Buying Advice on budget £500-£700

pofenwick

Hi all,

I know this is my fisrt post and I'm asking for advice already. A work colleague has given me the bug for riding the bike on the trail again.

I have visited some of my local shops and two of the shops are recommending Giant XTC 4 or 3 and the Trek 6300 but I cant make up my mind and I am not up to speed with the spec's yet and which one is better and I am steering towards the Trek.

Any suggestions and advice welcome.

OwenB

My girlfriend has an XTC3 which I've used a little lately and to be honest I think it's a great bike, can't compare it to any of the others but for the money I think it's a well specced bike and it's handled everything I've thrown at it admirably, the only thing I'd change would be the standard pedals but it's her bike and she likes them

supersonic

Both are decent XC bikes - quite long and low, so as always a test would be beneficial.

Plenty of other good choices in this price range. Have a look at our What Hardtail guide for popular choices and good buys.

I'd make a shortlist and go and try them at, at least for size.

Towards 700 you are getting better forks such as Toras and Recons. This can be more noticable over rougher terrain than say better drivetrain.

JxL

Hey!

£500 is a nice range, but as supersonic said for £700 you would be looking at some better forks.

RIght now I am looking at the Genesis Core 10, which is at £500 exact. It has a good spec, but IMO the forks are the let down (suntour raidon), but reviews don't seem to be too bad (actually says better performance than expected). You could upgrade in your LBS though with better forks.

I ordered the bike with XT rear mech instead of Deore, thought about the forks but then decided to give them a try, and afterwards buy some RS SiD's or Recon's.

The Trek 6300 is also nice, should be at £500 also, if not try to negotiate for the 08 version.

Rockhopper 08 should be around £500 too, better spec but most are probably sold out as 09 version is much more expensive.

Carrera Fury I heard is nice too, around £450 or so.

blablablacksheep

Rockhopper 08 should be around £500 too, better spec but most are probably sold out as 09 version is much more expensive.

you can get 09 rockhopper for 525, maybe less. the 08 as you said are all gone, i managed to get a v break one though:) so quite happy with that.

pofenwick

Can you point me in the right direction to the What Hardtail guide please

Andy B

pofenwick wrote:

Can you point me in the right direction to the What Hardtail guide please

It's the Stickied topic near the top of the MTB buying advice page.

MrChuck

You can't really go wrong with Giant at that sort of price point- you generally get a lot for your money. I have an XTC (few years old now) and it's been great. But the one that feels right to you will be one to go for!

Other advice is to either just buy the spec you want now, or be prepared to wait for something to break/wear out before upgrading it- upgrading parts from new is a bit of a waste of money IMO, you can't beat the price the manufacturers get when speccing their bikes.

pofenwick

Thanks for the advice given, could not see the guide for looking.

I have visited another local store for more advice and a chance to be sized, I have decided to go for the Trek 6300.

Thanks

JxL

pofenwick wrote:

Thanks for the advice given, could not see the guide for looking.

I have visited another local store for more advice and a chance to be sized, I have decided to go for the Trek 6300.

Thanks

How much is the 6300, and what year?

pofenwick

Trek 6300 is £675 for the 2009 model but I am getting it on the cycle to work scheme which works out at about £405

marinman1

one of my mates has an xtc and i think it's an excellent bike, although it is essentially an XC bike it takes a beating which is good if you like to mess about a bit.

sicknewt

Guide is here: http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12590132

I've got a 2007 XTC 3.5 and really like it, as people have said the spec is pretty good on Giants...