Some advice on my first purchase

Marcus63

I have around £500 to spend on a bike and am just after some advice on what i should be looking for and what to avoid, makes etc.
As far as i can see i should only be looking at Disc brakes and as light a bike as i can get for the money.

Specifically i have looked and am interested in the ' Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc 2012 Mountain Bike'
looking at the specs is it a good choice? I have also looked at a couple of Scott bikes and even a Carrera from Halfords.
I don't really want to pay out the money until i am completely sure and know that bike shops are mainly on commission so in some cases (not all i agree) will just sell you the most expensive bike they can.

I am looking at a bike i can gradually upgrade as and when required too, be it forks, seat post, pedals, handlebar, gear set, wheels etc so i hope someone can help.

supersonic

Specialized and Scott bikes are poor at this price - much better can be got from Halfords, Decathlon and some of the minor brands.

For your money the best bikes (for cross country trails) are the Voodoo Hoodoo, Decathlon Rockrider 8.1 and Carrera Kraken. They have much better forks and parts than a lot of the opposition.

cooldad

supersonic wrote:

Specialized and Scott bikes are poor at this price - much better can be got from Halfords, Decathlon and some of the minor brands.

For your money the best bikes (for cross country trails) are the Voodoo Hoodoo, Decathlon Rockrider 8.1 and Carrera Kraken. They have much better forks and parts than a lot of the opposition.

This should be made a sticky. Same loads of typing.

Greer_

cooldad wrote:

supersonic wrote:

Specialized and Scott bikes are poor at this price - much better can be got from Halfords, Decathlon and some of the minor brands.

For your money the best bikes (for cross country trails) are the Voodoo Hoodoo, Decathlon Rockrider 8.1 and Carrera Kraken. They have much better forks and parts than a lot of the opposition.

This should be made a sticky. Same loads of typing.

Not that anyone would read it anyway! how many people use the tech FAQ's?!!

mikey2341

supersonic wrote:

Specialized and Scott bikes are poor at this price - much better can be got from Halfords, Decathlon and some of the minor brands.

For your money the best bikes (for cross country trails) are the Voodoo Hoodoo, Decathlon Rockrider 8.1 and Carrera Kraken. They have much better forks and parts than a lot of the opposition.

If you had to pick one of those 3 which would it be and why??

shigllgetcha

Its alot of money for someone that wants to get into MBing, its nice to be reassured by someone who knows better

Greer_

mikey2341 wrote:

supersonic wrote:

Specialized and Scott bikes are poor at this price - much better can be got from Halfords, Decathlon and some of the minor brands.

For your money the best bikes (for cross country trails) are the Voodoo Hoodoo, Decathlon Rockrider 8.1 and Carrera Kraken. They have much better forks and parts than a lot of the opposition.

If you had to pick one of those 3 which would it be and why??

The rockrider. It's just better. It has been explained countless times in different newbie threads (hence the reference to putting it in a stickie above). It is the best bike at that price point and can be comnpared to bikes worth £700 or £800.