Best Commuter MTB for £300

gb155
gb155 Posts: 2,048
edited February 2009 in Commuting chat
Ok I have given up on the Dawes :( I have £300 for a commuter MTB, What do you people suggest?

Thanks
On a Mission to lose 20 stone..Get My Life Back

December 2007 - 39 Stone 05 Lbs

July 2011 - 13 Stone 12 Lbs - Cycled 17851 Miles

http://39stonecyclist.com
Now the hard work starts.
«1

Comments

  • nation
    nation Posts: 609
    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
    prawny Posts: 5,439
    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!!! :D
    Saracen Tenet 3 - 2015 - Dead - Replaced with a Hack Frame
    Voodoo Bizango - 2014 - Dead - Hit by a car
    Vitus Sentier VRS - 2017
  • http://www.evanscycles.com/products/mon ... e-ec000855 (slightly over budget, but rated in MTB forum section)?
    ================
    2020 Voodoo Marasa
    2017 Cube Attain GTC Pro Disc 2016
    2016 Voodoo Wazoo
  • gb155
    gb155 Posts: 2,048
    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
    On a Mission to lose 20 stone..Get My Life Back

    December 2007 - 39 Stone 05 Lbs

    July 2011 - 13 Stone 12 Lbs - Cycled 17851 Miles

    http://39stonecyclist.com
    Now the hard work starts.
  • gb155
    gb155 Posts: 2,048
    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
    On a Mission to lose 20 stone..Get My Life Back

    December 2007 - 39 Stone 05 Lbs

    July 2011 - 13 Stone 12 Lbs - Cycled 17851 Miles

    http://39stonecyclist.com
    Now the hard work starts.
  • gb155
    gb155 Posts: 2,048
    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!!! :D

    Thanks for the suggestions mate but MTB is the way to go for me, They seem to be in the hybrid section ?
    On a Mission to lose 20 stone..Get My Life Back

    December 2007 - 39 Stone 05 Lbs

    July 2011 - 13 Stone 12 Lbs - Cycled 17851 Miles

    http://39stonecyclist.com
    Now the hard work starts.
  • gb155
    gb155 Posts: 2,048
    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
    On a Mission to lose 20 stone..Get My Life Back

    December 2007 - 39 Stone 05 Lbs

    July 2011 - 13 Stone 12 Lbs - Cycled 17851 Miles

    http://39stonecyclist.com
    Now the hard work starts.
  • prawny
    prawny Posts: 5,439
    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.
    Saracen Tenet 3 - 2015 - Dead - Replaced with a Hack Frame
    Voodoo Bizango - 2014 - Dead - Hit by a car
    Vitus Sentier VRS - 2017
  • Giant Escape M1 - you won't be disappointed.
  • gb155
    gb155 Posts: 2,048
    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.
    On a Mission to lose 20 stone..Get My Life Back

    December 2007 - 39 Stone 05 Lbs

    July 2011 - 13 Stone 12 Lbs - Cycled 17851 Miles

    http://39stonecyclist.com
    Now the hard work starts.
  • gb155
    gb155 Posts: 2,048
    Fat Kid wrote:
    Giant Escape M1 - you won't be disappointed.

    I always thought that was around 400 quid ?
    On a Mission to lose 20 stone..Get My Life Back

    December 2007 - 39 Stone 05 Lbs

    July 2011 - 13 Stone 12 Lbs - Cycled 17851 Miles

    http://39stonecyclist.com
    Now the hard work starts.
  • ================
    2020 Voodoo Marasa
    2017 Cube Attain GTC Pro Disc 2016
    2016 Voodoo Wazoo
  • gb155
    gb155 Posts: 2,048
    The Giant Escape M1 does look almost ideal to be honest but cant find it anywhere near my budge
    On a Mission to lose 20 stone..Get My Life Back

    December 2007 - 39 Stone 05 Lbs

    July 2011 - 13 Stone 12 Lbs - Cycled 17851 Miles

    http://39stonecyclist.com
    Now the hard work starts.
  • gb155
    gb155 Posts: 2,048
    On a Mission to lose 20 stone..Get My Life Back

    December 2007 - 39 Stone 05 Lbs

    July 2011 - 13 Stone 12 Lbs - Cycled 17851 Miles

    http://39stonecyclist.com
    Now the hard work starts.
  • prawny
    prawny Posts: 5,439
    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.
    Saracen Tenet 3 - 2015 - Dead - Replaced with a Hack Frame
    Voodoo Bizango - 2014 - Dead - Hit by a car
    Vitus Sentier VRS - 2017
  • prawny
    prawny Posts: 5,439
    gb155 wrote:

    How big! How tall are you gaz? I'm 5'11" and ride an 18" MTB
    Saracen Tenet 3 - 2015 - Dead - Replaced with a Hack Frame
    Voodoo Bizango - 2014 - Dead - Hit by a car
    Vitus Sentier VRS - 2017
  • gb155
    gb155 Posts: 2,048
    prawny wrote:
    gb155 wrote:

    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"
    On a Mission to lose 20 stone..Get My Life Back

    December 2007 - 39 Stone 05 Lbs

    July 2011 - 13 Stone 12 Lbs - Cycled 17851 Miles

    http://39stonecyclist.com
    Now the hard work starts.
  • gb155
    gb155 Posts: 2,048
    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
    On a Mission to lose 20 stone..Get My Life Back

    December 2007 - 39 Stone 05 Lbs

    July 2011 - 13 Stone 12 Lbs - Cycled 17851 Miles

    http://39stonecyclist.com
    Now the hard work starts.
  • prawny
    prawny Posts: 5,439
    Gad Zukes!!!!! :shock:

    Fair enough! I always worry about other people frame sizes, as you were :oops:
    Saracen Tenet 3 - 2015 - Dead - Replaced with a Hack Frame
    Voodoo Bizango - 2014 - Dead - Hit by a car
    Vitus Sentier VRS - 2017
  • gb155
    gb155 Posts: 2,048
    prawny wrote:
    Gad Zukes!!!!! :shock:

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


    lololol, cheers mate :)
    On a Mission to lose 20 stone..Get My Life Back

    December 2007 - 39 Stone 05 Lbs

    July 2011 - 13 Stone 12 Lbs - Cycled 17851 Miles

    http://39stonecyclist.com
    Now the hard work starts.
  • nation
    nation Posts: 609
    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
    gb155 Posts: 2,048
    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
    On a Mission to lose 20 stone..Get My Life Back

    December 2007 - 39 Stone 05 Lbs

    July 2011 - 13 Stone 12 Lbs - Cycled 17851 Miles

    http://39stonecyclist.com
    Now the hard work starts.
  • Slow Downcp
    Slow Downcp Posts: 3,041
    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
    Carlsberg don't make cycle clothing, but if they did it would probably still not be as good as Assos
  • gb155
    gb155 Posts: 2,048
    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
    On a Mission to lose 20 stone..Get My Life Back

    December 2007 - 39 Stone 05 Lbs

    July 2011 - 13 Stone 12 Lbs - Cycled 17851 Miles

    http://39stonecyclist.com
    Now the hard work starts.
  • nation
    nation Posts: 609
    Actually that Aspire 1.0 is incredibly well-specced for the price.
  • gb155
    gb155 Posts: 2,048
    nation wrote:
    Actually that Aspire 1.0 is incredibly well-specced for the price.

    damm right I just dont think 21" will cut it :(
    On a Mission to lose 20 stone..Get My Life Back

    December 2007 - 39 Stone 05 Lbs

    July 2011 - 13 Stone 12 Lbs - Cycled 17851 Miles

    http://39stonecyclist.com
    Now the hard work starts.
  • nation
    nation Posts: 609
    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
    Slow Downcp Posts: 3,041
    What's the horizontal top tube length on your Dawes?
    Carlsberg don't make cycle clothing, but if they did it would probably still not be as good as Assos
  • gb155
    gb155 Posts: 2,048
    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
    On a Mission to lose 20 stone..Get My Life Back

    December 2007 - 39 Stone 05 Lbs

    July 2011 - 13 Stone 12 Lbs - Cycled 17851 Miles

    http://39stonecyclist.com
    Now the hard work starts.
  • gb155
    gb155 Posts: 2,048
    What's the horizontal top tube length on your Dawes?

    Not sure, I can check later though
    On a Mission to lose 20 stone..Get My Life Back

    December 2007 - 39 Stone 05 Lbs

    July 2011 - 13 Stone 12 Lbs - Cycled 17851 Miles

    http://39stonecyclist.com
    Now the hard work starts.