WHAT BIKE? (under construction!)
supersonic
Posts: 82,708
As you can probably guess, the most common question on this forum is 'what bike
for x amount?'. Here is a quick run down of what to expect at certain price
points and a few examples of models. The bikes mentioned will all be 2008 models
at RRP, and be your standard XC/trail type machine. The most important thing
however is to go and try the bike: it could have the best spec in the world, but
no good if it doesnt fit. I'd recommend that newcomers to the sport buy from a
local shop - this way you get 1st hand advice, get to test it, will have it fully
set up, a free service and easy to reach after sales care. Don't forget to budget
for safety gear and basic tools - it is important you keep the bike clean,
maintained and adjusted.
UP TO £300:
This is about the price for a good capable entry level hardtail. It is worth
reading the beginners bike thread for info on what to look for. However there are
some very good machines below this price that will suit many first time buyers.
Giant Boulder - £200: thoughtful speccing form Giant gives us a well laid out and capable entry level MTB with features usuallu unseen at this price
Decathlon Rockrider 5.2 - £200: alloy frame, 8spd, alloy components, decent fork,
V brakes and sub 30lbs weight make this a great starter bike for those who dont
want to venture too far off road.
GT Avalanche 3.0 Disc - £299: classic entry level bike sports great frame and parts, and a set of cable disc brakes for superior wet weather performance.
Carrera Vulcan - £299: similar to the Avalanche in spec and forks, another good
entry level machine with solid frame and parts. Edit: check out the latest version with a damped XCM fork!
Mongoose Tyax Elite - £299: one of the best selling bikes of the year. Ups the
ante with a superb damped forks, but still gets 8spd drivetrain, good frame and
cable discs, excellent performer if a little weighty.
3-£500
In this price range things move up a gear. Forks start to have damping cartridges, offering much better performance off road: gears may be 9sp, not only offering more range, but more durability. Even hydraulic discs are appearing, which are simply the best stopper out there. Not all offer all this, it depends on what you want from the bike, but personally I feel the fork is the most important component for performance.
Trek 4300 - £300: another classic entry level XC bike. May not have the fancy forks and discs of others, but classy frame and light weight make it a good bike for light trails and paths, or to upgrade.
Carrera Kraken - £360: amazing value bike from Carrera shoehorns 9spd Sram gearing, Tektro hydro discs, superb frame and damped suntour fork for a great price. Only slightly high weight lets it down
GT Avalanche 2.0 and Mongoose Tyax Super - £400: two very similar bikes set the budget standard. Proven frames, damped forks with lockout, good quality shimano drivetrain and amazingly hydraulic discs
Specialized Hardrock Pro - £400: Sturdy offering from Specialized, with well proven Avid disc brakes, butted frame, hydraulic lockout sus fork and dependable shimano drivetrain.
Trek 4500 - £400: no discs on this one, but 9spd Shimano, Rockshox fork and light weight make for another excellent XC offering from Trek
Giant Terrago - £430: 9spd, hydro brakes and oil damped fork with a frame like this for 430 quid?
Genesis Core - £450: the new kid on the block, designed for UK riders. Standout fork make this a good option, backed up with decent brakes and tyres.
5-£800
Carrera Fury - £500: incredible bike for the money. Tora 318 fork unbeatable at this price, plus fully butted frame, 9spd Sram gearing and twin piston hydro brakes.
GT Avalanche 1.0 - £500: according to WMB the best 500 quid bike ever, with superb frame, hydro discs, oversized damped fork and great shimano gear inc hubs and cranks.
Mongoose Amasa Elite - £569: SRAM X7 gear, Tora Uturn forks and dependable Tektro hydro disc brakes makes for a tough offering from Mongoose
Specialized Rockhopper - £600: superb M4 frame is the standout feature; dependable Tora forks, good drivetrain and parts with Avid hydros. Great base to upgrade.
Saracen Zen 1 - £650: the original UK hardcore hardtail, and still up there with the best. Great geometry with tough frame and parts for hard riding fun.
Genesis Altitude 1.0 - £800: steel hardtail from the British brand, made for Reynolds heat treated 725 cromo steel. Well balanced parts package designed for UK riding.
Trek 6700 - £850: one of the cheapest bikes to feature the award winning Rockshox Reba. Add to this the legendary Alpha frame, Bontrager kit and the new XT shadow mech and you have a great value bike for trails and XC
Merlin MALT 4 ~ £900: part customisable steed from the Lancashire bargain builders, based on a superlight Kinesis frame with stunning value kit.
for x amount?'. Here is a quick run down of what to expect at certain price
points and a few examples of models. The bikes mentioned will all be 2008 models
at RRP, and be your standard XC/trail type machine. The most important thing
however is to go and try the bike: it could have the best spec in the world, but
no good if it doesnt fit. I'd recommend that newcomers to the sport buy from a
local shop - this way you get 1st hand advice, get to test it, will have it fully
set up, a free service and easy to reach after sales care. Don't forget to budget
for safety gear and basic tools - it is important you keep the bike clean,
maintained and adjusted.
UP TO £300:
This is about the price for a good capable entry level hardtail. It is worth
reading the beginners bike thread for info on what to look for. However there are
some very good machines below this price that will suit many first time buyers.
Giant Boulder - £200: thoughtful speccing form Giant gives us a well laid out and capable entry level MTB with features usuallu unseen at this price
Decathlon Rockrider 5.2 - £200: alloy frame, 8spd, alloy components, decent fork,
V brakes and sub 30lbs weight make this a great starter bike for those who dont
want to venture too far off road.
GT Avalanche 3.0 Disc - £299: classic entry level bike sports great frame and parts, and a set of cable disc brakes for superior wet weather performance.
Carrera Vulcan - £299: similar to the Avalanche in spec and forks, another good
entry level machine with solid frame and parts. Edit: check out the latest version with a damped XCM fork!
Mongoose Tyax Elite - £299: one of the best selling bikes of the year. Ups the
ante with a superb damped forks, but still gets 8spd drivetrain, good frame and
cable discs, excellent performer if a little weighty.
3-£500
In this price range things move up a gear. Forks start to have damping cartridges, offering much better performance off road: gears may be 9sp, not only offering more range, but more durability. Even hydraulic discs are appearing, which are simply the best stopper out there. Not all offer all this, it depends on what you want from the bike, but personally I feel the fork is the most important component for performance.
Trek 4300 - £300: another classic entry level XC bike. May not have the fancy forks and discs of others, but classy frame and light weight make it a good bike for light trails and paths, or to upgrade.
Carrera Kraken - £360: amazing value bike from Carrera shoehorns 9spd Sram gearing, Tektro hydro discs, superb frame and damped suntour fork for a great price. Only slightly high weight lets it down
GT Avalanche 2.0 and Mongoose Tyax Super - £400: two very similar bikes set the budget standard. Proven frames, damped forks with lockout, good quality shimano drivetrain and amazingly hydraulic discs
Specialized Hardrock Pro - £400: Sturdy offering from Specialized, with well proven Avid disc brakes, butted frame, hydraulic lockout sus fork and dependable shimano drivetrain.
Trek 4500 - £400: no discs on this one, but 9spd Shimano, Rockshox fork and light weight make for another excellent XC offering from Trek
Giant Terrago - £430: 9spd, hydro brakes and oil damped fork with a frame like this for 430 quid?
Genesis Core - £450: the new kid on the block, designed for UK riders. Standout fork make this a good option, backed up with decent brakes and tyres.
5-£800
Carrera Fury - £500: incredible bike for the money. Tora 318 fork unbeatable at this price, plus fully butted frame, 9spd Sram gearing and twin piston hydro brakes.
GT Avalanche 1.0 - £500: according to WMB the best 500 quid bike ever, with superb frame, hydro discs, oversized damped fork and great shimano gear inc hubs and cranks.
Mongoose Amasa Elite - £569: SRAM X7 gear, Tora Uturn forks and dependable Tektro hydro disc brakes makes for a tough offering from Mongoose
Specialized Rockhopper - £600: superb M4 frame is the standout feature; dependable Tora forks, good drivetrain and parts with Avid hydros. Great base to upgrade.
Saracen Zen 1 - £650: the original UK hardcore hardtail, and still up there with the best. Great geometry with tough frame and parts for hard riding fun.
Genesis Altitude 1.0 - £800: steel hardtail from the British brand, made for Reynolds heat treated 725 cromo steel. Well balanced parts package designed for UK riding.
Trek 6700 - £850: one of the cheapest bikes to feature the award winning Rockshox Reba. Add to this the legendary Alpha frame, Bontrager kit and the new XT shadow mech and you have a great value bike for trails and XC
Merlin MALT 4 ~ £900: part customisable steed from the Lancashire bargain builders, based on a superlight Kinesis frame with stunning value kit.
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