Who wants to be my advice guru?!

CanUhackett
CanUhackett Posts: 4
edited March 2009 in MTB buying advice
Yes I'm another newbie looking to take a step into the exciting world of mountain biking!

I'm hoping lots of you can give me your hard earned advice on the kind of bikes / brands I am interested in. I'm sure everyone has thier favourites, and have built up lots of knowledge over the years, so I'm hoping to glean some of this before I make my purchase! I'm sure lots of you will say 'take lots of bikes for a ride', but hopefully I can at least cut down my shopping list 1st!

First question is the old nugget of full suss vs hardtail. I will be doing a lot of road riding to keep fit (apparently you can 'lock out' the full suss bikes so you don't compromise on the road?), plus rides over South Downs, and country parks with bike trails. Very occassionally I will go to Wales perhaps. My budget will be up to £1000, preferably no more! The bikes I have really taken a liking to are Trek 6700, Specialised FSR XC Comp, maybe Marin Rocky Ridge (bit expensive for me, but I have a 15yr old Marin Muirwoods that has never let me down!), or Orange Evo8.

Are Orange really greeat bikes, or are people overly proud of a British brand? Are Specialised awesome, or have they just taken brand-following to another level? I really need advice!

I have spoken to several really helpful local bike shops but, whilst I can't fault anyone and will obviously go there for servicing etc, I am always a touch dubious that they are just leading towards what they sell.

Hopefully you Guys can put me straight on a lot of issues, and maybe some I haven't even thought of!

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    welcome.

    Lesson One a decent topic heading would be good.

    Lesson Two don't waffle.

    Right what do you want to know?
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Andy B
    Andy B Posts: 8,115
    nicklouse wrote:
    welcome.

    Lesson One a decent topic heading would be good.

    Lesson Two don't waffle.

    Right what do you want to know?

    Lesson three, Nicklouse is a man of few words. All of them are wise (except when he's been on the Single Malt ;) )
    2385861000_d125abe796_m.jpg
  • edhornby
    edhornby Posts: 1,780
    welcome

    as nick said, specific questions work best :) it's cool tho

    because you said up to a grand and you didn't say down or hill - I'll stick my neck out and say you'd be better off with a hard tail

    have a look at the What Hardtail thread, that should open possibilities

    and yeah - for that money, you should have the bike shop giving you a test ride !!!
    "I get paid to make other people suffer on my wheel, how good is that"
    --Jens Voight
  • The Big Cheese
    The Big Cheese Posts: 8,651
    nicklouse wrote:
    welcome.

    Lesson One a decent topic heading would be good.

    Lesson Two don't waffle.

    Right what do you want to know?


    You do make me grin Nick :lol:

    and canUhackett....... welcome to the forum! :D
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    Well i did answer his question!
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • CanUhackett
    CanUhackett Posts: 4
    Hi Guys - I'd better keep it short, don't want to upset Nicklouse!

    What do I want to know? Let's start with full suss or hardtail. Ed hornby assumed I won't be big on DH, he's probably right but I don't want to miss out on any fun and don't want to be limited by the bike I choose.

    Would a speccy hardtail for £1k be better than a budget full suss (i.e the Specialised FSR XC Comp)?

    Didn't waffle did I?!?
  • llamafarmer
    llamafarmer Posts: 1,893
    From what you say about your riding, I'd say hardtail - you'll get more spec for your money than with full sus (there's less parts involved) and it should comfortably handle all that you plan to do on it. A grand's worth of hardtail will be a really sorted bike.

    Orange and Specialized have a great rep for a reason - they make some great bikes and have been for years, including some all time classics like the P7 and Stumpjumper.
    Giant Anthem X
    Cube Ltd Race
  • The Spiderman
    The Spiderman Posts: 5,625
    You`ll get more bang for your buck with a hardtail.Some very nice ones for upto £1k.I`d reccomend you take a look at the Genesis Core 30 or 30.Decent kit plus adjustable travel forks,will let yuo try different set ups,so it adds a bit of versatility if you haven`t worked out what kind of riding you want to do.Light anough not to slow you down but with enough heft to take some biger hits.


    http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mountain/product/genesis-core-40-08-30985
    2006 Giant XTC
    2010 Giant Defy Advanced
    2016 Boardman Pro 29er
    2016 Pinnacle Lithium 4
    2017 Canondale Supersix Evo
  • The Big Cheese
    The Big Cheese Posts: 8,651
    I ordered one of these, all mountain, lightweight set up..... great kit, slightly over budget and you'd be hard pressed to find something of better value out there:
    http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 1b1s1p1440

    Fox suspension, 6 inches travel

    Full XT running drivetrain (have you seen the price of Shimano XT stuff lately!)

    Great frame

    In fact a good 'al rounder' - granted it's no burly hardcore DH/FR rig, but they are not practical if it's your only bike, more of a 'nice to have' 2nd/3rd bike

    Good reviews too!

    PS: Looks like supersonic has a 'GT lieutenant' :lol:
  • passout
    passout Posts: 4,425
    The waffle is the only reason I visit Bike Radar - without it it's all gear ratios & psi. Without a bit of waffle where would we be.....Germany!

    Anyway... yes - a hardtail. Definately not a budget FS. Try Merlin or Inbred for good value bikes.

    That said, the GT on the last post looks good!
    'Happiness serves hardly any other purpose than to make unhappiness possible' Marcel Proust.

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