Willing to help a roadie with his first MTB??

Latino

Hi All!!

I've been a roadie for a number of years, but after trying out MTBing last summer, I've decided this year I'd like to add an MTB to the stable. It also helps that I can take advantage of cyclescheme through my employer

So, as I'm sure loads of people ask around here, I need help to choose an MTB!! I was set on a Boardman Pro, but this year Halfords isn't taking part in cyclescheme, so that option is now out of the window.

My criteria for choosing a bike are:

- A good aluminium frame, something I can build on later if needed (I'm not afraid to use the tools on the bike)
- In the £800 to £1000 range.
- It has to be 'pleasing' to the eye, so no lime green eyesores or else the other half will never want to be seen with me and my bike :P
- The bike will be used exclusively on the rough stuff, not on the road and not for commuting (I have specific bikes for those use cases)
- Not interested in high speed downhill at all, as I'll most likely MTB with our dog and with the other half, so cannot go really fast anyway. If I want fast, I'll grab my roadbike and take it for a serious spin

After doing some research, and based on my limited MTB knowledge, I've settled on three bikes, all of which hardtails, as I don't think I need full sus:

- Specialized Hardrock Expert (£850): http://www.specialized.com/gb/en/bc/SBC ... 35&eid=107
I realize the 'Pro' is also in the budget, but other than the upgraded(?) fork, there's little difference. However the other half doesn't approve of the champagne colour, I'm not too keen on it either. Also, what's that about 80mm travel fork, when the lower Hardrocks have 100mm travel? confusing

- Trek 6700 (£1000): http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/mo ... ies/6700e/
I considered the 6300 as that would probably do the job fine, but then I figured I'd stretch out to the 6700. To my untrained eye, it seems that while this bike has a full SLX drivetrain, the Hardrock Expert has a mixture of XT and SL. So they look fairly even, but the Trek is more expensive! on the plus side, I quite like the painjob they've gone for there, and while the 180mm front rotor is probably no better than the 160mm one on the Spec (in my case anyway), I still think it looks better

- Marin Nail Trail (£925): http://www.marin.co.uk/2009/bikedetail. ... o=3948-1FW
This is the odd one out. I say odd one because this one has very different components to the two above. For starters the fork is a different brand, and so are the brakes. Now, I have no experience whatsoever with one or the other brand of forks or brakes, I only have experience of Shimano and Campagnolo on the road side, but I've included it in the list as I want to test ride it at the very least. But this is only if I can get hold of the white version, bright orange is a no no :P

I've had a chance to test ride the Specialized Expert this morning, and the 17" model I test rode (I'm 5'6") felt too big for me. May be I'm just not used to the wide handlebars, or may be it was the large 175mm cranks (I use smaller ones on the roadbikes), but I won't be sure until I try a smaller frame.

I also tried locking the suspension, but it didn't fully lock it, just made it harder so it wasn't doing as much as before, but it was still giving when I pushed it. Is that normal? I thought locking the front suspension would fully lock it!

I'll test ride the other two in the coming days, but if anyone has a constructive opinion on the choices above, please do share them!

Sorry about the big long post, I guess I wanted to show that I've actually done some research on the bikes

Cheers

Airienteer

Ok I'm going to admit to not reading all of your post, only your choices! Specialized is always worth a look. But out of your choices I'd go for the Trek. A good spec and looks outstanding in the flesh. A nice frame aswell. Give the Marin a miss. A decent frame but sub-par spec. I'd also check out something like a Genesis Core 40 or Altitude 20 and a Giant XTC 2.

keirtristan

Was going to suggest the Genesis Core but probably the 30 as the 40 is in a Matt orange and probably wouldn't get it under the better halves thumb

The Genesis Altitude's are also very good.

keirtristan

Actually thinking about it might be worth considering a Foucs Black Forest available on Wiggle.

Captain Turok

Usual advice is to ride them 1st
And yes a "locked out" fork does still have bit of movement.

Good luck!

Andy B

testing is the best way to get the right bike

The Rockhopper is a good bike, dunno why the pro has 80mm, not the 100mm of the expert though

The Trek is also a decent bike, not a lot between the at & the Spesh.

The Marin looks to be not as well specced compared to the above bikes, the marzocchi forks have had a few issues lately.

Lockout on sus forks doesn't fully lock a fork out, it still allows some movement so as not to damage the forks internals.

175mm cranks are fairly standard too

Airienteer

I was going to recommend the Balck Forest through Wiggle as well but wasn't sure if you could get that on bike2work

supersonic

I'd add a GT Zaskar Elite to the list if wanting a racy XC bike. Has a superb frame, and great fork.

Latino

Blimey, quite a response!!!

To Airienteer: Genesis Altitude 20 is beyond the budget. Core 40 is not stocked by my LBS or the next one nearest (LBS is Cycle Surgery, next is Chamberlain Cycles). Giant XTC 2 doesn't seem to be too different to the Specialized, and don't particularly like its looks (putting my shallow hat on for a sec).

To Airienteer & Andy_B: So that's two down on the Marin. That's now very nearly off my list, thanks!

To keirtristan: Oh how right you are. I won't even show that Core 40 to the missus. Also, as far as I know, only Wiggle does Focus bikes, and Wiggle is not on cyclescheme. I think they go under a different scheme, so can't go for Focus

To Supersonic: I've had the Zakstar recommended to me by a friend and the Elite is in the budget. However I don't really like that weird dropout and toptube arrangement that is so characteristic of GTs

Thanks about the avice Re the fork. I figured it couldn't have been broken, but was somewhat surprised that "Fork Lock" didn't actually lock the fork!

Keep 'em comming!

supersonic

Didn't think roadies cared about looks ;-)

I don't like that marin - poor fork, and a heavy one at that.

Latino

Lets compare the Spec to the Trek for a second, and more specifically on the drivetrains.

Trek: Full SLX drivetrain, + SRAM casette
Spec: Front derailleur - Deore, Rear Derailleur - Deore XT, Shift Levers - Deore SL, Crankset Shimano FC-M521

Again, as per my limited knowledge, XT > SLX > SL. I've also read that SLX and SL are very similar.

Front Derailleur: Trek -> SLX, Spec -> Deore
Much of a muchness, isn't it?

Rear Derailleur: Trek -> SLX, Spec -> Deore XT
Spec wins

Crankset: Trek -> SLX, Spec -> FC-M521
All I know is that the SLX crankset weights 900g including BB, and the FC-M521 weights 712g, plus 300g for the bottom bracket. So Trek wins I guess

Shifters: Trek -> SLX, Spec -> SL
In theory Trek wins, but I hear they are practically the same thing

At the end of the day it makes little difference, as they are very evenly matched in terms of drivetrain, but would like to hear your thoughts anyway. I still intend to test ride both bikes, as given that I can get the Trek for £950, a £70 difference between the Trek and the Spec is not a deal breaker.

Cheers

Latino

supersonic wrote:

Didn't think roadies cared about looks ;-)

I don't like that marin - poor fork, and a heavy one at that.

Ha ha!! you have to be right though. I'll be the first one to admit that a full lycra outfit does look a bit silly. But once you go out and do a 100+miles rides, it really is a lot more comfortable to ride in lycra.

And if I have to choose between a rash in my groin and looking silly, I'll go for the silly look every time! :P

supersonic

To me the important parts are the frame, fork and wheels. Drivetrain comes alst in my priorites, although are weight savings to be had with top stuff.

Hard to seperate the frame and wheels, but the fork on the Trek is a cut above - that Motion Control damper is easier to set up, and more controlled.

Latino

supersonic wrote:

To me the important parts are the frame, fork and wheels. Drivetrain comes alst in my priorites, although are weight savings to be had with top stuff.

Hard to seperate the frame and wheels, but the fork on the Trek is a cut above - that Motion Control damper is easier to set up, and more controlled.

That's some useful information. If you were buying yourself a new bike, would you be willing to pay £70 extra for that better fork?

TBH, right now I'm leaning towards the Trek. If only because I've tried the 17" Spec and it felt too big, and I think the 15" one will feel too small. At least the Trek comes in at 15.5". Of course, I'll try them out first for myself.

Also, you guys have already helped me to bring the list down to two. The Marin is out. Now Spec at £880 or Trek at £950... only test rides will tell I think

supersonic

Yes, I would, unless you plan to do a big upgrade soon in the future. The Recon Race is over £300 on its own this year.

Da Mighty Chicken

Just my 2p's worth, out of your list I'd go for the Trek also, lovely bikes the Treks

Latino

supersonic wrote:

Yes, I would, unless you plan to do a big upgrade soon in the future. The Recon Race is over £300 on its own this year.

No upgrades planned at all, with the possible exception of tyres. I think it's all going to come down to size between the Spec and the Trek now. Once I've tried out both in different sizes, I'll pop back with my experience!!

Thanks all for your help, I've been pleasantly surprised with the level of response!!

Cheers