Cannot make my mind up...

princebishop75

Hi, any guidance would be greatly appreciated...

Looking at spending between £750 and £1000 on a hardtail mountain bike - either a Boardman or a Specialized Rockhopper.

Whilst I am open to other suggestions, I cannot make my mind up between the two makes...or which model to get.
Considering Boardman's Team @ 850 or Pro @ 1000....or Specialized's Rockhopper Comp @ 850 or Pro Evo @ 1000.

I am 6ft4 and about 99kg in weight...will I really notice the upgrades in the more expensive models?

BloggingFit

http://www.birdmtb.com

CitizenLee

BloggingFit wrote:

http://www.birdmtb.com

This ^^

kajjal

I am over 6ft6 and a similar weight. The advice I would give is try to make sure you get a decent air fork with the bike. That way it is easy to adjust the air pressure to your weight so the fork works well.

chrisw333

Rockhoppers are terrible value for money. It would be hard to pick something worse.

The Boardmans are very good value indeed and if it is definitely between those two then it's a very easy decision.

I too like the look of the Birds though.

CitizenLee

chrisw333 wrote:

Rockhoppers are terrible value for money. It would be hard to pick something worse.

Good frames though, and Specialized warranty is second to none.

My money would still be on a Bird

rockmonkeysc

Boardmans frames are also very good and made in the same factory as the Rockhopper. Halfords are surprisingly good with the warranty as well.

Clank

CitizenLee wrote:

chrisw333 wrote:

Rockhoppers are terrible value for money. It would be hard to pick something worse.

Good frames though, and Specialized warranty is second to none.

My money would still be on a Bird

Good call, but the Birds are at least 200 quid over his maximum price.

CitizenLee

Clank wrote:

CitizenLee wrote:

chrisw333 wrote:

Rockhoppers are terrible value for money. It would be hard to pick something worse.

Good frames though, and Specialized warranty is second to none.

My money would still be on a Bird

Good call, but the Birds are at least 200 quid over his maximum price.

Worth saving up the extra for the spec you get.

supersonic

True, but then another 200, and another 200 ;-)

For a grand, and an XC oriented bike, this is wrth a look:

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b65s2p43 ... LOY-1-2012

princebishop75

Thanks for the advice. Will spread the search wider!

chrisw333

princebishop75 wrote:

Thanks for the advice. Will spread the search wider!

Nothing wrong with the Boardman, a very good choice.

benpinnick

CitizenLee wrote:

chrisw333 wrote:

Rockhoppers are terrible value for money. It would be hard to pick something worse.

Good frames though, and Specialized warranty is second to none.

My money would still be on a Bird

Thanks! Just FYI all birds have a lifetime transferrable warranty on the frame. Specialized are maybe second only to bird in warranty

princebishop75

Back again....

Had a little ride on the Boardman Team 29er, I am 6ft4inches...the frame/bike seemed a little too small. It was the 19inch large frame....has anybody of similar height rode one?

Any thoughts on Whytes? Or the Scott Scale 960?

Probably looking more at the £800 mark now....anything else I should consider? Bought What Mountain Bike magazine this morning and it scores the Saracen Mantra Trail very highly, but try and find one for sale! Impossible...

rockmonkeysc

At 6'4" you're probably going to need an XL in most bikes.
Im only 6'1" and the 19" Boardman is too small for me.

kajjal

At 6ft4 you need to be careful to get a bike that's fits you well, don't try to make a bike that is much too small fit you. I am over 6ft6 and ride a 23" specialized Carve (now Crave) as it fitted me well and rode well. At my height I have limited choice don't have the range if bikes and spec 's others have to choose from.

tarbot18

im 6ft and ride a Boardman 29er in large and its perfect for me but as above youll need an xl if they do one.