Unsure what to buy... need help

dave1324

Hi there, I am currently looking to get back into biking again and currently I am unsure on what bike to buy. i have a budget of around £500, i prefer hard tail over full suspension and will be riding on trails etc. and would like a 26" bike. i have been looking at different kona's but i am skeptical about the thickness of the frame. less strength? i dont know, maybe its me being fussy. i would just like some suggestions for what bikes are the best in my price range.

regards, dave

Myster101

Have a read here mate

viewtopic.php?f=20005&t=12875967

dave1324

hey, i had a read of that post shortly before creating this, however after looking at those bikes, i dont quite like them, i mean if im spending 500 quid on a bike i should atleast like the way it looks.

supersonic

What looks are you after? There are not many more, if any, bikes that will perform as well. Many are lumbered with terrible forks taht will ruin your experience off road. Maybe post some links to things that you have seen? I can advise on components and performance - but not looks ;-)

dave1324

I know its all about how the bike performs at the end of the day, how is this:
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Specialized-Har ... _56061.htm
or
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Giant-Revel-0-5 ... _56294.htm

supersonic

The Hardrock is awful. Really low rent clunky fork and basic parts elsewhere.

The Revel does better on the parts front, but still lumbered with a stinker of a fork. You need a fork with hydraulic damping in it.

Fork is the most important component by far.

supersonic

If the size is right, this is a good buy:

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... b65s2p3694

dave1324

Hey thanks for quick reply, just looking at the cannondale you just linked, very nice. Say if i pushed my budget to lets say £600 is there any major improvement, part wise with any other bikes?
thanks dave

Chunkers1980

Not really. The rockrider is easily the best at 550

supersonic

Not really with the major brands for the current year model, but if you can find one a couple of years old you often get some very good deals.

£600 gets you a GT Zaskar:

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s2p384 ... SPORT-2012

The frame is very, very good, fork is not bad at all, but it doesn't offer too much more than the Voodoo Hoodoo. Fairly light though.

dave1324

ok thanks for the suggestions, ill look more into the rockrider before i make a decision of either that or the cannondale. cheers fellas

Nancy Luger

Go secondhand. You get twice the bike for your money. For your budget you could pick up a very nice Boardman or similar. I got a barely used 1 year old bike for half the 900 quid retail.