looking to buy a new bike...help me spend £1k...

accrington guy
accrington guy Posts: 182
edited December 2008 in MTB buying advice
right guys,
I have decided to keep my giant xtc as it is and buy myself a new shiny bike for 2009..(oooh 2 bikes!!)
I am giving myself a budget of £1k - now some may say thats not much buts its plenty for me..I may go to £1100 or so..
I live in the northwest and I like would quite like to get my new bike from buy a bike ( link below) so please have a look at the site and tell me what you would buy for a £1k.
I will be doing some off road and some road so...

http://www.buyabikedirect.co.uk/index.php


PS. if anyone knows of other bike shops in the northwest that I may get a good bike for the cash post a link please..
I look forward to see what you pick with my cash...

Comments

  • Andy B
    Andy B Posts: 8,115
    You've not told us whether you want a hardtail or full suss, or what sort of riding you will be doing.
    2385861000_d125abe796_m.jpg
  • John Moore
    John Moore Posts: 580
    Why do you want to use Buyabike?

    Have you seen/been to their shop?

    Go to Merlin who are nearby.
  • John Moore
    John Moore Posts: 580
    accrington guy wrote:
    I will be doing some off road and some road so...

    One bike to do both jobs....what about a cyclo cross bike?
  • accrington guy
    accrington guy Posts: 182
    John Moore wrote:
    Why do you want to use Buyabike?

    Have you seen/been to their shop?

    Go to Merlin who are nearby.

    as I said....

    "PS. if anyone knows of other bike shops in the northwest that I may get a good bike for the cash post a link please.. "



    and yes I have seen and indeed been to their shop, got my giant xtc from there and was happy with the service, and I liked it as you could test ride the bikes around before buying them..

    and inregards to the full sus or hardtail....I may go for a full sus one if its right...I am leaving my thoughts wide open on this so if anyone wishes to fire some links at me then go for it..
  • accrington guy
    accrington guy Posts: 182
    after being kindly recommended merlin...
    I have seen this and would like your thoughts..

    http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=produ ... egoryId=39

    I would be grateful if someone could tell me the benefits of getting the upgrades on the forks..to reba race or reba team

    and group upgrades to either slx 2009 or xt 2009

    or would I be better in just keeping the parts as they come..? I am only thinking about it as the upgrades could be done for me collecting it so maybe better to get it??


    thanks in advance
  • John Moore
    John Moore Posts: 580
    I wasn't saying Buyabike was rubbish I was more concerned that you were going to buy a bike from them mail order and not be able to test ride it.

    Merlin link
    http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/
    Are a specialist mountian bike outlet, where as Buyabike do ALL forms for bikes so don't specialise.

    A ride around a shops car park never give the real feeling for the bike, you need to borrow one for the whole day or the weekend and take it to the hills or to a trail centre at the very least.

    As for "what sort of riding" Andy B asked, are you aiming to ride over drop off's, do downhill courses, ride xc races etc
  • John Moore
    John Moore Posts: 580
    accrington guy wrote:
    I would be grateful if someone could tell me the benefits of getting the upgrades on the forks..to reba race or reba team

    and group upgrades to either slx 2009 or xt 2009

    Sorry mate I can't help you I've used XT and LX and had no problems with each, as for the forks I've not used these generally the more you spend the better the product and the longer it lasts (usualy).

    Before you spend the extra money you need to ask yourself will you ride the new bike to make it worth while.
  • accrington guy
    accrington guy Posts: 182
    in regards to the riding...off road, bit of fun racing mates on forest tracks, up hill and down dale, with maybe a bit of road in the middle mixed with some no path canal routes,,..and yes I wil ride it to make it worthwhile as it would be used daily..

    hope that helps..

    an no I would go to look at the bikes if I went to buy a bike, wouldnt do it mail order, wanna sit on what my cash can get me..
  • John Moore
    John Moore Posts: 580
    A mate I ride with has one of these that he thinks is great
    http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&productId=1378&categoryId=129

    This is a beut
    http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&productId=37&categoryId=38

    Or for that strong but flexy steel ride
    http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&productId=41&categoryId=38

    Or your first choice is good
    http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&productId=42&categoryId=39

    Call them before you visit at they do (used to) have some funny opening times, when you do you can ask what they have built up at present to test ride.
  • Anderzz
    Anderzz Posts: 103
    Specialized Pitch Pro and Cannondale Prophet 2 seem good bikes around that price.

    Ive got a Pitch Pro and I love it
  • donnie murdo
    donnie murdo Posts: 986
    I currently own a Merlin Malt 4 and can safely say that it is an excellent bike although my On-One Scandal has taken over its role as my main bike. Merlin also offer various build options that are not on their website. You can give them a call but if you are in the area go and see them in their new showroom/shop/warehouse.
    Location:
    http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=page&id=6

    Reviews:
    http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... lt-4-10366

    http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=page&id=4#malt4

    You could also look at the Rock Lobster range that they have as well.

Categories