Buying advice - Hardtail MTB (£1,000 Budget)

KenKennedy

Hi everyone!

My current bike is a 06 Kona Stinky and I've had enough of pushing/lifting/attempting to cycle (TERRIBLE for you're knees ) this TANK up hill just to go back down again. I'd like to think I could get at least £500 for this that I can put towards a lighter MTB that suits more what I want to do.

I'm looking to treat myself to a new hardtail mountain bike but don't have enough knowledge to recognise the quality of the specs and components therefore I'm unable to translate value for money effectively so any advice would be much appreciated.

In terms of usage I would hope to be out 3 or 4 times a week as I'm looking to build my fitness back up. Terrain would include cross country, forest trails, just your general mountain biking tracks.

Here's a few bikes which have caught my eye, most over my budget but my birthday is soon so hopefully I will have some extra cash.

Cube LTD SL 29
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/cube ... prod114143

Cube LTD Race 29
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/cube ... prod114141

Cube Reaction GTC Pro 29
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/cube ... prod111957

Cube LTD Pro 29
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/cube ... prod114140

Orange Crush
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Orange-Crush-Mo ... _65468.htm

Cannondale Trail SL 1
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cannondale-Trai ... _66084.htm

Kona Kahuna
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Kona-Kahuna-Mou ... _65262.htm

At the price I'd expect all of those bikes to be very good quality but as I said I don't have the specs and component knowledge to analyse which would be the best buy for my needs. I like the look of the Cubes but don't quite understand the difference between them, they are all similarly priced.

I'm sure there's plenty of other suggestions within my budget so please let me know! Any advice and recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Edit: Also I don't mind buying 2nd hand as long as the bike is in good condition, suggestions appreciated!

Angus Young

http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/categ ... -14-47854/

burglarboycie

The Whyte suggested above is great but I'm heavily biased towards the Cube ltd sl as that's what I have
James

mcnultycop

Radon at Bike Discount
Canyon
On one
Paul's Cycles

Would be my ports of call with a grand.

KenKennedy

Angus Young wrote:

http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/category/bikes/mountain-bikes/hardtail/product/review-whyte-901-14-47854/

Thanks for that, nice bike with a good review.

burglarboycie wrote:

The Whyte suggested above is great but I'm heavily biased towards the Cube ltd sl as that's what I have
James

Interesting, in your biased opinion how are you finding it mate?

mcnultycop wrote:

Radon at Bike Discount
Canyon
On one
Paul's Cycles

Would be my ports of call with a grand.

Wow. Never came across these. The Radon and On One look stunning. Now I'm really confused. :shock: Thanks!

VolatileMike

some of the older cube ltd race's might be good for you.

I had a 2012 model, light, fast and very good climbing.

Can get them around the £500 mark 2nd hand with decent spec aswell.

I sold mine in the end, as I wanted something a little more forgiving/confidence inspiring. Still a great bike though.

kevinharley

I've just got the On One 45650b Deore - £899 (or add another £150 for a reverb dropper post) - intended as my only and 'Do-it-all' HT MTB. Love it so far.

Or they do the Carbon 456 for just over £1000 - 26" wheel flavour - would be a lighter but still hardcore option!

The Rookie

Ragley M74 http://www.ragleybikes.com/m74-orange-b ... ures-specs excellent frame and good starting components, shame they do nothing between that and the £1300 Marley!

chrisw333

If you like the Whyte linked above, the 905 discussed in this thread is better and a great buy

viewtopic.php?f=20005&t=12960490

VolatileMike

The Rookie wrote:

Ragley M74 http://www.ragleybikes.com/m74-orange-b ... ures-specs excellent frame and good starting components, shame they do nothing between that and the £1300 Marley!

Marley is going for £830 on CRC http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ragl ... -prod82217

I've got one and its fantastic.

KenKennedy

I came on here hoping advice would make my decision easier. Now I'm drowning in classy bikes. Thanks for all the feedback!

burglarboycie

KenKennedy wrote:

Angus Young wrote:

http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/category/bikes/mountain-bikes/hardtail/product/review-whyte-901-14-47854/

Thanks for that, nice bike with a good review.

burglarboycie wrote:

The Whyte suggested above is great but I'm heavily biased towards the Cube ltd sl as that's what I have
James

Interesting, in your biased opinion how are you finding it mate?

mcnultycop wrote:

Radon at Bike Discount
Canyon
On one
Paul's Cycles

Would be my ports of call with a grand.

Wow. Never came across these. The Radon and On One look stunning. Now I'm really confused. :shock: Thanks!

I'm really pleased with it, rides very well and climbs so much better than I thought it would. It feels very light and agile. The build quality is excellent and the spec is second to none. Even the Cube branded finishing kit is top notch!
James

supersonic

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOO456CDEO ... ntain-bike

This is astonishing value. Not as racy as the Cubes or the Orange, but strong a versatile with a great fork.

KenKennedy

I think I've narrowed down my shortlist. In no particular order:

Whyte 901 (2013 Model)
http://whyte.bike/2013/product.php?xPro ... p;xSec=149

Cube LTD SL 29 2014
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/cube ... prod114143

Radon ZR Race 29 6.0 Shimano
http://www.radon-bikes.de/xist4c/web/ZR ... 25878_.htm

On-One 456 Evo Carbon Shimano Deore
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOO456CDEO ... ntain-bike

Thoughts? Any glaring discrepancies between them? I know everyone has their own taste and opinions.

mcnultycop

I'd go for the Radon or the On-One, but they are both very different bikes. The On-One is designed to be more hardcore than the Radon, which sounds more like it would suit your current needs. If you think your riding may take on more challenging trails I'd go for the On-One, otherwise the Radon.