Which bike for newbie around £600

pauledwards263

I'm looking at returning to the saddle as a mainly road with occasional off road user. My budget is around £600 but I could increase a little if it's worth the extra money. I've trawled the Internet and forums to try and get some ideas and have come up with a few options (All from Halfords). I've put them in the order in which the reviews seem to rate them; best being first.

1 - Voodoo Hoodoo
=2 - Carrera Fury
=2 - Boardman Mountain Bike Comp
4 - Carrera Banshee Full Suspension

Really just looking for advice and recommendations (or any alternatives to the above) you think I should consider.
Many thanks Paul

Greer_

The fury isn't as good as last years spec. I'd go for the boardman comp if you can afford it. Its a lovely, light, beginners bike.

theblender

if you're doing quite a bit of road work, but still want something truly off-road capable, take a look at a 29er MTB - they perform better on the road than 26" wheeled bikes, and - get ready for the ensuing argument and BS about 29ers being no good for techy riding - 29ers are actually easier to ride off road too, especially as you're firmly in the hardtail price bracket. The bigger wheels roll over bumps better, giving you more speed and control on downhill sections, and give more traction when climbing, and are easier on tarmac climbs compared to 26". The new Specialized Rockhopper 2013 bike at £600 would be a 29er worth test riding - and I'm sure Boardman etc have some good value 29ers in the pipeline too, so worth asking at your local Halfords.

Whatever 29er backlash gets posted after this - I recommend you try one before buying a 26" bike, then YOU can make an informed choice based on riding experience.

waby1234

Just bear in mind usually a 29er will either be pricier, or be the same price but with some inferior components compared to a 26er.

I'd +1 on the Boardman.

supersonic

I agree with testing some out, 26 or 29er. I disagree that 29ers perform better on the road, and off road it depends on many things. The Hopper is poor value at 600 quid.

Greer_

waby1234 wrote:

Just bear in mind usually a 29er will either be pricier, or be the same price but with some inferior components compared to a 26er.

+1, you get next to no value for money if you buy a specialized/trek/giant at that price.

pauledwards263

Thanks for all the help people. After doing some more reading and looking at the specs, I think I'll go for the Boardman Comp. Just a pity that Halfords won't let you even try them round the car park

theblender

"poor value", "inferior components" - all based on reading specification sheets rather than actually riding the bikes I suspect? A bike is so much more than the component list - geometry, tube profiles, butting etc are all so much more important to the quality of the ride than the components hung on the frame. XT wears out as quickly as Acera.
And warranty etc - some of the perceived "value" brands like Boardman and Cube have short warranty periods on frames - 2 years in the case of Cube, and Boardman, I believe is only 12 months, whereas Specialized have a lifetime warranty on their frames - you should look for at least a 5 year warranty, unless you're thinking of selling the bike within a year or so.
This is why I suggested to the OP he tries out bikes before he buys, because on paper, bike A may look like a fantastic specification for the money compared to bike B, but bike B may actually ride better and the company may offer better after sales support. You cannot judge a bike by it's specification sheet - this is why Bikeradar test bikes - to see if they ride as good as the specification suggests.

In fact, if you read the OP riding intentions, in theory, he would be better off on a hybrid or CX bike.....

So - to the OP - try as many bikes as you can within your budget before shelling out any money - any decent bike shop will allow you to try before you buy - even if it's just a 10 min road ride, you'll feel a difference between makes and models, and it will help you to get the correct size too. Try some 26", try some 29", try some hybrids and CX bikes and be honest with yourself about the amount and grade of off-roading you are going to do, to ensure an MTB is for you.

But never judge a bike by it's specification sheet or price - not until you've ridden it.

supersonic

The Boardman bikes win time and time again for the way they ride and the overall weight and quality of components fitted. I agree with trying them out - as I mentioned before - but there is no doubt the Specialized weigh in heavier, have basic and heavy forks and are generally outridden by the competition.

You cannot judge a bike by it's specification sheet - this is why Bikeradar test bikes

Indeed, and I am one of the testers. I specialize in budget and entry level equipment, and you can read so much into the spec and can discount some based on that alone to make a better shortlist. The Spesh is better than some, and is worth a shot, but I do believe the fork will leave it lagging behind others.

viciousScotsman

Hi all

Recently went Mountain Biking in Glentress at the Scottish Borders and I am also going to get a bike from my work's cycle to work scheme. Due to all the information and point's of view im going for the Voodoo Hoodoo. Seen on a previous forum entry that some people had some discount codes aswell that they used (viewtopic.php?t=12854948&p=17627145). I tried entering the discount code NUSMAY12 but it's now out of date. Anyone got anything more recent? Unwilling to get the bike itself without a helmet etc.

waby1234

They seem to have stopped doing the NUS codes recently, probably due to them being used by everyone other than students!

viciousScotsman

Yeah can't seem to find one anywhere. The £500 voucher won't cover the Hoodoo and the accessories I need. Looking for a voucher but can't seem to find one anywhere.