New Bike Purchase.... Help Required

Mtaylor2011

I know you all probably get this pretty much everyday from people but here goes.... :roll:

As a kid up until about 18 i used to be into mountain biking quite heavily, especially trial riding and dirt jumping. Now at a more responsible age of 22 with a girlfriend worrying about my health i know i cant start throwing myself off rock faces anymore but with my work taking part in the Cycle Scheme i thought itd be a good idea to start riding again and get into mountain biking as i dont live too far from Cannock Chase.

Ive set myself a budget of around £600-£700, and im pleased with what i can get for my money, now because ive been out of the game so to speak for a few years, the last few months with buying a bike in mind ive been getting MBUK hoping that something will catch my eye either in a review or advertisement thats within my price range but unfortunately not.

So i had a look on the internet and here goes.... the 4 that have caught my eye are:

Specialized Rockhopper 2011 - £599
GT Avalanche 2011 - £599
Ghost SE 3000 2011 - £629
Cube Acid 2011 - £699

Have any of you guys seen any useful reviews on the internet or personally ridden one of these bikes? As im just looking for some information as to if im looking in the right direction with these or am i barking up the wrong tree :?:

Any help/advice you can give would be much appreciated!

Marc

supersonic

Do any local dealers stock them so you can try for size?

Mtaylor2011

Because ill be buying the bike on the cycle to work scheme, there is only certain outlets i think that you can buy from, ive been to a couple of cycle shops near me but the prices seem to be more expensive than what you get on the internet?

supersonic

Most of these schemes supply at RRP anyway.

The specs of the bikes are all pretty similar, so it will come down to what fits best. I'd slightly favour the Rockhopper as has a niceer fork. And on a similar note, would place the Ghost last.

Mtaylor2011

Thanks for the advice, much apprecaited. I was swaying towards the Cube or the Rockhopper but i think your right, the best thing to do will be to try them on for size and seeing how i get along.

I was also wondering whats the best thing to look for break wise? As those ive mentioned above are all Hydraulic discs but is there anyway you can tell which are better than others?

supersonic

Many of those brakes have been tested on this site. They are all very good for the money though.

slowslowslow

I see you are in West Midlands. If you are near Birmingham city centre then its worth going to 'On Your Bike' in digbeth. I have used them for maintenance and a rebuild recently and find them knowledgable and they did not try and sell me stuff, in fact actively encouraged me not to at times to save me money! they really tried to fit need to budget.

In comparison to other shops I have used I think they are very good. they may not be able to do the same bikes but they have plenty available. Pretty sure they do cycle to work.