10-years out of the game, advice needed on new bike!

ric99_ham
ric99_ham Posts: 4
edited March 2008 in MTB beginners
Hi all, neewbie here so excuse the potentially silly questions.

I am planning on getting back into mountain biking after a 10-year absence and I am currently scouting the internet looking for my "perfect" bike. I have settled on a hard-tail and will have a budget of approx. £800. Main uses for the bike will be commuting during the week and off-road usage at weekends (and probably during the week in summer), I won't really be going any where too hardcore so the off-road usage will be fairly light...

Anyway, I have spotted this bike:

http://www.cube-bikes.de/xist4c/web/LTD ... .htm#anker

And from my admittedly limited knowledge it seems pretty well specced up, does anyone have first hand experiance of Cube bikes? There doesn't seem to be much in the way of info on them on the web and maybe its me but I feel a bit sceptical about that!

The only 'issue' I can see is that the fork inculded only has 85mm of dropout (is that the correct phrase?) :oops: will this impact my off-roading?

Any alternatives would be greatfully received, I live near Nottingham so I do have access to several local bike shops for testing purposes...

Thanks in advance.

Comments

  • tmg
    tmg Posts: 651
    85mm Travel should be fine for your intended use

    Rather than trawl the net suggest you visit your LBS for some advice on type of bike
  • gthang
    gthang Posts: 293
    edited March 2008
    Read this thread, my exact same question I posted here last year.

    http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... highlight=
    My Bike
  • milkywhite
    milkywhite Posts: 534
    Nicely specced bike you've picked out there. 85 mm travel from a well controlled fork is better than 100-120 from a poor fork, but I'm a bit confused by the pictures on the web site. The main pic shows a Reba fork, but when you press details it shows a Dart. If it's the Reba it's a top quality fork.

    There's no substitute for getting to a shop and actually test riding a bike though. You could ride a £5000 Scott Spark or something, but if it's uncomfortable you won't enjoy it.
    2006 Trek Fuel 80
  • gthang
    gthang Posts: 293
    it is a reba on the Ltd Race! The photos are from across the Ltd range of 4 bikes.
    My Bike
  • Matteeboy
    Matteeboy Posts: 996
    Lot of bike for the money - like Cube's bikes.
    Two Stumpjumpers, a Rockhopper Disk and an old British Eagle.

    http://www.cornwallmtb.kk5.org
  • ric99_ham
    ric99_ham Posts: 4
    Thanks for the advice guys...

    I think I will probably go to a local shop and try some bikes out, like you say it is best to get one that is "the right fit" rather than buy from the web and end up with something I don't like...

    One of my local shops is an Orange dealer (always loved Orange bikes!!), the P7 Pro looks very nice, just not too sure 'bout the steel frame...
  • ric99_ham
    ric99_ham Posts: 4
    gthang, did you go for the Cube? If so how are you finding it?
  • wiffachip
    wiffachip Posts: 861
    get a nice hybrid with 700c wheels for commuting, specialised sirrus/globe or ridgeback velocity for 3/400 quid and spend your change on a 26" hardtail mtb

    I think that would maximise your enjoyment for the budget you have, but thats just my opinion and I'm no expert. I just think that one bike for all occaisions will inevitably be a compromise

    and then you need another £500 for clothes/accessories

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