Rockrider 5.3 vs Rockrider 500

omarm

I went into Decathlon today
I tried the Rockrider 500 - it's on a sale price right now for £240

In store they had a Rockrider 5.3 - just one left from what I gather - price £300 - £30 off normal price

I rode the 500. It felt really good
I rode the 5.3 - it didn't feel as good

I'm guessing that the answer is to buy the 5.3?
I could only ride around the store - not exactly great for testing thoroughly
The 5.3 squicked when going round the corner - not sure what needs adjusting

Plan for the future: really get into mountain biking... the first Rockrider is just meant to be a first... I'd hope to buy much a better bike later - but... I'm just afraid the bike might sit around in the shed despite my current enthusiasm

What should I do...!?

Thanks


Omar

cooldad

omarm wrote:

I rode the 500. It felt really good
I rode the 5.3 - it didn't feel as good

I'm guessing that the answer is to buy the 5.3?

?

omarm

cooldad wrote:

?

but then i gave mitigating reasons not to buy
lol

rockmonkeysc

The 500 is going to be awful off road with that undamped fork. It's going to bounce you all over the place and dump you on your face at the first bumpy corner.

omarm

OK... so i should get the 5.3
but... what should i do make sure it's in tip top condition and free of any defects?
as i said: it was squeeking when i was riding round the store

rockmonkeysc

What sort of squeaking? Braking? pedalling? Steering? Rubber tyres on polished floor?

omarm

the squeeking seemed to come from the front around the brakes

being a complete newbie... i'm not sure if i should take a plunge and just buy?

supersonic

They build them and check them over, but brakes and gears bed in - which is why they offer a free check once you have ridden it a bit.

omarm

@supersonic, thanks for the reply
the website isn't showing as large being available
they definitely had one
i'll call tomorrow and ask for availability