Beginner - First bike choices

JIHarris

Hi All

Looking for some advice on my first mountain bike purchase:

I live in Shropshire and my local trails are Cannock Chase and more downhill like the coed-y-brenin, Welsh bike parks etc

I’m 6ft2 so probably looking at the 20" frames and have a budget of around £750 initially.

So I was looking at hardtails. Some of my mates run full suspension, other hardtails which I understand is better for beginners.

Two bikes I’ve narrowed down to are:
https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/ ... -22-frames

OR

https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/15903687/c ... e-15903687

Does anyone have any recommendations?

robertpb

Well the Halfords page is a "Woops!" so no idea what that is, if a full susser you want buy the Bossnut.

JIHarris

robertpb wrote:

Well the Halfords page is a "Woops!" so no idea what that is, if a full susser you want buy the Bossnut.

Ah sorry the other bike is ther Voodoo Bizango: https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/ ... -22-frames

billycool

You *could* do all of that on a HT (I have done most of them) - but it's so much more fun on a FS bike. Having ridden HT's for 20+ years I never thought I'd need a FS bike. How wrong I was.

I love thrashing a HT round places like Cannock - it's a certain type of ride. On a FS it's just a bit faster, more jumpy and comfy. You sort of ride it differently (the bike is more forgiving if you're lazy and/or get things wrong). Both are equally enjoyable for different reasons.

The Welsh stuff you might do; CYB, BPW, Afan etc can all be done on a HT - I do usually recommend that beginners start on a HT as it teaches you some good bike skills - BUT - if that's where you will go on a regular basis, a HT will be hard work, less enjoyable and probably less forgiving than a FS.

It's hard to get a good FS bike for £1000 but the Bossnut is a well reviewed bike (seen a few at BPW). Probably a bit heavier than a HT and might not climb so well, but would help soften the blow on the way down.

I wouldn't want to be bouncing down a Welsh mountain on a Bizango. They are highly rated though.

There is always an element of a trade off with HT and FS. Ideally, you want both!

*EDIT* At 14.5kg - the Bossnut is a bit of a lump. There are a lot of bikes on offer on Facebook if you join this group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/3872085 ... 0/?fref=nf

JIHarris

Thanks for the feedback!

I am sold on the Bossnut, just need to have a look and perhaps a quick ride to confirm.

Do you have tips for tools I should get?

billycool

JIHarris wrote:

Thanks for the feedback!

I am sold on the Bossnut, just need to have a look and perhaps a quick ride to confirm.

Do you have tips for tools I should get?

Have a look at these as a starting point.

viewtopic.php?f=40028&t=13105365&p=20521123&hilit=tools#p20521123

viewtopic.php?f=40028&t=13106292

The quest for tools is an endless one!

JIHarris

BillyCool wrote:

You *could* do all of that on a HT (I have done most of them) - but it's so much more fun on a FS bike. Having ridden HT's for 20+ years I never thought I'd need a FS bike. How wrong I was.

I love thrashing a HT round places like Cannock - it's a certain type of ride. On a FS it's just a bit faster, more jumpy and comfy. You sort of ride it differently (the bike is more forgiving if you're lazy and/or get things wrong). Both are equally enjoyable for different reasons.

The Welsh stuff you might do; CYB, BPW, Afan etc can all be done on a HT - I do usually recommend that beginners start on a HT as it teaches you some good bike skills - BUT - if that's where you will go on a regular basis, a HT will be hard work, less enjoyable and probably less forgiving than a FS.

It's hard to get a good FS bike for £1000 but the Bossnut is a well reviewed bike (seen a few at BPW). Probably a bit heavier than a HT and might not climb so well, but would help soften the blow on the way down.

I wouldn't want to be bouncing down a Welsh mountain on a Bizango. They are highly rated though.

There is always an element of a trade off with HT and FS. Ideally, you want both!

*EDIT* At 14.5kg - the Bossnut is a bit of a lump. There are a lot of bikes on offer on Facebook if you join this group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/3872085 ... 0/?fref=nf

Picked up the Bossnut-3 today

Recommend any beginner trails I could hit?

billycool

Whoop whoop!

Not sure what's around you but Cannock Chase isn't too full on and is a good place to get some practice.

rsmart84

Vitus Nucleus 27 for £500 is alot of bike for the money