Are these budget MTB's worth the money ?

Blade180

Hi all

Basically, I want to buy a bike for all-day riding for all sorts of trails.

I don't know much about bikes so that is why I am posting here.

I found this bike which I will link below, It fits my budget but I don't know if it is worth the money or would it be better not buying it

https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/ ... -20-frames

What are your thoughts?

I have also now linked more bikes to have a look at.

jamski

Is your budget £250? Unless you buy second hand, you want get much more than that for your money.

bonzo_banana

Very decent for that money. You can't really go wrong.

The only better value bike I know currently is this one but it is only available in the 20" frame size.

https://www.parkersofbolton.co.uk/produ ... ntain-bike

That benefits from better gears, hydraulic disc brakes and either inferior or superior forks depending on how you look at it. The forks are XCT not the XCM of the Carrera but the XCT forks have hydraulic lockout and non-adjustable damping so they are the best version of these slightly weaker forks (28mm stanchions) were as it looks like basic XCM forks on the Hellcat with 30mm stanchions but no hydraulic lockout or damping. XCM are stronger, XCT perform better basically.

Obviously Parkers of Bolton will only deliver the bike in its box you have to set it up yourself and check it. The halfords bike can be setup by Halfords and you get a 6 week service thrown in too. Many people don't have confidence in Halfords staff so like to order the bike in a box to setup themselves anyway, I've never had problems with Halfords staff myself.

Blade180

How about this one I just came across?

https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Orbea-Sport-30 ... XuEALw_wcB

larkim

Bonzo Banana wrote:

Very decent for that money. You can't really go wrong.

The only better value bike I know currently is this one but it is only available in the 20" frame size.

https://www.parkersofbolton.co.uk/produ ... ntain-bike

18KG!!!!!!!!!!!

billycool

larkim wrote:

Bonzo Banana wrote:

Very decent for that money. You can't really go wrong.

The only better value bike I know currently is this one but it is only available in the 20" frame size.

https://www.parkersofbolton.co.uk/produ ... ntain-bike

18KG!!!!!!!!!!!

LOL! 18kg is so heavy, it's off the scale.

For £250 you'll get a basic MTB - if that. Some are even described as `leisure bikes` and not even MTB's.

These sorts of bikes will do a job but *may* struggle with more complex stuff. You say you want to ride all day on `all sorts of trails`. What sorts of trails do you mean?

I appreciate that you have a budget, but you need to be wary that a £250 bike will have limitations.

david7m

Do you have access to a cycle to work scheme?
Dave

bonzo_banana

Laurynas wrote:

How about this one I just came across?

https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Orbea-Sport-30 ... XuEALw_wcB

That's not really a mountain bike that is really mountain bike style, it has very basic forks and a freewheel based drivetrain, it wouldn't last long off road in my opinion.

bonzo_banana

larkim wrote:

Bonzo Banana wrote:

Very decent for that money. You can't really go wrong.

The only better value bike I know currently is this one but it is only available in the 20" frame size.

https://www.parkersofbolton.co.uk/produ ... ntain-bike

18KG!!!!!!!!!!!

Remember its the larger 20" frame so that will add some weight and it's probably the boxed weight anyway. Saying that it's the heavier 29" wheels with double wall rims and 36 spokes plus the forks are fully populated with both the spring on one side and the hydraulic damping and lockout on the other. I can't see it personally be anymore than about 15kg probably less but you never know.


Looking at the copy it's hard to see how it could get to 18kg based on the description. Where is the weight, maybe cheap heavy tyres? In fact looking more closely at the tyres they don't feature in the copy and there is no obvious branding on them. Cheap basic tyres especially in 29" size can be very, very heavy.

It's even got a decent Shimano crankset and drivetrain. Even the frame looks relatively simple. I'd still buy it at 18kg I must admit if I needed it such a bike because it's such a fantastic spec for the price. They are claiming a hydro-formed frame yet many bike frames now are mechanically formed at entry level which tend to be heavier.

Coyote Lexington Gents 27sp 29er 29" Wheel Mountain Bike

At the heart of the Coyote Lexington lies a distinctive hydro formed lightweight 29er Aluminium frame, with a balanced geometry it provides superb control on the roughest of terrain. Up front is the Suntour XCT suspension fork, with 100mm of travel to take the edge off the trail, the fork has adjustable preload so you can fine tune it for rider weight or terrain and hydraulic lockout if your sticking to the flat. Specification highlights include 27 speed Shimano drive train for super fast easy gear selection, Shimano hydraulic disc brakes with 160mm rotors, fantastic stopping power in all conditions. Fast rolling 29" 36 hole double rims with KT quick release hubs, colour co-ordinated Coyote saddle and an alloy handlebar/stem combo. Solid mid level "serious" 29er mountain bike.

Features

Frame: Lightweight alloy tubing, curve profile down tube, detachable rear gear hanger. Disc brake mounts. Four point rear pannier bosses.
Fork: Suntour XCT Suspension fork, 100mm travel with adjustable preload and hydraulic lockout.
Wheels: 29" Coyote MTB-XC 36 hole rims, alloy black disc KT hubs with quick release and matt black spokes. 29" X 2.25" black white stripe tyres.
Gear System: Shimano 27 speed with Shimano EZ-Fire Plus STI shifters. Shimano Acera rear derailleur. Shimano front derailleur. Shimano 11-34T cassette.
Chainset: Shimano triple with alloy cranks and steel chain rings. Sealed cartridge bottom bracket.
Brakes: Shimano hydraulic front and rear disc brakes with 160mm rotors. Shimano alloy levers.
Handlebar and Stem: Alloy Ahead stem with alloy riser handlebars.
Accessories: Colour co-ordinated Coyote saddle. Black micro adjust alloy seat post. Toe clips and straps.
Frame Colour: Black.
Fork Colour: Black.
Weight: 18kg.
Condition: New in box. Bike comes 95% built. Fitting of pedals and handlebars will be necessary as well as some adjustment to brakes and gears prior to riding.

larkim

Agree I can’t quite see where that alleged weight comes from, but even so I don’t think I would be shelling out on a mail order bike that has no reviews anywhere and could weigh the same as a tank (but might only weigh the same as a Apollo BSO). Has anyone heard of Coyote bikes (not that brand necessarily means much)?

bonzo_banana

larkim wrote:

Agree I can’t quite see where that alleged weight comes from, but even so I don’t think I would be shelling out on a mail order bike that has no reviews anywhere and could weigh the same as a tank (but might only weigh the same as a Apollo BSO). Has anyone heard of Coyote bikes (not that brand necessarily means much)?

Parkers of Bolton are owned by Avocet bikes who in turn are owned by a large indian bicycle manufacturer I forget the name of. Parkers I guess are a sort of outlet for surplus bikes or returned bikes. I have a local bike shop fairly close to me that sells Avocet bikes although mainly their e-bikes.

I think like Carrera's, Vitus, Pinnacle, Felt, Cube, Raleigh and no doubt a huge number of other brands they are coming out of the more basic bike factories in Bangladesh or Cambodia if you are lucky (slightly better).

It's not unheard of for larger frame sizes to have invisible strengthening as larger frames will be ridden by heavier riders on average, i.e. butted tubes become straight gauge, seat and chain stays hollow on smaller frame sizes become solid or partially solid on larger frame sizes (likely only the chain stays). Still seems unlikely 18kg. Just looking at the frame there is only one part that looks hydro-formed which is the top of the downtube and it still looks like it could be easily mechanically formed to create that shape.

Looking at this basic Trek that has a low end straight gauge frame, junk components that comes in at just over 14kg for the smaller frame size.

https://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/bike ... Code=green

Avocet don't feature bikes of this spec in their Coyote brand anymore it is more downmarket. This bike is old stock probably at least 2 years out of date.

The equivalent bike now is the Riddick RD400 which is broadly similar in spec and that weighs 14kg approx. So still think this Coyote is unlikely to be above 15kg.

https://www.insyncbikes.com/bikes/riddi ... iNEALw_wcB

larkim

That's interesting about Avocet, I'd only stumbled on their brand yesterday looking at this Coyote range etc. I see they also own Clarks which have an OK reputation in terms of brake components.

I'm sure you're right about them coming out of much the same factories / processes as brands we "trust" like Carerra etc. They just have a different business model in terms of distribution etc.

Blade180

What about this one?
Found second hand looks in a good condition...

https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/pric ... 1329775909

bonzo_banana

Laurynas wrote:

What about this one?
Found second hand looks in a good condition...

https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/pric ... 1329775909

As far as I can see it has mechanical disc brakes, combined brake levers and shifters and would be broadly similar to the Hellcat you are considering. The frame looks pretty basic and Felt are one of the brands that manufacture in Bangladesh. The felt brand might get you more kudos as its a brand seen in independent bike shops but its nothing special however if you can get it for £140 or less than its not bad. The forks are XCT so are very basic cross country forks and may not have the hydraulic lockout and non-adjustable damping of the Coyote bike so it could be the most basic bike overall.

You always wonder why people would sell a new bike with a heavy discount it's like they have decided they don't like the bike and rejected it. Many years ago I bought a Kona Lanai which I thought I'd got a bargain for a new bike which was normally £300 and I got it for £140 as new, when it arrived I realised the bike was probably Kona's worse ever bike with junk parts and was total rubbish even the bottom bracket was a model known to fail very quickly. It's pretty clear the buyer had completely rejected the bike and just wanted shot of it.

Blade180

I appreciate your comments so far...

I found another one within my budget, would it be better than the ones we discussed so far?

https://www.rutlandcycling.com/bikes/mo ... lsrc=aw.ds

Blade180

Pretty much the maximum I am willing to spend is around £350

Here some other ones I found, I just want to know which would be best for the money out of all bike mentioned

1. https://www.rutlandcycling.com/bikes/mo ... ver_454595
2. https://www.merlincycles.com/bianchi-du ... source=PHG
3. https://www.cjperformancecycles.com/339 ... D-EALw_wcB
4. https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s155p ... -4-29-2017

The Rookie

Bonzo Banana wrote:

Parkers of Bolton are owned by Avocet bikes who in turn are owned by a large indian bicycle manufacturer I forget the name of.

The majority shareholder in Avocet is Hero cycles from India, in turn Hero cycles is owned by Hero Motorcycles India's largest motorbike company (circa 5M bikes a year).

They also have a number of UK brands such as the recently reinvented Viking bikes. With recent acquisitions and expansions Hero are now approaching Giant's annual volumes.

bonzo_banana

The Coyote is now out of stock.