New 650B MTB

esa2

In the market for a new MTB for a bit of fun where my Specialized Crosstrail Disc cant go. Decided Im going for 650B and must have hydraulic brakes and cost about the same as my crosstrail at £550

Narrowing my choices down to these

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/nor ... e-ec073457

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/sar ... e-ec110063

There also a couple of cheaper options that may fit the bill

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/nor ... e-ec074744

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/jam ... e-ec072065

Any thoughts? Cheers

rockmonkeysc

Forget wheel size, it's only part of what defines how a bike rides. Specifying a wheel size doesn't guarantee that it will ride in a certain way.
For that price the top choice for me would be the Voodoo Bizango, it's easily better than any of those above.

The Rookie

Of those, only the Norco 7.3 has a fork good enough to consider as a proper MTB, but even that is rather poor for that price.

I'm with RMSC though, bike first, worry about the wheel size after, but if you must have 650B, the Carrera Kraken or Fury are decent options.

esa2

Interesting to see Carrera recomendations. I got a carrera valour this time last year after almost 30 years out the saddle. Just wanted a cheap bike to see if Id get into it again. The valour done the trick but its no use for any remotely serious off road riding due to its V brakes especially when Ive become accustomed to hydraulics on the crosstrail which is pretty much serving its purpose fitness wise but like I say I could do with that occasional use fun bike

JayX2A

Considered the Genesis Core 20?

http://www.wheelies.co.uk/p72788/Genesi ... tAodzkgAOg

Just about to ask about sizing.

rockmonkeysc

The Genesis is ok but not as good as the Voodoo. The fork, transmission and brakes are very basic.

esa2

Getting rather tempted to up the budget and full sus with a Giant Stance 2

esa2

This bike shoppings a nightmare, so many to choose from. Now torn between these 2

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/whyte-801-15

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/sar ... e-ec110065

Had been tempted by the Full suspension Giant Stance 2 as said above but that appears to be back up to £1000 everywhere after being £850 in some places which made it very tempting. Any opinions and other suggestions appreciated. Looked at the Fury which was suggested earlier but think id rather stick to the 3 gear rather than 2

LJ.

You seen these Giant hardtails on offer, decent spec.
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s182p6 ... 7-5-1-2014
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s182p6 ... 7-5-2-2014

JayX2A

You seem to have the same budget as me and looking at same bikes!

I think I have narrowed by search down to two - the Saracen Mantra Trail that you posted.

Review here:

http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/categ ... -14-48766/

I also went and looked at the Genesis Core 30:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gen ... e-ec073912

Both very similar in spec, but the Genesis is running 2x10, the Mantra 3x10. Both have the Radion Air Fork, Shadow Plus rear mech with a clutch mechanism, same brakes, although the Mantra runs 160/180 and the Core 160/160.

No reviews of the Core 30 yet, but went and looked at it in the shop and its very plain and does not look like an £800 bike, but thats the point I think.

Most posts seem to point to 2x10 being better so maybe making the Core the more favourable option. Saying that, the Mantra is a great looking bike in my opinion so I am really torn between the two!

The Rookie

2x10 is not better than 3x10, it's just different...you loose some gear range but it's not really that relevant, you loose a tiny amount of weight and gain what can be an easier to use set of gears IF used correctly.

qube

There's a chap called Cody on this forum who is considering selling a Boardman HT 650b if it's any use to you.

:P

esa2

The Rookie wrote:

2x10 is not better than 3x10, it's just different...you loose some gear range but it's not really that relevant, you loose a tiny amount of weight and gain what can be an easier to use set of gears IF used correctly.

Ive discounted the 2x10 as from what Ive read they are more suited to more experienced and fitter riders. Im 44 and only took up cycling again a year ago after not being on a bike for about 30 years. Although Ive become fitter over the last year using my hybrid I think id still be happier sticking with a bike with a "granny ring" just incase

Antm81

esa2 wrote:

The Rookie wrote:

2x10 is not better than 3x10, it's just different...you loose some gear range but it's not really that relevant, you loose a tiny amount of weight and gain what can be an easier to use set of gears IF used correctly.

Ive discounted the 2x10 as from what Ive read they are more suited to more experienced and fitter riders. Im 44 and only took up cycling again a year ago after not being on a bike for about 30 years. Although Ive become fitter over the last year using my hybrid I think id still be happier sticking with a bike with a "granny ring" just incase

You'd probably find the granny on a 2x10 setup more than adequate. I'm not overly fit and my new bike came with 2x10 instead of 3x9 and hardly noticed a difference. (In fact I spent most of my time in the 38 tooth big ring and have since swapped to 1x10 using a 32t)

JayX2A

Like the OP, I'm finding the decison Tricky!

I looked at the Mantra and the Core together and sat on both and went for a short spin and now having real hard time deciding as they both felt pretty good. Although saying this, I want to try the Mantra is a larger size too, as the 17" was maybe a little small.

The Rookie

esa2 wrote:

The Rookie wrote:

2x10 is not better than 3x10, it's just different...you loose some gear range but it's not really that relevant, you loose a tiny amount of weight and gain what can be an easier to use set of gears IF used correctly.

Ive discounted the 2x10 as from what Ive read they are more suited to more experienced and fitter riders. Im 44 and only took up cycling again a year ago after not being on a bike for about 30 years. Although Ive become fitter over the last year using my hybrid I think id still be happier sticking with a bike with a "granny ring" just incase

The 2x10 lowest gear is similar to the lowest gear on a 3x8 anyway, realistically the lowest 2 gears on a 2x10 are useless anyway.

If it were me I would not be ruling out a bike because it was 2x10, I'd get the best bike for the money.

I'm 48 and didn't retake up riding until I was your age after a similar gap, both my main bikes are 1x9 with no granny ring and I assure you I'm no superman!

kajjal

I am in my 40's and My bike is 2 x 10. It has a 36 / 22 chainset and 11-36 cassette. I do main trail centres and XC trail riding in more remote area's , so far I have not had any problems getting up steep hills. I spend most of my time in the larger chain ring unless it gets steep / rough. Choose what ever suits you riding. 1 x 10 would not work for me as I am not fit enough for the steeper trails I ride.

The Rookie

well 22 is the same size granny ring as a 3x10 anyway, many 2x10 have a bit bigger granny

JayX2A

So taking the 3x10 vs 2x10 arguement in to consideration, does this make the Core 30 a better bike if everything else is on a equal level (spec wise as far as I can see).

Antm81

JayX2A wrote:

So taking the 3x10 vs 2x10 arguement in to consideration, does this make the Core 30 a better bike if everything else is on a equal level (spec wise as far as I can see).

2x10 vs 3x10 is very much a personal choice, although if you plan on doing any commuting on it you may find the bigger front ring that the 3x10 chain set will have a bonus.

Personally I prefer the Saracen, very little to choose between the 2 but it's lighter and I prefer the shimano cranks but again that's as much a personal choice as anything else

JayX2A

I use a fair range on my 3x9 as I ride up pretty steep climbs then over some very long fast flats, but maybe thats just because of the overlap. I would say its like a 40/60 split to flat/hills.

I need to make the right choice between the two as no going back!!

Antm81

There's not a huge amount between the 2 for the lowest gear, the Saracen has 22t chainring compared to the 24t on the genesis.

So the Saracen has a lowest ratio of 0.61 and the genesis 0.67.

If your 3x9 setup has an 11-32 cassette then your likely lowest ratio (presuming a 22t chainring and the 11-32 cassette) will be 0.69.

I expect your current bike has 26" wheels so the larger wheels on the Saracen and genesis will alter things slightly but that should be marginal as there isn't a huge amount of difference physically between the 2 sizes.

JayX2A

Thanks for that! This information is very helpful, but I am still no closer to making a decision. Jeez, I wish one of them was stand out!! Guess I may have to go by the colour... which is difficult as both black!!

Best of both worlds I guess...

http://www.saracen.co.uk/bikes/trail/mantra-elite

Just well over budget!

Or maybe I should just sack of buying anything else for a while and get this:

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bik ... 250/77359/

LJ.

What about these, monster spec for price.
http://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/rado ... ountry=190
http://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/rado ... ountry=190

Antm81

For a similar spec I'd be looking at this

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/m ... -650b-2014

Plus with British cycling membership there's another 10% off. So somewhere around £690 plus roughly £20 for membership.

esa2

JayX2A wrote:

Thanks for that! This information is very helpful, but I am still no closer to making a decision. Jeez, I wish one of them was stand out!! Guess I may have to go by the colour... which is difficult as both black!!

Best of both worlds I guess...

http://www.saracen.co.uk/bikes/trail/mantra-elite

Just well over budget!

Or maybe I should just sack of buying anything else for a while and get this:

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bik ... 250/77359/

Have you seen the Mantra Carbon?? Ooooft, gorgeous. £1500 though. Can afford it but not going that far.

Im not any closer to deciding either. Still tempted by the Giant Stance 2 even though its no longer available for £850 and is a grand everywhere which is double my original budget. Just kinda worry aswell that the bikes Im looking at wont give much of a difference experience to my dual sport hybrid so want to ensure I make the absolute right decision which makes the full suspension tempting

JayX2A

Esa I'm no closer!!

I'm wanting to get a bike in a dealer close by.

That's why I was looking at the Mantra and Core. There is a giant near me and that Talon looks pretty good even though over budget.

Now that Boardman looks nice too and everyone is near a halfords!

esa2

Personally Im not daft on Boardmans. Im sure they got good spec and i do like the tidy welds but the colours and decals do absolutely nothing for me. Sounds petty I know

JayX2A

Glad its not just me finding this tricky!! The mantra trial looks great but not sure if I want 3x30!

The elite is 2x10 but the fork is still suntour, all be it a higher spec one.

The genesis were nice, but maybe a bit bland looking. But had air fork and 2x10 which was all together a nice package.

Other local shop is trek dealer and was eying up the xcaliber 9, but not sure its an all rounder or built more towards a racier bike.

Its not meant to be this hard is it?

esa2

Antm81 wrote:

For a similar spec I'd be looking at this

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/m ... -650b-2014

Plus with British cycling membership there's another 10% off. So somewhere around £690 plus roughly £20 for membership.

Well thats all i need. Actually went into Halfords to look at the fury that was mentioned earlier in thread when I was up at local retail park earlier. They didnt have the fury but they did have this Boardman. Despite what i said about not being a fan of their colour schemes and decals it does actually look better in person than pics. Would still rather the forks and grips etc were black same as the frame instead of white but it did feel good, nice and light. Guess i should keep it on the possibles list

ETA - Discount code available online takes the Boardman down to £688

JayX2A

Damn, £688 is damn damn cheap for that spec. Very tempting.

Discount code ends today though I think.

Agree with it being on the short list!