Buying advice <300 £

mad_hatter

Hi all,


just joined the forum.

I'd like to upgrade my ride, my idea is to buy a beginner MTB to be used as an all rounder (to go to work and to do some weekend stretch along the canal or up the hills).

I'm currently looking at:

B'TWIN ROCKRIDER 520 MOUNTAIN BIKE, 27.5"
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-52 ... 50582.html

Carrera Vengeance
http://www.tweekscycles.com/bikes/hardt ... tain-bikes

Carrera Vulcan
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/m ... -bike-2015

Trek Marlin 5 2016
http://www.cyclesurgery.com/trek-marlin ... sting=true

I've been through all the available reviews on line, looked at the closely in the shops.
On paper the Carrera Vulcan is the best equipped, but I have some difficulty in understanding Carrera/Halford pricing policy :?: . I've never seen them full price and in some case the price with or without the discount is the same (the Vulcan is a really good example).

All suggestions are welcome.


Thank you all.

cooldad

The Btwin has slightly better fork and brakes than the Vulcan which is still decent for the price.

The Trek is dire - terrible fork and cable brakes.

The Tweeks link just links to all their bikes, and AFAIK they don't sell Carreras which are Haldfords own brand.

Baron Greenback

Hi there,

Do you have to buy new? Or would you consider used? £300 is going to leave you quite limited on options For a new bike I believe.

If you can stretch to £400, then a calibre twotwo from go outdoors is often reviewed quite highly.

Best regards,

Greenback

mad_hatter

HI, thank you for your replies.

I can stretch a bit over 300.
I've seen the Carrera Kraken, currently just above 300

http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/categ ... -12-46886/
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/m ... -bike-2015

or the B'twin rockrider 540 for the same money
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-54 ... 50583.html

or the Scott Aspect 770
https://www.evanscycles.com/scott-aspec ... e-EV253408

What do you think?

cougie

You don't need a mtb to ride on a canal. Check out cross bikes too.

RockmonkeySC

Definitely the Rockrider. The Scott and Trek are both awful.
Avoid the big brands at this price, you won't get decent value from any of them at under a grand.

mark_fogel

I know this is slightly more than 300 but check this out:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitu ... prod135378

N0bodyOfTheGoat

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/h ... ybrid-bike