Hardtail for a Grand?

Panter

Hi all, just signed up to this forum today, looks a great place

Its just another "what bike" post I'm afraid but I haven't found much of an answer through the searches.

I live in Kent (flat) and started riding 6 months ago to lose some wight and get fit. I was very overweight to start with, but I've lost a fair bit, got a lot fitter and am now just "fat"

Anyways, I need to get a new bike. I like the look of the Trek 8000 but someone said it may be too race orientated for a newbie, also, would it take my weight (110Kg)?
Or am I barking up the wrong tree?

It seems a fairly diificult decision for that price range as it seems to be borderline fiull susser territory which is what the market seems to be dominated by.

Incidentally, most of my riding is training one the road and woodland trails purely because of my location. My real intention though is to get up into the mountains of Wales (I'm off there in a fortnight for a taster) so it needs to be a "proper" mountain bike as well as a bit of an all-rounder.

Any help appreciated


Cheers

Chris

MikeTheGoat

I was in this position a couple of years ago. Decided to go for a hard-tail cos you get *so* much more bike for your money than for a full-sus. I went for a Rock Lobster Tig Team SL from merlin and didn't regret it at all. Lovely bike with a fantastic spec.

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/acatalog/ ... bikes.html

The Spiderman

Take a look at the Rcok Lobster tig team or 853 at Merlin cycles www.merlincycles.co.uk

A little less racy,and perhaps a bit more beginner freindly than the Trek.Very good spec for the money.

The Trek 8000 still looks a nice bike for the money,though.You could also look at a Rockhopper Pro.Both probably avaialble reduced at the momet too.

The steel framed Genesis Altitude 2.0 looks like a nice bike too.Reduced to £800 at www.cyclesurgery.co.uk

If most of your riding is on the flat and on relatively undemanding terrain you may find a more race orientated xc bike,suits you.......

Mytchett Mike

I was looking at the Genesis Altitude but couldn't find one to sit on.

I eventually went for the GT Zaskar Pro from chainnreactioncycles.com reduced from £1300 to £900 - full XT spec - and am very happy with it (only done around 80 miles off road so far)

ddoogie

I would also be looking closely at the Rock Lobster range. Merlin are one of the nicest bike shops I've ever had to deal with as well.

alfablue

I love my Rock Lobster!

Merlin are currently offering a 10% discount online at the moment - even better value

Brighty

Another whoopeee for the rock lobster, i got the steel one recently and love her. I'm a chunky monkey too, not far off you

Although merlin are currently offering 10% off instant payment, this is just beacause they've recently added 10% to the cost of their bikes to cover thier 'free' 0% finance. So they are the same price as they've always been. Still blooming bargains though.

Brighty

The Big Cheese

I must agree - Merlin are really great to do business with, and the Rocklobster Tig Team is a absolutely cracking bike!

Panter

Thanks Guys 8)

I'd never even heard of Merlin, they do look very very nice. Mind you that Zaskar is a bit of a bargain at the moment :shock:

Cheers

Chris

clanton

Any one know what the Merlin Rock Lobster B52 frame weighs?

Panter

I'm having to make a definate decision soon

I loke the look of the Merlins but its just too far to go to try one.
My LBS has offered me a good price on the Treks but should I go for the 6700 or the 8000.?


Obviously the 8000 is better sped'd, but would it be too race orientated for an overweight newbie ?

Any opinions appreciated

Cheers

Chris

Noclue

clanton wrote:

Any one know what the Merlin Rock Lobster B52 frame weighs?

1800 grams or about 4 pounds

Noclue

^^^^ thats in the 18" anyway.

The Spiderman

Another one for you if the idea of an 853 steel frame appeals:



http://www.cyclesurgery.com/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/1025611/groupID/1/categoryID/81/v/d24e6918-a55d-48d1-8231-8cedbe2933e1

WillGTJumper

maybe look towards Spesh, Norco, Orange

jayson

Another Rock Lobster rider here and i couldnt be happier with it. I brought the alloy frame simply because i dont like the skinny annorexic looking tubes of the steel frame.

Its light and very 'chuckable' whilst also being comfy over the course of a day too, the highlight for me though are the wheels. Ive had my bike for 3 yrs now and ive never once had to take them in the shop for truing or even retensioning, Merlin truly are the king of wheels without a doubt.

Father Faff

An obvious Orange to try is the P7 which will handle the rough as well as the smooth and has a steel frame. Tough as nails and will handle a heavy rider - having said that the bike itself isn't a lightweight.

mikeitup

The new Boardman range looks good but as yet is untested.
The MTB Pro model looks a cracking but at £999.
Just more bikes to consider.

dunker

i too can recommend Merlin Cycles, they can certainly build a good bike as my Merlin Malt has done over 500 miles now and it's only had one thing go wrong with it... a puncture hehe yep that's all

if i had to buy again i'd definetly buy from Merlin again, prolly a Malt 4 again as it just fits me perfectly but i'd like to test ride the Rock Lobsters.

BikerDan

Hows 'bout a Saracen Zen 3? its an extreme XC hardtail with a 140mm travel Fox fork. XT frnt & rear mechs and deore brakes. At 12.8kg its a middleweight frame but hard work on the climbs. Its bang on your budget too!!

alanoriordan

I bought a Trek 8000 (2006 model) in October 2005 and was very happy with it until I moved onto more technical stuff and got fed up watching my friends on full suspension bikes pulling away from me on every descent, at which point I went out and bought a Stumpjumper FSR.

I guess I'm saying that if you expect to progress to more technical trails in Wales in the not too distant future, you might not want to make the expensive mistake I made. My Trek now sits in the garage unused and the Specialized comes out every time. Looking back with the benefit of hindsight, I wish I'd gone straight to a full susser and saved some money in the long term.

That said, the Trek 8000 is a very nice, responsive bike and I personally wouldn't say it's too much for a beginner/improver.

steve-c

Trek 8000 is a great bike. I have an older 8500 and has lasted for years. Reasonably agressive position - but not overly so. Issue will be to make sure you get size that means you dont have to jack the seat miles above the handlebars. Being big/heavy isnt the issue really ..its what your using it for and being comfortable and having reasonable arm/wrist strength (if your heavier). If you use for mountain biking you certainly wont regret the riding position ...if you want to potter down to the shops looking at the sky ...well get a nice tourer/hybrid

steve-c

forgot to say...you probably know but I thought Id better mention it - the bike sales start next month if not already so 07 models will be discounted

Panter

Thanks guys, appreciated



Alonoriordan, I totally take your point and it's something I have seriously considered. The trouble is that with me being a newb, and living in Kent, the vast majority of my riding will be XC. Also, I believe I'm at the bottom end of full bouncers at that price point and I'd rather have a better spec'd hardtail to learn on.
I'm sure that in time I'll end up with a full sus but just now, I think I need a hardtail.


My LBS is getting a Trek in today (hopefully) for me to have a play with. I'll let you know. I guess all the bikes suggested are going to be good 'uns at this price point and I guess personal preference will have to paly a part.

cheers

chris

The Spiderman

I would imagine that in Kent a good hardtail will be all you need for 90% of riding situations.

The terrain is very simailar to where I live in Hertfordshire,where I have no trouble keeping up or passing my full suss riding mates on my Giant XTC hardtail.

I might consider a full suss in the future,when I want to start tackling some more challenging trails,further afield but at this price point a good hardtail,is a whole lot of fun.

Panter

Thanks Spiderman, kind of what I was thinking.

In the future I may get a cheap full susser, something like one of the Decxathlon bikes which seem pretty good for the money as its only going to be a few trips a Year. But, as I say, thats a fair way off. Need to pick up some skills first


Cheers

Chris

hodgey

santa cruz chamelon is a good all rounder-not sure about the weight it takes though!

jobow79

Hi

I am in the same position, looking for a hard trail for about a grand.

I was looking at

Tek 8000 ot 8500
Kona Kula Promo (hard trail), currently reduced from £1700
Orange P7 pro
ROck lobster Team Tig SL 07

Any suggestions/advice?

Many thanks

Joe

supersonic

Yep, go and try them out!

P7 pro is more of hardcore hardtail with its slacker angles and longer forks, and heavier too.

Kenny@Denny

How about the Gary Fisher Big Sur (2007) were £1000 not long ago, now £699 here - http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/gary_ ... _2007.html. I've got 3 in the family stable!

The Spiderman

How much can you get the Kula Primo for? Thats one lovely looking bike,got a very good review in this moths WMB,but seems a bit pricey for what it offers over the Rock Lobster or Trek 8000.

Also look out for a deal on a GT Zaskar Pro.

You really need to go ride some,because there are some very tasty bikes listed here,and it will be down to personal choice,based on the way each rides and fits you,best.Spending a £100 so you don't want to get it wrong!