Best hardtail mountain bike under £450 ish?

adamislip
adamislip Posts: 5
edited January 2011 in MTB buying advice
What's the best hardtail mountain bike on sale under £450? 4 options!?
I want to buy an entry level mountain bike under £450 and have been looking online for a week or so for the best deals. I have found these 4 and whittled them down after lots of looking around. Which one would you go for? Or what other better deals are there out there? Want to get this sorted and ordered by next week so would really appreciate some advice!

GT AGRESSOR XC 2 '09 http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165499

GT AVALANCHE 2.0 DISC
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?show=2233

TREK 3900 DISC
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/tre ... 1#features

SCOTT ASPECT 45 2010
http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/produc ... 045%202010

Thanks :):)

Comments

  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    Various Carreras
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • omegas
    omegas Posts: 970
    What type of riding will you be doing and have you tried any of them out ?
    http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1844902/
    http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1844919/
  • adamislip
    adamislip Posts: 5
    I can't try any of them as they're all online purchases. I have gone into local halfords and evans stores but I can't test ride them.

    I want to go on medium trails - nothing too crazy but not your run of the mill local park trails.
    Also for some road biking so I want lock out as well.

    Thanks.
  • Mr OCD
    Mr OCD Posts: 382
    adamislip wrote:
    I can't try any of them as they're all online purchases. I have gone into local halfords and evans stores but I can't test ride them.

    I want to go on medium trails - nothing too crazy but not your run of the mill local park trails.
    Also for some road biking so I want lock out as well.

    Thanks.

    This: http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165499

    For £450 you wont find a better spec'd bike. Frame is a good as well.
    2009 Carrera Fury
  • mattlee
    mattlee Posts: 35
    I personally prefer the Scott out of that list.
    If you could raise the budget to around £550 you would have a better variety, this for instance:

    http://www.boardmanbikes.com/mtbht/ht_sport.html

    Have you thought about 2nd hand? you could get some better bargains.
  • mattlee
    mattlee Posts: 35
    Other ones to consider:

    Cube Aim 2011
    http://www.cultracing.com/products/Cube-Aim-MTB-2011.html

    Felt Q2200 2011
    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/felt/q220-2011-mountain-bike-ec024146


    Bianchi Kuma 4400 2011
    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bianchi/kuma-4400-2011-mountain-bike-ec025832[/url]
  • punkatron1
    punkatron1 Posts: 134
    Boardman sport at £467 is decent value.

    http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165499
    Too many bikes, not all fully built.
  • mossmotorsport
    mossmotorsport Posts: 356
    Have you considered second hand bikes? I had a budget like yours couple of years ago - and got MUCH better value from spending that amount on a top quality spec used bike that was perhaps a year or two old?

    +1 for the Avalanche though - had one until it got stolen - felt just right for me at the time.
    Specialized FSR XC Expert 2010
  • mattlee
    mattlee Posts: 35
    punkatron1 wrote:
    Boardman sport at £467 is decent value.

    http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165499

    That would be where my money would go, best VFM.
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    The VFM there is amazing, so much for the previous 'no offers on Boardmans' theories!

    Simon
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • Mr OCD
    Mr OCD Posts: 382
    The Beginner wrote:
    The VFM there is amazing, so much for the previous 'no offers on Boardmans' theories!

    Simon

    It's not bad but I got a better spec'd Carrera Fury AM for £400 just before Xmas! :lol:

    Although to be fair only available in 16" at that price.
    2009 Carrera Fury
  • submityournentries
    submityournentries Posts: 912
    the vengance ultimate is a much much better spec in 1 key area. forks
    the darts arent really up to much except road work, the tora tks on the vengance are much better :)
    the groupset on the vengance isnt too bad, and its not too weighty
    definately dont buy the boardman over the vengance!
    Ragley Blue Pig
  • slunker
    slunker Posts: 346
    I've also looked at the Carrera vengance but is the carrerra race (the model below) any good? My budget is £350 max.............
  • Mr OCD
    Mr OCD Posts: 382
    slunker wrote:
    I've also looked at the Carrera vengance but is the carrerra race (the model below) any good? My budget is £350 max.............

    You can get the vengance ultimate for £319 ... so not sure why would consider the race ?
    2009 Carrera Fury
  • Mr OCD
    Mr OCD Posts: 382
    submityournentries wrote:
    the vengance ultimate is a much much better spec in 1 key area. forks
    the darts arent really up to much except road work, the tora tks on the vengance are much better :)
    the groupset on the vengance isnt too bad, and its not too weighty
    definitely dont buy the boardman over the vengance!

    Agreed... didnt buy the Boardman for that reason... the forks are only really good for light XC / Road work ...
    2009 Carrera Fury
  • slunker
    slunker Posts: 346
    Mr OCD wrote:
    slunker wrote:
    I've also looked at the Carrera vengance but is the carrerra race (the model below) any good? My budget is £350 max.............

    You can get the vengance ultimate for £319 ... so not sure why would consider the race ?

    Because it's cheaper!! And I'm not exactly flush......
  • Mr OCD
    Mr OCD Posts: 382
    slunker wrote:
    Mr OCD wrote:
    slunker wrote:
    I've also looked at the Carrera vengance but is the carrerra race (the model below) any good? My budget is £350 max.............

    You can get the vengance ultimate for £319 ... so not sure why would consider the race ?

    Because it's cheaper!! And I'm not exactly flush......

    Both bikes are under £350 which you said your budget was... The ultimate is a MUCH better bike for your money and only £30 more than the race I think?
    2009 Carrera Fury
  • fearnsy
    fearnsy Posts: 278
    it's £75 more I think, vengeance ultimate at £320, race at £245. However if your getting the vengeance ultimate, speed it up apparently they're flying out of the shops and there isn't too many left.
    Trek 930 singletrack 06-08
    Pinnacle Peak 2.0 08-10
    Carrera Vengeance Ultimate 11-
  • Mr OCD
    Mr OCD Posts: 382
    Not really surprised... If hadnt been able to get my Fury so cheap I would have bought one as well... As it happens my mate did and it's a great bike !
    2009 Carrera Fury
  • fearnsy
    fearnsy Posts: 278
    it's a great bike !
    That it is ;)
    Trek 930 singletrack 06-08
    Pinnacle Peak 2.0 08-10
    Carrera Vengeance Ultimate 11-
  • slunker
    slunker Posts: 346
    I can get my hands on a 2nd hand Boardman comp for £350. Is it worth sticking with the carrera or going for the boardman????
  • Mr OCD
    Mr OCD Posts: 382
    slunker wrote:
    I can get my hands on a 2nd hand Boardman comp for £350. Is it worth sticking with the carrera or going for the boardman????

    If it's in good condition and it fits then you'd be better with the Boardman... it's a £700 bike new.
    2009 Carrera Fury
  • punkatron1
    punkatron1 Posts: 134
    slunker wrote:
    I can get my hands on a 2nd hand Boardman comp for £350. Is it worth sticking with the carrera or going for the boardman????

    Boardman comp all day long if its in good nick and the correct size.
    Too many bikes, not all fully built.
  • stephenbelcher
    stephenbelcher Posts: 5
    What about a Specialized Rockhopper SL @ £439

    http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLq ... 730c009321

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