Help With My Choice Please

Wingman1

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forums, and looking for some help/advice regarding buying my first bike, so many thanks in advance for any help/info.

I'm looking at the following 2 bikes..................

MODEL NAME: SARACEN 2012 Mantra X

PRICE: £614.99

PRODUCT MODEL YEAR (2012) 21"

Frame
Mantra lightweight custom butted 6061 alloy tubeset / UK-specific design / 44mm standard integrated headtube

Forks- Rockshox XC32 TK Coil / 120 mm travel / Turnkey lock-out / Alloy

Rear- Derailleur Shimano SLX M662 shadow

Front Derailleur- Shimano Acera M390

Shifters- Shimano Altus M390 Rapid Fire 9x3 speed

Chainset- Shimano FCM431 Octalink 22/32/44T 170-175 mm

Bottom Bracket- Shimano BB-ES25 Octalink

Chain- KMC Z99

Freewheel- Shimano HG20 9-speed cassette 11-34T

Headset- TH No.11N A-Headset

Stem- Saracen 318 6061 60-90 mm A-Head / 7 degree rise / 31.8 mm clamp

Handlebars- Saracen 318 Alloy OS 680 mm wide / 15 mm rise / 6 degree bend

Front Brake- Shimano M505 180 mm rotors

Rear Brake- Shimano M505 160 mm rotors

Brake Levers- Shimano M505

Rims- Rigida Taurus 2000 Black 32 hole

Front Hub- Shimano RM66 Black 32 hole Q/R

Rear Hub- Shimano RM66 Black 32 hole Q/R

Spokes- Stainless steel 14g

Tyres- Schwalbe Rocket Ron Performance 26 x 2.25 inch

Saddle- WTB Rocket V Comp

Seatpost- Alloy Micro-adjust / 27.2 mm

Pedals- Alloy MTB

Grips- Saracen dual-density grip

http://www.saracen.co.uk/bikes/trail/mantra-x

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MODEL NAME: Whyte 801

PRICE: £649.99

PRODUCT MODEL YEAR (2012) 21"

Frame: 6061 Hydro Formed T6 Aluminium, Custom Drawn and Multi Butted

Forks: RockShox XC 28, 100mm Travel, Adjustable Rebound, Turn Key Lockout

Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore RD-M592 Shadow, 9 Speed

Front Derailleur: Shimano Acera, 9 Speed

Shifters: Shimano Acera, 9 Speed

Chainset: Shimano M391, 44-32-22, 9 Speed

Bottom Bracket: Shimano BB-ES25 Square Taper

Chain: KMC X9, 9 Speed

Freewheel: Shimano HG-20, 11-34, 9 Speed

Headset: FSA No. 10 Caged Bearings

Stem: Whyte Custom, 70mm S, 70mm M, 80mm L & XL

Handlebars: Whyte Low Rise 20mm, 31.8mm, 680mm Wide

Front Brake: Tektro Draco, 160mm rotor

Rear Brake: Tektro Draco, 160mm rotor

Brake Levers: Tektro Draco

Rims: Whyte XC-20, 32 Hole

Front Hub: Alloy, Double Sealed Bearing Hub, 32 Hole

Rear Hub: Alloy, Double Sealed Bearing Hub, 32 Hole

Spokes: WTB 15g, Black Stainless with Brass Nipples

Tyres: Continental X-King Wire 26" x 2.2"

Saddle: Whyte Custom

Seatpost: Whyte 20mm Offset, 30.9mm x 400mm, 2014 Alloy, 2 Bolt Clamp
Pedals: VP Composite with Alloy Cage and Toe Clip

Grips: Whyte Custom Lock-on

Specifications: Weight:12.9Kg

http://www.whytebikes.com/2012/bike_pag ... W-1-023-12

The Northern Monkey

The boardman comp is just much much better than either of those.

cooldad

+1.

Wingman1

Cheers guy's, but I've looked at the Boardman comp, and only been able to find it in a large frame (19"). I'm 6' 4" so looking for a larger frame, otherwise I would have gone for this...............

http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/board ... /108111489

chez_m356

Wingman1 wrote:

Cheers guy's, but I've looked at the Boardman comp, and only been able to find it in a large frame (19"). I'm 6' 4" so looking for a larger frame

inside leg and reach measurements are more to do with sizing than height

cooldad

Have you sat on one?

Wingman1

Cheers chez.

cooldad wrote:

Have you sat on one?

Hi cooldad, do you mean have I sat on a Boardman comp ? if so, no.

The shops I've visited and bikes I've tried, have had 21" frames, and seem to suit me fine.

supersonic

But 21" frames vary! My 18" Zaskar Team is much longer (and higher) than my 20.5 Zaskar LE. You cannot blanket say you are one frame size, there are many measurements. It is worth trying some more out.

Wingman1

Thanks again for your help and advice. Before buying, it seems I need to find a supplier of the Boardman Comp and try out the 19" frame.

cooldad

Er...... Halfords?

Wingman1

cooldad wrote:

Er...... Halfords?

I did mean one that has 19" in stock :!:

cooldad

I wondered, but that's not what you said. Doesn't have to be the Comp though - all models are the same.

Wingman1

cooldad wrote:

I wondered, but that's not what you said. Doesn't have to be the Comp though - all models are the same.

Sorry.

cooldad

No need. I was actually being rude so sorry. You haven't been here long enough to know to just ignore me.