Help me choose a bike...

Ben711200

The same question as I'm sure has been asked countless times, but to be honest I am struggling over terminology and whilst I know what I want, I dont really know what category it would come under. I'm after something I can do a bit of everything on, not too aggressive, but more robust than a proper xc bike.

I've not settled on a wheel size and could be swayed either way. I'm about 5'10" and wear trousers with a 32" inside leg.

Budget started at £500, but seems to be creeping up. There are two options at £800 that I like the look of so I will call that my upper limit.

I've got my eye on two of On-one's pre built options, the 45650b and the Parkwood. I have a feeling that the 45650b would be overkill, but I have a soft spot for steel.

The Voodoo Bizango always seems to come up recommended at this price point. Would it be as good an option as the Parkwood?

I'd love to hear about other (better?) options. I'm sure there are plenty that I wouldn't even think to look at.

Cheers

Ben

cooldad

My choice would be the Parkwood 29er NX1 for overall spec, but most would probably go for the 650b, which is probably why it's sold out.

But the Bizango gets great reviews for the price.

http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/categ ... iew-50627/

What have you ridden in the past, and where do you intend to ride?

cooldad

Another option, good spec for the price

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/calibre-gau ... ke-p343871

Ben711200

cooldad wrote:

What have you ridden in the past, and where do you intend to ride?

Thanks for your input. I haven't owned a mountain bike since I passed my driving test. I'm 29 now. I have recently borrowed a Cube something or other 29er a few times and found it much more interesting than being on my road bike.

I guess it would just be trail riding locally. Other than hunting out bridleways, there's a disused quarry near my house that I may be able to play in and Willingham Woods near Market Rasen. Like I said, the 45650b seems likely to be overkill, but if it isnt going to compromise the riding experience, too much, I'm not worried about extra weight.

The Rookie

Good value hardtail
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-90 ... 66620.html

Or for a trail full suss
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-74 ... 26407.html

winter_zombie

well here is some i have looked at over the past month before i brought my new bike

your the same height and inside leg as me (snap)

I know 3 people who all had a on-one whippet bike and all three of their frames snapped so because of this i would not pick a on-one bike.

VooDoo Hoodoo Mountain Bike £500
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/m ... ntain-bike

Boardman Mountain Bike Comp 27.5 £519 (was £650)
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/m ... -comp-27-5

VooDoo Bizango 29er Mountain Bike £600
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/m ... ntain-bike

VooDoo Canzo Full Suspension Mountain Bike £800
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/m ... ntain-bike



Here is a few from Rutland Cycling were i got my bike from, i had amazing customer service and they have some great bargains so this is why ive added them


Ex-Hire 2015 Trek Fuel EX 5 29er Mountain Bike Orange £899.99 was £1,399.99 36% off
http://www.rutlandcycling.com/320177/pr ... range.aspx

2016 Scott Scale 720 Plus Mountain Bike £847.99 was £1,299.00 35% off
http://www.rutlandcycling.com/322932/pr ... -bike.aspx

Ex-Hire 2016 Giant Stance 27.5 Mountain Bike Black Green £748.99 was £998.99 25% off
http://www.rutlandcycling.com/372568/pr ... green.aspx



all my choices are in or just over the top end budget price, some are Hardtail's & some are full sus
it depends on the type of feel you want on the bike. i went from a hardtail Boardman Pro to a Full sus Giant Trance 2.
i wanted a full sus because it was more comfortable on my back and bum on longer 2+ hour rides. the full sus dose not kick you in the arse on the rough red cycle routes like a hardtail would do.

The Rookie

winter zombie wrote:

I know 3 people who all had a on-one whippet bike and all three of their frames snapped so because of this i would not pick a on-one bike.

Thus completely ignoring the common sense facts that the whippet is a different material from a different factory to the alloy frames.....they don't have a reputation fro snapping either.

cooldad

Mate has a 456 carbon. Totally bombproof.

rockmonkeysc

The Rookie wrote:

winter zombie wrote:

I know 3 people who all had a on-one whippet bike and all three of their frames snapped so because of this i would not pick a on-one bike.

Thus completely ignoring the common sense facts that the whippet is a different material from a different factory to the alloy frames.....they don't have a reputation fro snapping either.

I know someone who has been properly abusing a Whippet for a few years now. It's done jumps most people wouldn't do on an enduro bike and even been over a set of dirt jumps and it's still solid.
They're good frames.
I'm sure most broken frames are down to bad riding.

winter_zombie

The Rookie wrote:

winter zombie wrote:

I know 3 people who all had a on-one whippet bike and all three of their frames snapped so because of this i would not pick a on-one bike.

Thus completely ignoring the common sense facts that the whippet is a different material from a different factory to the alloy frames.....they don't have a reputation fro snapping either.

Then it must of been a bad batch, All three of the riders are in their 40's and run some of the local bike group rides, i also know they have mountain bike trail leader qualifications as you can book half and full day training with them.

anyway this what happened to all three of their bikes. good or bad take it as you will. its just my view !

Happy Christmas

rockmonkeysc

Any idiot can get a trail leader qualification. I've got one!
You don't need to be a good rider to get it. It's all about safely leading a group, making the right judgements, dealing with emergencies, navigation and preparation. Nothing about riding skills.

Ben711200

Plenty of food for thought (and an interesting tangent), thank you.

I've discounted full suspension, but I hadn't realised just how much you can get for the money. I prefer the idea of a hard tail, anyway.

It seems there are a core range of bikes at this price point that get recommended again and again. I'll see what I can swing my leg over from the list in the new year and go from there.

winter_zombie

RockmonkeySC wrote:

Any idiot can get a trail leader qualification. I've got one!
You don't need to be a good rider to get it. It's all about safely leading a group, making the right judgements, dealing with emergencies, navigation and preparation. Nothing about riding skills.

LoL ""Any idiot can get a trail leader qualification" & ""I've got one!""

says it all Ha Ha Ha Ha

rockmonkeysc

winter zombie wrote:

RockmonkeySC wrote:

Any idiot can get a trail leader qualification. I've got one!
You don't need to be a good rider to get it. It's all about safely leading a group, making the right judgements, dealing with emergencies, navigation and preparation. Nothing about riding skills.

LoL ""Any idiot can get a trail leader qualification" & ""I've got one!""

says it all Ha Ha Ha Ha

Yep. If a cider drinking simpleton from Somerset can do it, any idiot can