Best Commuter MTB for £300

gb155

Ok I have given up on the Dawes I have £300 for a commuter MTB, What do you people suggest?

Thanks

nation

Are you sure you want an MTB?

I commute on mine, but that's because I'm not rich enough for multiple bikes and prefer to ride off-road for fun.

prawny

How about

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/rid ... e-ec001140

or

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/rid ... e-ec001139

Pretty much urban MTBs look good for a (less) big fella like yourself and you could lob some nobbies on em and take em off roading.

I know the second one's a bit over budget, but I've been watching to buy or not to buy and I know how this works!!!

N0bodyOfTheGoat

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/mon ... e-ec000855 (slightly over budget, but rated in MTB forum section)?

gb155

nation wrote:

Are you sure you want an MTB?

I commute on mine, but that's because I'm not rich enough for multiple bikes and prefer to ride off-road for fun.

Yes mate, I have commuted 1400miles on a MTB and loved every second, I have done 15 miles on a hybrid and HATED every second

gb155

NitrousOxide wrote:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/mongoose/tyax-super-2008-mountain-bike-ec000855 (slightly over budget, but rated in MTB forum section)?

Looked at that at Evans this morning but they said they wont be getting the XL back in

gb155

prawny wrote:

How about

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/rid ... e-ec001140

or

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/rid ... e-ec001139

Pretty much urban MTBs look good for a (less) big fella like yourself and you could lob some nobbies on em and take em off roading.

I know the second one's a bit over budget, but I've been watching to buy or not to buy and I know how this works!!!

Thanks for the suggestions mate but MTB is the way to go for me, They seem to be in the hybrid section ?

gb155

Sorry just to add, I looked at a Pinnacle 2.0 in Evans too and would have signed up for it but the front forks dont "lock out" and on the commute I lock them and at weekends on the canals etc I just the suspension function

prawny

The hybrids I suggested aren't really hybrids - don't let the classification put you off.

From the posts of your's I've read (which is probably most - I have no life) you don't do alot of off road, that right?

If so I'd avoid any suspension it's extra weight and something else to service. If I could afford all the bikes I want, I'd go for a tempest or something else in that range.

I'd possibly even go for the cheaper one to avoid any issues with hydro disc servicing for an everyday workhorse.

Fat Kid

Giant Escape M1 - you won't be disappointed.

gb155

prawny wrote:

The hybrids I suggested aren't really hybrids - don't let the classification put you off.

From the posts of your's I've read (which is probably most - I have no life) you don't do alot of off road, that right?

If so I'd avoid any suspension it's extra weight and something else to service. If I could afford all the bikes I want, I'd go for a tempest or something else in that range.

I'd possibly even go for the cheaper one to avoid any issues with hydro disc servicing for an everyday workhorse.

Hiya mate, Ok its something to look at then, I have for most of my miles been onroad yes but I have started to do 15 miles on a canal towpath, mud,gravel,etc at the weekends.

gb155

Fat Kid wrote:

Giant Escape M1 - you won't be disappointed.

I always thought that was around 400 quid ?

N0bodyOfTheGoat

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=29071

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DIAMONDBACK-QUANT ... 240%3A1308

?

gb155

The Giant Escape M1 does look almost ideal to be honest but cant find it anywhere near my budge

gb155

NitrousOxide wrote:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=29071

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DIAMONDBACK-QUANT ... 240%3A1308

?

Like that Diamondback but its only 20" really needs to be 22/24"

prawny

Gotcha, you'll do fine with rigid forks on gravel and towpaths etc. I used to ride off road alot rigid before sus forks were the norm (early-mid 90's).

They've both got MTB size wheels too.

prawny

gb155 wrote:

NitrousOxide wrote:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=29071

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DIAMONDBACK-QUANT ... 240%3A1308

?

Like that Diamondback but its only 20" really needs to be 22/24"

How big! How tall are you gaz? I'm 5'11" and ride an 18" MTB

gb155

prawny wrote:

gb155 wrote:

NitrousOxide wrote:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=29071

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DIAMONDBACK-QUANT ... 240%3A1308

?

Like that Diamondback but its only 20" really needs to be 22/24"

How big! How tall are you gaz? I'm 5'11" and ride an 18" MTB

6 ft 4" mate, My Giant was a 23"

gb155

prawny wrote:

Gotcha, you'll do fine with rigid forks on gravel and towpaths etc. I used to ride off road alot rigid before sus forks were the norm (early-mid 90's).

They've both got MTB size wheels too.

Fair point mate

prawny

Gad Zukes!!!!! :shock:

Fair enough! I always worry about other people frame sizes, as you were :oops:

gb155

prawny wrote:

Gad Zukes!!!!! :shock:

Fair enough! I always worry about other people frame sizes, as you were :oops:

lololol, cheers mate

nation

WMB Rate the Saracen Element 3 as the best thing going for around £300.

There's one available here (2008 model):
http://www.rutlandcycling.com/9831/Sara ... r=froogle1

for £300 on the nose. Components aren't great but then they're not awful either, and the fork has a lockout. There's also the Saracen Mantra 1, available for about the same price but with a longer travel fork (120mm) and a slacker, burlier, (though heavier) frame.

gb155

nation wrote:

WMB Rate the Saracen Element 3 as the best thing going for around £300.

There's one available here (2008 model):
http://www.rutlandcycling.com/9831/Sara ... r=froogle1

for £300 on the nose. Components aren't great but then they're not awful either, and the fork has a lockout. There's also the Saracen Mantra 1, available for about the same price but with a longer travel fork (120mm) and a slacker, burlier, (though heavier) frame.

Thanks for that but they only have 20", This is harder than I thought lol, My Townsend is getting a beating at the moment and It needs a rest lol

Slow Downcp

Some of the BeOne's at ChainReaction look good for the money - they say 21", but the top tube looks long, so may be okay. Worth checking as it may just be the way they measure shows 21", which may compare to a 23" of another brand.:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=25443

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=25442

gb155

Slow Downcp wrote:

Some of the BeOne's at ChainReaction look good for the money - they say 21", but the top tube looks long, so may be okay. Worth checking as it may just be the way they measure shows 21", which may compare to a 23" of another brand.:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=25443

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=25442

Wow that seems to be the pick, I will investigate on the off chance it will be ok, looks really good

nation

Actually that Aspire 1.0 is incredibly well-specced for the price.

gb155

nation wrote:

Actually that Aspire 1.0 is incredibly well-specced for the price.

damm right I just dont think 21" will cut it

nation

How about this:

http://www.discountcyclesdirect.co.uk/p ... ts_id=7424

decent spec (I'm biased, I prefer SRAM components to Shimano), 100mm fork with rebound damping and a lockout, and it's available in X-large (22").

EDIT: It's the model up from the one in this review:
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... lite-11009

Slow Downcp

What's the horizontal top tube length on your Dawes?

gb155

nation wrote:

How about this:

http://www.discountcyclesdirect.co.uk/p ... ts_id=7424

decent spec (I'm biased, I prefer SRAM components to Shimano), 100mm fork with rebound damping and a lockout, and it's available in X-large (22").

EDIT: It's the model up from the one in this review:
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... lite-11009

Now we look like we have a winner , Has anyone used that site before? Its just not ermmmmm the best looking in the world, Thanks man

Gaz

gb155

Slow Downcp wrote:

What's the horizontal top tube length on your Dawes?

Not sure, I can check later though