved. I think the only part remaining from the original is the bottom bracket!!

1. For £500-£600 your right to stick to a hard tail but might want to think about marzocchi forks as well as the other two as they make very nice hard wearing kit.

Id second that on the marzocchi forks, simple and very effective.
I had a pair of manitou and after hitting a tree (dont ask) they folded up!
I was not impressed!

[thermidorthelobster]

I had pretty much the same requirement, and went for a Marin Hawk Hill.  It's just what I was looking for.

[narked]

I always find it more fun to build your own!
I originaly bought a Scott a few years ago and its slowly evolved. I think the only part remaining from the original is the bottom bracket!!

1. For £500-£600 your right to stick to a hard tail but might want to think about marzocchi forks as well as the other two as they make very nice hard wearing kit.

Id second that on the marzocchi forks, simple and very effective.
I had a pair of manitou and after hitting a tree (dont ask) they folded up!
I was not impressed!

Yup, that's what I did with my On One. Bought the 456 frame, then built it up with Marzocchi All Mountain forks (good, solid and basic), hydraulic discs etc. Great fun putting it all together, plus you can spec it up exactly how you want it.

[Jamin]

Mine has an identiti frame now with halo rims and the marzocchi forks....totaly Bomb proof... despite the attempts of those pesky trees that jump out in front of you!

[Bush Tucker Man]

Have you looked at Orange?

http://www.orangebikes.co.uk/

No I hadn't

SWMBO had an 'Aluminium O' (see my opening post for image)

It's nice to see they've resurrested the 'Clockwork' model name.

I think Stif in Leeds was their first real dealer, as Paul (who owned the shop) went wind-surfing with Lester Noble, the founder of orange

[Bush Tucker Man]

Have you looked at Orange?

http://www.orangebikes.co.uk/

No I hadn't

SWMBO had an 'Aluminium O' (see my opening post for image)

Prior to the 'Ally O', she had a 15" Marin Bear Valley (a 1989 model?) with a 'U-Brake' under the chainstays
The colour choice has changed somewhat since :lol:, but is now specced as a 'woman specific geometry'

Bear Valley

[Bush Tucker Man]

Going off at another tangent & why not?, I started the thread

I've just been browsing after having done todays ride, subsequent food & shower
(on annual leave today & tomorrow)

I found this, what a blast from the past :(bigsmile):


Some of the strips were seriously hippy-ish/surreal, but always fun!


Mint Sauce

[strapping young lad]

richard

in light of your dedication to the fabled brand from solihull

im very surprised you havent followed suit with the 2 wheeled variant

link

[alaric]

Land Rover are not the only car manufacturer with branded mountain bikes - Audi, Merc, BMW, Hummer and a few others also have them.

Unfortunately they are all heavily over priced and under-specced!

[strapping young lad]

yes i know other manufacturers have bikes but since btm is an lr nut i thought it fitting he should carry on with his collection with another lr :)

[Bush Tucker Man]

richard

in light of your dedication to the fabled brand from solihull

im very surprised you havent followed suit with the 2 wheeled variant

No, not for me Dyfed.

I'm more interested getting a 'real' bike (ie; Marin, Trek, Kona, etc...)

[alaric]

You might find this of interest: MBUK digital issue

Check out the "Half grand hardtails" article.

Alaric.

[KevinStorr]

Brant Richards!!!
That's a name from the past, I wonder if it's the same one I know who used to work in 'Two Wheels Good' in Leeds with John Stevenson? (ex -Mountain Bike UK editor)

Yes thats the one, great guy.

[KevinStorr]

Some of the strips were seriously hippy-ish/surreal, but always fun!


Mint Sauce

I used to ride with Joe Burt who draws Mint Sauce when I lived in Brighton.