£600 - £700 budget

kinclad

Hi,

Any help would be appreciated on this.

I have made an insurance claim after my 2009 Mongoose Super Tyax was stolen.

So I'm after a mountain bike on the budget above, I have to say 90% of use will be road use (don't slay me!). Although I also want it for that occasional boys run across the South downs.

So in terms of my needs, I'm not going to storming through any forest @ 100mph jumping logs etc. So I guess the priority comes down to general quality and perhaps weight?

I'm keen on getting a 2010 bike over a 2009, simply because it seems all the 2010 are now coming onto the market.

So at the moment I'm looking at :

Mongoose Super Tyax 2010 (£599)
Kona Blast Delux 2010 (£675)
Genesis Core 10 - not sure if there is a 2010 model imminent? (£599)

or anything else you guys may recommend?

p.s I really did like the feel of the Mongoose I had previously, maybe that was because I have never owned a bike in the price range previously. But it does make me feel i should play safe and just go with the Mongoose again as I know liked it before..or am i being a bit naive?

Any help/advice..greatly appreciated!

Cheers,

Mark.

swelsbyuk

I have just taken possession of a Decathlon Rockrider 8.2. Costs £750 (which I know is slightly over budget - sorry!) but value for money wise I am very impressed.

joshtp

those bikes you mention would all be top chices if you planned on doing any proper mtb'in, but, if, as you say, your gonna be doin a lot of road stuff, somin like this would be better.
http://scottusa.com/us_en/product/1664/11758/scale_70
it can be had for around £600 if you shop around. its still a great bike for off-road, and thats still its focus, but being quite a racey bike its light, tight, and will handle the road better than most, the fork has lockout too. and its got a very good spec, and its exelent value.

joshtp

i would also add that some slick tires are gonna be the best thing for whatever bike you choose, you can keep the knoblies for when you go off road, but for the rest of the time slicks will rule.

kinclad

Josh..that's really useful...thanks.

Although..I have a slight problem, because of the insurance I have to go through Wheelies.

I have been on to the Wheelies website and they seem do have both the the 2009 and 2010 Scott Scale 70 but they are £799. I think I can probably get a 2009 model elsewhere for around £649 but if i don't go through Wheelies and take the cash instead I only get around £500 to play with.

Dam shame...I liked the look of that Scott.

Any other potential bikes??...Josh you on the right line with regards to road usage etc..

Cheers,

Mark.

supersonic

For a 2010 bike, the Mongoose is excellent this year. Has a better spec than last years.

kinclad

I know..I. Think I would like the mongoose but wheelies have told me that they can't get it until feb 2010!

joshtp

you say wheelies, which branch, i only know of two branches and both are by my house. where do you live?

kinclad

Josh.....http://www.wheelies.co.uk/

These are the guys who deal with all Nationwide insurance claims.

I live just outside Brighton.

joshtp

Oh, ok, there is a chain of 2 shops called wheelies in swansea where i live. my insurance goes through Halfrauds.

kinclad

I do really like the look of the Scott Scale 70 - 2010 but I would be interested to know if people feel its worth the £200 more than the Mongoose Super Tyax 2010?

Cheers..in advance.

joshtp

no, the spec on the scott isnt worth 200 more, infact the mongoos's forks are better. however the 'goos has a far harder more "hardcore" build, and more sus travel, so... it wont be as good on the road as the scott. this may hit the middle pretty well!
http://www.wheelies.co.uk/p25617/Lapier ... -2009.aspx
its from wheelies too

kinclad

Cheers Josh..well the Super Tyax is a total non starter as I just contacted there UK distributor and the first batch are not due into the UK until the 18th of Feb 2010.

Going to see if Wheelies are willing/looking to drop the price on the 2009 Scott Scale 70, as it seems everyone else is. Looks like its available for between £599 to £649 almost everywhere else.

GHill

I had some stolen bikes replaced through Wheelies Direct ("sister" company to the Wheelies and Tredz stores) and they let me add some extra cash to get a slightly better model, could be worth considering?

Have you looked at the Spech Rockhopper in that price bracket?

kinclad

Yeh.. I have the option to pay more for a better bike.although i had a Specialize before my Mongoose and I didn't like it..so ive become a bit anti Specialize.

I'm thinking that I may pay the extra (£140) and go for the 2010 Scott Scale 70, they wont discount the 2009 model and they cant now give me the cash to go and source my own because this is a 2 bike insurance claim and I have already ordered the other one with them.

Also I can't wait until the end of Feb for the Mongoose.

So basically I have £599 to play with and I'm intending on paying £140 additionally to get the 2010 Scott Scale 70.

Is this wise???...Please stop me if I'm screwing up! lol

GHill

Assuming you like the Scale it sounds like a plan, it's a bit hit and miss as you can't try it out and just as with the Spech you might not get on with it. That said, it sounds like a pretty good choice for the type of riding you describe.

Oh, one thing I remember from my experience with Wheelies Direct, pedals were not attached to the bikes on delivery and no pedal spanner was provided :roll:

jake_tenfloors

£750 for a bike with RS Dart 2's, are you having a laugh??

Your just paying for the Scott name there!

kinclad

Thanks for all your comments guys.

Jake...any ideas on other alternatives?...based on my use being mainly road and the occasional light off road?


Cheers...mark

BlackSpur

jake_tenfloors wrote:

£750 for a bike with RS Dart 2's, are you having a laugh??

Your just paying for the Scott name there!

actually you are paying for a very nice light frame.

kinclad

Maybe a pay another £100 and get the 60 - 2010..instead of the 70 - 2010?...but I guess its all to easy to keep spending though!!

kinclad

Well paid the extra £100 and went for the Scale 60 - 2010...maybe overpriced @ £899 but I like the idea of the light frame for my predominate road use.

joshtp

wahay! well done bud. have fun!