£250 on a bike, what to get? advice please.

sirlylos
sirlylos Posts: 234
edited March 2008 in MTB buying advice
Hi guys,

I have a mate who wants to get in to mountain biking. He has a maximum of £250 and would ideally like to get the bike on finance. He knows it's not much but he wants to see if he enjoys it before spending more cash.

He has been looking at Saracens at Halfords which don't seem too bad. I just wanted to check on here first before telling him it's a good buy to see of anyone else had any advice.

Thanks in advance.
1993 - Ridgeback 301 G3
1995 - Ridgeback 601 GS
1997 - Specialized Hardrock
2003 - Specialized FSR XC
2008 - Specialized Epic FSR Comp
2009 - Giant Defy 3
2010 - Voodoo Wanga
2012 - Cannondale Supersix 105

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12540401

    ?
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Steve_F
    Steve_F Posts: 682
    If the Saracen is a full sus then it probably won't be the best.

    A hard tail is the way to go at that price. Have you checked the secondhand section?
    Current steed is a '07 Carrera Banshee X
    + cheap road/commuting bike
  • BlackSpur
    BlackSpur Posts: 4,228
    Carrera Vulcan/Kraken, Decathlon Rockrider 5.2/5XC, Mongoose Tyax Elite (may find last year's within budget).
    "Melancholy is incompatible with bicycling." ~James E. Starrs
  • ljb_home
    ljb_home Posts: 34
    My first bike was a Specialized Hardrock, it's a slightly heavy frame but lighter and better than anything you'd get in Halfords! It has a very basic spec, and really cheap forks but it's a good beginners bike that can be upgraded with new forks, brakes etc. after a while.

    Hope this helped! xxx
  • ljb_home
    ljb_home Posts: 34
    Sorry, I forgot to mention. That bike cost me £250 a yr and a half ago. With the very basic spec x
  • sirlylos
    sirlylos Posts: 234
    Thanks for the feedback.

    I also owned a hardrock and would say that out of all the bikes I've owned, Specialized seem to do everything right so I would probably lean towards that too.

    I've made a few suggestions and my mate has more of an idea now....thanks again.
    1993 - Ridgeback 301 G3
    1995 - Ridgeback 601 GS
    1997 - Specialized Hardrock
    2003 - Specialized FSR XC
    2008 - Specialized Epic FSR Comp
    2009 - Giant Defy 3
    2010 - Voodoo Wanga
    2012 - Cannondale Supersix 105

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