New bike ~£300

The Rookie

step wrote:

Could a decent bike be put together within a budget of about £400?

My home build Hybrid to suite me on my commute cost me £385.06 at last count, that is for everything, it runs an X9 rear mech, X0 shifter, carbon bars, Charge spoon saddle and Stronglight chainset (as an indication), it runs 26" disc brake wheels on 26x1.5" tyres.

Simon

CraigXXL

Look in the classifieds too as you can pick up some bargains at this time of the year as people overspend and need some cash quick.

supersonic

step wrote:

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?

The Hardrocks are not worth having. If wanting a new bike, you'd be hard pushed to find better than the combo I posted earlier, much higher spec than those hrdrocks.

lillywhite79

Step, for some reason superstar seems to not rate the Hardrocks at all, which is fine But I have just seen a 19" 2011 Hardrock Pro Disc for £429.99 down from £599.99 from Hargroves Cycles:

http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/produc ... rtno=39691

I believe you said you could go up to £430, this has a hydraulic fork, shimano hydraulic brakes, good light wheels and full shimano drive chain, also the lightweight quality frame. This bike got a great review (4.5 stars) from Bike Radar, the review said that the frame and fork is superb

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... -11-42295/

In my opinion this is a cracking bike for the money and better than that Merida which needs a better fork and saddle for starters, if I were you I would take a look at all the suggestions and then try the Hardrock to see if it is better

supersonic

It's the entry level Hardrocks that are poor, the Pro is better, easpecially at £430, but the Merida with the RockShox Recon Silver is the better bike still.

Oh, Merida MAKE Specialized bikes ;-). They own them.

step

I've looked at both the hardrock pro & the merida but neither are available in a larger size in the sale so work out a bit to expensive. I need about 21", 22" or 23" really otherwise both bikes would be great.

step

What are people's opinion on Mondraker Ventura X-Pro 2011?
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop/Bikes/Mountain+Bikes/Mondraker+Bikes/Mondraker+Ventura+X-Pro+2011+Bike_VENTURA-X-PRO-2011.htm
12% off then another 5% so down to £417, any good for the money?

Chunkers1980

Dunno - but something's not right in the spec. How can it have a 10spd rear mech and 9 speed shifters?

cooldad

step wrote:

What are people's opinion on Mondraker Ventura X-Pro 2011?
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop/Bikes/Mountain+Bikes/Mondraker+Bikes/Mondraker+Ventura+X-Pro+2011+Bike_VENTURA-X-PRO-2011.htm
12% off then another 5% so down to £417, any good for the money?

Rubbish fork, average everything else. And as Chunkers said, confused ad, but probably 9 speed.

Pudseyp

step wrote:

I've looked at both the hardrock pro & the merida but neither are available in a larger size in the sale so work out a bit to expensive. I need about 21", 22" or 23" really otherwise both bikes would be great.

How tall are you 7foot ??

I am 6ft 4 with a 35" inside leg and only need a 20" larger frames make it more difficult to control on rough terrain, I just have my seatpost higher and bought a longer stem.

This is available in 20.5
http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... _Bike_2011

Pudseyp

This in XL ?

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=71837

Rushmore

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.

Not gunna get better then that... with the recons, you will struggle to find a better specced bike under £700

step

Would definitely go with the merida but unfortunately 18" is too small. I'm about a 34" leg and with a mountain bike tend to find a 21" or 22" is about right. If that bike was the larger size i would of probably of gone for it.

DomN86

Dawes XC1.6 Gents Hardtail (2011) 22" frame : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dawes-XC1-6-Gents-Hardtail-Mountain-Bike-2011-/390356234988?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&var=&hash=item99ad808f36

jjl5590

The Merida only has Tektro Draco hydraulic discs which I didn't think were good, I guess you could put on some Shimano M445 brakes instead

supersonic

Just as good as those shimanos.

step

Hi all, still been looking for the new bike. As its a birthday present and with other contributions have been able to push the budget to £450 tops. I have tried a giant revel for size and needed a 21" and in a specialized i needed a 22".
Are these worth going for
Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc 2012 http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDetails.asp?productID=52411&categoryID=60 (im guessing from previous replies probably no)
Giant Revel 0 2012 http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDetails.asp?productID=52817&categoryID=69
Cube Aim Disc 2012 http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/cube-aim-disc-mountain-bike-grey-blue--id65901.html

As for other brands im unsure as to what i should be looking at for value for money. Anyone with any better options or opinions on the above would be really welcomed thanks

supersonic

There are better for the money. Most here are let down by the fork, though the Revel gets a basic unadjustable damper and has a decent spec. I'd visit a Halfords and take a look at this though:
Kraken

step

Would the Kraken be a better option than the giant? Bit dubious about dealing with halfords to get the kraken though

supersonic

Yes, it has better forks which will make a noticable difference. The Revel's XCM is pretty basic.

step

Thanks for the replies. I know its going back to the start of the topic but i take it the decathalon would still be the pick. Would the 8.0 be better going for than the 5.3. Also anyone have experience of the size as would not be able to view before buying.

step

Sorry to ask again but any rockrider owners who can advise on how the sizing is?

WELSHMTB

This is my Carrera Titan in action. I also am getting a ROCK SHOCK BAR.Check it out. http://youtu.be/znsSNJZzNBQ

DomN86

WELSHMTB wrote:

This is my Carrera Titan in action. I also am getting a ROCK SHOCK BAR.Check it out. http://youtu.be/znsSNJZzNBQ

Nice video.
The bike looks well nice. Upload a pic when you put the new part on it.

WELSHMTB

Will do m8, still waiting for the shock to be delivered. I will put another link to a you tube vid with close up shot when it is fitted.

DomN86

^ 8).

WELSHMTB

The shock has arrived i will be installing it soon very soon.

WELSHMTB

Here it is Carrera Titan with the ROCK SHOX BAR http://youtu.be/jVuElchRh1U

DomN86

WELSHMTB wrote:

Here it is Carrera Titan with the ROCK SHOX BAR http://youtu.be/jVuElchRh1U

8) Nice, love this bike. Shame they no longer sell this bike. I nearly brought this bike myself, but instead opted for a 'Yukon FX 2', I prefer your colour scheme over mine.

I subscribed to your channel. Nice background tune in the video, what’s it called?
Oh and yeah what cam are you using in your trail videos?

DomN86

WELSHMTB wrote:

Here it is Carrera Titan with the ROCK SHOX BAR http://youtu.be/jVuElchRh1U

looks the biz that shock.