New Bike Advice

beatie

I'm looking to the collective wisdom of this forum. I do a lot of road cycling, but am now in the market for a new MTB of which I know a lot less about & what to look for.

I'll mainly be riding on roads, tracks, towpaths etc, with a bit of single track thrown in - up in the North Downs, or at Bedgebury. Nothing particularly extreme.
I'll probably purchase through the C2W scheme, which slightly limits my choices of where to buy.

Currently I've got the following short list. Any views/recommendations between these 3, or anything else you think I should consider?

https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Giant-Talon-2-27-5-Mountain-Bike-2018-Hardtail-MTB_113696.htm
https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Specialized-Pitch-Expert-650b-Mountain-Bike-2018-Hardtail-MTB_109249.htm
https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Saracen-Mantra-Pro-27-5-Mountain-Bike-2018-Hardtail-MTB_113555.htm

mark_fogel

None of these are fantastic spec however for what you want these might do just fine.
What is your budget and you limited to a specific retailer?

beatie

I'm looking in the region of £600 - £700. Our C2W scheme is via Halfords & these vouchers are accepted in Cycles UK, plus a few local LBS

jamski

Get yourself British Cycling membership and you'll get 10% off at Halfords. Then it brings this to £720.

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/m ... -20-frames

According to am email they sent, they have a cycling sale on this Sunday too.

If that doesn't work with the cycle to work, then go for this:

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/m ... -22-frames

or this

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/m ... -bike-blue

Basically, you'll get much bore for your money there.

beatie

Thanks Jamski.
The BC discount cant be used in conjunction with C2W unfortunately, but I like the spec of the Boardman. Will try & get over to Halfords and have a look.

mark_fogel

Might be worth to try out the 29er as well:

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/m ... -19-frames

It will roll a little faster in the strait line.

joebristol

If going with Halfords also look at the Voodoo Bizango - it’s won various bike tests at its full price and now down to £520. raidon fork (better than xcr forks on all your linked bikes), plus 1x11 NX gears and decent Deore brakes.