Confused about new bike?

flyer

Having been using a road bike for over 8 years I thought I would add a bit of variety and get a mountain bike!

I have about £1000 as a budget and wondered if I needed just a hard-tail or if I would benefit or need full suspension?

Also are 29ners better?

I will mainly be using it for xc and dirt tracks etc nothing mad, as I am 50 years old!!

Just want to have some fun but don't want to have to upgrade in a few months, so what would you advise as a sensible bike around £1000

Not bothered if its 2012 or 2013

Thanks

Flyer

cooldad

The answers, unfortunately, are maybe, maybe and some are, some aren't.
You will get a better 26" hardtail for your money than either full sus or 29er.
Personally I would get a 26" full sus anyway.

thelonegroover

I think you'd be better off going for a 29er hardtail than 26er full sus. Especially if you're not doing anything mad.

bartimaeus

See if you can demo some... either at a demo day, through a shop, or by borrowing a bike of your mates. An HT will be lighter and better specced than a similarly priced FS, and will take less maintenance especially if you ride through the winter. But as a 50 year old you might appreciate the plusher ride of a FS, especially if you like to do long XC rides. You can get a decent £1k FS if you go for one of last year's models.

I've not tried a 29er HT... you supposedly get some of benefits of a smoother ride but you may lose some of the 'lighter and better specced' advantages.

I'm afraid 'try some' is still the best advice I can offer.

chrisw333

No 'right' answer. But if you fancy full suss you can certainly get a good one at or around your budget - here you go:
shortish (120mm) travel full suss with great spec and only a smidgin over budget

http://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes ... tml?b=3025

mac_man

I'm pushing 50 and manage just fine on a hardtail. Having said that, I'd really like a FS bike :-).
The Boardman range at Halfords, both HT and FS have had great reviews. And most under your budget. http://www.boardmanbikes.com/mtb/index.html

Pauls cycles always has a range of bikes that are well discounted: http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/offers.php?cat=1
The Giant anthem X3 looks good value http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 1b0s1p3493

or this one: http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 1b0s1p4431

flyer

Cheers everyone for your help.

Am I right in thinking I need a trial or XC with FS if possible ( more comfort for old geaser) or 29nr hard tail?

Thanks

Flyer

mac_man

flyer wrote:

Cheers everyone for your help.

Am I right in thinking I need a trial or XC with FS if possible ( more comfort for old geaser) or 29nr hard tail?

Thanks

Flyer

yes and yes and possibly yes.
There's no right or wrong. A hardtail with a decent fork will take the sting out of the front. TBH a FS bike is less about comfort and more about traction and control, although it will be more comfortable when pedalling over lumpy ground when you're seated. I'm a similar age and a FS bike will (hopefully) help me go faster downhill over the rough stuff, rather than making the ride more comfy cos I'm an old git.

See if your local bike shop will let you demo a couple of bikes. Or ask a mate. My LBS charges (I recall) £50 to hire a top of the range FS bike. They'll knock this off the price of a bike if you buy.

TBH I reckon any £1000 bike will be great for just about any kind of riding you're likely to do at the moment. Only of you starting wanting to try something more extreme... like big drops and such will you need something 'bigger'.

29ers are different, not better. being a roadie you may appreciate the better rolling characteristics. They certainly fly along on the flat compared to a 26" FS bike.

flyer

mac man Thanks for the advise will have a good look this weekend, thanks again