New bike advice please!!!

stephenlawson

I have just started riding my 5 year old Specialized Hardrock Comp. again, which hasn't been touched for a couple of years, in order to lose some weight and get a bit of fitness back. The old bike only cost 250 new and is now starting to look and feel a bit tatty, so as I have been off my bike a while I am looking for a little advice on buying a new one.

I have drawn up a shortlist below of the bikes I would like and would appreciate any comments from people 'in the know' on which one is best, both spec. and ride wise. Also if anyone has any other suggestions or rivals for the bikes I have listed, around about the £500 pound mark, I am always open to a little advie:

GT Avalanche 1.0 Disc '09
Specialized Hardrock Pro Disc '09
Specialized Rockhopper '09
Cannondale F5 Disc '09

Cheers

Broonster

Would you not consider an '08 model? At the moment, with the big discounts, you'll get alot of bike for your money and, in some cases, a better spec'd bike!

I think folk are nuts going for '09 bikes at this time of year when there's so many deals to be had on '08 models!

stephenlawson

Dont mind going for an '08 bike if i could get a better deal! I'm buying through a ride to work scheme so i don't think that would be a problem.

Broonster

Personally, I reckon your Specialized choices are good. You had one before, and liked it (?), so you can't go wrong there. I've still got my Hardrock, have upgraded it a wee bit, and I'm still loving it.

You'd probably get a decent few quid off an '08 model Rockhopper or Hardrock Pro, assuming you shop around and can still find somewhere with your size.

Good luck anyway!

supersonic

Hardrock a bit different for 09 - gone very xc with short rtravel fork, lighter frame. Rockhopper is a better bike - superior frame.

adrianb1066

In the same boat mate returning to riding to lose weight etc. Old bike a bit knackered so I promised myself a new one if I stuck to it.

Rode Avalanche 1.0 09 didn't like it then test rode 08 Rockhopper Comp and felt like it was made for me. 08 £749 reduced to £575. Guy in shop said the 09 spec was now lower and you'd have to go for aRockhopper Expert at £849 for similar kit so try and find an 08 one quick and test it, before they all go. Happy shopping

Broonster

adrianb1066 wrote:

In the same boat mate returning to riding to lose weight etc. Old bike a bit knackered so I promised myself a new one if I stuck to it.

Rode Avalanche 1.0 09 didn't like it then test rode 08 Rockhopper Comp and felt like it was made for me. 08 £749 reduced to £575. Guy in shop said the 09 spec was now lower and you'd have to go for aRockhopper Expert at £849 for similar kit so try and find an 08 one quick and test it, before they all go. Happy shopping

Why do you have to wait until 12th December for it?!

adrianb1066

Broonster wrote:

adrianb1066 wrote:

In the same boat mate returning to riding to lose weight etc. Old bike a bit knackered so I promised myself a new one if I stuck to it.

Rode Avalanche 1.0 09 didn't like it then test rode 08 Rockhopper Comp and felt like it was made for me. 08 £749 reduced to £575. Guy in shop said the 09 spec was now lower and you'd have to go for aRockhopper Expert at £849 for similar kit so try and find an 08 one quick and test it, before they all go. Happy shopping

Why do you have to wait until 12th December for it?!

Girlfriend getting it for my birthday