Newbie - What bike to buy, so many to choices...

brakenjan

Hi all,

I want to buy myself a mountain bike which I will be using to commute to work and back and must handle the recreational riding on weekends (jumping, cross country, and maybe downhill riding in the future), no competition riding but definetly more extreme as I progress.

Bikes I have in mind are in order of preference:
Specialized FSR XC 2007 Mountain Bike (£799)
Specialized Rockhopper Pro Disc 2007 Mountain (£799)
Voodoo Bokor 20'' (£679)

The bike that appeals the most is the Specialized FSR XC but I was advised to stay away from full suspension for various reasons, however
I am not convinced?

- Shocks have lockout for my commute, I was under the impression that the lockout on the shocks is like riding without suspsension?
- Carriers and bags are also not a problem to fit on this bike for my commute.
- Heavier, willing to sacrifise on that one

I don't mind a heavier bike to commute but it must be strong, don't want to buckle wheels, bend the frame or something on the weekend leaving me stranded.

Any advice would be most welcome...thanks!

passout

I'd buy a cheap bike (road or rigid MTB) for commuting so that you don't cry when it's knicked. A road bike like the Trek 1000 would be a great commuting machine and training bike but I'd buy second hand.

As for your weekend bike....The specialised FS you describe sounds alright but isn't it a cross country machine? Sounds like you want something more burly to me. If you are going to do all that stuff I'd go for a Giant Reign, Reign X or another FS with about 6 inches of travel (not ideal for commuting).

WillGTJumper

go for what every seems to be getting 5' full sus