Those fat-tyred thingies...

london-red
london-red Posts: 1,266
edited March 2017 in Commuting chat
Has anyone got any clue about mountain bikes? Looking to invest in a hardtail (I think a 27.5") but don't want to spend much money. Certainly no more than £500.

I would post this over the mountain bike forum, but there be dragons over there...
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Comments

  • prawny
    prawny Posts: 5,440
    How fat?

    http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/calibre-dun ... ke-p347149

    or slimmer

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

    Both good budget options, as is the Voodoo Bizango if you're happy with a 29er.
    Saracen Tenet 3 - 2015 - Dead - Replaced with a Hack Frame
    Voodoo Bizango - 2014 - Dead - Hit by a car
    Vitus Sentier VRS - 2017
  • Jal_
    Jal_ Posts: 49
    If you can push an extra £50, I'd go for this, it's going to be pretty tough to beat unless you use the online brands.
    https://www.evanscycles.com/scott-aspec ... e-EV286174

    Sorry, thought by 'fat tyred' you meant mountain bikes in general, not fat bikes :oops:
  • N0bodyOfTheGoat
    N0bodyOfTheGoat Posts: 6,057
    http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/m ... o-fat-bike

    If you have no aspirations of a Bluto fork, it's a great fatbike for 400 squids before BC (10%)/Toyota (15%) discount or cashback!

    If you get you timing right, you can get a few nice component upgrades at PlanetX for a nice price and replace the Mission Command tyres ASAP for something like Jumbo Jims (which were recently a great price at Athleteshop).
    ================
    2020 Voodoo Marasa
    2017 Cube Attain GTC Pro Disc 2016
    2016 Voodoo Wazoo
  • veronese68
    veronese68 Posts: 27,817
    Boardman at Halfords is usually good in bang for buck terms, bang on budget and you can get an extra 10% off with a BC card.
    http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/m ... -comp-27-5
    Assuming you mean a regular MTB not a full on fat bike.
    Kinesis Pro6
    Marin Nail Trail
    Cotic Solaris
  • rubertoe
    rubertoe Posts: 3,994
    Btwin rockrider 520/540?

    Although i have heard that new ones arent as good as the older ones.
    "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got."

    PX Kaffenback 2 = Work Horse
    B-Twin Alur 700 = Sundays and Hills
  • prawny
    prawny Posts: 5,440
    I think he does mean a regular MTB rather than a fat bike, but fatties are ace, especially if you're new to off roading. I was going to swap my full suss for a rigid fatbike but it was brutal at high speed on really rough sections, tons of grip though, and the huge tyres give loads of margin for error.

    https://youtu.be/lGJbFulpxiA

    This is me on my borrowed one.
    Saracen Tenet 3 - 2015 - Dead - Replaced with a Hack Frame
    Voodoo Bizango - 2014 - Dead - Hit by a car
    Vitus Sentier VRS - 2017
  • roger_merriman
    roger_merriman Posts: 6,165
    London-Red wrote:
    Has anyone got any clue about mountain bikes? Looking to invest in a hardtail (I think a 27.5") but don't want to spend much money. Certainly no more than £500.

    I would post this over the mountain bike forum, but there be dragons over there...

    What is your intended use?

    any how yes 27.5 is the new de facto, 29ers tend though not limited to XC race types.
  • N0bodyOfTheGoat
    N0bodyOfTheGoat Posts: 6,057
    27.5" wheel hardtail? look no further than http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/m ... utain-bike

    £350 for that spec? Bargain, especially in these post-referendum times!
    ================
    2020 Voodoo Marasa
    2017 Cube Attain GTC Pro Disc 2016
    2016 Voodoo Wazoo
  • london-red
    london-red Posts: 1,266
    Yes, sorry all - fat as in normal MTB... My bad.

    Thanks for the suggestions, will take a look.
  • london-red
    london-red Posts: 1,266
    That Boardman looks pretty good value actually - nice one.

    Anyone want to buy a single speed? :)
  • prawny
    prawny Posts: 5,440
    NitrousOxide wrote:
    27.5" wheel hardtail? look no further than http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/m ... utain-bike

    £350 for that spec? Bargain, especially in these post-referendum times!

    That's ridiculous value. I might get one, split it for parts and sell what I don't want.
    Saracen Tenet 3 - 2015 - Dead - Replaced with a Hack Frame
    Voodoo Bizango - 2014 - Dead - Hit by a car
    Vitus Sentier VRS - 2017
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Thought about flagging this whole thread as offensive, but...

    What's the advantage of a 27.5" wheel over a 29er?

    I've been looking at some enduro MTB events and figured that a 29er over a longer course would be better.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • prawny
    prawny Posts: 5,440
    Quicker acceleration and normally a bit more nimble/playful. Wheels are stiffer, stronger and lighter all else being equal.
    But there are other factors at play, chains fat length etc

    Do you mean enduro as in endurance, or enduro as in that enduro shred gnarpoon enduro?
    Saracen Tenet 3 - 2015 - Dead - Replaced with a Hack Frame
    Voodoo Bizango - 2014 - Dead - Hit by a car
    Vitus Sentier VRS - 2017
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Hmm, XC marathon may be a better description: it's the Wild Welsh at the end of the summer.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    First it was CX now MTB FFS fella just buy a sports car and get this midlife crisis over
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • veronese68
    veronese68 Posts: 27,817
    cjcp wrote:
    What's the advantage of a 27.5" wheel over a 29er?
    Give mine a go some time.
    Kinesis Pro6
    Marin Nail Trail
    Cotic Solaris
  • roger_merriman
    roger_merriman Posts: 6,165
    cjcp wrote:
    Hmm, XC marathon may be a better description: it's the Wild Welsh at the end of the summer.

    sounds like a XC race type bike, which probably will be a 29er but frankly bike set up, geometry, and so on will have a much bigger difference than the tyre sizes.

    I have a 29er trance which is trail rather than race, the type of tyres makes a huge difference, I tend to do 20-40mile rides, for long day, your body will thank you if it's a full suspension.
  • prawny
    prawny Posts: 5,440
    For marathon racing short travel full suss 29ers are king.
    Saracen Tenet 3 - 2015 - Dead - Replaced with a Hack Frame
    Voodoo Bizango - 2014 - Dead - Hit by a car
    Vitus Sentier VRS - 2017
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Splendid - thanks all.

    V - that would be cool, cheers.

    Boffin - why would I waste money on a car? Do you know how many MTBs, CXes and tandems I could buy with that sort of money?
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • london-red
    london-red Posts: 1,266
    Okay, daft question time...

    Do front wheels with discs come off as easily as wheels with normal brakes? Reason I ask is that I need to remove the wheel to store my bikes...
  • veronese68
    veronese68 Posts: 27,817
    Yes, just take a bit of care when putting them back on to get the disc between the brake pads. I think that Boardman was QR on the front, but to be honest through axle doesn't take much longer because of the lawyer tabs on QR.
    Just don't pull the brake lever when the wheel is off.
    Kinesis Pro6
    Marin Nail Trail
    Cotic Solaris
  • prawny
    prawny Posts: 5,440
    As above if it's hydro disks you'd be well to get a couple of these to pop between the pads so you don't pop the pistons accidentally

    padspacer.jpg
    Saracen Tenet 3 - 2015 - Dead - Replaced with a Hack Frame
    Voodoo Bizango - 2014 - Dead - Hit by a car
    Vitus Sentier VRS - 2017
  • london-red
    london-red Posts: 1,266
    Okay - thx guys.
  • veronese68
    veronese68 Posts: 27,817
    Prawny is right, the chances of you knocking a lever are higher in your shed thing. I only ever take wheels off to work on them or to chuck them in the back of the car. They should give you some of those with the bike if you ask as they come with new brakes.
    Kinesis Pro6
    Marin Nail Trail
    Cotic Solaris
  • london-red
    london-red Posts: 1,266
    Has anyone got an opinion of this?

    http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Scott-Aspect-72 ... _83648.htm
  • veronese68
    veronese68 Posts: 27,817
    London-Red wrote:
    Has anyone got an opinion of this?

    http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Scott-Aspect-72 ... _83648.htm
    I think the forks are better on the Boardman. Not sure how much difference in gears and brakes, I'm used to Shimano so would lean towards that but don't have the experience of the SRAM to comment fairly. Had a look round on the MTB side and Rookie said he prefers Deore to X5, but that may again be personal preference. The Avid brakes on the Boardman seem well reviewed, but a lot of people seem to prefer Shimano. Pros and cons to both I suspect, not sure which I'd want. Mail order or trust in Halfords? Good job you know enough to check it over.
    Kinesis Pro6
    Marin Nail Trail
    Cotic Solaris
  • prawny
    prawny Posts: 5,440
    Scott aren't great value tbh, if you're after a general purpose bike then the Boardman bikes are really good. As are the Voodoos.
    Saracen Tenet 3 - 2015 - Dead - Replaced with a Hack Frame
    Voodoo Bizango - 2014 - Dead - Hit by a car
    Vitus Sentier VRS - 2017
  • london-red
    london-red Posts: 1,266
    And once again... Thanks, appreciated :-)
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    While a full suss 29er such as a Scott Spark would be ideal, you aren't going to get one for your budget.

    This is about the best your money will get you for that usage
    https://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-5 ... 64715.html
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • mudcovered
    mudcovered Posts: 725
    prawny wrote:
    As above if it's hydro disks you'd be well to get a couple of these to pop between the pads so you don't pop the pistons accidentally

    padspacer.jpg
    Wow didn't realise that such things existed. I just use a bit of folded up card when I transport my MTb front wheel out. :) Saying that if i was removing the wheel regularly for storage a proper spacer like that would be on my shopping list.

    Mike

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