Another noob....

cbkernow
cbkernow Posts: 7
edited December 2013 in MTB buying advice
afternoon all.

Thanks to the cycle to work scheme I have a few quid to spend on a bike. I'm looking to spend around £500 for the bike itself but would stretch to £600.
It will be used for short cycle to work on road trips but in leisure time it will be offroad but nothing particularly extreme, forest tracks and the likes.



Now, as much as I want to support local shops, they just don't have the range, local one here has basically a few treks (3700,4300) and some Meridas.

A lot of internet research points towards Voodoo Hoodoo but I fear I'm hammering another nail in the local shop coffin? And also concerned by reports of halford de-speccing newer model and shite setup

Me: 5'10" fat bloke
Definitely Hardtail 26" wheels
Definitely Hydraulic Brakes

I've been riding Treks as hire bikes recently and was pretty happy but internet reviews seem to poo-poo them....

Comments

  • chrisw333
    chrisw333 Posts: 695
    Depends on where you can buy from. But you are on the right track with Halfords - consider the Voodoo, Carrera and Boardman range - you may just get the latter in budget as they often have offers. Take a look at what you can get in budget, post links on this thread and you'll get some more guidance.

    Otherwise, Decathlon Rockrider 8.1 if you can buy from there?
  • Cqc
    Cqc Posts: 951
    Voodoo bizango got bike of the year from mbr... £600 though...
  • stellamandude
    stellamandude Posts: 91
    I highly doubt that your works cycle scheme will included Halfords :(
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    It will either be Halfords or you can't have Halfords at all......so which scheme are you on so we know what suggestions are viable, however the much acclaimed rockrider 8.1 from decathlon is available through cyclescheme.
    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.
  • cbkernow
    cbkernow Posts: 7
    ah well that changes everything, I didn't realise there were different "flavours" of bike schemes, we are with
    https://www.cyclescheme.co.uk/

    I'm down in Cornwall so a good range of shops but just not the range I'd hoped for in the shops so far!
  • davidkirk
    davidkirk Posts: 4
    cbkernow - I am in a similar position to you although my scheme does allow me to buy from Halfords or a LBS.

    I was looking at the Voodoo and also the entry level Boardman but these are only available from Halfords. I have started looking at the online retailers that take the bike scheme and then doing some research about the bikes. Without the range in your local LBS it is a bit more of a lottery as you will not be able to try before you buy.

    I hope you get something sorted and would be interested in how you get on

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