I need a new MTB and your help! Which one???

magicmungo

Hi there

I am after a bit of advice and I am new to the forum so please be gentle!

Looking to upgrade my existing Giant ATX which is showing its age now and spend circa £1000 (might be a bit more if needed)

I don’t do ‘serious’ off roading – just easy stuff which suits my middle age! Looking at 29ers (I cycle to work a fair bit) in particular the Scott Scale 950 (2013)

So my questions to you guys who know a hell of a lot more than me is two fold:

1) Is this Scott any good?
2) Can anyone recommend a good bike for around a grand.

I know much of this is subjective etc but any pointers would be really appreciated!

Thanks in advance

Tom Barton

Bit more info will get you more responses:

What sort of 'easy' off road stuff do you intend to ride? Green/Blue/Red trail centre trails? Local bridle paths/very XC orientated or just the local canal path?

I'd say a hardtail is definitely the right territory for you from what you've said. And 29er wheels will definitely give you a bike that is pretty easy to spin quickly along on the flat and long distances (although tyre choices are getting much better now if you want to switch XC fast tyres to something a bit grippier for trips to the trails.

The scott comes in at about 1300 quid on a brief google which is a generous budget. If its only ever going to see light duties on said canal paths - you could consider something cheaper? But if you are going to do mountain biking it'll get you something nice

The Scott is a nice bike and there will be many out there with similar spec that all ride slightly differently. Swinging a leg over one is the best way to tell if its the one or not.

Equivalents include the Specialised Carve Comp 29, the Whyte 629 has a stunning looking frame IMO (some think it looks like a squatting dog), Cube Ltd Pro 29 has better spec than the others and is slightly cheaper. £1400 will buy you a carbon fibre canyon which is by far and away the best bike for the price - you do have to deal with them by phone/e-mail/online as its direct buy and it may be a few weeks before you get your bike and you cant test ride it http://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes/bike.html?b=3169 but on the whole the vast majority of people have good experiences dealing with them and they are now massively popular! (Theres huge thread about them in the general forum).