Advice needed quick!

Rigger/frigger

Hi all,

I am very new to mtb, that new I haven't got a bike yet! I recently went to whinlatter in the lakes and completed 2 red runs and I have been bitten by the mtb bug!

I know this topic has been done about a thousand times but I really am in a pickle about what are the best components for my budget. I hired a cube analog at whinlatter and as I have nothing to compare it too I thought that was the best bike ever. At the minute I am seriously considering the cube analog as that's about my price bracket. Everyone suggests looking at the voodoos and boardmans, I am just worried about the whole halfords thing (I bought my young sons bike from there and they couldn't even see the wheel was buckled, even though it wouldn't do a complete rotation by hand), am I just been naive there?

I am basically asking for recommendations for bikes around the 500-600 quid mark, also some advice on what models of forks, brakes and gear sets I should be looking for/avoiding.

I will mainly be weekend ridding of decent trails and easy trails with the family.

Any help will be greatly appreciated in the quest to source that first decent mtb!

Thanks in advance!

cooldad

Start with the sticky at the top of Buying Advice.

DannyJames

Personally in that price bracket and new i would go the rockrider 8.1 from decathlon not seen a better specked bike for the price do a google for reviews there pretty good. I am biased though as it was what i went for after looking at my options.

cooldad

Good choice.

Rigger/frigger

I have looked at the rockrider 8.1, is it £200 better than 5.3.

winter_zombie

my advise would be buy a voodoo hoodoo
http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/categ ... o-12-46194

Rigger/frigger

Do you think I am just being a "snob" avoiding halfords?

Rad2474

Rigger/frigger wrote:

Do you think I am just being a "snob" avoiding halfords?

Yes! Halfords may be hit and miss with their staff but they have some decent bikes,get your lbs to check out a bike if you get it from there if you aren't comfortable doing it yourself.

Rigger/frigger

So is my choice between hoodoo voodoo, cube analog and rockrider 8.1? Some of my pals who are big into mountain biking have never heard of rockrider?

cooldad

So what? It's Decathlon's own brand, like Carerra is Halford's. You get lots of bike wothout paying for the name.

The Rookie

Rigger/frigger wrote:

So is my choice between hoodoo voodoo, cube analog and rockrider 8.1? Some of my pals who are big into mountain biking have never heard of rockrider?

Then they should loose weight as that is the only genuine big in MTBing thay can genuinely be if they haven't heard of them.

Kowalski675

Rigger/frigger wrote:

Do you think I am just being a "snob" avoiding halfords?

Yes, assuming you can use an allen key and spanner, to correct their shoddy PDI setups. Bad staff, but they sell plenty of good bikes.

DannyJames

Rigger/frigger wrote:

So is my choice between hoodoo voodoo, cube analog and rockrider 8.1? Some of my pals who are big into mountain biking have never heard of rockrider?

As said earlier Its Decathlons own brand and reviews don't come much better than this (last years model now but not much has changed as far as i am aware) ,

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... 1-10-39599

Also Decathlons customer service seems to be brilliant i was happy with mine so when i was looking for a road bike went with there Triban i fancy one of there sussers too

EDIT: That is the 2010 the toras are now recons and the juicy brakes are now elixr etc not adding any more i sound like i work for Decathlon :oops:

Rigger/frigger

Guys thanks for the info, looks rockrider is the best bet.

Rigger/frigger

Danny James,
Are the changes for the better on the rockrider 8.1 or not?

winter_zombie

Rigger/frigger wrote:

Guys thanks for the info, looks rockrider is the best bet.

o dear, well i gave you my advise. good luck

Rigger/frigger

Not ruling the voodoo out, I am going to halfords at the weekend to see them!

winter_zombie

any updates ???

Rigger/frigger

I went rockrider 8.1. I am loving it!

jeannot18

Don't forget that Decathlon now guarantee their frames for life. Go to their website and register your bike

JC

PS: The 8.1 was my first MTB, still got it despite the fact that I have upgraded to a full suss and use it once in a while. Can't fault it at all for £499

97th choice

winter zombie wrote:

Rigger/frigger wrote:

Guys thanks for the info, looks rockrider is the best bet.

o dear, well i gave you my advise. good luck

The hoodoo is a decent bike, but the rockrider 8.1 is definitely superior, but then it's also more expensive.