Back into biking - where and what to purchase

5parky
5parky Posts: 49
edited August 2010 in MTB buying advice
I've recently got back into riding (my hobby is old school diamond back bmx) and have a Giant Box 2 with Drop Off forks but it's proving just too heavy and not ideal for general road/off road riding.

Looking around it seems it might be a good time to purchase 2010 models in the sales but I was wondering if anybody could advise a decent place to view and suggest a brand/model with £600 budget.

I'm looking at Hardtail but will take advice here and from what I have read Specialised offer quality and value for money.

I'm in Northamptonshire and prefer to view what I'm buying, but will travel if required

Many thanks

Comments

  • Pudseyp
    Pudseyp Posts: 3,514
    Specialized do offer some nice bikes, but don't be blinkered by other peoples opinions. One site worth a look is Pauls Cycles whom offer big discounts on the previous years model range.....take these for example
    http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 1b0s2p2231
    http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 1b0s2p2288
    For £629 and £559 its a bargain...I would if you did consider these to visit a local GT/Giant dealer so you can assess the right size before ordrering...

    Also take a look at Chain Reaction, Wiggle, Lesuire Lakes and Wynstanleys who also do mailorder deals.
    Tomac Synper 140 Giant XTC Alliance 1
    If the world was flat, I wouldn't be riding !
  • joec1
    joec1 Posts: 494
    Chain Reaction have some superb bargains on Cubes at the moment :D
    www.settingascene.com - MTBing in Wilts and the southwest, join up for info and ride details.
  • 5parky
    5parky Posts: 49
    Cheers, any brands I should stay away from?
  • Pudseyp
    Pudseyp Posts: 3,514
    It's all personal prefference....on here people tend to recomend what they ride...best thing to do is to try a few out for fit and feel and go with what appears right...after all it's your money !
    Tomac Synper 140 Giant XTC Alliance 1
    If the world was flat, I wouldn't be riding !
  • Popester69er
    Popester69er Posts: 11
    Hey Pudsey, do you reckon the GT Avalanche Expert you posted for £629 is £100 better than the GT Aggressor XC1 on Halfords.com? If so can you point out what parts make it so, im trying to weigh it up? Thanks mate
  • Pudseyp
    Pudseyp Posts: 3,514
    Well its the forks are similar retail price the Tora on the Avalanche has adjustable travel and the Marzocchi on the Aggresor has through axel so slighter stiffer, front mech, shifters, and wheels are better on the Avalanche....though some will say the Tora would be the better choice..
    Tomac Synper 140 Giant XTC Alliance 1
    If the world was flat, I wouldn't be riding !
  • 5parky
    5parky Posts: 49
    Just been and had a look at the GT XCII and thought the built quality of the parts were pretty average for £500.00 ans the Carrera's were little better, so I can't see me getting either of them.
  • Pudseyp
    Pudseyp Posts: 3,514
    The Carerra Fury is £529 so £100 cheaper than the Avalanche....though the avalanche has a better fork and gears...and questionably wheels...it has a better spec than the Boardman Sport and Voodoo Bantu both at Halfords from £549 and £579...

    To me the Avalanche is great value, if you add up the parts they are probably worth more than the bike !
    Tomac Synper 140 Giant XTC Alliance 1
    If the world was flat, I wouldn't be riding !
  • 5parky
    5parky Posts: 49
    I'm liking the look of the 2011 Specialized Hardrock Pro, though I'd prefer it I think in the 2010 colours.

Categories