New Bike?!

daveyboy125

Hi guys, i'm pretty new to riding and have decided to finally step up and buy a new bike to really get into it properly. I'm looking to spend £400 to £500 on a bike, but don't really have the knowledge about what spec to get. I know i want a hardtail, not full suspension and i want hydraulic discs, but apart from that i really need some quality advice about what to get. I've been looking at reviews and asking friends who have ridden for a while and have come up with a shortlist of these bikes:

Specialized Rockhopper Disc
Marin Hawk Hill
GIANT XTC 4.5
Focus Fat Boy
Genesis Core 10 or 20
Genesis Altitude 10 (bit more pricey though)
Merlin Malt 1

Can anyone please recommend which of these bikes are best to go for, as i know very little about the included parts with the bikes and obviously forks and brakes etc are very important.

Also if you have any further recommendations for other bikes in my price range that would be a great help.

Basically i need some quality, simply advice about which bike and parts to go for.

Thanks in advance for your help
Dave

papasmurf.

which ones can you get to test. The genesis bikes have been getting good reviews and steel hard tails rock..if you can afford the Altitude it seems to be well rated.

the focus has been getting good reviews and is a decent kit list for price except the fork. you also have the issue of not being able to test.

The Malt is always highly rated and I know a number of happy owners.

I'd say getting a ride on them and seeing which rides the best is probably just as important as getting a good on paper spec

daveyboy125

Cheers Papasmurf,
i haven't actually asked in any of the retailers shops yet. I'm gunna try to visit Evans Cycles tomorrow to get some more advice, but so far i've just been going on whats been said online.

I'm basically just trying to get as much advice from people who have been riding for a while and have more knowledge than myself.

On a further note, the terrain i would be riding on is basically woddland tracks and dirt trails if this helps.

Any info would be greatly appreciated

supersonic

Anything but the marin Hawk Hill - the most woefully specced bike I have ever seen! Focus Fatboy is great value, and the Hopper Disc a great bike - but do test them.

daveyboy125

Thanks supersonic.

Alot of people are reading the topic, but not posting any thoughts. Please, please let me know what you guys think, cos i really need your ideas and help on this one.

As i say, i'm not really in the know about parts and so it is a great help to get any advice from people, even if you think its obvious.

Cheers guys

supersonic

Apart from the Marin they are all good bikes with good reviews. MALT 1 has great parts, but basic frame. Altitudes have steel frames, and offer a different ride feel. Really will come down to a test, you cant go wrong!

cunning-stunt

Have a look at the Giant (second one down),and the Kona (second from bottom).
They'll do you fine until you wish to upgrade the parts..

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/

papasmurf.

I think you should concentrate less on the parts and more on the ride itself. Get round a couple of LBS and try some bikes, get a feel for what you like in the ride. At you price range theres always gonna be a weakness in the spec list, a good fork might be paid for by average frame, a good frame by poor fork etc

Not a fan of evans, but they usually have a decent selection in store so go have a look

daveyboy125

Wicked, thanks for all the advice guys, keep it coming

Bromski

*echo* Try to test ride them if you can,

but my gut reaction was the Specialized

I think that's the bike from the list that will help you most if this is something you want to get into.

I've just thought about it and now I'm thinking the Giant.

Yep - go and test those 2 and decide (and don't get hung up on any particular component being there/not there)

That's my 2 penneth, for what it's worth

Bromski

*echo* Try to test ride them if you can,

but my gut reaction was the Specialized

I think that's the bike from the list that will help you most if this is something you want to get into.

I've just thought about it and now I'm thinking the Giant.

Yep - go and test those 2 and decide (and don't get hung up on any particular component being there/not there)

That's my 2 penneth, for what it's worth

daveyboy125

Cheers bromski, any advice will be taken on board. Thanks for posting mate

pirate_christoph

I joined the forum today to ask near enough the same question.

Would be good to know what you decide to go with in the end Daveyboy125.

I test rode the Core 10 the other day at my local bike shop and I must say that I was pretty impressed. I liked the fact that it is the same frame that is used across the rest of the range and so gives me the option of upgrading some of the components at a later date.

Plus the fact that it is dripping with all that Shimano kit for £450 is a big plus.

When you planning on buying your bike Daveyboy125? I am off on holiday next week and I think I will be getting mine when I come back.

shore_riding_rocks

the merlin seems to always get good reviews and is a quality frame but the spesh is also pretty bombproof :roll: