Help!

Fatal_Exception

I think the first one is £424 and the second one £499.

supersonic

Both are ok for the money, the latter getting as hefty reduction and the better value.

chez_m356

Fatal_Exception wrote:

Ok, my local bike shop is a Merida dealer and I'm thinking because of the convenience of I might go through him but I wondered what the general thoughts on the MATTS TFS range were?

http://www.merida-bikes.com/en_gb/bike/ ... TFS+300-D+

http://www.merida-bikes.com/en_gb/bike/ ... TFS+500-D+

and still not as good spec wise as an RR8.1

Fatal_Exception

I'm nowhere near a Decathlon store and preferably I'd rather not do the assembly myself.

My other Merida option is this one

http://www.merida-bikes.com/en_int/bike ... Matts+70-D

Does anyone have anything good to say about Dawes bikes too?

supersonic

The 70D has an awful fork, so one to avoid unless you plan to upgrade. Dawes, as with Merida, depends on the models. Generally though they are not so good value nowadays.

Fatal_Exception

I've decided unless you are buying a Decathlon or a Boardman Comp someone, somewhere hates your bike. That in mind I have given up Meridas in my price range and am now looking at Carreras.

supersonic

What makes or breaks an entry level bike is the fork - if you plan to do any serious offroading, it must be hydraulically damped. Magazine tests time and time again drill this home. Many bikes do not have this feature, making them very hard work. The Decathlons excel not only here, but in the rest of the spec too.

Carrera do some solid buys, I'd aim for at least the Kraken though.

Fatal_Exception

What other Carreras besides the Kraken, which is great because it comes in 22" frame, would you recommend? My maximum budget is now £800.

supersonic

Hardtail wise the Carrera series only goes up to the £600 Fury, but is a good buy with some good components.

Fatal_Exception

Any recommendations on Giant bikes? Really appreciate the help so far mate.

supersonic

For XC the XTC series is worth a look, some places have some nice reductions.

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... Suspension

chez_m356

if you don't mind mail order bikes have a look here http://www.bike-discount.de/shop/k1830/ ... ml?mfid=52 hard to beat for the money, works out around the £630 mark, and they do it in a 22''

Fatal_Exception

In German?

Anyone here got the Rockrider 9.1? I heard it didn't have a lockout feature.

waby1234

Fatal_Exception wrote:

In German?

Anyone here got the Rockrider 9.1? I heard it didn't have a lockout feature.

Bikeradar has a good review.

Fatal_Exception

Went for this http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... b67s2p4207

Thanks for all the help. Decathlon is one for the future for sure.

waby1234

Did you get it for £600?!

chez_m356

Fatal_Exception wrote:

In German?

obviously being able to click on the union flag link at the top of the page was too much to ask

Fatal_Exception

Chill out. It was only a joke!