Hardtail, new or used. £500 budget. Recommendations?

sinetwo

Hi all,

After a lot of deliberation I've decided to spend a whopping £500 (for you, that's probably nothing, for me, that's a lot considering the bikes I've owned have been 100-250

Things I'd need

Front suspension lock (needed for commuting) As light as they get (I'm guessing 13kg -/+?) Good components (brakes, shocks, shifters etc).

I've had a look at the RockRider 8.1 and it seems right up my alley. I've also tested out Pinnacle Jarra Three (Evan's own brand) and Kona Nunu.

Ideally I would *love* to buy a good used MTB, so are there any tips to good MTBs used that I should look out for? The reason I'm asking is because the RockRider is excellent value for money brand new, but I think I can get an even better deal if I buy a used MTB and get it serviced.

*AL*

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... -10-35495/

There's a new model on the horizon and these are getting a little thin on the ground, but if you can locate one it's a cracking bike for the money.

sinetwo

I've seen these go for a low price - but at halfords currently they all seem to be £500+++?

www.paulscycles.co.uk seem to be the TK MAXX of bikes - anything worth while there..? I wouldn't mind having a 2009 model for example if it meant that I got ace components...

EDIT: It also seems the RockRider has better specs..?

hainman

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/81-2011-id_8168695.html
have a look at this.it gets good write ups.....

cooldad

Used will get a good deal if you know what you are doing, and can work on the bike but if you need to get it serviced, buy new.

cooldad

Pauls Cycles is excellent for older models, great deals and they are ok to deal with.

edhornby

check out the classifieds on here and try singletrackworld as well, you may just get a bargain S/H

cooldad

Problem with second hand is if forks need servicing, or new cranks needed, it can end up costing hundreds to sort out, especially if you use LBS.

sinetwo

Thanks, great advice guys - I'll have a look at the RockRider 8.1 as well...

Seems to have the best specs by far in that price range, but I think I'll look around the web for older models...

The Rookie

I would say for that budget go used (as long as you know how to check a bike yourself and do basic maintenance)...

The lad has a spesh P1 2008 (£120 on ebay) converted to nine speed (£20 - the mech and cassette needed changing anyway) with some decent Manitou air forks (£60 off ebay) running SPD's (£11 off ebay) on decent Schwalbe tyres (£20 from on-one) and uses a second set of wheels and road tyres (£35 locally) for commuting, now imagine how much better you could do on your budget!

Simon

felix.london

Dunno where you live or what size you're after but I would (I did) go used as well;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-Speciali ... 768wt_1116

peat

I bought a Trek 4300 (disc) for £500 new.

Fairly happy with it, had a few bedding in issues with brakes and gears but otherwise is a solid runner. However, knowing what i know now, i would probably avoid it. Scott do a entry level bike for the same money and the components (forks especially) look much better.

There's plenty of choice out there for that price-range. Do some research, make your mind up and go with it.

Sammiye

Currently in the same boat.

500 smackers to spend and no idea what to do with it!

Im naturally suspicious and having been a sales person for expensive action sports gear, i dont easily trust people who are trying to sell me stuff!

Currently looking at second hand as i'd rather have last years 8-900 quid bike for 500 than this years 500 quid bike with sub-par components.

Ideally i'd like a Cube LTD or Boardman Comp or a Rockhopper Pro.

Although there are some pretty good deals to be had on year or two old £1000 full suss bikes.

decision decisions!!

Any input welcome!

supersonic

Have a look at the Decathlon Rockrider 8.1. Even new shames bikes twice the price.

Sammiye

Yeah i've been looking at that for sure! Quality spec. And all the reviews are good. Shame its a bit ugly!

WisePranker

Sammiye wrote:

Currently in the same boat.

500 smackers to spend and no idea what to do with it!

Im naturally suspicious and having been a sales person for expensive action sports gear, i dont easily trust people who are trying to sell me stuff!

Currently looking at second hand as i'd rather have last years 8-900 quid bike for 500 than this years 500 quid bike with sub-par components.

Ideally i'd like a Cube LTD or Boardman Comp or a Rockhopper Pro.

Although there are some pretty good deals to be had on year or two old £1000 full suss bikes.

decision decisions!!

Any input welcome!

How about something like this?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WHYTE-2012-X8 ... 776wt_1219

Whyte are pretty good bikes.

Sammiye

That is a beaut! Shame i'm only 5'8 so a large might be a bit too big. But definitely another one to add to the list!! Would much rather buy british.

Cheers!!

supersonic

Ugly makes no difference to the ride ;-). Do you want a shite good looking a bike, or the best performer for your money?

Sammiye

Good looks every time!

Sammiye

No i see your point of course. Hopefully head out to Lakeside and a try a few.

scottythemod

i paid £539 for my kona blink. a mate reccomended it,I read lots of reviews 99% of them said it is a good bike so i bought from merlin cycles, i love it

Zetan Warlord

Choosing a new bike is the hardest! There is always upward pressure on your budget to get the better bike, and this post is not going to help...
3 months ago I bought a Giant XTC3 for £685. It is absolutely fantastic and has great quality kit inc Air Forks. Rutland cycles are advertising some ex demos for £630 at the moment. If you could run to it, I would wholeheartedly recommend.

Sammiye

Haha yeah 600 plus is definitely not in my price range. Could stretch to 550 i suppose. there's some bargains to be had on ebay as long as im careful. but would much rather buy second hand off here.

Crow93

Save yourself £80 and get one of these from wiggle for £419

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12805657

just got mine and its brill. Was £699 when it come out and most other shops still selling it for £599

WayneMTBr

Carrera fury all the way! But go for the 2010 model! Btr value.

BABASAN

what about a voodoo hoodoo or for an extra £99 a specialized rockhopper there is also the cube analogue as well