new bike for £600

jonesy99

looking to get a new bike and wondering what to get ? i have around £600 ish maybe more.

cheers

paulym31

Don't even consider a full suspension at this price, even one of last years will need upgrading fairly quick.
Other than that it depends on what sort of riding you want to do. There are loads of great hardtails around, especially if you're willing to get an '07 spec.

Paul

tonyrees68

the sales are coming ,what bike did you have before,have you got all the riding gear you need iam no expert at all but 600 will get you a very good hardtail if thats your thing ,all the spesh ,gt.orange are good i had the same question as you ive bought mine and happy as a piggy in sh1tty , try them , everybody will have different choices
like i said i got mine ,then there are new ones coming out id like , but buy one that fits and your happy with £600 you cant really go wrong no bad bikes out there if you look properly
tony

dunker

from a quick look around a few deals that look alright, the giant xtc ex looks a great bargain but i could only find it in small so have a hunt around for that for bigger ones though it might be too late they might be all gone. the malt1 has a great spec but the frame is pretty basic from what others have said, still good though. the malt4 has a great frame but the spec is less than the newer merlin 08 bikes but would be good to upgrade as things break and need replacing in the future i reckon. try to get down to a local bike shop and see what offers they have and try a few on for size, no good getting a great deal if it just does'nt feel right for you when riding it. but saying that i did'nt and my malt4 fits me like a glove but i am quite average size.

GARY FISHER HOO KOO E KOO. 17.5" (M) only. £550 save £250.
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... m1b0s2p938

GT AVALANCHE EXPERT. large only. £600 save £100.
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... p678&z=771

GIANT XTC EX. small only. £585 save £415 (great deal, if you're small).
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... m1b0s2p495

GIANT XtC 2.5. all sizes. £650 save £150.
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 1b0s2p1264

merlin malt 1-08. all sizes. £640 save £60.
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=produ ... egoryId=39

malt 4 07 bike. 15",19",21". £700 save £150.
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=produ ... goryId=100


had to get a malt4 in there somewhere

jonesy99

my local shop said i should either go for a scott aspect 20 or a specialized rockhopper disc.

artillerydave

If you can get up to Merlin Cycles in Leyland to try out one, the Malt 1 takes some beating, Reba fork, LX groupset and handbuilt wheels, you will not find better.

paulym31

Having said don't even think about full suss I got a Kona Kikapu '06 just before Easter for £599 from Rutland Cycling and don't regret it. Sure, a lot of the components were a bit on the cheap side, but the frame is mint, and I'm quite enjoying getting the exact spec I want. So far I've upgraded forks (Marzocchi MZ3s to Revelations), brakes (Hayes cable discs to hayes sole single piston hydraulics, will upgrade to Juicys soon) and tyres (purly 'cos the Nokians were so bloody hard to get off the rims. Next upgrades will be brakes (again), rear shock and possibly wheels.

My point is, do you want the best overall spec you can get right now, or do you want a platform to upgrade over time?

Paul

sparrowlegs78

Go Merlin, not even got mine yet..its being built, but i went to the shop to get fitted and all i can say is you'll not find better for your money. Proper quality

jonesy99

any thoughts on boardman bikes? also halfords selling a carrera fury 07 for £430. anyone seen or used either one?

rob13

Ive got the same choices as you Jonesy, and I'm also using the same LBS! Westbrooks recommend the Scott Aspect 20 (Dart 2 forks any good?) While Bike Scene recommend the Spec Rockhopper Disc and Edinbrough Cycles have the Commencal Combi Disc.

Ive read that the Spec is a bit rough over bumpy stuff and it gets a bit unsteady as its a fast bike while the Commencal & Scott have both been praised for their ride.

Splasher

Hard to beat this spec for £600 http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... ite%202008

The less well specified Fat Boy won the £500 group test in MBUK with the same frame. Highlights are a Tora fork, Juicy 3 brakes and a X7/X9 transmission.

dart

I've had the Boardman Comp for about 6 months and it's been pretty good, no issues to date. I'm new to MTB'ing and didn't want to spend more than £600, I picked it up for £550.00 and its got a great spec. I'm pretty tall at 6"3' and went for the Large frame, to be honest even at 6"3 its a bit of a stretch and I'm looking at putting a shorter stem on it, I decided to change the saddle to and went for a Charge Spoon (£20). On the whole I'm pretty pleased with it, it's quick and good on the climbs. It gave me a good intro to MTB'ing, I'm now looking for a full sus bike for the spring.

jonesy99

whats the differance between a scott's scale range and it's aspect range?

cheers

richie

The Spiderman

If you can stretch your budget a little,and want something light and fast this looks unbeatable:http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cycle&ProdID=5360032355&N=Focus%20Black%20Forest%202008

If you you decide you really do want a full susser,this Giant Trance looks a bargain.
Alll the basics are there,albeit a bit heavy but it will ,make a good long term project for upgrading:
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b4s1p1291

cjw

jonesy99 wrote:

whats the differance between a scott's scale range and it's aspect range?

cheers

richie

I think mainly different frame alloy. The Aspect is a cheaper (read heavier) Ali Alloy - 6061 I think - whereas the Scale range are 7005. Also components are better in the Scale range, al;though depends on which model. Main difference is the frame material.

SPOODZILLA

I went for a Merlin Malt 1 - had it 2 months, can't stop riding it! Great spec for your money, fantastic bike for me so far, good service from Merlin. £575 (extra 10% discount on at the moment, comes up when you goto checkout).

The Focus bikes look like good value, though I'd have to lose the flat handlebars. I have a Giant FCR, which is ok, but its kinda put me off Giant bikes. I read of issues around frame strength with GF, which scared off them. The GT triple triangle thing is just weird.

Re Merlin and online ordering, Being 6'4, I was sure I'd need a 23" frame, but after speaking to Merlin they convinced me to go for a 21" - its a perfect fit, 23 would have been to big. They were really helpful and know what they're talking about.

Has no one recommended a 29er yet?

Gokou

jonesy99 wrote:

any thoughts on boardman bikes? also halfords selling a carrera fury 07 for £430. anyone seen or used either one?

I've just picked up my Boardman Comp today, great spec for the money and fairly light too compared to other bikes at £600. I managed to get mine for £540 with the 10% discount Halfords had last week.

Halfords currently have the GT Aggressor XCR at £600 (down from £700) which is similar spec to the Boardman Comp, but uses Shimano where the Boardman has SRAM. Both bikes are worth a look in this price range.

Anonymous

http://www.ukbikesdepot.com/products.php?plid=m1b0s2p201