Bit of bike buying advice

caffeinehigh

Just to preface this I have read the guides on here but they are all out of date with mostly bikes that don't exist anymore or have been updated.

Anyway I'm looking to retire my ancient mountain bike of around 15 years for something a little more up to date. Budget around £300. I have read things like the Rockrider 520 are good for the money but the nearest Decathlon is over an hours drive away. Could get one delivered but I'm not sure about size? (I'm about 5' 11"). http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-520-mountain-bike-id_8293188.html

I've seen plenty of other options in the price range such as this Schwinn for £280. Any good? I'm not too sure what to be looking out for other than hydraulic disc brakes http://www.wiggle.co.uk/schwinn-rocket-3-2015/

Any help much appreciated!

jamski

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19664865#p19664865]caffeinehigh[/url] wrote:

Just to preface this I have read the guides on here but they are all out of date with mostly bikes that don't exist anymore or have been updated.

Anyway I'm looking to retire my ancient mountain bike of around 15 years for something a little more up to date. Budget around £300. I have read things like the Rockrider 520 are good for the money but the nearest Decathlon is over an hours drive away. Could get one delivered but I'm not sure about size? (I'm about 5' 11"). http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-520-mountain-bike-id_8293188.html

I've seen plenty of other options in the price range such as this Schwinn for £280. Any good? I'm not too sure what to be looking out for other than hydraulic disc brakes http://www.wiggle.co.uk/schwinn-rocket-3-2015/

Any help much appreciated!

Look at the Calibre Two.Two or Point.5. Both slightly over your budget but they have had sales, the point.5 is currently reduced and a bargain, as is the Rockrider 560 which is again over your budget but for an extra £80-£100 you get a lot more bike.

I'm 5'11" and find the 18" Calibre Two.Two perfect.

caffeinehigh

Thanks I will take a look at those, there is a Go Outdoors just around the corner from work so will pop in at lunchtime. Would prefer to keep closer to the £300 mark though if possible so any other suggestions most welcome.

supersonic

The Schwinn isn't actually all that bad, infact about the best sub £300 bike I have seen. But the step up to the Rockrider 560 and Calibre scores you way more bike, but you won't go wrong with that Schwinn (crucially the fork gets the hydro damper, though it is very heavy).

caffeinehigh

Thanks for the reply. I may just go with the Schwinn at £280 as I think it will probably be fine for the light use it will get. Unless something like the RockRider 520 are worth the extra £50?

I'd rather stay closer to £300 than £400 as like I say it won't get too stressed, just light pedalling about through the woods etc.