MTB buying advice

Limb
Limb Posts: 4
edited May 2008 in MTB buying advice
Hi to all !

This is my first post on this forum, it seems like a nice place to be..
I need MTB advice. Iam new at this so i dont know much about bike parts like wich suspension is better and so on. Well this will be my first real bike, Iam looking to spend 400 pounds, I would like to know what is the best bike for that money. I will ride a bike mostly offroad (like woods, mountains...)
I am interested in this ones..

Cannondale F7 Disc 2008
http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/08/c...del-8FS7D.html

Garry Fisher wahoo
http://www.fisherbikes.com/bike/model/wahoo-disc/bigimage

Corratec xvert motion 2008
http://www.corratec.com/content/de-de/produkte/bikes/mtb/hardtail/?model=x_vert_motion_white&offset=-1269px&x=95&y=59

The mystery is the front suspension RST Gila! Is it so bad? Are the disk brakes better than normal ones (V brakes), I ask that because of maintaining problems I heard about? I dont know is it better to buy bike with better equipm. or with a better suspension... I wouldnt do anything extreme with the bike, at least not yet.. Please advice what bike would be the best for the price 440 pounds max????

Thanks in advance...

Comments

  • BlackSpur
    BlackSpur Posts: 4,228
    For £440 you can expect to get a damped fork, 24 speed transmission and hydraulic disc brakes. Here is a good example

    http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDetails.asp?productID=12431

    It has all the features I mentioned above.

    Another option is the Carrera Kraken.

    http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDetails.asp?productID=12431

    Again with damped fork and hydro brakes.
    Personally I would avoid all the bikes you have mentioned - I think they all come with undamped forks (like pogo sticks) and mechanical disc brakes (a pain to set up and with little benefit over Vs IMO). Hyrdaulic brakes are low - maintenence once set up and offer better power and control than Vs or cable discs.
    "Melancholy is incompatible with bicycling." ~James E. Starrs
  • newbiketime
    newbiketime Posts: 79
    For the money I would say have a look at the Giant range. They tend to be some of the very the best value bikes out there.
  • BlackSpur
    BlackSpur Posts: 4,228
    The Giant Terrago is excellent value for money! It even gets a 27 speed transmission!
    "Melancholy is incompatible with bicycling." ~James E. Starrs