Time to upgrade. Need help

GazMan1.1

Hi everyone
I'm new to the forum but not new to mountain biking. I have currently owned a specialised rockhopper.
But it is time for me to upgrade. I'm not looking for a brand new bike so a used one would be preferred
My budget would be £300-£400
I'm looking for a medium frame so 18"
Something with decent air forks.
Light weight.
Sort of similar to my previous rockhopper
I'm not too keen on driving hundreds of miles to get a used bike but maybe 50 or so miles I'll go to.

Thanks.

Chunkers1980

Do you still gave the 'hopper?

GazMan1.1

No I don't have the rockhopper.

rockmonkeysc

You're not going to get anything much better for £300

GazMan1.1

So do I look for another specialized rockhopper or look for something totally different.

JMcP92

To be honest, the Rockhopper is a great starting point. Go to the Pinkbike Buy/sell and narrow it down to your town, or towns around you for a look.
End of the day you're not gonna get something much better than the hopper for £300-~£400. I'm no specialized fan but you do get a lot of value for money with the Rockhopper's

supersonic

Calibre two point two. Rockshox forks. 27 speed. Hydro discs. Alu frame. 360 quid.

GazMan1.1

is that caliber two point two new or used?
Ive been browsing bikes near me and came across a few full suspension bikes. if i waited for the auctions to end i could get a deal.
what do you guys thinks

http://tinyurl.com/p8erqow

http://tinyurl.com/owyg8wb

http://tinyurl.com/o4ldjfs

cooldad

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/calibre-two ... ke-p275612

rockmonkeysc

That Trek liquid is very old and not very good. A modern hardtail would be better.
The other two will probably sell nearer a grand.

paulbox

Check the offers section on Paul's Cycles: http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/offers.php?cat=1

Nick Cod

Maybe see if there's some 2013 models still kicking around. But to be honest I agree with the above, you're not going to get much better than what you had for £300 to £400

Why did you get rid of the Rockhopper??

GazMan1.1

Yeah I figured having a budget of £3 to £400 won't be enough so I've raised my budget to £700 I've been looking for 2013 model bikes on chain reactions. Just spoilt for choice now. Will have a good look and see which bikes suite me.
Anyone got any recommendations too have a look at?
I got rid of the rockhopper as the frame was cracking. Maybe I pushed it too hard.

Nick Cod

Depends what sort of riding you want to do? No good getting a light weight xc bike if you want to go jumping

GazMan1.1

Ill only be doing XC I'll keep away from the big jumps. As this new bike will need to last a long time.

paulbox

GazMan1.1 wrote:

I've raised my budget to £700

Now you're talking

2012 GT Zaskar Comp £1,100 down to £650: http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s2p384 ... -COMP-2012

2012 Cannondale Trail 29er £1,000 down to £650: http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s155p4 ... 9ER-2-2012

GazMan1.1

Is there much difference between a 29er and a 26er? What about full suspension bikes? I've always had hard tails.

paulbox

GazMan1.1 wrote:

Is there much difference between a 29er and a 26er? What about full suspension bikes? I've always had hard tails.

3"

Boom... boom...

Try some out and see what you prefer. It doesn't matter what anybody else likes or feels comfortable with, only you.

At £700 you're at a very low end for a full sus, will be pretty crap compared to the kind of hardtail that you can pick up.

GazMan1.1

Thanks for the advice. I shall go and test a few out this weekend. Are there any other suggestions.

rockmonkeysc

You could get a nice used full sus for £700. A grand is about the minimum new.

Antm81

If you want a used bike you can get a fairly decent full sus bike for that price if you're careful. If you look at my trance in my sig, how it was when I bought it was a lot less than £700. It may be 5 years old now but still rides well.

Berkshire Rich

Recent thread for £600-£700 hardtail:

viewtopic.php?f=40028&t=12965876

GazMan1.1

There are a few hardtails I'm contemplating but I will have to wait till I try some out over the weekend. See what my local bike shop have. I'll give the 29ers and full suspensions ago as well. I might even see if they have any 27.5 so I'll be busy this weekend.

Do you guys have any suggestion of makes to try or avoid?
Thanks.

rockmonkeysc

Specialized, Giant, Trek and Santa Cruz full suspension can all be got used for £700 and are mostly solid frames.
I would avoid GT, Boardman and lappierre

GazMan1.1

What do you guys think of this?
http://bit.ly/1hXnpHs

Antm81

Think top of the range in the description is pushing it a little, I believe they're the xc28 forks so don't think they're air sprung like you wanted either. Have you ridden a 29er? Not everybody likes the feel of them, I know I didn't but that's personal preference.

mcnultycop

0% feedback and can't be arsed listing the spec. Not for me.

GazMan1.1

Hey guys.
So all my local bike shops are expensive. Or they just didn't have any hardtails with air forks. So I guess it's down to Internet shopping. As there seems to be a lot more deals.
So I kinda need some help. Any of you seen any good deals online?
Thanks in advance.

cooldad

Your local Halfords or Decathlon.

rockmonkeysc

Have a look at the Boardman hardtails from Halfords.

GazMan1.1

Just an update. I got my self a used cube ltd race 2012 model. Was used once and put left in a flat. I must say. It's such a good bike.

Thanks for all the suggestions and all the help