£600 quid to spend

spidan

looking at 2009 bikes. what would be a good buy. maybe go up to 650 on trail riding, xc.
Cheers totaly confused

RockyHopperShow

Just bought a 2008 Boardman Comp and love it. The 2009 seems to have a lower spec Recon fork (no Motion Control ,but that may mean a lighter fork in the end) but has a lower price (down from £649 to £599 although that isn't cast in stone) The 2009s should be in the BikeHut stores very soon - one to consider. Mine is very comfortable and a joy on my local trails. I like the SRAM drivetrain too.

spidan

nooooo dont give me more to consider i think my head may explode. So far lokked and sat on the rockhopper trek 6000 maybe the trek 6300 carrera fury and cube acid.also interested in Gt bikes.lol

gthang

Get a cube; you'll never look back.

spidan

the only thing that stops me getting the cube is the short 80mm fork.

gthang

spidan wrote:

the only thing that stops me getting the cube is the short 80mm fork.

Fair point, mine came with 85mm had it extended to 100mm by LBS (at no cost) Duno if you can do that with the fork on the acid might worth asking if you like the bike

http://www.cube-bikes.de/xist4c/web/ACID_id_31072_.htm
That is a good looking bike, I prefer the blue and white but then I would say that

soy_sauce

try to get a 08 bike instead of a 09 model. because it seem like most the 09 model bikes have been down specs even though the price is the same.

thirty1

Have a look at the Brodie kinetic as reviewed on Bikeradar.

the importers have an offer on the bike at £600 reduced from £899.

Here is the review http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mountain/product/kinetic-08-30997

I know the guys at progressive bikes and have riden the bike and it really is a nice little bike.

jake_clyro

If it helps at all I got a trek 6000 about a year and half ago and its been great. can't fault it at all.

RockGiant

At that sort of price you want to get something full suspension. You might not be able to get disc brakes for that price, but if you shop around they are totally on the cards. Halfords have some pretty good deals, and the staff are knowledgeable and very capable.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... ryrn_82395

That is pretty good if not a bit expensive. It even has 'Front and rear disc brakes for optimum braking' for only £420! Ideally though you want to try and get a Y frame bike, because they are what all of the proper 'off road' mountain bikers use.

This is also a pretty good one:

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/p ... EBIKES.htm

It looks very sturdy, and if you know your bikes you'll know that if it looks sturdy it almost definitely is. It will cope with the heaviest offroad terrain imaginable, and its full suspension so you could pretty much ride down a mountain if you wanted too!

Both the bikes featured are made of an 'alloy' which is the best material known for bikes. It is very strong, and very light.

Happy riding, remember to wear a hat!

supersonic

Don't talk crap.

SMITHY D

Are you taking the p**s?You cannot buy a new full suspension for 650 quid, may be £700!!! haha

bullcross

RockGiant wrote:

At that sort of price you want to get something full suspension. You might not be able to get disc brakes for that price, but if you shop around they are totally on the cards. Halfords have some pretty good deals, and the staff are knowledgeable and very capable.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... ryrn_82395

That is pretty good if not a bit expensive. It even has 'Front and rear disc brakes for optimum braking' for only £420! Ideally though you want to try and get a Y frame bike, because they are what all of the proper 'off road' mountain bikers use.

This is also a pretty good one:

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/p ... EBIKES.htm

It looks very sturdy, and if you know your bikes you'll know that if it looks sturdy it almost definitely is. It will cope with the heaviest offroad terrain imaginable, and its full suspension so you could pretty much ride down a mountain if you wanted too!

Both the bikes featured are made of an 'alloy' which is the best material known for bikes. It is very strong, and very light.

Happy riding, remember to wear a hat!

ha ha are u joking

SMITHY D

Course i'm joking - where do some of these people come from!Get yourselves to a bloody bike shop!!Halfords and Argos are NOT bike shops!

supersonic

It is obvious the guy is trolling - knows full well what he is saying and preying on the beginner.

Let's get back on topic! Though I will add that some Halfords are very good, and the Carreras are great bikes.

paul_GY

I also think you would be better off looking for 08 bikes rather than 09's, It seems a lot of manufacturers have put their prices up, but lowered the spec of their bikes for 09. I personally think Merlin have some great bikes in your price range.

merlie

scott aspect 45 ?
rockhopper ?
trek 6000 series ?

I'm in the same quandry lol - it's begninning to hurt my head ... got loads of mags and www sites added to favourites ...
I think I'm gonna have to test drive them all and decide then....

.... by the way how does one test drive it ? do the shops allow the bikes to go off road as well as a simple test drive around the car park ?

spidan

Paul i only want to buy locally just in case somtheing goes wrong. Ive also seen a Merida Matts 350 at £550 that felt nice however it only had 24 gears but does have the tora fork. Not having 27 gears puts me off a little.
Btw i'm in grimsby too

bullcross

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/rockrider-8-1-34963132/

there u go best u can get for 500 quid

paul_GY

Have you got a bike yet spidan :?:

spidan

No still looking and waiting to get paid End of month

paul_GY

Have you been to Velosport in Cleethorpes.

I'm picking my new bike up on Tuesday, from Merlin. :P

spidan

yes had look 4 or 5 times as i have all bike shops around town. So much choice.
I think the lbs shops have had enough of me. :?
faves at the moment though are the Carrera fury and the 08 rockhopper. Then again the cube acid , trek .....

passout

Don't buy from Halfords....they are pants. Think Giant, Trek or Specialised alu. hardtails if you want value and a good starting point. Merlin Cycles would be my top choice - A Malt 2 maybe?

T4 Mark

Hi,
I've been looking for a bike as well, in about the same price range, but really i want a full sus.
After a bit of searching and reading up i cam to the decision that the Mongoose teocali comp (08) looks like a good bike to start with. After time the suspension can be uprated along with the brakes, and then the gears, so in a few years time you will be running a very good machine.

If the Mongoose appeals try Pauls Cycles, they have a good deal on the bike at the moment.

carbon337

I beg to differ on the Halfords statement, yep some have bad service and all of them do carry some bad stock but im very happy with my Boardman and they are starting to carry a good range of bikes. Didnt that Olympic road bike woman win on a Boardman Pro road bike?

I had an issue with the hg-73 chain seizing and I bought a fancy KMC X9 SL jobby whilst doing the c2c to get me home. I kept receipt for the new chain - returned this with the seized chain and Halfords gave me the £30 there and then in cash! It wasnt there fault it was Shimanos but they put me right.

However I had trouble getting the bike booked in for the 6 week service as they were too busy so just didnt bother and serviced myself and I will be using a LBS to service it from now on anyway.

For the price boardman had the best brakes/shock/gears setup I could find and the geometry is spot on for me especially with the 85-130mm forks.

Just my 2p's worth - thought it was relevant as I had actually experienced them!

passout

carbon337 wrote:

I beg to differ on the Halfords statement, yep some have bad service and all of them do carry some bad stock but im very happy with my Boardman and they are starting to carry a good range of bikes. Didnt that Olympic road bike woman win on a Boardman Pro road bike?

I had an issue with the hg-73 chain seizing and I bought a fancy KMC X9 SL jobby whilst doing the c2c to get me home. I kept receipt for the new chain - returned this with the seized chain and Halfords gave me the £30 there and then in cash! It wasnt there fault it was Shimanos but they put me right.

However I had trouble getting the bike booked in for the 6 week service as they were too busy so just didnt bother and serviced myself and I will be using a LBS to service it from now on anyway.

For the price boardman had the best brakes/shock/gears setup I could find and the geometry is spot on for me especially with the 85-130mm forks.

Just my 2p's worth - thought it was relevant as I had actually experienced them!

OK - I should clarify. In my personal experience halfords are pants. This is not in any way a reflection on the bikes/products they sell but is purely based on the servive I got on most occasions.

T4 Mark

I would just like to say thank you for all the advice that i have previously received.
In the end i opted for the Mongoose Cannan Comp 08.
Rode it for the first time on The North Altura Trail in Whinlatter forest at the weekend.
Still can't wipe the off my face.
I eventually managed to obtain the bike for £630:00, which i have purchased through our ride to work scheme, so in affect it is only costing me just above £450.
Once again many thanks to all for there assistance, and no doubt i will be back soon for upgrade advice. 8)