new to biking first bike which one :)? ive read buying guide

max1342
max1342 Posts: 10
edited October 2013 in MTB buying advice
very new to biking only bike ive had before was a specalized hard rock disc and it was alright but sold it as needed the cash am looking to get into it again

budget from 200 to 300 does not have to be new dont mind second hand cheaper the better aslong as it does what it is suppose to do and feels good.

use - light off roading some light trails nothing fancy and genral road riding

if possible i would like push gears rather than twist ones and no fancy foot stays on the pedals

location is bristol

so what should i be looking at for a good buy :) thanks for your help in advance

Comments

  • croptonboy
    croptonboy Posts: 164
    edited September 2013
    If you want new, this isn't too bad:
    http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-53 ... 06682.html

    Second hand, pretty much any of the known brands within budget. Also look out for Carreras & Vodoos as you should pick up something fairly new for your money
  • max1342
    max1342 Posts: 10
    there stores are not very close by to me and really wanted to buy in person what is this bike like out of interest saracen mantra vx http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/sarac ... to-content
  • max1342
    max1342 Posts: 10
    or there are a few other local ones a trek 4300 for 130 or a specialized disc for 250 2013 or a 2012 v brake one for 175 , dont really want to waste my money not many second hand vodoos or carreras about my way it seems

    want to buy somthing today really what about this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Carrera-Venge ... 3cd5dd8ef4

    i also liked the look of that rock rider but dont want the pedals that hold your feet in im fussy i no
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    Most OE pedals are rubbish anyway and need changing, so just change them.
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  • croptonboy
    croptonboy Posts: 164
    edited September 2013
    max1342 wrote:
    i also liked the look of that rock rider but dont want the pedals that hold your feet in im fussy i no

    Just take the clips off then, they're only screwed on to the pedals

    Specialized is fairly new, presumably it's a Hardrock?
  • RyC
    RyC Posts: 25
    See if you're work has a CTW Scheme, This will help you get a better bike for the price.
    paying about £300 after the savings should allow to get roughly a £500 bike, plus you
    can pay the cost over 12 months
  • max1342
    max1342 Posts: 10
    cool thats good to no , really wish they were local tho im guessing being 5 ft 9 and not liking big bikes as ive tried a few my ideal size should be medium or 17" any opinions on the other bikes posted

    my works are only a small family buisness they dont even offer a pension yet untill they have to next year so dont think im getting a contribution there sadly but thanks for letting me no about it
  • max1342
    max1342 Posts: 10
    yes the specialized is a hard rock this one to be exact http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221285207183? ... 1423.l2649
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    I've bought a lot better bikes than that Lardrock for a lot less than that, a Carrera Vulcan is a better bike and typically £150-200 for a late last model (upto 2010), age is pretty irrelevant, buy on condition, I'd rather thave a 5 year old bike in good nick than a 1 year old that was jiggered!
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • max1342
    max1342 Posts: 10
    so this could be perfect then http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/18-inch-Carre ... 2a318aeb22 would this be ok for me at 5 ft 9 what do you think a sensible offer would be?
  • croptonboy
    croptonboy Posts: 164
    Size might depend on your inside leg measurement
  • max1342
    max1342 Posts: 10
    trousers for me on my inside leg are normally 28 or short i felt good on a 17" specialized hard rock but dont think that means all 17" bikes will be right i have no idea
  • croptonboy
    croptonboy Posts: 164
    Everybody's different but I'm 174cm and my inside leg is 29" and go with 15.5"-16" (Small) frames
  • chrisw333
    chrisw333 Posts: 695
    max1342 wrote:
    trousers for me on my inside leg are normally 28 or short i felt good on a 17" specialized hard rock but dont think that means all 17" bikes will be right i have no idea

    If you're prepared to do some research, find out what the effective top tube length was on the 17" Spec Hardrock that felt good, and look for bike size with similar effective top tube length (reach on a bike more important than seat tube length - that can be adjusted with saddle height). You'll find this on the geometry charts on the spec sections of the respective bikes.

    Best guess is you'll be a small or 16-17", but every bike is different.
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Croptonboy wrote:
    Size might depend on your inside leg measurement
    Or more importantly your reach, inside leg is pretty much irrelevant as the seatpost has a massive range of adjustement the cockpit length does not.

    I'm 5'9" and ride a 16" Carrera, but I'm short in the arms and you may find an 18" (about 20mm longer) fine for you.

    That's actually the womens model Vulcan (no need to let that put you off), and I doubt very much it's an 18" as the rear wheel has a radius (to tyre tread) of about 13" (half of 26") that looks much more like a 16" or maybe even a 14" to me!
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • max1342
    max1342 Posts: 10
    great advise im taking all this on board still not sure what bike to choose tho im a very indecisive person not shure if i should just buy the rock rider 5.3 or buy somthing cheaper like the SARACEN MANTRA for 75 and see if i use it enough enjoy it to buy a better bike . decathlon is about a hour and a half drive from me where as halfords and evans ect are round the corner wish they stocked that bike so i could have alook

    i also really like the look of the specialized hard rock but people seem to either love them of hate them but i can see the the rock rider has more going for it and is probaly lighter aswell
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    The Lardrock is a cynical marketing ploy, it's horrid, they have made a couple of decent models (Sport Disc was OK) but most are overpriced and overweight. sure it looks pretty but it has worse everything than a Carrera Vulcan and that includes the frame, incidentally they are built in the same Taiwanese factory by the same people.

    Any of the Disc braked Carrera's will be a much better ride, and cheaper to buy used.
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • max1342
    max1342 Posts: 10
    just thought i would update the thread just to let everyone no my choice

    rockrider 5.3

    newbike_zps08bae9d5.jpg
    baught this locally for £160 its 3 months old and hes used it twice , brakes feel sharp feels light enough not really had a chance to ride it properly yet but really looking forward to it

    hoping it was a good buy for what ive paid for it .
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Not a good buy, an excellent one, half price on a well respected budget bike for 2 rides, in 4 months those 2 rides will be meaningless but you'll still be over £150 better off!
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • sgtpepper1969
    sgtpepper1969 Posts: 61
    Very good buy for that price,there are bargains out there if u look,I got a brand new in the box voodoo bokor for £375 RRP £675
  • mcnultycop
    mcnultycop Posts: 2,143
    Great buy that.
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