Looking to sell my hybrid and buy a mtb for on/off road

averageguy

I have a top budget of £525..this includes the a sum i believe i can get from the sale of my hybrid...i currently use my hybrid for cycling round town and the occaisional bit of sunday riding into the country.....however i would like to ride off road...trails mainly..not any jump stuff...the focus fatboy as i understand it is a fairly light bike that fits in with my budget (525 MAX)...anyone any experience with it?

As an aside...wud this b gd purchase?
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=produ ... goryId=100

The Spiderman

Don`t really know much about the Focus apart from that it has had a good review in MBUK.
That Merlin however,is a very good buy.It feaures a full Deore groupset,which whilst not as light as some of the more expensive Shimano offerings has a good reputation for reliabilty,and has a very good chainset.

The Marzocchi MX Pro is simple but works well and again has a reputation for being reliable,and Hayes Strokers are good brakes..The frame is good,and will be an excellent basis for upgrading,over time you even get handbuilt wheels with Mavic XC 717 rims.
This is a cut above what you would expect to get for £500.

I always reccomend buying the best you can afford to avoid disappointment later,and would favour it over the Focus,if you can afford the full £525 of your budget.

averageguy

Thanks for the reply...i was thinking the same as u re the merlin......what do u think of the weight though

The Spiderman

averageguy wrote:

Thanks for the reply...i was thinking the same as u re the merlin......what do u think of the weight though

lIkely to be the lightest bike you`ll get for your budget.Probablky will be about 28lbs,which isn`t tooo shabby.