HELP - cant decide between these 4 sub £700 HT MTBs

leedsbear

All 2010 models - I have a ride to work scheme voucher (Evans Cycles) coming in the post and I am split between the following 4 bikes. Wanting to spend up to £650. Really torn between them and don't have enough knowledge about which is the best pound for pound/better spec, etc. I have a 12 year old Raleigh M Trax steel tube MTB and wanting to make a significant step up from here. WIll be used for trail use with family and the odd more serious usage around Dalby Forest and Yorkshire Moors cycle tracks.

Any help or guidance would be most appreciated, thanks. Found all 3 people I have spoken to in store at Evans totally useless and non interested in a sale. I am therefore going to order online as I don't feel anyone of them deserve to bag my purchase against their sales target, which is a shame as I would have much preferred to bought something from a person.


Hardrock Pro Disc £549.99
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... e-ec019397

Fuji Tahoe Comp was £749.99 now £649.99
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fuj ... query=fuji tahoe comp

Trek 4900 Disc £649.99
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/tre ... e-ec020723

PInnacle Peak 4.0 £599.99
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pin ... e-ec021912

I know this is Evans' own brand of bike, and this makes me rather nervous for some reason thinking that there will be a large profit margin in these products compared to other brands. This is silly really and not based on anything other than my gut instinct.


Unfortunately I can't justify the extra £50 stretch to buy the Specialized Rockhopper SL at £699.99 as I feel the need to draw a line somewhere and could end up finding one at £749.99, etc , etc

Shaggy_Dog

I wouldn't worry about the extra profit margin, generally bikes like Boardman and Pinnacle offer better kit for the RRP. Those Pinnacles aren't bad, I'd have one over a Boardman any day. Haven't ridden the Fuji but I have ridden the Hardrock and the 4900, which were both pretty uninspiring rides. I think the best sub-£700 bike is the Genesis Core 20. Great geometery, sensible kit, no flashy gimmicks.

For £700 you should expect a Rockshox fork like a Tora, 3x9 speed gearing with either ISIS, Octalink or some kind of 2 piece crank set and either entry level hydraulic or quality cable disc brakes like Avid BB5's. None of these things guarantee a good ride, but you won't get a good ride without them (except maybe the number of gears)

What Mountain Bike did a review of entry level hardtails last issue, or is it the current issue? Anyway, I believe a Carrerra came out on top

Pudseyp

This without question....
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... 0-10-36260

http://www.khsbikes.co.uk/

They are part of cyclescheme and it will be delivered to your door.It has a great fork, X7/X9 gears and decent brakes..it blows the others out of the water for value at this price point...it's light too !!!!

paul.skibum

Pudseyp wrote:

This without question....
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... 0-10-36260

http://www.khsbikes.co.uk/

They are part of cyclescheme and it will be delivered to your door.It has a great fork, X7/X9 gears and decent brakes..it blows the others out of the water for value at this price point...it's light too !!!!

Looks a good suggestion to be honest. Only problem being trying one for size and possibly the racey nature not being great for a beginner to settle into.

I'd push up tot he Rockhopper over the Hardrock to be honest but dont know the other three at all.

Pudseyp

Agree is a way but the KHS geometery is well suited to trail riding so ideal for Dalby abd alike...the spec and finish is second to none....like any bike you get as standard..you may need to change the stem...cheap enough but can totally change the feel of the bike.

Muy mate bought one, a bit sceptical about buying direct but KHS were brilliant in getting hime the right size....height, inside leg etc....he had to change the stem but its a fantastic piece of kit.....

leedsbear

Based on your recommendation and having checked out the bike spec and read a couple of reviews, I am ordering a Genesis Core 20 from Evans. Best thing is, that I have managed to find it elsewhere in stock for £599.99 versus Evans price of £699.99 and they are price matching this for me.

Re the KHS suggestion, my employer runs the Evans based Ride 2 Work scheme and I believe I can only order the products that they sell and they unfortunately don't stock KHS, otherwise I would have given this a serious look.

Thanks for all your help and guidance.

Really excited and can't wait for it to arrive.

Richard

xtremedash

Personally I have a 2010 Rockhopper and it is superb, with RS Tora's and hydraulic brakes. Rides brilliantly, climbs well, loves singletrack.

Popester69er

Hey Leedsbear, hows it going with the Genesis you chose? What made you choose this over the others? Thanks