Hardtail MTB around the £600 mark

av00060

Hello, I'm looking for a mountain bike around the £600 mark, are there any stand out models or makes to go for or avoid?
As i'm 5ft 8" perhaps a 29er would be too big so im looking at traditional 26" wheeled hardtails and have seen a few seemingly impressive models, would love peoples opinions!

possible options: 1. Ghost SE 5000 http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ghos ... prod81703#

2. the well reviewed Calibre Two.Two http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/calibre-two ... ke-p275612

3. Boardman Comp MTB http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... 89005#tab3

or maybe a 29er with a small frame: (not sure if one would be too big still)

Beone CRD comp alloy: http://www.merlincycles.com/beone-crd-c ... 65305.html

any advice would be really helpful, thanks!

poah

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/btwin-rockri ... 68918.html

or

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/corr ... -prod91545


to consider


out of the ones you posted probably the ghost would be my choice

BigAl

If you're okay with a 29er, the Voodoo Bizango from Halfords is very highly rated

Cqc

BigAl wrote:

If you're okay with a 29er, the Voodoo Bizango from Halfords is very highly rated

yeah, it got hardtail of the year and bike of the year

cervelofan

Genesis Core 40 for £649.99 here http://www.billybilslandcycles.co.uk/node/910

pnev

Bizango!

av00060

Thanks for the advice so far, the Genesis looks well specced for a good price!
Regarding the Voodoo Bizango, ive read lots of very positive reviews for the bike, but the smallest fame is an 18" which might be a stretch for me on a 29er perhaps?

AAddict

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s2p4685/CUBE-LTD-2013

markfogel

In the same situation as OP, heard allot of good things about the Bizango but one, apperantly the frame is not as good as other bikes in this price range... any opinions on this? ie 7005 rather than the 6xxx not entirely sure what difference it makes on the hill/trail though...
I emailed a local shop earlier today asking for advice and they recommended the following:

********
We have several bikes you maybe interested in. Specialized and Saracen are very strong in this price range. The specialized Hardrock sports disc £500 which is below your price point. It has Hydraulic Disc brakes, Lockable front suspension and 29" wheels, perfect for cross-country and small commutes.

The link for this bike is - http://www.specialized.com/gb/gb/bikes/ ... rt-disc-29

The next bike is right on budget is the Saracen Mantra Pro. This is a 26" wheel with upgraded spec's on the Hardrock.

The link for this bike is - http://www.saracen.co.uk/bikes/trail/mantra-pro

Saracen do a 29er called the Kili Pro. It is the same spec and look of the Mantra.

The link for this bike is - http://www.saracen.co.uk/bikes/trail/kili-pro

We do have 1 very good available in a 19" fame ONLY - Saracen Mantra Trail, This bike Retails at £769.99. We are able to do this bike at ore £600. This is a 26" wheel but have a very high spec for the money (10speed, Deore Brakes). If you would like this bike its special order only and we will need a deposit A.S.A.P

The like for this bike is - http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Saracen-Mantra- ... _56733.htm
*******

Anyone has any recommendations?

Cumm1ngs

I'm 6' tall and ride a 29er. Had to get an 18" frame.

Swansea_Dave

£600 is a very reasonable budget and there are some great deals out there at the moment. I recently scored a 2013 Saracen Mantra Elite, brand spanking new, for £340 on eBay (list price £1199!)

Cookeh

2nd hand is the way forward tbh.

If you must have new though, the Rockrider 8.1 is well reviewed, well liked and very well specced for the price.

MC2014

Boardman, voodoo hoodoo or bizango really good bikes for the money.

Possibly look into the rockrider's as another option.

av00060

Thanks for all the help so far!
It looks like 29ers are out of the equation now, Im not sure my height would allow me to utilise one fully.
So far the bikes that have stood out include the Decathlon Rockrider but the appearance doesnt do much if im honest, I much prefer the looks of:
1. Genesis Core 40 http://www.billybilslandcycles.co.uk/node/910
2. Ghost SE 5000 still http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ghos ... -prod81703
3. Ghost SE 8000 but not sure if it warrants the extra £60 over the SE 5000http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ghost-se-8000-hardtail-bike-2013/rp-prod81704
4. Saracen Mantra Pro http://www.saracen.co.uk/bikes/trail/mantra-pro

These bikes all seem pretty similarly specced to me, but I know very little, so any advice would be helpful, cheers!

Cookeh

av00060 wrote:

Thanks for all the help so far!
It looks like 29ers are out of the equation now, Im not sure my height would allow me to utilise one fully.
So far the bikes that have stood out include the Decathlon Rockrider but the appearance doesnt do much if im honest, I much prefer the looks of:
1. Genesis Core 40 http://www.billybilslandcycles.co.uk/node/910
2. Ghost SE 5000 still http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ghos ... -prod81703
3. Ghost SE 8000 but not sure if it warrants the extra £60 over the SE 5000http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ghost-se-8000-hardtail-bike-2013/rp-prod81704
4. Saracen Mantra Pro http://www.saracen.co.uk/bikes/trail/mantra-pro

These bikes all seem pretty similarly specced to me, but I know very little, so any advice would be helpful, cheers!

Core 40 has the best fork imo, excluding the RR - all much of a muchness other than that. Worth noting the Saracen is a 650B as well, if that puts you off/attracts you.

poah

the 8000SE is worth the extra £60 for the fork and the componets

av00060 wrote:

2. Ghost SE 5000 still http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ghos ... -prod81703
3. Ghost SE 8000 but not sure if it warrants the extra £60 over the SE 5000http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ghost-se-8000-hardtail-bike-2013/rp-prod81704

passout

cervelofan wrote:

Genesis Core 40 for £649.99 here http://www.billybilslandcycles.co.uk/node/910

Good shout - nice bike.