Roadie seeks MTB buying advice

kevin_stephens

I want to sell my basic Claud Butler Cape Wrath MTB and buy something much more enjoyable to ride up and down hills, and get much more into technical stuff;(no big jumps 'though), particulary over winter so that my lovely road bike stays nice and clean in the garage

I'm attracted by some apparently good deals on previous years models, particulary Kona Kikapu Delux (2005 spec) , Marin Rock Springs (2004) and Marin East Peak (2004)

I guess any would suit my needs, the Knoa appears to have slightly better Gruop and the Rock Springs has a 120mm travel fork, compared to 100m for the others

Any advice or comments before I go to the shop would be much appreciated

Thanks

Ticaboy

What's you budget?
Do you definately want a full-suspension?

kevin_stephens

£900 - £1500

Yes

supersonic

Have a look at the Trek Fuel EX6, phenomenal bike and value.

Father Faff

Giant Trance? You might even be able to get a 2007 Commencal Meta 5.5.2 at close to £1500 since it is nearly SALE time for 2007 bikes. I think Merlin & J D Cycles & Edinburgh Cycles stock Commencals.

kevin_stephens

Thanks for comments so far

I have been to some shops and got a better feel for what I'm after; current bikes such as the Stumpy FSR Comp and Scot Genius MC50 probably suit me better than the sale bikes I mentioned in the OP

However I have come across a very tempting offer of an '06 Cannondale Rush 800 in my size reduced from £2150 to £1400.

http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/06/CUSA/model-6VM8.html

Any good reason why I shouldn't go for this over the Stumpy or Scott options?

Thanks for any advice and comments

supersonic

Certainly good value on paper. Can you try it first though?

Father Faff

It is worth trying to find dealers who will let you test ride bikes for a day or so so you can ride them on the terrain you are likely to ride. I had a hardtail and wanted to try full-sus. The first bike I test rode was a Scott Genius and I hated it and wondered whether I really wanted a full-sus at all, really bad climber and boring (but fast) downhill (mind you it may have been set up badly for my weight), the second was a Commencal Meta 5 and the minute I took off on it I was laughing it just felt so good with tight handling and feedback, the third was a Trance which was very competent but just felt a little, well, dull I suppose. Also when the going got rougher it just couldn't match the Commencal. I then took the Commencal demo away for a whole weekend on typical Yorkshire Dales routes just to check I really did like it and there you go - bike sold. And the LBS was there nearby to help me out when a SRAM shifter went wrong and I bust a brake.

On the other hand you can take pot luck by mail order, get a "good deal" and end up with a bike that just doesn't work for you and if it goes wrong you have nowhere to go.

Airmiles

Hey Faff, how's things with Yorkshire's finest Scotsman?

I'm afraid I've gone to the Dark Side and become a roadie.....

I still get out on that old Kona hardtail from time to time - would love something more modern but with 3 bikes (and 2 kayaks) in the flat already there's just no room!!

Cheers

Miles

passout

Full suspension works well but as a newbie MTB'er I'd stick to a hartail. It will feel less alien and teach you about finding the right line. You may need to upgrade to FS in a year or two (if you learn to love MTB'ing) but MTBs wear out fast anyway! I'd spend £800 on a hardtail and see if you like it.

FS or hardtail the following brands offer value: Merlin/Rocklobster, Giant, Focus, Trek & Specialised.

Wiggle and Evans websites will help. The bike magic website may offer advice too.

Welcome to the dark side ...we've been expecting you.......

kevin_stephens

Actually I've already done a fair bit of hard tail MTB on my basic Claud Butler Cape Wrath (heavier than many full sus bikes) over the muddy west penine moors, and put up with caked up V brakes, unsophisticated fork damping, and the effect of lack of rear shop on long descents of rocky steps

narrowed things doen a bit to special offer on Kona King, or saving sum money and going for a special offer stumpy fsr comp

pinza1973

If its a stumpy you want Leisure Lakes have reductions on all 3 models,Comp £1274,and there's plenty of stores dotted around so you can take them out for a test ride.