New to Mtb - First Bike

timmyotool

Hi,

First off apologies I'm a roadie who is looking to get a hardtail mtb for my regular trips down to the far west of Cornwall. In the area I will be limited in terms of recognised trail routes/centres so I think it will involve a lot of improvised route finding. Below is a video I have found from some riders in the local area, so this is the sort of terrain I'll be riding, albeit at a much slower pace.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5etzs-W6Hk0

Looking on the forums it seems clear that Decathlon, Go Outdoors and Halfords dominate the suggestions for the sub £750 range. From what I read I should be looking for a good fork (not coil sprung) hydraulic disc brakes and deore-ish componentry.

So here come my picks so far, if anyone has any thoughts/experience with these please do reply:
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-560-mountain-bike-id_8293151.html
Seemingly the best value, put off by a triple, also size guide suggest I'm a large, at 5'9 this is a rare thing for me to hear?

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-big-8-mountain-bike-29-id_8280092.html
Like the idea of 29er, is this still as well regarded as the 560?

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/voodoo-bizango-29er-mountain-bike
Again 29er, good reviews.

http://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/mountain-bikes-c1/29ers-c14/marin-nail-trail-9-6-29er-mountain-bike-2015-p13742
Really like the look of this, would prefer the 2016 version as it has the single chainring setup but it is £200 more.

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/calibre-gauntlet-650b-mountain-bike-p343871
Looks well thought out with a good fork.

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/calibre-point-50-alloy-hardtail-mountain-bike-p275620
Similar to above but cheaper?

bold seagull

I've just taken delivery of a Rockrider 560 Large, and at 6' I am on the limit of it in terms of size. If I was any bigger I'd need the XL I think. I have the saddle fully extended to the limit of the post. My daughter actually rode it okay, not ideal for her obviously, but she did and she is only 5'2!

Mine came well built and adjusted with decent SPD pedals and some cheap free lights. The bike does look really good too with a nice matt black finish and nice livery. At £340, my thinking was that it wouldn't take much in terms of upgrading things like tyres and wheels if I really got into on this bike. As it is, a superb bit of kit to get started on.

snowster

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19733248#p19733248]bold seagull[/url] wrote:

I've just taken delivery of a Rockrider 560 Large, and at 6' I am on the limit of it in terms of size. If I was any bigger I'd need the XL I think. I have the saddle fully extended to the limit of the post. My daughter actually rode it okay, not ideal for her obviously, but she did and she is only 5'2!

Mine came well built and adjusted with decent SPD pedals and some cheap free lights. The bike does look really good too with a nice matt black finish and nice livery. At £340, my thinking was that it wouldn't take much in terms of upgrading things like tyres and wheels if I really got into on this bike. As it is, a superb bit of kit to get started on.

+1 for RR 560 Mine arrived Tuesday more than happy I am 5,10 and ordered a Large and glad I did

timmyotool

Thanks guys, it's definitely going to be btwin. Part of me is still really tempted by the 29er as the benefits they seem to have appeal to me, but I don't think it's worth £150.

rockmonkeysc

29ers also have their disadvantages. Weaker wheels, more wheel & fork flex and more awkward in tight, twisty trails. That Calibre Gauntlet looks like it would be great.