Hi & which bike do i go for?

Mr Mot
Mr Mot Posts: 6
edited April 2008 in MTB buying advice
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

Comments

  • Larok
    Larok Posts: 577
    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
    Mr Mot Posts: 6
    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
    Larok Posts: 577
  • Larok
    Larok Posts: 577
    edited April 2008
    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.
  • James_F
    James_F Posts: 137
    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
    Larok Posts: 577
    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
    Mr Mot Posts: 6
    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
    BlackSpur Posts: 4,228
    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.
    "Melancholy is incompatible with bicycling." ~James E. Starrs
  • god1406
    god1406 Posts: 554
    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
    Mr Mot Posts: 6
    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
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    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
    milkywhite Posts: 534
    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
    Thewaylander Posts: 8,594
    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
    Mr Mot Posts: 6
    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
    Larok Posts: 577
    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.