Newbie - First bike advice

JobbyOvy

Hi all!

So, I am relatively new to this. I want to get my first hardtail bike that I can go out and do a few forest/off road rides on, but also use to commute to work. The commute is relatively short, so I don’t want to go down the hybrid/road bike route and would rather opt for something that I can use to take off road for fun.

I have £1000 to spend on the cycle to work scheme and am currently looking at the two below bikes. I am keen on going for 29” tyres due to the commuting and the extra roll speed they should give. My issue is I do not know which components are necessarily better than the other. If anyone is willing to help/advise and say which bike they would go for, or if there are other bikes I should be considering, it would be greatly appreciated.

Scott Scale 980 - https://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/scott-scale-980.html

Giant Fathom 29er 2- https://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/gian ... Nxx8138034

Thanks!

jamski

Of those two the Scott has the better parts. Better fork, probably. Better groupset (gears) 1x11 is the more up-to-date way of doing things. However you can get better for your money, where can you use your cycle to work voucher before we suggest others?

Just read this part!

"The 29er wheels offer the rider better rolling stability over the 27.5" wheel model making it perfectly suited to new riders."

What utter cr@p. EVRYONE used to ride 26" wheels not so long ago and got on just fine. If you really do want a 29er, that's totally fine. But I wouldn't discount a 27.5 just for the wheel size.

JobbyOvy

jamski wrote:

Of those two the Scott has the better parts. Better fork, probably. Better groupset (gears) 1x11 is the more up-to-date way of doing things. However you can get better for your money, where can you use your cycle to work voucher before we suggest others?

Thanks for the response. Our scheme is provided through cyclescheme which is pretty flexible and accepted in most places I beleive. So please suggest away!

The Rookie

If you fit a Large this is off the scale for value compared to those two.
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-9 ... 66869.html

Slightly different proposition, would be £990 on C2W I believe to pay the commission that Cyclesheme take on the voucher value.
https://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOODEEDAR ... ntain-bike

Also have a look at Paul's for bargains, again they charge 10% for C2W on offer bikes to pay the commission on the voucher
https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s182p ... nsion-27-5

jamski

Something like this is miles better, and would give you something to 'grow into' should you end up doing more trail centres or bike park type stuff.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitu ... prod159770

Im my opinion, a 'trail bike' is the best all rounder. I've commuted 12 miles on road on a full suss, so you shouldn't have any trouble. If you sign up to British Cycling you'll get 10% off this too, which would give you the money for a dropper post. That's if you can use the discount with the cycle to work?

The Trek Roscoe 8 from Evans is a good little bike too, but the Vitus has a better fork, but no dropper as standard. They're both 27.5 though.

https://www.evanscycles.com/trek-roscoe ... =Affiliate

JobbyOvy

Thank you for all your feedback.

Throwing something else into the mix - if you used to commute on a FS, should I be maybe look to throw something like the Bossnut Evo into the mix? Or am I better off spending the same money on one of the higher spec'd hardtails you have suggested?

jamski

I only used to commute on the road very occasionally when it was too boggy through the trails. And it was my only bike. Personally, by what you’ve said I’d go for a hardtail now. If you find you’re using it loads, and want more, think again in 12 months with another £1000 voucher. Then you’ll have two bikes.