Noob hardtail buying advice
paulsadler
Posts: 4
Hi all, I'm new to this forum, and indeed to the sport (been riding a cheap Apollo!), but looking to get into mountain biking, mainly trail / XC stuff.
Anyway, I'm looking to spend between about £500-£700 on a new hardtail, and I've decided to go for a 650b/27.5 (I know that's a hotly debated topic in itself, but after a fair amount of research I think it's what to go for).
I really like thew look of this, which is currently 20% off:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitu ... prod107035
Spec seems great for the money, but I can't find any info about them. A few of their other bikes have reviews knocking around, and I know the more expensive VR version (http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitu ... prod107047) is part of some bike of the year test in this month's MBR. Could anyone tell me how it did?
Anyway, does anyone have any experience of this bike, and if not any opinions would be appreciated regardless, or advice on other bikes. Only downside is they only do 17" or 19". I'm 5 foot 9.5, would the 17 inch be OK, I was ideally after more like 18?
Sorry for the barrage of questions, I've researched this to death but there's so much to consider!
Thanks ion advance, Paul
Anyway, I'm looking to spend between about £500-£700 on a new hardtail, and I've decided to go for a 650b/27.5 (I know that's a hotly debated topic in itself, but after a fair amount of research I think it's what to go for).
I really like thew look of this, which is currently 20% off:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitu ... prod107035
Spec seems great for the money, but I can't find any info about them. A few of their other bikes have reviews knocking around, and I know the more expensive VR version (http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitu ... prod107047) is part of some bike of the year test in this month's MBR. Could anyone tell me how it did?
Anyway, does anyone have any experience of this bike, and if not any opinions would be appreciated regardless, or advice on other bikes. Only downside is they only do 17" or 19". I'm 5 foot 9.5, would the 17 inch be OK, I was ideally after more like 18?
Sorry for the barrage of questions, I've researched this to death but there's so much to consider!
Thanks ion advance, Paul
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Comments
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The vr won.A Flock of Birds
+ some other bikes.0 -
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Cheers Ben, so I guess the slighly lower version can't be too bad (or can it). Looking at the specs of the 2, is it worth the extra £160 for the VR? It does put it over budget.
The Boardman looks great, only problem is Halfords don't do finance, which I kind of need unfortunately. There are a few second hamd knocking about though. Also I've read not great things about the Elixir breaks, don't know how true that is though.0 -
benpinnick wrote:The vr won.
It did. And I'm sure it's a good buy. But MBR lost me on that test after giving the Rockrider 6/10. They said it had a great spec and the best fork in the price range - reason for the low mark? The long stem. Something that can be changed for a few quid.
But changing a fork on the inferior models - 200 odd quid?0 -
I reckon I'm gonna go for it, but now I'm agonizing over size. As mentioned, I'm 5 foot 9.5, inside leg 32". This would put me ideally at an 18" frame, however the options are 17" and 19". According to Vitus sizing guide I should go for the 17", but I can't help feel this may be a bit small (I really wish I could ride one). However, the effective top tube length in 595mm, which does seem to be as big if not larger than some 18".
Anyway, any ideas, 17" or 19"?
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