Guidance on a hardtail under £500

princebishop

Decided the time has come to finally buy mountain bike and get out there. Got a budget of approx £450 and have looked at Trek 4500, GT Avalanche 2.0 2009 and a 1.0 2008.

Been advised that I need a 21/22'' frame and have looked for buyers guidance in the magazines but most generally test bikes which are outside my budget. Can anybody give some advice on the bikes I have already looked at, or perhaps anything different?

supersonic

Our What Hardtail threads lists popular chocies for XC and trail riding.

The bikes you mention are all very good, the 2008 being better value, and the Trek a liitle more XC based with its higher spec gears and V brakes.

As for size, best to try them out. Have a read too of the What Size sticky for reasons why.

OwenB

I'd recommend that you try the bikes first, I've got an Avalanche 1(08) in large, think it's a 20" and it's a little on the tall side for me and I'm 6'3" (short legs and long body).
So even if you're tall you might fit a standard large frame.
Other than that I can't find fault with it and it's been a great introductory bike for me. There's a what hardtail thread in the stickies which is worth looking at, but I think the majority of people will tell you to try before you buy to find the best fit.

KnightofCydonia

A merlin bike, eg http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=produ ... goryId=100 would be a good choice for the price range It'd obviously help if you can get to preston however to try it out

couldashouldawoulda

By shopping around you can get a GT Avalanche 1.0 for under £450 (2008 model I think). I have one and highly recommend it. I believe it's got the same frame as the 2.0 but with some better components. Hope that helps.