Most suitable MTB around the £600-800 mark?

NickATRvtec

Hi all,

My first time on here, so be gentle!

Well, anyway - my Trek 4900 got stolen recently, so I'm after a new bike

I'm about 6' 4" so need a big bike. I've been recommended to get one between 22 and 23 inches, although I understand the lengths of different makes varies (which is my biggest concern - it being too short).

I'm going to be using it mainly too and from work, and in the evenings, but I'll probably do a bit of light trail stuff too.

Now, I've got to get my new bike from Halfords, because I'm doing the Cycle2work scheme which gets my a hefty discount on it.

So far, I've got a few ideas of what I want. I know that I need to sit on all of these to see how they feel, but I'd like opinions on the spec of each versus the cost.

Bikes I've been looking at so far:

Boardman Comp
Kona Cinder Cone, Caldera and Hoss Deluxe
GT Avalance Expert
Giant XTC 3.5
Specialized Rockhopper Disc

If you've got any other alternatives, then put them my way please. I've been informed that Halfords can obtain any bike I want; not just those on their books.

Hope you can help, or steer me in the right direction

Thanks,

Nick

Red Panda

I know I'm slightly biased but how about a bike from Merlin? Not many people have much bad to say about them and they have a big variety of spec.

ddoogie

Panda man, it has to be from Halfords unfortunately. Shame as a Merlin would have been excellent.

I don't think you can go far wrong with any of the bikes you suggested. They all have decent kit on them that's for sure. My money would probably be with the XTC. Its stiff in its design and will therefore be able to transfer power down a bit better on smooth road surfaces.

Panhandling Prince

Whats the XTC like for XC racing?

NickATRvtec

I take it Halfords couldn't order a Merlin in then?

FourXXXXCross

Probably not, because Merlins are supposed to be a custom order I think, although the spec choices on their website aren't exactly mind blowing.

ukcraigb

I have a 2006 XTC, I think its an excellent bike, good spec overall. I think the frame is a little on the 'chubby' side but appart from that its been brilliant.

You can pick it up £530 here (M and L): for http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... NT_XTC_SX_

Or if you can fit onto a 14" frame you can get it for £440 here: http://www.ashcycles.com/power/index.ph ... dca9202c24

papasmurf.

You should be able to get Halfords to get you a merlin, plus I think you get 10% off

papasmurf.

CYCLE PURCHASE OPTIONS
We now offer 3 ways to buy a Merlin or Rock Lobster bike.
1. Cyclesheme, buy a bike through you employer on the cycle to work scheme and save nearly 50% of the purchase price. Your employer need to be registered to either cyclesheme.
2. 0% finance we can now offer 12months interest free finance on all bikes under £1000 and 18 months on all bikes over £1000. Call or email for full details.
3. 10% on-line discount for instant payment (automatically applied when you add to basket), cash and credit card payments in store also qualify for a 10% discount as do bike purchase through the Halfords cycle to work scheme click for cyclesheme.co.uk

from here http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/acatalog/ ... Bikes.html

NickATRvtec

Excellent news, thanks!

I will enquire about the Merlin bikes when I go into Halfords this Saturday. The 10% will make one a very, very good buy 8)

NickATRvtec

Hmmm, they don't do the Malt 4 in 23 inch :?

papasmurf.

does anyone make 23inch. I'd be surprised if you needed that size. I'm 6'4 and ride 19-20inch bikes. Pitty with the merlin you can't get a ride before.

The Boardman Comp from you list looks a good package, just being new product it leaves some doubts.

The Hoss is okay, just a bit heavy and the forks poor.

as its Halfords try the Fury, as that gets many good reviews and the specs good for the money with a decent fork at that price point aswell.

Iain M

I am looking at exactly the same problem. I'm 6'3'' so need a big frame but I was still thinking the 21" would be slightly too big for what I want & 19" slightly too small - why can't you get a 20" bike for freaks like me? I'd go and try a few 21" frames and see what you think.
You can't get a '07 21" Rockhopper disc as they are all sold out - I've tried.

I can't decide between an Orange Evo8 and a Gary Fisher Hu Ku E Ku (HKEK).....

Big n Daft

6'4'' + here....

I ride a 20 " Fury, with about 9 inches of seat post out, so i can get a correct knee position on the pedal.

Its all down to your inside leg measurement, you should have at least 2" of standover clearance between gonads and top tube, with feet flat on the floor.

If you take a pretty standard 10" bottom bracket to floor measurement (most i believe are closer to 12"), add the 20" frame and your 2 to 3" standover clearance, thats a 32-33" inside leg measurement.

The XTC 4.5 comes in 21" and 23" sizes....i'll be amazed if you need a 23 though, the Fury is in 18 and 20" sizes and a better fork!

NickATRvtec

I think the problem I had with my Trek, which was supposedly a 21 inch frame, was that although it was fine for my leg length, it was just a little too short. I'd be sitting right over the back of the seat just so that my arms were fully locked out.

Flipping gorilla arms :roll:

I guess the only way to tell will be to go and test out each size that Halfords has, although I obviously can't do that with the Merlin or anything else they don't stock. Shame really, because the Merlin does look nice.

supersonic

I find Merlin frames to come up a bit shorter in the top tube compared to the opposition.

NickATRvtec

Forgot to say - when I went to the local Specialized shop, they told me that 21 inch bikes are only suitable for those up to 6' 3"...

supersonic

Load of cobblers! It depends on the rider and riding.

NickATRvtec

Right, well I went into Halfords today...

Have to say - wasn't the most useful experience ever. Didnt have any Boardman bikes in stock yet so couldnt try one, didnt have a GT Avalance (although I tried an aggressor in 20 inches, which felt quite nice), and obviously none of the other bikes on the list are in stock either, so can't try them for size :roll:

Seriously tempted by either the Boardman though, or the Malt 4, although I don't like the sound of it being too short :?

So... need to order a bike next week but I'm still confused as to what to do

supersonic

If your employer does the cycle 2 work scheme that is.

NickATRvtec

Well I've gone and done it

I finally decided on the GT Avalance Expert 8) It was a tough choice but being able test a GT bike in Halfords gave it the advantage. Almost went for the Boardman but I didn't like the saddle for one (I know, easy to change, but...). The Expert has got a slightly inferior fork to the Boardman, but I can always upgrade it at some point.

Looking forward to picking it up now Tuesday after next 8)