Which starter bike for ~£400

Markgodley

Hi,

Any recommendations for starter bikes that will last a good few years for around 400?

Watching a few on eBay which are
Voodoo hoodoo
Voodoo bizango

Any others to look out for?

I like the cubes but they seem to be outside of my price range

Thanks!

jamski

For £400 you can't better this. It beats everything in the price range.

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-560-mountain-bike-id_8293151.html

Markgodley

Thanks ill take a look.

What's your thoughts on the:
Trek marlin 7 - http://m.evanscycles.com/products/trek/marlin-7-2015-mountain-bike-ec066115

And

pitch sport 650b - http://m.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/pitch-sport-2015-650b-mountain-bike-ec070611#

Thanks

jamski

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19680640#p19680640]Markgodley[/url] wrote:

Thanks ill take a look.

What's your thoughts on the:
Trek marlin 7 - http://m.evanscycles.com/products/trek/marlin-7-2015-mountain-bike-ec066115

And

pitch sport 650b - http://m.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/pitch-sport-2015-650b-mountain-bike-ec070611#

Thanks

I can't stress how much more you get for your money with the Rockrider. The fork is miles better, especially over the Marlin. The group set is also a few steps higher over both bikes. The Rockrider is held in very high regard on these forums. At £400 it's an absolute steal.

This is another option better than both the Evans bikes. I have a calibre and it's great but at £400 would still choose the Rockrider.

http://m.gooutdoors.co.uk/calibre-point-50-alloy-hardtail-mountain-bike-p275620

Markgodley

Strange, I put a reply up but it's not appeared said its gone to review but that was like 12 hours ago?

Markgodley

I'll try again.

ideally I wanted a shop close by so they can set it up for me - hence Evans or go outdoors.

What do you think to the calibre point 50? I like the two two but my friend has it and don't want to be a "copy"

jamski

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19680898#p19680898]Markgodley[/url] wrote:

I'll try again.

ideally I wanted a shop close by so they can set it up for me - hence Evans or go outdoors.

What do you think to the calibre point 50? I like the two two but my friend has it and don't want to be a "copy"

I have the two two and love it. I know a store manager so get top notch service. If you know the service is good and your friend has had a good experience with it then go for it. For the current prices deffo go point 5 over the two two. Would imagine the geometry of the bikes are the same so have a go on your mates and see what you think size wise.

Markgodley

What's the main differences over the two two and point 50?

Thanks again for all your help.

Also what sort of helmets do people on trails normally where? Sorry bit of a newbie to this.

jamski

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19680915#p19680915]Markgodley[/url] wrote:

What's the main differences over the two two and point 50?

Thanks again for all your help.

Also what sort of helmets do people on trails normally where? Sorry bit of a newbie to this.

He main difference is the fork. The xc32 is a decent upgrade from the xc28. The point 5 also uses xram mechs and shiftersand avid brakes rather than shimano. Nothing bad about either bikes on those really. Some people have a preference I think, but I would go for the point 5 for the fork alone.

Helmet all comes down to how much you want to spend. I don't have all that much now ledge on it but just bought a Specialized one for £30 and will be fine for what I need. I think unless you need a full face they will all protect fine. The more you pay the lighter and cooler they will be. Link below to the one I got bit mines in a rather fetching yellow. Was an impulse buy, there may well be better budget ones out there.

http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/category/helmets-and-protection/helmet-standard/product/review-specialized-align-14-48405/

jamski

Please excuse the auto correct!

kajjal

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19680622#p19680622]jamski[/url] wrote:

For £400 you can't better this. It beats everything in the price range.

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-560-mountain-bike-id_8293151.html

Unless you go second hand this is difficult to beat on price and spec.

mattyfez

My mate has a specialized pitch sport, it's a solid decent bike for the money, and rides really well however you are paying a bit of 'brand tax' for the speciaized name, you can get a slightly better bike for the money as mentioned above.

mattyfez

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19680898#p19680898]Markgodley[/url] wrote:

I'll try again.

ideally I wanted a shop close by so they can set it up for me - hence Evans or go outdoors.

What do you think to the calibre point 50? I like the two two but my friend has it and don't want to be a "copy"

You'll get a fairly generic set up from a shop like Evans, whist that's no bad thing you'll more than likely tweak the saddle height and suspension settings to personal preference anyway if you ride a lot, so I wouldn't worry about it too much, plenty of info on the net, for example if you do a lot of rough stuff you'll want your saddle a bit lower, and if you do more flattish trail riding you'll want it higher to maximise your pedal strokes, within reason obviously, to far either way will result in discomfort so it really is a case of horses for courses.