New Bike

teeoffchris

Hi All Newbie here so please go easy with me !

I know this has probably been asked a 1000 times but looking for new hardtail for around £500-£600. I really would rather a new bike rather than second-hand.

I have like most I have done plenty of research and are torn between the following but seemed to have got bogged down in spec opinions. I had it down to 2 models but after reading Mountain Biking UK mag this month got thrown a swerve ball!

I would appreciate your views and if you think I am overlooking any other models please feel free to suggest them.

So my 3 choices are now as follows

1, Marin Bolinas Ridge
Specification and Features of Marin Bolinas Ridge Mountain Bike
•Frame 6061 Double Butted Aluminum with Edge 3 OS Top and Down Tubes
•Fork Suntour XCM-HLO, 100mm with Hydraulic Lockout
•Headset FSA, 1 1/8"
•Rear Hub Formula, 32 Hole
•Front Hub Formula, 32 Hole
•Spokes 15 Gauge Black Stainless
•Rims Alex TD25, Double Wall
•Tyres Geax Saguaro 26 x 2.2" Front, 2.0" Rear
•Shift Levers Shimano Acera Rapid Fire Plus, 9 Speed
•Front Derailleur Shimano Acera 9-Speed
•Rear Derailleur Shimano Alivio
•Cassette SRAM PG-950, Power Glide II, 11-34, 9 Speed
•Chain SRAM PC951
•Crankset Suntour XCR T414, 44/32/22T
•Bottom Bracket Sealed Cartridge
•Seatpost Alloy Micro Adjust, 350mm
•Saddle Marin Comp Mountain
•Bar Double Butted 6061 Alloy, OS-31.8mm, 25.4mm Rise
•Stem Marin OS Alloy Threadless, 31.8mm Bar Clamp
•Grips Marin Extra Dual Density
•Brakes Front Tektro HDC-300 Hydraulic Disc, 7" Rotor
•Brakes Rear Tektro HDC-300 Hydraulic Disc, 6" Rotor
•Brake Levers Tektro HDC-300 Hydraulic
•Pedals Alloy Mountain

2, Rockrider 8.1
Frame: double-thickness 6061 T6 aluminium; racing geometry; 1.850 kg in size M. Lightweight and resistant. Its geometry offers an ideal combination for climbs and descents.
Fork / Suspension New Rock Shox RECON Silver TK 100 mm fork Remote Lock-Out on handlebars. Effective rebound adjustment, can be locked in place with a half turn of the lever.
Drivetrain SRAM X - 7 Front derailleur
SRAM X - 7 Rear derailleur;
Push pull Sram X7 levers.
Bottom bracket / Cassette Shimano Deore bottom bracket M590 22x32x44
SRAM PG950 11x32 9-speed cassette
Brakes Avid ELIXIR 3 hydraulic disc brakes, 160 mm rotors Powerful, progressive in any circumstance
Handlebar / Stem / Steering Raised Rockrider Comp handlebar 600/640mm; Rockrider Comp stem. Oversize stem and handlebar for durability and low weight. The position is higher to provide more control and comfort without affecting performance.
Wheels Rockrider Comp 32 hole rims by Rigida Hub JT D041/D142, 2 mm stainless steel spokes Sealed bearings.
Tyres New Michelin country trail tyre.
Saddle / Seat post New Rockrider MTB saddle by Vélo. Rockrider seat post
Pedals Wellgo 823 WPD clipless pedals. For better safety and performance
Weight 12 kg 850 in size S, without the pedals

3,Carrera Kraken (the swerve ball)
■Chainset: SRAM S600 Chainset
■Fork travel: 120mm
■Forks: Suntour XCR-D hydraulic
■Frame Material: Aluminium
■Frame-: Lightweight 7005 T6 aluminium
■Front Brake: Clarks SX hydraulic disc brake
■Front Mech: Shimano FD-M430
■Gear Shifters: SRAM X5 trigger shifters
■Handle Bars: Alloy oversize riser bars (30mm rise) (31.8mm diameter)
■Headset: Semi integrated
■Hubs: Alloy with Q/R
■Number of Gears: 27
■Pedals: Wellgo alloy platform with toe clips
■Rear Brake: Clarks SX hydraulic disc brake
■Rear Mech: SRAM X5 rear mech
■Rims: Double wall alloy rims
■Saddle: Carrera
■Stem: Ahead aluminium stem
■Tyre size: 2.20"
■Tyres: Continental Mountain King
■Wheel Size: 26"
■Approximate Weight (KG): 13.8

cooldad

As a Marin fan, I'd get the Rockrider.

chez_m356

cooldad wrote:

As a Marin fan, I'd get the Rockrider.

+1, your not going to get anything that matches the spec of the 8.1 for that money

supersonic

The marin is gash for the money.

teeoffchris

That's a real shame as having looked at the Marin at the bike show a couple of weeks ago I really liked the look of it but the more I research the more I find that it is probably not the best in my price range.

Is it just the forks that let it down or is it a little of everything?

Thanks all so far for your advice it is much appreciated. I know £500 is not big money in this sport but it take a long time to earn so really want to get the best I can with it. Please feel free to make any other suggestions.

markmark.123

Kraken al day long really good spec for money

cooldad

Do I detect a note of bias? Nowhere near the Rockrider spec.

The Rookie

Agreed, the RR is the best specced, if you want more trail orientated then the Voodoo, the Kraken is OK, but can't compete with those two.