What sort of MTB for trails?

type.rst

Hello guys im getting very interested in cycling, especially keen on trails. I plan to buy a cheapish bike to start of with and do some trails around the country and hopefully if i take a greater interest in this then i will invest alot more money on a bike.

I know there are different types of bike like hard tails and full suspension ones but i just wanted to know what sort of bike would be ideal for traills?

Would a normal style Y frame bike with front and back suspension be fine? Like i said i am not looking to spend too much money maybe around £200 - £300.

I seen this bike in argos it was £300 but reduced to £200. It has an alloy frame, shimano gears and has disk brakes which is quite rare for the price compared to other bikes that i have looked at. The make of it is Raleigh, i have always had the impression that it was a decent make for bikes. The link is below.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/p ... 350687.htm

I have never really been into bikes before so i am a total newbie. If you can recommend me any other bikes of similar money then i would be very gratefull.

Thank you.

supersonic

Try and stick to just front suspension as dual sus at this price rarely works and is very heavy. Have a look at the Rockrider bikes at decathlon.

type.rst

Funny you should mention that as i was just reading a post on rockrider bikes. I have researched a little on them and i am very interested in Rockrider 5.2 which is only £230. Seems like a good bike and the reviews on them are decent.

xand_xand

Avoid the argos specials matey....
You'd be better off going down the 2nd hand route, halfors carrerra range route or look at something like paulscycles.co.uk for some good prices on previous seasons stock.

cooldad

The Rockrider will be much more use, and will not fall to bits.
If you can stretch to £350 the Carrera is a good deal
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... 65499#dtab

Or look for a newish second hand bike - you'd get a very decent 'name brand' for £300.

Lot's get bought, ridden once, stashed in a shed and sold during a clearout.

cooldad

+1 on avoiding Argos, Apollo from Halfords etc. Commonly termed BSO's (bike shaped objects)

clemo2k1

or how about this http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDeta ... ctID=24645 good list of components hydrolic discs and reputable brand.

milko9000

When I was in your position I got a Specialized Hardrock second-hand for £200, think it was about two or three years old. Was plenty good enough to get into the trail centres for a year (Llandegla and the Marin for instance) and find out what I really wanted out of a bike. Now the mrs uses it to commute to work on and I've got two bikes that cost rather a lot more...

cooldad

clemo2k1 wrote:

or how about this http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDeta ... ctID=24645 good list of components hydrolic discs and reputable brand.

Not exactly in the £2-300 range is it.
At that price a whole range opens up.

robmanic1

Have a look on Ebay at the well known brands, find one you like, post it on here and ask for folks opinions.

Avoid full suss at all costs, you'll end up riding a bouncy. rusty garden gate and you'll give up biking as a bad job.

type.rst

Thank you for your replies guys. So far the Rockrider 5.2 and also the carrera vulcan seem to be very appealing to me. I think the carrera vulcan has the edge over the rockrider for me as it has disk breaks. But i cant seem to find the carrera anywhere for sale online just used ones on ebay. Does anyone know if they are still in production and where i could get one from? Thanks

bails87

Halfords. Nowhere else sells them.

type.rst

Its not on thier website. It must be discontinued

welshkev

ebay?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Carrera-Vulca ... 3a6bb678c6

mattv

If you look around you can get a new basic specialized hardrock for £250. Very upgradeable in the future if that's your thing.

moggy82

normally pretty good low end bikes here:

http://paulscycles.co.uk/offers.php?cat=1

type.rst

I just called halfords and they do sell them but the 2011 model is £411. The 08 model used to be £259.

So it looks like its going to be a new rockrider or a used vulcan of ebay.

Can anyone recommend any more new bikes of similar price range. Thanks

Pudseyp

Sunn for £300
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=58984
Beone for £350
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=59242

If you can stretch to £370 this is a cracker

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=58991

trebor127

gt avalanche?

http://paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s2p2461

Bit over budget but mongoose tyax elite...

http://paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s2p3410

Cannondale12345

Try this if you can stretch your budget a bit more,

http://www.sunsetmtb.co.uk/shop/index.p ... ory_id=149

with their discount code which is : AUTUMN2011

you should get it for £359.10 instead of £399.00
It's a great bike, and a steal at that price.

type.rst

I had a re think and i have decided to lower my price range for a bike as i can really do with the extra cash at the moment.

I have come across a GT aggressor 3. Which is on for sale for £210

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gt/ ... e-ec024765

What do you think of this bike guys? any good for trails?

Thanks

Pudseyp

Very basic, rubbish fork....you get what you pay for. This would do for a trundle down your local woods and that's about it.