My 1st MTB - Advice required

Tavish11

I am hoping to get some advice as I am looking to purchase my first MTB & have been informed by a number of people that this is the best place to come.

The bike will be used for the daily commute to work (some off road), but also often for MTBing all around the Notts area inc Sherwood Pines etc.

I have been told that looking to get one secondhand would be a good way to go as I would get more for my money but I am more inclined to buy new.

The bikes I have been looking at are as follows:

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-81 ... 68918.html

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/calibre-poi ... ke-p275620

I would appreciate any advice on the bikes listed or any other ones that people may feel will be a good buy for my first MTB.

clydefrog

The rockrider is always highly recommended on here and at least has a better fork and marginally better gears (X7/X5 as opposed to X5/X5) than the Calibre Point 50, it looks nice too and you won't have a bike named after a firearm calibre. I don't think any other new bike anywhere will beat that rockrider 8.1 for value and give you a spec like that for under £600. The fork is probably the biggest difference in the standard of components between the 2, the brakes may be better on the point 50 as I don't know how good tektros are (I have the Elixir 1's that are on the point 50 and they are fine until the pistons start sticking which is a widespread Avid brake issues). The rockrider is about 0.6KG lighter too but that won't make much difference to most people. I'd definitely pick the rockrider and it's nearly £50 cheaper than the Point 50 too.

Tavish11

Thanks for your input clydefrog, muchly appreciated. I have been leaning towards the rockrider 8.1 after doing some research & reading reviews etc on here. Just thought comparing a few & getting advice on others would be the best option before going & spending £600 plus.

clydefrog

No problem, yeah I did the same thing when I bought my bike and my final choice was influenced by peoples opinions on here (I'm happy with it too except for the POS FSA bottom bracket/crankset which I eventually replaced with a Shimano Deore one), I'm sure more people will reply letting you know what they think too.

risky

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165499

Voodoo Bizango.

MBR hardtail of the year, No.1 'Entry Level' Trail Hardtail in what Mountain Bike.

Tavish11

Seems like a cool bike but not really looking for a 29er.