Recomend me a hardtail!!

Howski

Hi,

Sorry I guess you get hundreds of these requests but I'm getting a little lost!! I'm looking to replace my cheap-o hardtail using the cycle to work scheme. I have a budget of £600 which has to include a decent lock. I've pretty much set my mind on the Kryptonite New York 3000 U Lock (unless you guys have a better option) which gives me £530 to spend on a bike, mind you if its a question of £20 to get a much better bike then I'd be happy to stretch as long as its worth it.

So your brief is to recommend me a hard tail bike for £530 that can be bought via a store that does cycle to work (not that there are many good bike shops that don't). As I'm quite portly it'd have to be strong, while I'd not generally take it downhill or anything really hard-core I'd like to be able to go places like Swinley Forest so it will get muddy!! I'd prefer something that would require little maintainace and is easy to maintain should I need to. I’d prefer disk breaks if possible also.

Thanks in advance!
-Howard

bike-a-swan

What mountain bike recommends the Carrera fury from halfords at £550 if you can swing the extra 20 quid.

DJC013

+1 for the Carrera Fury ! Got mine last Friday for £530 at Halfords !

bike-a-swan

Even better

.blitz

Ten £600 HTs on test in this month's mbr. Voodoo Bantu and KHS Alite2000 came out on top.

ride_whenever

whatever fits you best. Go round and try as many as you can, getting hung up on spec is a touch pointless as you've got to be happy on the damn thing.

As for locks, get your bike insured and then get the cheapest lock on their approved lock list.

Howski

£600 is pushing it a little - unless it is really worth it.

There is a Halfords about 3 miles away so I'll drop in tonight and have a look. Thanks for you help guys. Previously I was kinda taken by the cube as it had a nice paint job ;-)

ride_whenever

don't buy cube, their warranty department is atrocious and really really unhelpful.

stevep3156

Don't get taken in by the Cube's paintjob either - I might just be unlucky, but I bought a Cube Acid partly because of that, & the paint has peeled off in various places, back to bare alu metal. Looks nice but very bad quality finish!

But, as I say, I might just have bought a dud!

Good luck!

DJC013

Hello, here is a picture of mine !

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28464546@N ... 6/sizes/l/

bdigital

ive had the Fury for about 5 months now. Got it for £440 when Halfords had one of their 20% off deals (they come around every now and then)

Cane recomend it enough.

siggy10

im really considering the fury, im tempted to go with a merlin malt four though just cant decide if its worth the extra 200 or so quid. anyone got any thoughts on that?

bdigital

The parts may well be worth the extra £200 - and i found myself considering the same thing.

But what youve got to ask yourself is what will a £200 more expensive bike do for you that the Fury cant?

I only had a crappy Trek that was very old before i got the Fury - and i have found the step up in quality amazing. I give up on any trails waaaaaay before the bike gives up on me!

So yeah, the extra £200 parts might be better, but do you really need them?

siggy10

your right... you sound like my girlfriend but your right, shes not though. i just ordered my Fury coming on friday then il get lbs to build it.

thanks for the advice definately helped concrete my decision!

Matt N

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOO456XT/on-one-456-xt splash out... 'you're worth it'

bdigital

Im sure you will be really pleased with it.

Go do some off roading and get stuck in.

Howski

Sorry to raise this thread again. Halfords are not part of the correct scheme so the voodoo and Carrera are out.

I need a bike I can get via http://www.cyclescheme.co.uk

I have had a quick look and KHS are on the correct scheme so thats an option but I asked a mate and he as quite negative about it. However his standards are quite high so I take that with a pinch of salt. However it is pretty light and I am heavy so that is a worry for me.

What are your thoughts? Carrying the bike is not a massive issue so if a heavier bike would stand up longer I'd prefer that.

I bought both MBR and what mountain bike, however I'm non the wiser!!

Sorry guys!
-Howard Webb

Pudseyp

To be honest..I have just made comment on three other posts ref the value that KHS offer...they allways rate highly on build,ride and spec for your money....in this months MBR they come out the clear wnners...this is testiment enough on how good these bikes are..and it not the first time they have won awards in mags they even have race teams.....would not buy anything from halfords..so the KHS would be my choice

Howski

While not arguing (as I honestly don't have a clue!) What mountain bike put it down due to the running gear stating it can become clogged. What are your thoughts?

Also will it be a strong frame as its light? To be honest most of the time it will be used on a canal path but I'd like to not worry if I ever do go proper off road (not downhill racing though)

Howski

What do you think about this over the KHS:

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 1b0s2p1493

supersonic

Is a tougher, heavier duty bike with longer travel forks. Heavier for it, but if that is what you want.

Howski

Being 17 Stone I'm thinking its prudent ;-)