Got £200 to £250 MAX to spend on MB

cms239

Hi

1st post

After buing a MB to help me get fir, for some fun and generally getting about without using petrol

I relise my budget is tight but at the mo thats all I want to spend. If I get the bug then I spend more

Have popped into Halfords and looked at the Carerra Vulcan £229 (I can get discount as well)

I have also heard that GT is a reasonable budget make.

So anyone got some advice as to what else to look out for?

Cheers

Chaka Ping

Hello and welcome, I'm not too hot on what bikes are best at that budget - but you might want to think about secondhand options also. You can probably pick up something that originally cost £500 and which might not have been ridden very much at all.

You mentioned GT - and I think their "Aggressor" model has been well reviewed.

milkywhite

The Vulcan won a group test in the budget hard tail class a couple of months back. Good frame and fork is about the best you can expect for the money.

cms239

The Vulcan won a group test in the budget hard tail class a couple of months back. Good frame and fork is about the best you can expect for the money.

Do you have a link to this test please

The Spiderman

cms239 wrote:

The Vulcan won a group test in the budget hard tail class a couple of months back. Good frame and fork is about the best you can expect for the money.

Do you have a link to this test please

Here you go:

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mountain/product/vulcan-07-27707

bullcross

got an as new carrera fury if thats any good 16" frame

£300 tho

milkywhite

cms239 wrote:

The Vulcan won a group test in the budget hard tail class a couple of months back. Good frame and fork is about the best you can expect for the money.

Do you have a link to this test please

It was in a magazine. I can't remember which one, but the write up was very good. You won't go wrong for the money.

Andy B

Link to review: http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... ulcan-8984

glooptrooper

Brought a vulcan myself a few months ago, still having loads of fun with it, I reckon its pretty good value but check out WMB review.

supersonic

Take a look at the what bike thread. And this:

Here is a guide I put together for the beginner/budget bikes:

One of the most common questions from beginners on a budget is 'how much shall I spend' or 'what is the minimum I should be looking at'? The componentry levels on bikes are often confusing to many, where certain parts can look very similar from one to another but yet can have a big impact on performance and longevity. The most important factor is fit and comfort which is where testing comes in, but this does not always give a full picture of the bike and how it may last.

I think for general mountain biking, the following features should be considered: (aimed at buyers spending less than 250 quid)

- Alloy hardtail frame. Full suspension at the lower end of the market (sub 300 and even upto 500 quid) is heavily compromised. Its very heavy, undamped, poor bearings and pulls down the spec elsewhere. Steel frames at this level are often mild steel and are 2 or 3 pounds heavier than an alloy frame.

- Suspension fork with alloy crown and one piece lowers. Cheap pressed steel lowers and crowns flex badly. Preload adjusters are a good feature to help set sag and ride height for differing weights.

- Compact crankset (42/32/22). Many entry level bikes have larger chainrings (48/38/2 from cheaper groupsets. This doesn't allow a very low gear and is often over geared for the terrain a MTB will be used on. Replacable chainrings are a bonus.

- 8 speed freehub. 8 gears from a cassette and freehub gives a better spread than some 7spd screw on freewheels, often 11-32 teeth rather than 14-28. Also this allows the bearings to be spaced further in the hub, allowing a stronger rear wheel/axle. Shimano make the best budget 8 speed set ups.

- Cartridge bottom bracket. Old adjustable cup and cone bottom brackets are poorly sealed and are prone to coming loose.

- 32 or 36 spoked wheels. Lots of beginners MTBs are coming with fancy 'paired' spokes, or 24 bladed ones, purely for looks. They use heavy rims, are poorly constructed and are not worth it compared to standard wheels. Look for stainless spokes if possible, and sealed alloy hubs with quick release axles.

- Alloy components. If possible, ask about the seatpost and bars. Alloy units save some weight, and are more comfortable.

- Brakes and levers. Make sure the levers aren't plastic as they flex badly. Cable disc brakes stop better in the wet but usually add cost. Don't go for discs over other essential features.

- Aheadset or threadless headset. Much better bearings and more reliable than the older quill stem and threaded headset.

Many bikes for 200 pounds now have all these features! Don't be afraid to ask for a saddle swap if they are uncomfortable, and enquire about the quality of the tyres

cunning-stunt

cms239 wrote:

Hi
I relise my budget is tight
s

Despite that Carrera getting good reviews,I would - hand on heart - recommend going down the secondhand route.
You'll get so much more for your money,especially if you find a seller with more money than sense...someone who spent a wodge on a bike just to look good for example.

I had a '98 Trek hardtail which I had to sell due to unemployment,and despite spending £800 on the bike,and over £2,000 on upgrades,it still only sold for £300 odd.
It was a cracking frame,and the component upgrades were all cutting edge (at the time),yet despite the 3 grand total,it was really only worth the price I sold it for.

It was a good buy for someone,and if you look around,I have no doubt you can find similar bargains.

If I were to sell my '07 Marin Rocky Ridge right now ( RRP £995) I'd ask maybe £650 on a good day...now imagine someone with an '03,''04 or '05 hardtail..certain models would fall within your price range. Good specs,good frames,good rides...with components not likely to fall apart on the first bumpy ride.

If in doubt,ask the guys on here via PM (Nick,SuperSonic and Dave in particular - they're nice guys,they won't mind ) but I'm firmly encamped in the belief that you'll get a better buy and a better and more enjoyable ride by going secondhand

easyg

I would second that, BUT as someone who is relatively new to riding you must get as much advice either on here or from others you know befoer buying to make sure its not a pup. Obviously when you go to an LBS you get that kind of advice for free, as if anything goes wrong or you're not a happy bunny with your purchase, you're straight back down there for a CHAT!

Second hand would be best, but otherwise a new GT, Mongoose or Carrera would all be very good - notably when you look at these, pay attention to the components as this is most important (at any level of bike to be fair). Notably, I started with a Mongoose and I got the bug really quick and really big!!

In fact cunning stunt I am just about to put together an 07 Rocky Ridge custom project - how does yours ride? I can not wait to unleash it