What type of mountain bike do I need

tomcave97
tomcave97 Posts: 12
edited October 2013 in MTB buying advice
Hi I would like to get a nice mountain bike for riding trails in woods and some general hiking trail type riding and also maybe a bit of down hill riding but nothing too extreme. I'm a bit confused about the difference between cross country and trail/single track bikes, could you explain why they are different please. What would be more suitable for an all rounder? I will mainly be riding at trail centres in wales.

Thanks

Comments

  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    What is your budget?
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  • tomcave97
    tomcave97 Posts: 12
    I don't really have a budget so £1000 but I can spend more if I need to
  • passout
    passout Posts: 4,425
    From what you've said, and not said, then I think you need a general purpose hartail mountain bike - its a good type of bike to start on & very flexible. You can get a really nice hardtail for between 500 and 1000. I wouldn't worry about wheel size at all. You might want either 100mm or 120mm front suspension - don't go over 140mm. The main thig is that it fits you.

    You might be best just going to a local bike shop (lbs) and going for a popular brand - Giant, Specialised, Trek, Kona, Genesis and the like. That said you can get some bargains on -line, I like these: http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOO26INTR/ ... ntain_bike or http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... _2012_Bike. Worth looking a what Decathalon have to offer too if you want to spend less.
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  • tomcave97
    tomcave97 Posts: 12
    Ok thanks
  • ej2320
    ej2320 Posts: 1,543
    As for the difference between XC and Trail. It's generally that the XC bikes are light with 80-100mm travel and the Trail bike is slacker with more travel so general burlier and heavier
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    And as for Downhill? Are you sure that is what you will be doing?
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  • ej2320
    ej2320 Posts: 1,543
    supersonic wrote:
    And as for Downhill? Are you sure that is what you will be doing?

    I get the impression he doesn't mean proper downhilling
  • kajjal
    kajjal Posts: 3,380
    I have mainly had cross country hardtail mountain bikes and you can ride them pretty much anywhere. We have been up mountains, through forests and up into the middle of nowhere.

    My current bike is a Carve Comp which has 120mm travel front fork and due to the stiff frame /29er wheels is a fast bike to ride. You may prefer something different so make a shortlist and do some test rides. Don't get hung up on things like wheel size just trust your instincts when you see and ride the bikes.
  • tomcave97
    tomcave97 Posts: 12
    ej2320 wrote:
    supersonic wrote:
    And as for Downhill? Are you sure that is what you will be doing?

    I get the impression he doesn't mean proper downhilling
    I mean doing downhill trails in the woods with some jumps
  • tomcave97
    tomcave97 Posts: 12
    Kajjal wrote:
    I have mainly had cross country hardtail mountain bikes and you can ride them pretty much anywhere. We have been up mountains, through forests and up into the middle of nowhere.

    My current bike is a Carve Comp which has 120mm travel front fork and due to the stiff frame /29er wheels is a fast bike to ride. You may prefer something different so make a shortlist and do some test rides. Don't get hung up on things like wheel size just trust your instincts when you see and ride the bikes.

    Ok that sound like what I will be doing but I think I will need a 26 I'm quite short
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    I'd go for a carbon 456:

    http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FBOOC456V2/ ... ntain_bike

    Tough, light, versatile - great spec.
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  • ej2320
    ej2320 Posts: 1,543
    supersonic wrote:
    I'd go for a carbon 456:

    http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FBOOC456V2/ ... ntain_bike

    Tough, light, versatile - great spec.

    I'd agree, great all round and slack enough to handle jumps and drops
  • kajjal
    kajjal Posts: 3,380
    tomcave97 wrote:
    Kajjal wrote:
    I have mainly had cross country hardtail mountain bikes and you can ride them pretty much anywhere. We have been up mountains, through forests and up into the middle of nowhere.

    My current bike is a Carve Comp which has 120mm travel front fork and due to the stiff frame /29er wheels is a fast bike to ride. You may prefer something different so make a shortlist and do some test rides. Don't get hung up on things like wheel size just trust your instincts when you see and ride the bikes.

    Ok that sound like what I will be doing but I think I will need a 26 I'm quite short

    If you are doing a lot of jumps you are probably better off with a stronger built bike more suited to that style of riding. XC bikes are robust enough but more stretched out which may not be what you are after.

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