I ride an apollo...

nmcc69

I've recently taken a more serious interest in mountain biking and want a better full suss bike, so basically anything is a step up for me. I set a price of 750 but after reading around realised this is considred 'cheap' in proper bike terms. What do you actually get for spending any more than this?
Anyway, I'm looking for a nice XC bike which will also make me grin on bits of rocky downhill now and then but nothing too serious. Any recommendations for under £1000?
Thanks,
Steven

The Northern Monkey

Without trying to sound like a broken record on here, you'll get a very nice spec hardtail bike for your budget.

Do you feel you NEED a full suspension bike?

abductee

I have just got a GT idrive 5 XCR and I am liking it.
These are also highly rated
Giant trance x5
Boardman team FS
Specialized FSR XC comp

If you spend any less I think you will either regret it or end up forking out for upgrades. Try and spend a bit more if you can.

cat_with_no_tail

What about buying 2nd hand?

Not that I'm suggesting a 2nd hand full-bounce for any specific reason of course







Ahem :oops:

Daz555

abductee wrote:

Giant trance x5
Boardman team FS
Specialized FSR XC comp.

Yep, all fine bikes.

Skonk

Second hand is probably the way to go.

For £750 you could pick up something pretty good.

Not wanting to sound like a pimp but I have a GT I-Drive ID5 XCR which I've had for about 5 months and was planning on selling due to me replacing it with something else recently.

If you were interested I could do you a good deal on it.

Was reviewed here: http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... r-09-34201

fourcrossjohn

carrera banshee x from halfords, wat i got

sam_anon

I shouldn't worry too much about what you ride, I've known loads of riders on full carbon XC full sussers (£2000+) who can't ride for toffee!

Good technique is a good start, and if you want to go faster, pedal harder!

Bike wise, there'll be others far more qualified on this forum to assist you, but something like a Specialized Rockhopper or similar may be ideal, rather than a more dedicated, XC racer type bike.

nmcc69

thanks guys, im torn between the specialized fs xc and the boardman comp atm.

xtreem

Focus Super Bud Pro 2009
Trek Fuel Ex 5.5 2009Scott Spark 60 2009
Can't think of other atm.

t-bone-king

I would strongly reccomend the Cube LTD series- you can get a good deal on chain reaction (2009 models). I have the race and its much easier to ride fast and comfortably than a specialized rockhopper- go for it if you can!!

nmcc69

what do the boardman comp fs and the spesh fsr xc do best? i really cant decide between them. are they both about similar? i feel like i might as well go on looks atm.

mr_eddy

If you want full suss I cannot reccomend the Boardman series (can be purchased from Halfords). Check them out for your self, you won't find a single magazine article that has anything bad to say. Basically in terms of bangs for bucks you really cannot do better.

You can pick up a Boardman Comp FS for 800 quid and it has top end components (ritchey,Rock Shox recon, SRAM X9 etc), It has also won 3 separate what mountain bike awards.

PS. In case you think I am biased I am not some kind of rep for boardman bikes, I have just ridden one and think they are ace.

Steve Legend

Look at the Be-One Nirvana 3.0 £699 from Chain Reaction, that's what I got. Done me good so far, have upgraded a few bits but very happy with it!

Steve Legend

Look at the Be-One Nirvana 3.0 £699 from Chain Reaction, that's what I got. Done me good so far, have upgraded a few bits but very happy with it!

Anonymous

mr_eddy wrote:

If you want full suss I cannot reccomend the Boardman series (can be purchased from Halfords).

Why, what's wrong with them?

(I love silly typos that change the meaning to it's polar opposite )

stanfree

Ive just bought a gt Aggressor from halfords for £750 which I feel was really good value and seems much better than my old bog standard Hard rock . Also check out Edinburgh Bike Cooperatives Revolution Triad 2 which is excellant value. http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLq ... 155c002909

MattC59

sam hagger wrote:

I shouldn't worry too much about what you ride, I've known loads of riders on full carbon XC full sussers (£2000+) who can't ride for toffee!

Good technique is a good start, and if you want to go faster, pedal harder!

Hoorah...... someone talking sense

Go for a mid range hardtail and just ride. You'll soon pick up tecnique, a lot faster than you would on a full suss. Don't worry if your mates seem faster through the rocks, you'll still get a huge grin on a hardtail, it won't be long before you're riding as fast as them. Then...... upgrade to a full sus at a later date and you'll leave your mates standing !!

Enjoy........ M

canada16

You will get some great full suss's for 1000.00

focus
giant
boardman
gt i drives.

They are all great.

I got a focus super bud 2008 full fox and xt and lx for 995.00 from wiggle, they dont sell anymore though.

Yukon Lad

£750 will get you a very good hardtail but if you want to go full-sus then either wait until the end of the year and pick up a deal when the shops are clearing all of their 2009 stock to make room for the new 2010 bikes or get one second-hand, have a lookon e-bay, the classifieds on this site and the buysell section on pinkbike.

If you buy second-hand be sure to go and look at the bike before buying it and take someone along who knows alot about mountainbikes and is good with mechanics

Yukon Lad