£500 - £600 MTB?

efish

I though this would be so easy. :?

I've been out of biking for about 5 years and hope that a new bike would inspire me back out on the tracks. So a quick look on some review sites, make a choice and grab a lovely new bike....not a chance.

I didn't bank on the huge choice and rather erratic reviews. Help! If I spend much longer on the internet my wife will refuse to believe I'm still only looking at bikes.

At the moment I have my faithful old GT RTS3 and was looking at a Giant Yukon FX1 or Mongoose Teocali Comp as a full sus replacement, but both of these bikes are 3 - 4lb heavier than my old one.

As I manly ride tracks (green lanes, forest trails, single track etc) maybe a hardtail would be better. I've looked at
GT Avalanche 1 Disc
Merlin Malt 1
Focus Northern Lite
Specialized Rockhopper Disc

Any advice would be very welcome, especially regarding components as I don't have a clue any more.

Thanks

keirtristan

I think I will tell you what most people will tell you on here and what was told to me not so long ago.

Best thing to do is find out what is stocked near you and get out and try a few. Buy which ever feels best.

Many people will have their favourites but you will need to make the decision yourself.

As far as I know all the bikes on your list are good but if you can add the following on:
Genesis Core 20 £550 (if you price match at Evans or buy from Squarewheels).
Carrera Fury £550 from Halfords (gets discounts frequently)
Boardman Sport £550 from Halfords
Rockrider 8.1 £500 from Decathlon
Commencal Combi £550ish

To answer your question on the HT/Full Sus, for that money I would go for a HT as the full sus' are a little heavy.

ipaintbikes

How about a Genesis Core 20 '08 for under £480?

http://www.bikedock.com/posit/shop/manf ... nf=GENESIS

I've seen somewhere else doing a Spec Rockhopper Comp for £470 too.

ipaintbikes

Here:

http://www.ukcyclestore.com/08-sale-bik ... er-08.html

Admittedly only red 15" and silver 17" but still bargains.

Wacky Racer

Of the four you mention, the only one I don't know is the Focus, doesn't mean it's no good though!

The other three are all decent bikes in that price range, my best riding buddy has the GT Avalanche 1 and it rides great. The Merlin range are all highly rated, great value in my opinion and really good frames. You will find plenty of people on here who will recommend the RH disc too.

The first response from keirtristan is spot-on, get on a few and see what matches you best, everyone on here has their favourites and if you're not careful your list of four will become a list of 34, which'll leave you even more confused.

Totally agree with advice recommending a HT, no way would I entertain a full suss at that price range, you'll want to throw it down the road after you've lugged it up a few difficult climbs, the weight penalty is painful. Also, for the sort of riding you mention a HT will do all of that. Basically the pay-off is better kit an a HT for the same money, and lighter all round. You always have the option of trying some out at your local shop, and if you can't get the right price from them order what you want online knowing it will suit.

Don't get hung up on getting an 09 model, many of the 08 models are the same spec, but different colour and you can usually save a few quid.

stickygreen

I just got my shiney new genesis core 20 in the awsome looking lime green could'nt be happier with it.

Northwind

I'd say Carrera Fury too, but maybe not quite the right bike for XC use- the spec and performance is excellent but it's a bit beefie, and heavier as a result. Though having said that because the spec is good it still comes out lighter than some "lightweight" XC bikes.

Palimanto

Pauls Cycles are doing the Giant Yukon FX1 for £559.95 seemingly £340.05 off

http://paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b4s1p1748

nfrang

Palimanto wrote:

Pauls Cycles are doing the Giant Yukon FX1 for £559.95 seemingly £340.05 off

http://paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b4s1p1748

I've recommended this one before on similar threads. It's a good spec and it's been that price for months now. Look's like cracking value...i'd try and find one for a test/sit on.

efish

Many thanks for all your advice.

I have seen the Yukon FX1 at Pauls cycles but it seems to be quite heavy at 33lb and I need all the help I can get. I think as mentioned above a HT will give me a good spec without the added weight and still do what I want it to.

Cheers for the suggestions Ipaintbikes. Unfortunately at 6'1 I need a 19 -20" bike and the sale ones are a tad small for me.

Now, as Wacky Racer warned, my list is now getting longer not shorter. Who suggested the Core 20, damn you It looks gorgeous.

I feel a trip to my local-ish Evans Bike shop coming on. They seem to stock a fair selection of my/your suggestions and I'll see which one I like most after a test ride.

Thanks once again

Northwind

I'm a wee bit unconvinced by the Yukon too, it's pretty heavy (especially for a 100mm bike), but its geometry and travel is quite XC-ish, the 2 don't mix too well. I'd forgive that much weight in a longer travel trail bouncer but it's not good in a short travel job. You do get a lot for your money but it seems to be neither one thing nor the other.