£300 Bike Bargains

Morty_Oxon

My brother has decided to get a new bike but being a stingy bugger he doesn't want to spend over £300. I'm pleased he's getting back into riding but really not too sure what he should get.

I can easily find current entry-level xc models (my recommendation was the 2008 GT Avalanche 3.0 Disc for £299) but think he could do better by buying a 2007 model eg: Trek 4500, Spesh Hardrock.....

Am I being optimistic or has anyone seen any great bargains on a model from last year? Might be able to push the budget up a bit if I can persuade him it's worth it i.e. £350 for 2007 bike costing £450 new. All suggestions welcome. Cheers

OllyUK

I got my carrera fury from Halfords for £380, when its usually ~£500 as Halfords try to clear out 07 models.
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... /fury-9876

Obviously with (most) halfords branches you have to remember you wont get service to such a high standard as a good lbs.

Also consinder ex-demo/ ex hire bikes if you have a lbs nearby that has a hire fleet.

Morty_Oxon

That looks ace. Toras and discs for £380? Good spot. I'll make up the difference if I can't convince him it's worth it.

OllyUK

Morty_Oxon wrote:

That looks ace. Toras and discs for £380? Good spot. I'll make up the difference if I can't convince him it's worth it.

If they don't have it for that price at your local, try to haggle him down as they will be desperate to get rid of 07s, I also got £20 free accessories

Anonymous

Got the perfect one for you here . bang on 300 with hydraulics, aluminium frame and a set of five'd cranks. Cant get bette than this for 300, or if you can i havent seen it.

http://www.ukbikesdepot.com/products.php?plid=m1b5s2p180

supersonic

Let down by the fork though.

extra_ice

What makes that bike better than this one, which I was looking at on Halford's site: Carrera Vulcan V Spec. I'm looking to get a new bike myself although £300 might be pushing it for me unless it's REALLY worth it...

supersonic

Has a few better components, hydraulic discs. But more to it than that, try and test first.

If you can stretch to this:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yrn_103669

You get 27 gears, mechanical disc brakes, superb butted frame, hydraulcially damped fork. Great price.

extra_ice

Only a 16" frame on that one though, and I need 20". I went down my Halford's store today but they didn't have much in stock that was under £400, except for the real cheapy £100-£150 ones.

supersonic

Ask them to do a store search - they should oblige!

Sure its a 20 inch? They vary brand to brand - the importance of trying it first. My three bikes measure 18, 20.5, and 17 inch!

glen4

this looks quite a bargain to me http://www.bikescene.co.uk/moreinfo.php ... 921&sale=0

supersonic

Compared to its RRP, a big discount - but astonishingly heavy (34lbs) and pogo stick undamped fork.

glen4

supersonic wrote:

Compared to its RRP, a big discount - but astonishingly heavy (34lbs) and pogo stick undamped fork.

OK i'll get me coat

supersonic

If you had say 600 quid and wanted a tough bike, it may be worth buying, getting new forks I suppose.

extra_ice

supersonic wrote:

Sure its a 20 inch? They vary brand to brand - the importance of trying it first. My three bikes measure 18, 20.5, and 17 inch!

They did have a 20" more expensive Carrera in there and I had a go on that and it felt ok, so as far as the Carrera range go, 20" seems to be right. But that is a concern obviously, given that bike frame sizes seem to be like shoe sizes between different brands - no two are alike!

OllyUK

I ride a 20inch carrera and am a shade under 6 foot, but its just the fact that different people have different shaped bodies ie different torso lenght to leg lenght ratio etc the thing about the fury is the fork..its fantastic for the price.
Go and visit all the bike shops in your area and ask what offers the have for ~£300, then you get to try them out as well.