New bike ~£300

step

Looking for a new bike for around £300. I realise from having a look around the forums that most peoples bikes are worth maybe 10 times my budget. The bike is mainly for getting to work on a daily basis which does involve mainly country lanes and some gravel tracks which are not in the best condition. Currently have an 06 Carrera Vulcan.
Was thinking of Carrera Titan Limited Edition which is on offer for £299.99 http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_821661_langId_-1_categoryId_165499?shouldCachePage=true&msg=

Anyone have any opinions on this or other options would be really helpful.

supersonic

Hi and welcome to BikeRadar.

You'd be surprised, I think most people own bikes less than £500 here! Is there anything wrong with the Vulcan?

step

Just general wear really. The gears have had it. Only got the use of gear 23 and 24 i think. bit of rust.

supersonic

Probably worth getting a new bike if that old and worn as the parts could add up to be a lot. However I would avoid the Titan as few full suspension bikes are worth it at this price - are heavy, don't really work and more to go wrong.

If you can stretch to this then you are in the territory of a mid range hardtail:

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-53 ... 68118.html

Hydraulic suspension fork, 27 gears, disc brakes and good finishing kit puts it ahead of most bikes under £500, never mind 350.

Polonium.

I got a cheap Diamondback a few years ago, around £350 and over the years upgraded it hugely and is as good as loads of the top end bikes.

DomN86

step wrote:

Looking for a new bike for around £300. I realise from having a look around the forums that most peoples bikes are worth maybe 10 times my budget. The bike is mainly for getting to work on a daily basis which does involve mainly country lanes and some gravel tracks which are not in the best condition. Currently have an 06 Carrera Vulcan.
Was thinking of Carrera Titan Limited Edition which is on offer for £299.99 http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_821661_langId_-1_categoryId_165499?shouldCachePage=true&msg=

Anyone have any opinions on this or other options would be really helpful.

Hi,

I looked at the Carrera Titan too, but then I found this http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b4s1p1747&rs=gb&vid=6036 and brought that instead.

I too live in the countryside and will ride down some badly deteriorating country lane roads, some stone and gravel byways, and muddy bumpy footpaths through fields.

I like the blue bits on the Carrera Titan looks good.

Also there is this http://www.sunsetmtb.co.uk/shop/index.php?product_id=1751&category_id=145 (£500), there is also a newer version this bike (2012) but £600 / 700.

DomN86

ah just noticed the Carrera Titan has gone down in price, when I looked at it a couple of weeks ago it was £349.99.

step

Thanks for the replies. Decathalon bike looks a good option, no store nearby to test which is bit of a shame. Is it good value for what is on offer? The diamondbacks look gd. Which models are recommended? The giant could be in budget at a push if highly recommended but would prefer closer to the £300-350 price. Many thanks for the replies, really helpful info

step

Could someone delete the spam

supersonic

Just press the ! button to report it.

The Decathlon is very good value for money.

step

Been looking in a couple of local bike shops today to see whats about and worked out can probably stretch to £400-430 as would like a good bike so after looking at prices will be willing to pay slightly more. The decathlons seem to be getting good reviews but the problem is i would have to buy without seeing it. Are all the decathlons good, 5.3, 6.3 & 8.0? I did see a Ridgeback MX5 for £399.99 instore http://www.bikes2udirect.com/B3307.html unsure on how good this is in relation to others. Where do the carrera's stand compared to others of similar price. Unfortunately there are only a couple of other bike retailers other than halfords nearby and their prices aren't brilliant so hard to work out what is value for money instore. I did see a few giants and gts instore but the instore prices put me off a bit. Again thanks for any help, all really appreciated as not bought a bike for about 6 years so unsure on what to go for to get value for money.

DomN86

What kind of bike you looking for Full suspension / Hardtrail ?

A couple of Hardtrails:
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b4s2p3478
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b4s2p2287

---

You had a look on eBay?

Hardtrail search results: http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Bikes-/33503/i.html?Type=Mountain%2520Bike&LH_ItemCondition=1&Brake%2520Type=All%2520Disc&Gender%252F%2520Age=Men%2527s%7CUnisex%2520Adults%2527%7C!&_dmpt=UK_Bikes_GL&_fln=1&_sc=1&_sop=2&_ssov=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m1539&Suspension=Front%2520Suspension

Full suspension serch results: http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Bikes-/33503/i.html?Type=Mountain%2520Bike&LH_ItemCondition=1&Brake%2520Type=All%2520Disc&Gender%252F%2520Age=Men%2527s%7CUnisex%2520Adults%2527%7C%21&Suspension=Full%2520Suspension&rt=nc&_dmpt=UK_Bikes_GL&_sc=1&_sop=2&_trksid=p3286.c0.m1539

DomN86

http://www.discountcyclesdirect.co.uk/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=100&products_id=11088

step

To be honest wasn't bothered hardtrail or full suspension to start with but after peoples comments have realised that for the price probably better sticking to hardtrail unless heavily discounted full suspension came up. Am going to try to have a look at the giants instore properly tomorrow. Have seen a couple of Specialized Hardrocks tonight that look good.
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/hardrock-sport-disc-2011-mountain-bike-ec024137
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/hardrock-sport-disc-2012-mountain-bike-ec030674
http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDetails.asp?productID=52413&categoryID=60

supersonic

Hardrocks are awful for the money.

step

I thought I had seen fairly good reviews on this site is that not the case? Other than the decathlon is there anything else you can point me towards.

DomN86

Hey Step,

I went into my local 'Evans Cycles' store in Thurrock (Lakeside), Essex today, and while in there I had a look at the hardtrails for you. Found two really nice ones for under £400.

Jamis Durango 1 2011 (£399.99) : http://www.evanscycles.com/products/jamis/durango-1-2011-mountain-bike-ec026072?query=jamis%20Durango; I saw the red one, really nice IMO.

and....

Trek 3900 D 2012 (£382.99) : http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/3900-d-2012-mountain-bike-ec030262?query=Trek%203900%20D12; also really nice IMO.

---

Also have you considered making your own hardtrail? I made a hardtrail for myself 6/7 years ago, was loads of fun. I brought a frame for £10 lol, sprayed it black and yellow, brought some really nice parts, sprayed my name on it and brought 2 UK-EU flag stickers.

I was thinking about making another self build a few months ago:

Frames:
HandsomeDog XC01 Frame : http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/6479.html
HandsomeDog XC03 Frame : http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/101739.html
Dirty Jo Semi Creme 18 Inch : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dirty-Jo-Semi-Creme-18-Inch-Mountain-Bike-Frame-Black-Disc-V-Brakes-/150725298655?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item2317ed89df
All MTB Hardtrail Frames @ Chain Reaction Cycles : http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Categories.aspx?CategoryID=605&SortBy=Price

supersonic

There is another way of getting a top notch 400 quid bike. Buy this:

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop ... S-PROD.htm

With the sales is about £270 or so. Add this:

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FORSRETK/ro ... mm___1_1_8

So for less than £400 you have a 27 geared bike, with good RockShox fork, twin hydro discs and some nice parts.

DomN86

supersonic wrote:

There is another way of getting a top notch 400 quid bike. Buy this:

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop ... S-PROD.htm

With the sales is about £270 or so. Add this:

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FORSRETK/ro ... mm___1_1_8

So for less than £400 you have a 27 geared bike, with good RockShox fork, twin hydro discs and some nice parts.

NICE. If that’s the Saddle it comes with, I would personally update that too.

DomN86

Slightly better folk, 'RockShox Tora TK inc Poploc' (extra £20) : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/280765940397?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649

supersonic

Is no better - worse infact ;-)

DomN86

supersonic wrote:

Is no better - worse infact ;-)

ah really, dam lol.

supersonic

Yeah, is a bit heavier with the plain guage steel uppers, and uses a sleeved bushing rather than the 4 piece ones as found on higher end forks.

DomN86

supersonic wrote:

Yeah, is a bit heavier with the plain guage steel uppers, and uses a sleeved bushing rather than the 4 piece ones as found on higher end forks.

ah ok .

DomN86

Found this, 'Rockshox Recon Silver TK 2012 - Poploc Lockout' : http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop/Frame++Forks/Forks++Shocks/Rockshox+Suspension+Forks/Rockshox+Recon+Silver+TK+2012+-+Poploc+Lockout_RS-RECON-SILVER-TK-2012.htm

The one on 'on-one' must be a 2011?

supersonic

If you want a bar mounted lock out is worth a look, but is else the same as the 2011.

cooldad

£40 to save the hassle of leaning forward to lock out is money that can be much better spent elsewhere. Especially when you only really 'need' it for odd bits of tar. Not something you need to use a lot - just clutters the bars.

step

Thanks for all the replies really got me thinking. How easy is it to put parts together or best to get a pro to do it. Also I tend to need about a 21" or even 22" frame & the ones in the examples where 18"s. I do like the idea though. Whilst in a bike shop today the owner suggested maybe I would be better off looking at a hybrid for what I need, he had a few of the Specialized Crosstrail range in and thought they may be better suited as they get more speed etc. My concern with those would be handling in bad weather down the country lanes.

The Rookie

Depends what you mean by bad weather, wet is fine on a road tyre, ice it doesn't matter what tyre you have (discounting spikes) and you can get knobbly tyres to go on a Hybrid.

Simon

step

Whatever the weather i will be on the bike to get to work. The other year with the bad winter when there was the snow my current carrera vulcan was just about up to the job even if it was a bit slower. Just a bit worried that with the slicker tyres wouldn't get the same traction on the rough ground. Still undecided. Could a decent bike be put together within a budget of about £400? Are the Specialized Hardrocks worth steering clear of then?

lillywhite79

I just got a 2011 Hardrock sport disc and couldnt be happier with it, and Im coming from a upgraded 2010 Boardman HT Pro, wasnt using it enough and actually decided to downgrade to something more suited to me at this time lol

To be honest Im not noticing any major difference in the handling except the weight difference is noticeable but only uphill really!! The Hardrock rides nicely enough, Ive swapped the bars and upgraded the pedals which were naff other than that its fine

The components are not top of the range but not bottom either and the mechanical disc brakes work just fine.

Maybe at full price the Hardrocks are not as good value as other bikes out there but I have been told the frames are some of the lightest and well made going so I think it is worth factoring that into your decision as it will be good for upgrading later down the line?

And I got mine on the cyclescheme at £360 - so the bike will cost me around £230 and for that money I am more than happy !