New MTB - Suggestions

cod58

Hi All

I am new to the site and was hoping that someone could give me some advice as to a new purchase I am wanting to make.

I have a cheap and nasty, run of the mill bike that was purchased a few years ago and use this to travel to and from work. I am now looking at spending a large amount of money(large for me anyway) of between £500 - £600 for a bike that I can use for travel to work but also use for going off road on trails.

I really like the look of the 29ers and was considering buying a cannondale Trail 29 5:

http://www.wheelbase.co.uk/bikes/mounta ... escription

I have read some reviews for the pro's and con's of 26 vs 29 and feel that the 29 would be a better option for me at the moment.

Has anyone got or had one of these before? Would this be a good entry level bike for me to get into off-roading? Are there any other bikes that you would recommend?
Any help would be appreciated before I commit to the purchase.

Many thanks

Berkshire Rich

Hi and welcome. I am new to the site but not new to MTB. I am not certain you need a 29er as a starter bike, but each to their own. The Cannondale looks fine and would get you off to a great start, but there is understandably a lot of own brand kit at that price. So it depends how long you plan to keep it and how much off road you do. For slightly more cash you could get a Boarman Comp, which has a better spec - longer travel forks, Avid brakes, SRAM X5 etc.

You should not rule out a nearly new and virtually unused bike like a Boardman Team (or similar) on Ebay - you would be surprised how many people buy a bike and then get rid without using it. I just got a Boarman Team (2013 model) new from Halfords at £550 in the clearance. They are almost all gone now but its pushing down the nearly new prices as well! Dont forget money for kit and spares etc. enjoy!

kajjal

There are some real bargains on eBay if you take your time and do your research. Just one example of many brands and types, a specialized carve 2013 can be picked up within your budget second hand from eBay which is good value for a race capable bike which cost £1,200 brand new last year. Just be careful to get any second hand bike in good condition and be aware specs even on the same bike vary from year to year as do the frames, weight of bike etc.

If you prefer new then go to your local bike shop and see what they have, also do some test rides to confirm what you want.

The Rookie

The fork is undamped on that 'dale which is not a good thing at all, as 26" bikes you can have a damped fork from circa £350 I'd be reconsidering!

buddy_club

Voodoo Bizango for same price as that, Air forks, mainly Deore kit (except FD), bargain, the magazines love it, tbh you cant go wrong*

*i may or may not be a teeny weeny bit biased

tootsie323

If we're going with the biased theme, I recently picked up a Trek XCal-7 29er. £600, hardtail, great frame, other components (with the exception of the pedals!) are also very good. I prefer a 29" wheel as I tend to do more XC riding (as opposed to anything more extreme) and like the rolling momentum that can be maintained with the bigger wheel.