New bike..... cant make my mind up

dale_b

hello, im after a bit of advice as i cant make my mind up . i decided about a month ago that i wanted to get a decent mountain bike to go out riding with a few mates and as a way to get fit and healthy aswell as i certainly couldnt bring my self to go running. i havent owned a bike for 5/6 years. i wanted to get my self a full suspension bike, but after reading on here and other places about hard tail bikes, im a bit stumped. i set my self a budget of £1200 for a full suspension bike, but i can get more for my money with a hard tail and save a little bit aswell. the bike would mainly be used for riding up and around the local hills, and the odd trips to the local woods.

this morning i went to 2 bike shops in my local town. the first shop was very freindly and help full and felt really welcome, they deal in Kona and Giant bike and had a good selection got talking to the guy in the store and he showed me some examples. he had a full suspension Giant trance X3 2013, which i did like the looks of i know some of the components are basic. it was for sale for £1050. all of the bikes brought from the shop come with free bike fitting and the first 2 services free. also if i wanted components such as the saddle and grips swapping, that would be done free of charge and no extra costs.

the second shop deal in specialized and saracen bikes, they didnt have a great range just all hardtail bikes and 29ers which just looked clumsy! and i didnt get told what services came with a bike brought from them. unfortunately i couldnt ride any of the bikes due to the terrible weather.

ive seen the giant trance x3 bike for sale online for £900 but that wouldnt come with fitting or services free.

just a few questions really
The main qustion, hard tail or full suspension on my budget?
shall i buy from a bike shop or online?
any other bikes people recommend?

sorry for the long post, just a bit confused.
many thanks dale

ej2320

You'll get a great agressive hardtail for £1200
Personally on that budget I'd look at a hardtail.. Along the lines of On One or Cotic

Again, you'll get more for your money buying online but you can ask for deals at LBS

chrisrobs

what type of riding will you be doing?

poah

well spec'd FS bike

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitu ... -prod81013

rockmonkeysc

Get yourself a bairgain 2013 model. This would be my choice
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s1p494 ... %282013%29
I had the 2011 model and it's a superb bike. Light, fast, easy to ride good fun and solid.

dale_b

thanks for all your replies, after talking to a few people who do alot of biking ive decided to lower the budget to £500-£700, buy a good entry level hard tail and save my money and keep saving for a well speced full suspension bike if i enjoy riding and want to do more.

after reading some reviews most of the halfords bikes come out on top. went to look at a few tonight and just want some opinons/other suggestion. these are the ones i like.....

Boardman Mountain Bike Comp HT 650B £650- no reviews on this bike?
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... 65499#tab3

Carrera Fury Mountain Bike £600
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... 65499#tab2

voodoo hoodoo £500
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165499

rockmonkeysc

The trance in the link above has very good components and an excellent frame. You would need to be spending £2500+ to get anything significantly better. The frame is really excellent and the components are all solid and perform well.