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Which MTB

martosmartos Posts: 6
edited June 2014 in MTB buying advice
Hi,

I was hoping you guys would be able to offer me some advice.

I am looking for decent bikes for the kids (Boy 12 and Girl 11) that will grow with them. My son is getting into MTB and could do with something pretty hard wearing. Daughter is more sedate. Both are very tall, so am looking at small adults bikes for them rather than kids bikes. Been looking at:

For my son

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_810645_langId_-1_categoryId_165499
or
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-500-mountain-bike-id_8293150.html

For my daughter

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_810663_langId_-1_categoryId_165499

Any other options you guys would advise in the up to £300 bracket please?

Posts

  • James68James68 Posts: 38
    edited May 2014
    Ideas:
    Ghost - http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ghos ... -prod81696
    Ghost is a good brand and a there's good discount so worth a look.

    Coyote - http://www.rutlandcycling.com/256087/pr ... wgodmK8AcA
    Great value for money including hydraulic disc brakes and 27 gears.

    (Both unisex)
  • RockmonkeySCRockmonkeySC Posts: 14,770
    Ignore the codpiece above.
    The bikes you picked out are ok. But this one is better and discounted to come within your budget
    http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-53 ... 06682.html
    Transition Patrol - viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=13070235
  • martosmartos Posts: 6
    RockmonkeySC wrote:
    Ignore the codpiece above.
    The bikes you picked out are ok. But this one is better and discounted to come within your budget
    http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-53 ... 06682.html

    :D No stock on the £6k :shock: or Decathlon one unfortunately (well apart from Glasgow, but thats £200 miles from me). Is the 5.3 an equivalent to the Rockrider 520?
  • The RookieThe Rookie Posts: 27,761
    Yes, the 520 is the new name for the 5.3
    Current steed - Whyte T129, 2013 frame, mongrel Revelations, Giant dropper, Stans S1 wheelset. 12, Magura Trail Sport brakes, 1x11. 12.9Kg
  • James68James68 Posts: 38
    RockmonkeySC wrote:
    Ignore the codpiece above.
    Harsh.
  • RockmonkeySCRockmonkeySC Posts: 14,770
    James68 wrote:
    RockmonkeySC wrote:
    Ignore the codpiece above.
    Harsh.

    Fair I thought.
    Transition Patrol - viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=13070235
  • bartimaeusbartimaeus Posts: 1,812
    If you know what you are doing, then 2nd hand can be a better option than new as entry level mountain bikes tend to be a little heavy - which is not a big deal for an adult, but it can be more of an issue for kids, especially if you want them to tackle anything hilly. If you are not confident buying second hand - and it can be a bit of a minefield - then the Rockrider is a great value bike.

    If your aiming at more gentle trails then it is less of a worry. So for example the size S Rockrider is 14.4 kg (nearly 32 lbs) without pedals... so I'd be more than happy to ride it, but I think my 12 year old would struggle to take it up a big climb.

    My lad is on an XS (13.5") Rockhopper which cost £230 from eBay... with a 50mm stem and narrow flat bars it is a good fit. As he was too light to get much out of the (pretty decent) Dart 3 forks, I just fitted some 100m Rebas (another £150) so now it's a great bike. As he grows we can change stem and bars - and then at some point we'll be looking at a new frame.
    dc3c67ff-fc07-4e54-b17b-6094d270255f_zps0bcfe9ba.jpg
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  • martosmartos Posts: 6
    @Bartimaues _ I am keeping an eye on ebay, but not having much luck at the moment. Not looking to do anything too strenuous, but will keep weight in mind thanks.

    @James68 - The Coyote looks great value, its a shame they dont ship it assembled. I can do basic maintenance, but never done a full setup before and the last time i mucked about with gears it went a bit wrong!

    I know that you can spend lots of money on these things, but is spending a bit more and going for the Calibre 2.2 or ROckrider 520 a better option in the long run?
  • The RookieThe Rookie Posts: 27,761
    My daughter is quite short, her first proper MTB was a Scott Voltage jump style bike, frame was the right size and not heavy and it made a decent XC bike until she wanted something a bit more versatile.
    Current steed - Whyte T129, 2013 frame, mongrel Revelations, Giant dropper, Stans S1 wheelset. 12, Magura Trail Sport brakes, 1x11. 12.9Kg
  • bartimaeusbartimaeus Posts: 1,812
    Your other option is to buy a rigid bike - something like the Islabikes Beinn 26. A bike like this will be MUCH lighter than any HT MTB you can buy for under £1,000, and it's only limitation will be going down rougher trails where the lack of a suspension fork, and the lack of disc brakes will start to tell. For general riding these bikes are fantastic, and they hold their value when the time comes to sell on.

    My son was on an Islabikes Beinn 26 S until I built up the Rockhopper. The Rockhopper is a heavier bike, even with the new forks (it's about 26lbs I think)... but it is much more capable downhill, and that's why we made the move.

    Islabikes do a kids HT which looks lovely - but they are £700.
    Vitus Sentier VR+ (2018) GT Grade AL 105 (2016)
    Giant Anthem X4 (2010) GT Avalanche 1.0 (2010)
    Kingley Vale and QECP Trail Collective - QECP Trail Building
  • martosmartos Posts: 6
    How about this? Seems reasonable spec for the money:

    http://www.buyabike.co.uk/bikes/base-bikes-rock-fighter-26-hardtail-mountain-bike-disc-brakes-front-suspension.html
  • cooldadcooldad Posts: 32,599
    Nasty. Will be heavy. Undamped forks. 7 speed freewheel. Even steel handlebars.
    I don't do smileys.

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  • OuijaOuija Posts: 1,386
    cooldad wrote:
    Nasty. Will be heavy. Undamped forks. 7 speed freewheel. Even steel handlebars.

    Not to mention heavy rims (V-Brake surfaces despite coming with disk brakes), steel cranks and old internal bottom bracket.
  • The RookieThe Rookie Posts: 27,761
    £200 is about right, never ever worth £300.
    Current steed - Whyte T129, 2013 frame, mongrel Revelations, Giant dropper, Stans S1 wheelset. 12, Magura Trail Sport brakes, 1x11. 12.9Kg
  • martosmartos Posts: 6
    Ok, will steer clear of this one! Cheers guys :D
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