New to Mountain Biking - Opinions on basic 1st bike

MysticWolf

Hi everyone,
Most probably you've seen the same question many times but I would really like some advise considering I plan on getting a MB by end of this week.

I am getting one since its been a while I haven't practiced and need some training to get fit.. I love cycling and currently on a tight budget.. After doing a few visits at local shops the options are between the following 3 bikes

GT Aggressor Expert HYDR 27'5
Giant Talon 4 27'5
Mondraker Phase 27'5

I will not ask which is the best brand/model since its quite subjective depending on personal tastes.. However I would like to know if the above offer decent performance as an 'entry' level bike for someone who's interest is to enjoy a good ride and train to keep fit.

thanks for your help.

swod1

I would say look at the giant or mondraker, they have longer travel front forks 100mm with lockout which you will want if you go for a ride on tarmac roads etc.

Either off those would be good bikes but once you get the bike you eventually decide on you will end up changing the bar grips, seat etc to personal taste/fit anyway.

Have you tried them for how they fit you, have you had a little ride on one in the car park of the bike shop?

buddy_club

Tbh all of those bikes are pretty rubbish for the price (rose tinted spectacles on) but i would look at a Voodoo Bizango for £599 from halfords, better spec than all of those bikes and just £75 more or if not a Voodoo Hoodoo for a bit less, both much better bikes than those suggested. Out of all of your choices i'd have the giant though.

MysticWolf

swod1 wrote:

I would say look at the giant or mondraker, they have longer travel front forks 100mm with lockout which you will want if you go for a ride on tarmac roads etc.

Either off those would be good bikes but once you get the bike you eventually decide on you will end up changing the bar grips, seat etc to personal taste/fit anyway.

Have you tried them for how they fit you, have you had a little ride on one in the car park of the bike shop?

I only managed to try (for just 5 mins) the Mondraker & GT and both felt good/similar in terms of ride/comfort.. I will also try the Giant both Talon 4 & Talon 1 (i know the Talon 1 is more expensive but there is a very good discount on the model)

rockmonkeysc

They are all terrible value. Carrera or Voodoo are far better value. Decathlon are also very good.
Big brands are best avoided on your budget.

The Rookie

Agreed, at this price point the name brands are poor value, its OK to pay £250 for the name at £1.5K, but on a £350 bike it makes no sense!

Voodoo Bizango, Carrera Fury, Decathlon Rockrider 8 series are the go to options at the £500-600 price point, or for sub £500 the Rockrider 520 or Calibre two.two from go outdoors.

MysticWolf

I understand, then I guess will try to give a look to some of the models you mentioned, check their prices/specs and hopefully try a couple of them and see which one feels more comfortable ..

thanks

mattrixdesign2

For £ vs Spec I would definitely try Decathlon. Decent bikes and customer service. Halfords Carreras and Boardmans also a good option, but don't pay RRP on the Carreras, as they are often discounted, in a sale or you can reserve on line with discount codes - also worth have BC membership for 10% off.

See this link for an example, then some more links as the bottom for similar price ranges

http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/categ ... -15-49087/

bennett_346

Honestly i wouldn't worry too much about spec on paper - you'll want a better one in a year anyway. Just focus on having fun, that may mean spending a limited budget on proper gear like padded shorts and a decent set of pedals, shoes etc. Those will make arguably a bigger difference to your enjoyment than an X9 mech over an X7 mech for example.

rockmonkeysc

There's not much in it between frames, the only real differences are in the bits bolted to the frame. The fork is going to make more difference to the ride than any other part.

wmorgs

I was in £500 mark when i bought my 1st bike and listened to wise heads on here.
They are now up for sale if can travel to South Wales
Fury, Boardman Team and Boardman 29r Soz for blatent plug but need deposit for new van

MysticWolf

mattrixdesign2 wrote:

For £ vs Spec I would definitely try Decathlon. Decent bikes and customer service. Halfords Carreras and Boardmans also a good option, but don't pay RRP on the Carreras, as they are often discounted, in a sale or you can reserve on line with discount codes - also worth have BC membership for 10% off.

See this link for an example, then some more links as the bottom for similar price ranges

http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/categ ... -15-49087/

thanks for the tip

MysticWolf

bennett_346 wrote:

Honestly i wouldn't worry too much about spec on paper - you'll want a better one in a year anyway. Just focus on having fun, that may mean spending a limited budget on proper gear like padded shorts and a decent set of pedals, shoes etc. Those will make arguably a bigger difference to your enjoyment than an X9 mech over an X7 mech for example.

Yeah that is what a few friends told me... Once you get into it, you'll want to upgrade for a superior bike..
But you know for a starter I think that for the budget I got, it is still possible to get a decent bike you can have fun with and gain some confindence..

Man Of Lard

Spend the money on frame & forks - everything else is consumable

lancew

I would take a look at this:

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBOOPWX5/o ... ntain-bike

Its what I am thinking about getting.

MysticWolf

Lancew wrote:

I would take a look at this:

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBOOPWX5/o ... ntain-bike

Its what I am thinking about getting.

thanks for the tip