Bike buying advice (not what bike to buy)

kspelman
kspelman Posts: 3
edited March 2009 in MTB beginners
Hello I am new to the forum and pretty new to biking and just wanting some buying advice I bought a very very cheap 2nd hand dual susp MTB last year just to see if I could get into riding and I loved it so I now want to get a better bike and get into it more but the problem is I don't know a lot about bikes. My budget will be about £600-£700 I do both road and off road so want a hard tail with front susp lock out but apart from that I am lost. I will be going to a few LBS in the next couple of weeks but just want a bit of knowledge before I go so I have a better understanding of what i am looking at and what i should expect for my money.

Thanks in advance

Comments

  • xtreem
    xtreem Posts: 2,965
    For your money you should expect at least RS Tora 302 front fork (not Darts); good
    hydraulcis brakes (Avid, Shimano, Hayes....); Shimano XT, LX or Sram X9,X7 derailleurs;
    and thats pretty much the major components. The rest can vary a lot....
    NS Bikes Eccentric Alu custom - 2016
  • stumpyjon
    stumpyjon Posts: 3,983
    Let the LBS give you the advice, but think carefully about what they tell you. One of the first questions they should ask is what sort of riding will you be doing. If they don't I can't see how they can advise you properly. Also be wary of them trying to foist a clearance bike onto you that isn't right or a bike that is the wrong size just because they've got it in stock.

    Don't expect a discount on the bike but you should be able to get some free extras thrown in such as tools, helmet etc.

    Ask about maintenance, they should give you a free six week check and six month service. As you're going to buy from an LBS (which is good) consider how close it is to home as well in case you need to return the bike for warranty issues etc.

    As for spec Xtreem has hit it pretty squarely on the head, nothing less than Tora forks and at that (pretty good) price point hydraulic disks.
    It's easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission.

    I've bought a new bike....ouch - result
    Can I buy a new bike?...No - no result
  • kspelman
    kspelman Posts: 3
    I know i said it wasn't a what bike to get thread but i guess i lied lol.

    what do people think of the Pinnacle Evolution 1.0?

    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pin ... e-ec000923
  • llamafarmer
    llamafarmer Posts: 1,848
    You're doing the right thing by going to try a few because how the bike feels for you personally is at least as important as how well specced it is on paper. But there's loads of very nice bikes in your price range.

    At the top end of your budget:

    http://www.boardmanbikes.com/mtbht/ht_comp.html
    Giant Anthem X
    Cube Ltd Race
  • Ellio
    Ellio Posts: 100
    Sorry about this but didn't realise I was signed in on the wife's account not that it makes a lot of difference. I will be getting the bike not kspelman.

    went into halfords last night and saw that and must admit it looks very very nice the only problem is i will be getting it through ride to work and i think my work only do it with Evans but i will try to find out today. Is halfords the only place that do boardman's?

    I am going to Evans Gatwick this weekend to see what they have got as the one near my work is a commuter shop and they only had 4 MTB in stock and as i live out side London gatwick is probably easier to get to and the bloke in the shop said it was there head office and their warehouse is there as well so would be best one to go to.
  • littleandy0410
    littleandy0410 Posts: 631
    Hi Ellio, welcome to the forum.

    I'm not trying to fob you off, just checking, but have you read this:

    http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12590132

    It's a good place to start, and gives you some idea of the bikes around your price range.

    Halfords are the only UK supplier of Boardman Bikes, yes, so looks like that's a non-starter.

    (Technically, you can buy Boardmans from Cycle Republic shops too, but as they're owned by Halfords, my point still stands!)
    Boardman Road Comp '08
    Spesh FSR XC Expert '08
  • Ellio
    Ellio Posts: 100
    Yeah had a look at that for a couple of ideas and will be looking at them in the flesh at the weekend if they have them in the shop but just want to get as many ideas as poss before I go in there to make sure I dont miss somthing that could be the perfect bike for me
  • davidmiller
    davidmiller Posts: 320
    Xtreem wrote:
    For your money you should expect at least RS Tora 302 front fork (not Darts); good
    hydraulcis brakes (Avid, Shimano, Hayes....); Shimano XT, LX or Sram X9,X7 derailleurs;
    and thats pretty much the major components. The rest can vary a lot....


    can you suggest some models that have all these at that price?

    I was looking at a spec hardrock pro disc 2009 but it does n't seem to have any of that stuff for £489!!!!

    Cheers,

    DM
  • toasty
    toasty Posts: 2,598
    That'd be because it's £120-£220 under the budget originally quoted :)

    The Specialized model in that price bracket would be something along the lines of:

    http://www.noahsark.co.uk/specialized-rockhopper-comp-disc-2009-p-2478.html

    The spec on the Hardrock Pro isn't terrible for the price though, it's fairly sensibly specced. The Auriga brakes are decent enough, very similar to Avid Juicy 3s, the frame is very nice too. The Dart 3s aren't fantastic but are fairly standard at that price. The biggest cut on that one seems to be the very low end gearing, you'd see that kind of spec on a £300 bike generally, bizarre.

    I still rate the GT Avalanche 1.0 quite highly and you can pick one up for about £400-£450 from last year if you hunt about. Like here. Normally I'd advise against Suntour forks but the X-100s seem pretty solid, I've got a set on my Stumpjumper at the moment infact, same with the Auriga brakes. There's a few other options, Carreras from Halfords are good value, Mongoose do some good value models etc.
    Stumpy FSR 29er
  • davidmiller
    davidmiller Posts: 320
    Thanks toasty, to be honest I had some doubts about the Hardrock but that Rockhopper looks excellent. I'll be happier spending the extra (esp on ride2work) to get something I really like.

    sorry to the Op'er for hijacking your thread.

    DM
  • toasty
    toasty Posts: 2,598
    The Rockhopper definitely fixes all the weak points on the Hardrock, that frame is fantastic, the same material they used to make their very top end models out of. I can't fault anything on it really, very good bike.
    Stumpy FSR 29er
  • xtreem
    xtreem Posts: 2,965
    DavidMiller, for my quote. As Toasty said. :D
    [b]Ellio[/b] wrote:
    but just want to get as many ideas as poss before I go in there to make sure I dont miss somthing that could be the perfect bike for me
    A few to see it in Evans.
    Specialized Rockhopper Comp Disc 2009
    GT Avalanche Expert 2008, with adjustable travel fork.
    Commencal Combi Disc 2009

    What your other lbs sell? Anyone Cube, Giant, Scott?
    NS Bikes Eccentric Alu custom - 2016
  • Ellio
    Ellio Posts: 100
    So the ideas I have so far are the Rockhopper, Cemmencal Combi and Pinnacle Evolution, (GT is sold out) then what ever they have in store but was wondering if I go over the £700 mark do you then get a much better bike say thid for instance http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fel ... e-ec017064 would it be worth the extra?
  • Father Faff
    Father Faff Posts: 1,176
    At that price you might want to consider the Charge Duster and the Lapierre - both manufacturers have excellent reputations.
    Commencal Meta 5.5.1
    Scott CR1
  • Ellio
    Ellio Posts: 100
    thanks I will make a note of them as well. I gotta admit everything is just going over my head a bit at the moment like brakes are juicy 5 better than the 3 would the 3 be better on some bikes than others its making me crazy lol especially since I get so anal about spending money and like to know I have got he best I can get
  • xtreem
    xtreem Posts: 2,965
    About the Felt. Not worth the extra £75.
    Well it's worthed if you like it. And don't worry too much about getting the
    highest spec for your money. If it looks good and feels good for you go for
    that one, not for some that had a bit better fork or brakes.

    If you have a lbs that sells Cube: Cube LTD Comp Disc 2009
    NS Bikes Eccentric Alu custom - 2016
  • JxL
    JxL Posts: 383
    £50 over budget but http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gen ... e-ec017151

    ... Is a nice bike too! Had a look at it in my LBS, but could not afford it personally!
    Genesis Core 10 / Kinesis Decade Virtue SS

    Photography Portfolio
  • Father Faff
    Father Faff Posts: 1,176
    I think the Genesis got a very good review in a recent What MTB.
    Commencal Meta 5.5.1
    Scott CR1
  • xtreem
    xtreem Posts: 2,965
    Now Ellio, on the Genesis the £50 more are worthed.
    NS Bikes Eccentric Alu custom - 2016
  • Ellio
    Ellio Posts: 100
    Well I went to have a look at the today and the three main ones I like are the Genesis, The rock hopper and the pinnacle Evo.

    Took them all for a ride today and liked the pinnacle the best. this admitedly was the only one that was in my size so i am going back next weekend to try the rock hopper again in the right size and have another go on the evo. I did like the Genesis but just didn't know if it would be worth the £100 extra over the evo even though it only works out £5 extra a month for a year. got a lot of thinking to do this weekend
  • blablablacksheep
    blablablacksheep Posts: 1,377
    £5 extra a month for a year

    you going fianace then? sinse you should save sinse it much better, otherwise i beleive you spend extra 200+quid. still your money but personally id rather save up for a new bike then buy it outright.
    London2Brighton Challange 100k!
    http://www.justgiving.com/broxbourne-runners
  • llamafarmer
    llamafarmer Posts: 1,848
    blablablacksheep wrote:
    you going fianace then? sinse you should save sinse it much better, otherwise i beleive you spend extra 200+quid. still your money but personally id rather save up for a new bike then buy it outright.

    He's buying through cycle to work scheme mate :wink:
    Giant Anthem X
    Cube Ltd Race
  • Ellio
    Ellio Posts: 100
    Normally i would save up first but cycle to work is far to good to miss
  • Ellio
    Ellio Posts: 100
    well going back today to try these 3 again

    Genesis core 20 as the 30 is out of stock in my size at the moment and just to get a feel for the frame in the right size.
    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gen ... e-ec017150

    Pinnacle Evo
    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pin ... e-ec000923

    and the rock hopper
    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... e-ec016419

    they should have built them all for me in the right size so I can get a better feel for what I want.

    even went out today and bought What MTB and see the a couple of the genesis are in the top 5 so am tending to lean towards that at the moment. just hope I don't fall in love with the Genesis I try today as its a bit bright. But I'm sure when its covered in mud it wont notice that much lol.
  • JxL
    JxL Posts: 383
    Ellio wrote:
    well going back today to try these 3 again

    Genesis core 20 as the 30 is out of stock in my size at the moment and just to get a feel for the frame in the right size.
    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gen ... e-ec017150

    Pinnacle Evo
    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pin ... e-ec000923

    and the rock hopper
    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... e-ec016419

    they should have built them all for me in the right size so I can get a better feel for what I want.

    even went out today and bought What MTB and see the a couple of the genesis are in the top 5 so am tending to lean towards that at the moment. just hope I don't fall in love with the Genesis I try today as its a bit bright. But I'm sure when its covered in mud it wont notice that much lol.

    Had my first ride on Core 10, what a lovely bike! did around 15 miles today and absolutely shattered, just shows how unfit I got from 3-4 years no riding.

    Core 20 should be even nicer with upgraded forks and probably a better rear/front mech (i got mine upgraded to XT shadow for £30).

    Haven't taken it to a mountain yet, as I want to let it to bed in.

    Actually they were not in stock in 20.5" size either, so LBS ordered it on friday, was delivered on monday and custom built for collection on tuesday, so they are pretty quick!
    Genesis Core 10 / Kinesis Decade Virtue SS

    Photography Portfolio
  • Ellio
    Ellio Posts: 100
    yeah is a very nice bike I have put my deposit down on the core 30 so will be picking that up in April cant wait.

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