Best bike for £200?

Mattbot2

Hello all,

For christmas, we are buying my younger brother a mountain bike, mainly for biking ~ 3 miles each way to school and back every day. He'll be messing about on it too but nothing more than riding up some hills and skidding down them most likely.

Ideally we're looking at a hardtail, he's about 5'10" now and still growing so he could well do with the 20" frame.

At the moment we are looking at this bike here at John Lewis as we get discount through a family member.

http://www.johnlewis.com/280598/Product.aspx

It doesn't really tell us what gear is on the bike unfortunately, but what do you think?

All suggestions welcome,

Many thanks,

Matt

supersonic

Better bikes for the money - the Decathlon Rockrider 5.2 is the best sub £300 bike.

http://fstatic1.mtb-news.de/img/photos/ ... askar4.jpg

24 speed shimano, fork that works, decent weight - goo dbike.

chrism110

also 20 inch is big im 6ft 3 and have a 19 inch

supersonic

The same bike?

chrism110

supersonic wrote:

The same bike?

me? lol not same bike no

supersonic

That's my point ;-) Your 20" could be totally differently measured to the Rockrider, there is no way of comparing ie reach etc. Best thing to do is try the bikes - 20" may be fine!

chrism110

more than likely a 5 ft 9 rider would be better going smaller tho? frame sizes are done on inside leg right? if i followed those i should of bought a 22 inch which would of give me no stand over clearance atall

supersonic

No, frame sizes are measured usually from the bottom bracket axle to the top of the seat tube. Or halfway up the seatube. So different height BBs, and differently shaped tubes make the measurement very vague. Then we have the reach, angles and so on.

I have seen 16 inch frames come up larger than 20 inch frames!

Have a read of the What Size thread.

Mattbot2

supersonic wrote:

Better bikes for the money - the Decathlon Rockrider 5.2 is the best sub £300 bike.

http://fstatic1.mtb-news.de/img/photos/ ... askar4.jpg

24 speed shimano, fork that works, decent weight - goo dbike.

Thanks Supersonic,

Do you know where I can find that bike for sale? I can't see any after a quick Google search.

supersonic

Sorry, wrong link! It didn't copy.

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-52 ... 56187.html

chrism110

supersonic wrote:

No, frame sizes are measured usually from the bottom bracket axle to the top of the seat tube. Or halfway up the seatube. So different height BBs, and differently shaped tubes make the measurement very vague. Then we have the reach, angles and so on.

I have seen 16 inch frames come up larger than 20 inch frames!

Have a read of the What Size thread.

well that i never knew but i was recommended a 22 inch its only from my bike days many years ago i knew to go smaller lol my large boardman is very comfy

Anonymous

Got a 'small' 16" 456 frame and although seat tube is shorter, in many other ways it's bigger than my Nomad 'medium' which is 17". Can only really tell by trying them or comparing the geometry specs. Former is more ideal. Just don't pay much attention to the seat tube based frame sizes and don't worry too much about stand over if it's for off road use. All covered in that What Size thread mentioned above.

Mattbot2

Which size should I order? He is 175cm and still growing.

cooldad

Only way is sit on it.

Mattbot2

http://www.johnlewis.com/31573/Product.aspx

Better or worse? I can have it brand new for £243 through a discount with John Lewis.

Thanks,

Matt

supersonic

Worse.