£500 hardtail

danbrum

I have read on here and elsewhere that for £500 you can't beat the Decathlon Rockrider 8.1.

However this is on sale for £500 at evan's.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/nor ... 6#features

Better than the rock rider? I don't know much about components but it is heavier.

Rigga

http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/categ ... o-12-46194

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

Reduced by another £50 to £450

supersonic

danbrum wrote:

I have read on here and elsewhere that for £500 you can't beat the Decathlon Rockrider 8.1.

However this is on sale for £500 at evan's.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/nor ... 6#features

Better than the rock rider? I don't know much about components but it is heavier.

Not in the same league as the Rockrider. The Rockrider is much better specced.

danbrum

Is the Hoodoo better than the rock rider then? If the rock rider is better I don't mind the extra £50

supersonic

The Rockrider is the better.

The Rookie

The RR 8.1 is without doubt the best specified £500 on the market right now, however it is very XC orientated and as such those prefering a burlier ride may prefer the riding characteristics of the Hoodoo or Fury from Halfords, neither are as well specced, although they can be considered 'best of the rest'. That Norco isn't even in the same league, let alone the same division!

Twelly

Anyone else thinking there should be a sticky in this forum saying:

"If you have £500 and want a mountain bike for general XC use, buy a Rockrider 8.1 from Decathlon"

?

Good Old Bakes

The Beginner wrote:

The RR 8.1 is without doubt the best specified £500 on the market right now, however it is very XC orientated and as such those prefering a burlier ride may prefer the riding characteristics of the Hoodoo or Fury from Halfords, neither are as well specced, although they can be considered 'best of the rest'. That Norco isn't even in the same league, let alone the same division!

As an absolute beginner and new owner of a RR 8.1, can you explain what you mean by burlier ride? I read a lot about the RR being a XC bike but don't fully understand the meaning (I know it means 'cross country' but that's about all). Is it that the RR is more suited towards towpaths and cycle trails while the others are better suited to proper MTB stuff like, woodland and moorland tracks etc? I was hoping to progress to more challenging rides but I'm now thinking that I might have made the wrong choice of bike. Hope not. :?

Cheers.

JKD

TwellySmat wrote:

Anyone else thinking there should be a sticky in this forum saying:

"If you have £500 and want a mountain bike for general XC use, buy a Rockrider 8.1 from Decathlon"

?

Something like a current top 3 in various price ranges would be handy no doubt. But then, through searching the forum and reviews along with general advice from folks on here, I found out loads myself.

Though if I end up buying new, I'd go for the Hoodoo with voucher for £100 cheaper

supersonic

The Hoodoo and Fury are a little heavier with longer forks, and will take to harder riding better. But for XC and general trails, the 8.1 is the best.

danlightbulb

supersonic wrote:

The Hoodoo and Fury are a little heavier with longer forks, and will take to harder riding better. But for XC and general trails, the 8.1 is the best.

Would you mind clarifying this a little? What trails would be more suited to the 8.1 and what trails would be classed as 'harder riding'? Alot of beginners, including myself, start off with xc (eg monkey trail) but then would like to go a bit harder (eg welsh trails ????).

supersonic

If you are beginning to get faster on the downs, maybe catching some air (and the unexpected big rock!), then the Core will be more forgiving and stable. This is not to say the RR 8.1 is a one hit wonder - it is still a capable bike, light, well specced and a great weapon for XC/general trails where you may appreciate the lighter weight and faster handling.