Buying first MTB, not sure which is right for me, confused by gears!

Jimdubya

Hi all,

I’ve been out riding light trails a quite a few times this year and have been hiring bikes on the day. Have really enjoyed it and want to get out more so looking to buy my first real bike. In the past I bought a cheap supermarket style bike whcih was rubbish so this time I’m happy to spend a bit more to get a reasonably good quality bike!

My price range is £600 max, it will be used just for weekend rides and will pretty much be for leisure/fitness use where I will be cycling on country road/paths around home and light trails (for now but will hopefully get a bit more adventurous). Probably looking at rides of 20miles max at the moment.

Ultimately I’d like to be able to go off road but also a bit of versatility.

I’m 5’10 and weigh about 175lbs and have a reasonable level of fitness.

I had pretty much decided to go for a trek marlin 7 https://www.evanscycles.com/trek-marlin-7-2018-mountain-bike-EV319900 I have trialed a Marlin 4 which felt alright, and I assume that the Marlin 7 is just a better version. Although I cant find alout of write ups on it so not sure how good it is for the money.

But then I read a review that said the voodoo bizango https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/voodoo-bizango-29er-mens-mountain-bike-16-18-20-22-framesoffers best value in this price range. Looks like a better spec bike than the marlin, but would appreciate some advice if it would suit my needs?

My major concern is the 1x11 drivetrain on the bizango, I know this might be suited to an out and out mtb, but feel the gears on the marlin will offer more versatility. I have read that they aren't necessarily suited to beginners as the jumps in gears might make riding difficult. I am also concerned (possibly wrongly) about the top gear spinning out.

Not tied to one or the other particularly so welcome any other suggestions - have also looked at Giant talon 2 and more recently wilier 503x comp.

I’ve been looking at this for months now and really think it’s so difficult to the uninitiated! Been a bit overwhelmed so any advice would be much appreciated. Looking to finally make a decision this weekend so I can get on with riding!

Thanks,

JIM

The Rookie

The Bizango is a much much better bike than the Marlin, the fork (the single most important component) is stiffer, lighter, more adjustable and with better damping.

As for the gearing, yes the gears are a little further apart but I never find that an issue on an MTB, its only on road are you going to be riding enough at a constant effort where you may 'fall between gears' could it be an issue. the weight saving, simplicity and ease of use are all big pluses for 1x gearing.

02gf74

Don't worry about about spinning out, from memory 90 rpm on 29 in wheels in top gear of 32/10 is 23 mph. If your legs a short and light enough, then you could get to 120 rpm which is hitting 30 mph, the only time you will sin out is on steep hills.

In other word, don't worry about it.

steve_sordy

If you are worried about spinning out then you can always fit a larger ring on the front. But then you might struggle to get up steep hills, or to climb out of holes. Just buy the bike and then go see!

PS: As I do not commute on my bikes, I much prefer to have climbing ability and I could care less about spinning out. If I a in danger of spinning out, then I'm going too fast! :shock:

Tone C

Got a 1 x 11 on my Boardman and never found the range of gears or the 'jump' an issue.

kajjal

The benefit of 1 x 11 for a beginner is if you are find a hill too hard simply change down a gear, if pedalling is very easy and you want to speed up like going downhill go up a gear. As Steve mentions the chainring (front cog) on 1 x 11 bikes are generally easy to change to make going up hill easier or alternatively make the top pedalling speed of the bike faster.

The drawback is you can't do both which is why some people like me prefer 2 x 11 as it means I get a range of great close together climbing gears and also a range of gears to pedal fast in. Mountain biking is very different to road biking when on the trails and the 1 x 11 Bizango is a very good starter bike.

Jimdubya

Thanks all for taking the time to respond! I've probably been over thinking the gear thing a bit and won't even notice it when I get out there.

Well after months of thinking about it, that's made up my mind, i'm going to go for the Bizango. Hopefully get it sorted this weekend and I look forward to getting out on it!

Thanks again

Jim

bobbydigital

for £600 you could get a nice Cotic soul used.

cooldad

Delia Hogue wrote:

I think the trek is much better than other. you are 5.10 inches. I think you should go with the trek bike. This my personal opinion.

You are a month late and quite wrong.

The Rookie

Delia Hogue wrote:

I think the trek is much better than other. you are 5.10 inches. I think you should go with the trek bike. This my personal opinion.

Why on earth you think that Trek is better is beyond me, perhaps you can make an effort to justify it? Then we can give some constructive criticism if we think you've got it wrong.

In my opinion the Trek is nowhere near as good, ignoring that the OP has already made the right decision to buy the Bizango anyway.