New Bike - Im Done reading all about it

chillijam

Hi
First post so go easy on me.

I a new rider to the scene 9 months or so, and been using a Diamond Back hard-tail. Done the Black (Stupidly) at Llandegla, and Dalby, but time for me to get a Full Suspension and join the proper bikers as my mates tell me. I have been looking and looking and changing my mind, then seeing another bike and fancying that one instead etc etc the list goes on.

I have a £1,000 budget and have been looking at the following bikes

http://www.globalbike.co.uk/products/Ghost-ASX-5100-2011.html - £ 950 Ghost ASX 5100 2011

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=75144 - £970 Kona Tanuki Delux 2011

http://www.ashcycles.com/site/diamondback-sortie-1?zenid=dbd5c9e9a9e7993cd58be724886baf7a - £950 Diamondback Sortie 1

I generally ride at Llandegla, and enjoy doing both Blue (if I want a quick run out) and Black (if I feel like an all day Bike Ride)..

I cant think of any other info, so though that the wise people of bike radar might be able to point me in the right direction, because whatever shop I go into, they all seem to give me different advice depending (on what it seems like they want to get rid of/Sell)..

I just cant decide on which one, I like the look of them all, probably the kona the most if pushed, what I cant work out is which one is the best buy for my $..

Thank you in advance for any help / advise

Sorry if links not allowed.. please remove :oops:

supersonic

First off a full susser doesn't make a proper rider, so ignore your rather ill informed mates. For this money most full suspension bikes are substantially heavier and lower specced than a hardtail - though are some good deals out there if you look.

The Ghost has a decent spec for the money but not the best shock, the Konas has a few nice parts but is let down by the rear shock and rather basic fork. The diamond back is not worth the money, I bought a nearly identically equipped mongoose otero for £400!

A well specced all rounder would be something like this:

http://paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?p ... Suspension

Great forks and shock, and good parts.

cat_with_no_tail

I actually find Llandegla is much better on a HT. Seems like a trail centre very much designed around 5-6" or less HTs.

Purely my opinion of course.

If it does have to be a FS though, you'll not go far wrong with the one Sonic linked to.

phil_pompey

Or this:
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... b65s1p3709

A little more xc:
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 1b4s1p3618

Stretch a bit to these:
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... b65s1p3117
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 1b4s1p3504

And then there's the Voodoo Canzo if you can get past this years gerish colour scheme. which has had some good reviews. Or search halfords stores to see if anyone has last years in the nice blue powder coat.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165499

chillijam

Thanks for the advice gents.

Each bike looks as good as each other, think i'm decided between the Kona and Ghost but no rush decisions being done, will keep looking.

Anymore advice or pointers welcome

omegas

If you ride at Llandegla the do have demo days a couple of times a year and I am sure they have test bikes in the shop you can take out. If you can try something out before you buy makes it a lot easier.

supersonic

Don't get the kona, as I said, has an awful rear shock! Looks mean nothing.

bluechair84

The best advice I can give is 'listen to Sonic!'
A cheap full sus will make you slower and may reduce your confidence. The best for your money is not 'something that looks like what my mates have' unless it's a bargain - like the Teocali. It's a great handling bike with good components.

mak3m

that mongoose looks sweet tbh