Sorry, But, another which bike thread :)

anygreg

Hello....

This as you can see is my first post on the forum, although have been looking for some time, so Hi to all!!

As i'm now knocking on the door of 40! it's time i got back into bike riding, yeah you got it all the usual reasons, won't bore you with that 8)

Am after some adivce on what to get.

Will be mainly be using it for trails/forests/tracks etc.. was thinking full suspension, from a comfort point of view

Was thinking second hand, more bang for buck, liked the look of the New marins, mount vision, the Trek Fuel's but really need some expert advice and guidance on this.

Budget would be around the grand mark, but not to firm on that....

My last ride was...old skool....Cannondale super v2000, in black, loved it ...only got rid of it last year...still a bit gutted now.

thanks in advance and hope you can help

Cheers Andy

sheepsteeth

welcome along Andy.

dont be sorry for asking, it is exactly what the forum is for.

you have a healthy budget and i tend to think it is wise to buy second hand depending on the person buying. you are correct and you would normally get more for your money.

in general, for most people, most of the time, any bike from the last couple of years from one of the big manufacturers will tend to be a perfectly decent bike and will offer big savings. look at something around 120mm travel mark (stumpjumper, fuel, mount vision, that kind of thing) as that would offer plenty of comfortable suspension but also be a very capable trail bike.

just remember a bike is a vehicle and to take the same precautions with making a purchase that you would with any thousand quid object!

the real difficulty is finding the right size which is something you can gauge from a trip to a local bike shop to see what sizes suit you but be aware, some manufacturers sizes dont run across their whole range.

anygreg

Thanks for that...

Just noticed how many posts you have since 2010, compared to me from 2006!!

Good points, well taken.

Am really open to suggestion, have tried a good friends Marin Wolf ridge, 18.5 . feels just about right to me (5'10")

tend to not like the leaning forward approach that some bikes have, the cannondale, for me was agressive like that, found it rode heavey on the forearms and shoulders.

Agree with the latest bikes, they do look spot on, is there a particular brand out there currently that is producing bikes a cut above the rest?

thanks again

sheepsteeth

if you can find one, id be tempted to look at the boardman range in halfords, certainly cracking value and you will end up with a spec sheet that even a wise second hand purchase would be hard pressed to match.

value and quality wise, i think they are up there with the best.

anygreg

will have a look...

was a bit worried about the re-sell value of the Halfords bikes, suppose another reason why i wanted to but second hand i guess.

I know the answer to the next question will be personal taste/subjective, but which manufacturer is currently considered at the top of there game?

sheepsteeth

you are right, it is all about personal preference. for example, i like specialized and bionicon but loads of other fol wouldnt touch them with a bargepole.

it pains me to do so but i would recommend picking up a copy of what mountain bike. the back section of the magazine has a review or atleast the details of every bike they have tested and pretty much everything you can buy today, it will give you an idea of which manufacturers have scored consistently well.

The Rookie

The Boardmans hold their value very well, (just check ebay), so while you may not pick one up for a total bargain, you can expect a useful saving on what is already a bargain bike.

Simon

cavegiant

Spec are one of the leaders, but they trample everyone in the process. So their bikes are great, but eqiv of buying from mocrosoft.

Bionicon have some amazing ideas, but realiability is interesting.

Niner makes some stunning bikes, but UK price is a joke. I worked out I could buy a return ticket to the USA to collect my bike for less than buying in the UK.

leaflite

Take a look at pauls cycles. They often have some good deals on last year's/the year before's stock

The Northern Monkey

djbarren wrote:

Sorry to jump in here, but has anyone got an opinion on the on one whippet? I am also in the market for a hardtail mtb.

Its very nice thats for sure. Depends if you can afford the extra to upgrade the forks or no as the standard 1k package is really let down by the lower spec forks.

anygreg

djbarren wrote:

Sorry to jump in here, but has anyone got an opinion on the on one whippet? I am also in the market for a hardtail mtb.

But, Im after a full suspension bike? :?

streetvw

when I turned 40 :shock: earlier this year I got myself one of these and I fookiin love it

anygreg

streetvw wrote:

when I turned 40 :shock: earlier this year I got myself one of these and I fookiin love it

Oooooooh, SSnice
Pricey?

andyrm

cavegiant wrote:

Spec are one of the leaders, but they trample everyone in the process. So their bikes are great, but eqiv of buying from mocrosoft.

Bionicon have some amazing ideas, but realiability is interesting.

Niner makes some stunning bikes, but UK price is a joke. I worked out I could buy a return ticket to the USA to collect my bike for less than buying in the UK.

Can't think of anyone I know with one (and I know 5/6 that I ride with, plus a good few on here) that has had any kind of reliability issues. In fact, quite the opposite. Ridiculously easy to service & maintain, standard parts throughout, no need to send to Mojo or whatever, and the UK Sales/Marketing/Customer Service guy is a legend in his own lunchtime.

But back on topic - the Treks are a fantastic bike - just make sure you check all pivots, bushes etc are in decent nick, other than that they are pretty faultless.

Canyon also seem very good for the money but I don't know anyone in real life who has one.

Mag reviews are all good, but bike choice is such a subjective thing, you really do need to try out loads.

Or you could get this and a load of stuff to hang off it: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/bionicon-ironwood ... 500wt_1156

anygreg

Thanks for the info...

I think your right ultimatley at this price point a lot is down to personal taste...

To be honest if im going to spend this kind of money, i do want it to look good as well as ride well too! Some bikes i have seen at this mark, well, they just don't.

Did go to have a look at a Trek ex8 today, and must admit, for me, it did nothing for me, detail was great etc...but just didnt set my sole on fire, expecially for the money (not knocking the bikes capabilities at all!)

Suppose i think back to the day i got my Cannondale V2000...for its time there was nothing else out there that came close, well at least in the looks department. i still see modern bikes today copying the same design...which is a good thing i guess.

I am swaying towards the Lapierre's now, 314/514 etc...obviously have to up my budget a bit...think the best thing i can do at the moment is wait for the right bike....fool and his money springs to mind 8)

mac_man

What Mountain bike have just reviewed the new Boardman FS and Canyon that are in your ballpark. Both bikes earned very good reviews. But opinions aren't everything, as you know... but probably a good starting point.

The Canyon edged it, but is slightly more expensive. Both bikes have terrific specs and humble most of the big name manufacturers when it comes to VFM.

And they both look terrific IMO.

having said that... there was a Yeti 575 on here the other day for £1500. Couple of years old, but looked in good nick. They'll retail for £3K+ new.

And, as mentioned, Pauls cycles always has some cracking deals. TBH I'd never buy a big brand name bike at full RRP as they will always be 20-30% at the end of the year.

anygreg

biggest thing i have noticed is the condition of used bikes that were circa £2k+ when new, most are scratched and battered and only 6-12 months old!
Guess thats what comes with getting older...i can hear my old man saying to me "you dont look after your stuff" i guess i took note...now i almost challenge myself to keep things like new...

having said that, this type of bike is meant to be riden, and falling off is inevitable, if i want mint, i guess i should buy new, or buy from another guy approaching 40 who had a dad like mine 8)

streetvw

anygreg wrote:

streetvw wrote:

when I turned 40 :shock: earlier this year I got myself one of these and I fookiin love it

Oooooooh, SSnice
Pricey?

mine was a shade under £1600 but they start at £1149
for the XC5 which scored 9/10 in MBR

http://www.canyon.com/_uk/mountainbikes ... tml?b=2072