First bike budget of £900

FMT · August 2013

Ok I'm looking at getting back in to biking, I have a budget of £900 (I could spend more but I'm sure I don't need to.) I'm a big fella, I'm 6 foot 3 and around 23 stone so I realize I'll have to be careful, no jumps, pot holes etc.

I was originally looking at the SPECIALIZED ROCKHOPPER COMP 29ER MOUNTAIN BIKE 2014 but after googling it seems I can get a better bike for the same or less. So my question is what would you recommend? I know I could spend a few hundred quid and see if I like it first which is a fair one but I'd prefer to invest more initially than buy another bike down the road.

I live near a massive army woodland which has a mix of road, dirty road, gravel road, woodland paths and loads of different terrain.

Thanks

supersonic · August 2013

Have a look at some of the options here:

http://www.on-one.co.uk/bikes

Good value, and tough machines.

FMT · August 2013

Cool mate thanks

Would you recommend getting on with front suspension? I see they have a Fat Boy that doesn't have any, just curious really as I want it to last a while.

Barrelmaker · August 2013

A mate of mine has a fatty, but he also has other bikes. As a one and only bike i think you would tire of it quickly!

FMT · August 2013

Hmmm so if you could have only 1 bike, which would it be for that budget?

supersonic · August 2013

The OnOne 456 Evo 2. is slightly over your budget, but is a solid bike, with an air fork (an you will need an air fork to adjust to your weight). Or the Inbred with an air fork. This is a less 'agressive' bike.

FMT · August 2013

Thanks mate, I did like the look of that bike. I do have one question is there that much difference from 26 to 29?

nasha48 · August 2013

Reduce your budget to £850 and spend £50 on a surprise pressie for the mrs firstly. This should keep here sweet whilst you spend less time with her cuz your out on your new bike...

gregster10217 · August 2013

Can't compare any bikes to help you, but I've just picked up a Boardman Team MTB. Absolutely love it. Great level of equipment, rides really well and deals with everything I've thrown at it so far. At £850 you get a few quid left over to treat the Mrs as was said above!!!
Reviewed by the very knowledgeable people on here
http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/categ ... m-12-46330

FMT · August 2013

Not long broken up with the Mrs hence I'm getting a bike lol.

I must admit I love the look of that 456 Evo2 but I must admit I like the sound of a 29er to be honest.

Would something like this be ok http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOOIN29DEO ... ntain_bike or would there be a better 29er?

I like the look of that Bike from Halfords that you linked but the ones in stock only seem to go up to 19 which will be to small.

nasha48 · August 2013

On a more serious note than my last post, I can echo some of what gregster said - I've been riding my Boardman Comp FS for around 4 years now and it's done me proud. By the way, it's the large frame I've got too - perhaps worth chatting to Halfords about. However, not your thing if it's a 29er you're after...

FMT · August 2013

I guess I am open to 26 too but for some reason after reading up on 29ers I like the sound of them. Yea I'll drop Halfords an e-mail see if they have any

Thanks

Could also go up to £1000 but no more really.

gregster10217 · August 2013

I'm 6'4 tall, and the Boardman is a great fit, so at 6'3 you should have no problem with it. It's still £722 online at the moment, so a pretty good deal. If you want to spend a bit more, the pro is better equipped at currently £850. Have a look here
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165499

Both great bikes, with fantastic reviews.

FMT · August 2013

gregster10217 wrote:

I'm 6'4 tall, and the Boardman is a great fit, so at 6'3 you should have no problem with it. It's still £722 online at the moment, so a pretty good deal. If you want to spend a bit more, the pro is better equipped at currently £850. Have a look here
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165499

Both great bikes, with fantastic reviews.

I must be special, I couldn't find that bike online earlier.

You have the 19" and it's fine?

Thanks mate, popping down tonight to take a look.

gregster10217 · August 2013

Yep, it's fine, the saddle is not quite at the max max on the seat post either, although I'm still adjusting things, but absolutely no problem with it size wise.

Good luck.

nasha48 · August 2013

Jesus.....6'4?? You must have a lot of headset spacers on that 19" frame headset no?? That bike must look like a BMX with you on it!

gregster10217 · August 2013

LOL, it's fine honestly

cubext · August 2013

I would consider cube, great spec plus i think they are doing 29ers as well now

gazzol · August 2013

Just my tuppence worth, the boardman bikes are extremely good value for money, however given the choice I wouldn't get a aluminium hard tail (again). Steel (heavier I admit) rides much much better as does titanium and carbon although the latter two are out of your budget. Don't get me wrong aluminium bikes far out sell steel etc and as such they can't be bad it's just that steel is comfier on long rides. I don't think you'd be disappointed with an On One and they do a 29er in budget!

cooldad · August 2013

The above is a random generalisation and is generally wrong.

gazzol · August 2013

@ Cooldad it may be a generalisation but it isn't random. It is widely accepted that (generally) steel framed bikes are comfier to ride because of their ability to flex and absorb vibrations whereas aluminium bikes (generally) don't flex because (generally) if they do they (generally) break which is why aluminium bikes especially at the OPs price point tend to be stiffer and therefore not as comfy.