Hi & which bike do i go for?

Mr Mot

Hi folks, i've just registered - Hello : )
Hope this is in th right place?

I used to be into mountain biking when i was younger, up untill about 17 or so then i got a car and got lazy - i had a scott purgatory with mavic rims, XTR (i think) brakes, some V12 pedals and other bits and bobs like a single sprocket crank - if that's what they're called. i fancied myself as a bit of a DH rider although i was crap if i'm honest.

My sob story is that i've recently been banned from driving for totting up - i bet people post on here regularly for such reasons?
Obviously i need to get around but i could do with getting fit too.

Sooo, my question is which bike should i go for with around £1000 to spend, i'd like a full suspension bike IF the budget will stretch that far...

I'll be riding off road - the local woods, maybe a little DH and the problem with my choice of bike that i'll also need to ride it on the road 7 miles once or twice a week.

So would a full suspension bike with a rear lock out be a good idea? i've rode full suspension on the road before and a lot of energy seemed to be wasted in the rear suspension.

I don't mind buying a second set of wheels and tyres for road use.

I just popped to halford and saw the kona stinky, that tugged my rug but it's a little over budget and it seems to be a DH bike?

Thanks for reading my thread folks, i appreciate any advice : )

Shaun

Larok

For 1k I would say for you to go hardtail. This means that you wont be carrying around extra weight for the commute and you'll get a good spec bike.

Is the commute or the leisure the main reason for the bike?

Mr Mot

The leisure mainly, i'll only be doing the "commute" to a friends once or maybe twice a week, where as i'll be riding for leisure 3 times a week : )

So a full sus' is out of the question then, even if i went for a barely used one of ebay?

cheers for the reply Larok

PS, could you suggest a few bikes?

Larok

I doubt you'd be disapointed with this;

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=produ ... goryId=100

Larok

full sus isn't out of the question.

You'd be looking at entry/mid level full suss and high spec hardtail for a new bike. You should see about a test ride or two, three! if your not sure.

Larok

maybe these full susers

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=produ ... goryId=129

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLq ... 155c002909

James_F

You can get some pretty decent full suspension bikes in sales - http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/id35165.html for an example.

If going hardtail, the Marin Rocky Ridge is worth a look if you want something a bit stronger than most hardtails at this price.

Larok

Merlin do good wheels, you could see about a price on a second set of hand built wheels with slick tires? Mind you I find taking wheels on and off can a bit of a hastle if you have to realign the disc brake callipers each time.

Mr Mot

ahh, that's another point i hadn't thought about - disc brakes, i'm used to V brakes...
So it's not just a case of "off and on" when you're running discs?

i've actually taken quite a liking to the specialized rockhopper disc - is it any good?

i may go for a test ride or at least a sit on one tomorrow..

BlackSpur

Great XC bike, but it sounds as if you want something a little tougher, like the Rocky Ridge previously suggested, or an One-One Inbred or 456 - you can custom build these from the on-one site.

god1406

James_F wrote:

You can get some pretty decent full suspension bikes in sales - http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/id35165.html for an example.

If going hardtail, the Marin Rocky Ridge is worth a look if you want something a bit stronger than most hardtails at this price.

I second/ third the Rocky Ridge

for the umpteenth time...

Mr Mot

the rocky ridge does look like a nice bike.
what do people generally upgrade on them?

i'll have a look at one of those tomorrow too : )

supersonic

Mr Mot wrote:

the rocky ridge does look like a nice bike.
what do people generally upgrade on them?

i'll have a look at one of those tomorrow too : )

Nothing. They buy a better bike ;-)

milkywhite

So it's not just a case of "off and on" when you're running discs?

No. Not at all.

Decent disc brakes are well modulated, allowing a lot of control. It's comparable to disc brakes on a car (sorry to mention cars!). The more you press the harder they brake. Same with bikes.

i've actually taken quite a liking to the specialized rockhopper disc - is it any good?

Excellent bike. Well liked by many on this forum. Great frame. Can't remember the spec off the top of my head, but not bad IIRC.

Thewaylander

I'd be looking last years models for full sus, i prefer sus to hard tails, but other people are the othe way, a nice air shocked item should be readily avaiable at this price, i know there are alot of kona. kikapu, and dwgs about from 07 for good prices

Mr Mot

You guys have offered me some excellent advice and opened my eyes to bikes i would never have considered : )

I'm trying to arrange a test ride of the rock hopper and the rocky ridge at the moment - i'm fairly certain it'll be out of those two.

Larok

re disc brakes, they are progressive in how they operate, which is nice. But in terms of taking the wheels on and off I do find them as I described before. You can get good fast rolling and lightweight tyres tho which are all good on tarmac.