Which bike under 400 bike

Excessie
Excessie Posts: 3
edited November 2012 in MTB buying advice
Hi and good afternoon

A quick introduction.

I'm looking to get back into riding. Ive not had a blast on a bike since the early 90's where i had a rockhopper.

I wont be doing anything serious. just commuting to work and the odd circuit on forest trails.

I am 6 ft 3 and looking for a 22 inch hard-tail. I would like to get this bike ordered today after i have been accepted for finance. which is the only way im going to afford payment. Id be very grateful if you very kind folks here on bikeradar could help me decide which of the bikes below i should go for.

http://www.mountainbikebitz.com/2012-co ... 20740.html

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cube-Aim-26-Mou ... _56172.htm

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Specialized-Har ... nfoReviews

http://www.globalbike.co.uk/products/Gh ... -2012.html

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Specialized-Har ... _38372.htm

thanks guys.

My heart says the commencal but what do you guys think.

cheers

Vince

Comments

  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    None really - read the sticky at the top
    viewtopic.php?f=20005&t=12875967
    But if i had to maybe the Specialized Disc Sport Race. Maybe.

    I'd want a lot more than rubbish forks and V brakes for that sort of money.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • winter_zombie
    winter_zombie Posts: 291
    hi

    so you have got finance so you can get the bike, can you pick/buy your bike from any shop or just were you got the finance from ??

    like cooldad has said for £400 i would want more for my money

    rushing in and picking your bike now is probley a bad idea. their is loads of good bikes out their and maybe with a little help from us on here you will get a better bike and a better choice !
  • badger kev
    badger kev Posts: 30
    If its possible put another £100 to your budget and geta voodoo hoodoo from halfords cracking bike for the money and possibly halfords may have web deals on before christmas .
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    The 2011 Sport is just about OK, but for £400 you should have damped forks and hydraulic disc brakes and none of those has both, the 2012 has hydro's, none have damped forks (you wouldn't drive your car if I took the shock absorbers off would you?)

    The Carrera Vulcan for about £350 (how much is it this week.......) is a better bike than any of them.
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • Excessie
    Excessie Posts: 3
    Thanks for the swift replies.

    I had a read of the sticky cooldad.. and
    hydraulically damped forks. This is absolutely ESSENTIAL if you plan to ride on rougher trails or you will be bouncing all over the place.

    The thing is i only really intend on taking it easy on those rougher trails. but then again how long will taking it easy last. im sure there will be an obstacle where the hydraulically damped forks would be advantageous.

    Anyway thanks for that. All those bikes are no longed bookmarked :)
    i guess i will make sure that considering my purchase hydraulically damped forks are a must have.

    cheers zombie. i haven't decided yet where i will get the bike from. i guess i will go for whoever supplies me with the best finance deal.

    And yea kev i like the hoodoo i saw it at my local halfords but they don't do finance. the only thing they do is you pay so much per week and once paid the bike is yours. imo that is just crap. but yea i like the hoodoo. nice bike. and id easily stretch to a 1000 but my partner wouldn't be too happy. but im sure she would let me go to 500.

    I see your point The Beginner. it seems the carrera vulcan again is only available at halfords and not under finance.

    Hmmmm what next :x
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    0 % credit card and pay it off.
    The forks make a huge difference - like riding a pogo stick.
    If you're not planning anything too bumpy you're probably better off with rigid forks, and they're much lighter.
    Plus once you start, you want to do more gnarly stuff. Trust me.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • chrisw333
    chrisw333 Posts: 695
    Also, are you sure you need a 22inch? I know you are 6'3 but a 22 inch could be huge? Do try for size as you may well find a 20 or 21 inch could be perfect.
  • LJ.
    LJ. Posts: 149
    I think sizes are way different to what they were in the early 90's, I was a size 18" when I was 11 and am still 18" now. The bikes are a different shape now the top tube isn't horizontal these days but usually slants up a lot so it is a lot bigger feeling than back then

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