Bike for œ750. Can't choose! Read message!

lynchy

Hello,

I have about œ750 to spend on a mountain bike preferably a Hardtrail but im really not sure what to get!!
I have been looking at the <u>Giant xtc 2.5</u> that I can get brand new for œ720.
This bike seems to be well equipped and is a well known brand, so im not sure if i should go for that bike or anotherone like a <u>Specialized Rockhopper Comp Disc?</u> Does anyone no which is the better bike? Or any other bikes I should consider for that price range?

Thanks

Unknown

Have you looked through the stickied thread in the beginners section on which new bike to buy, plenty of options there. What sort of riding will you be doing (terrain, length etc) and are there any features you are interested in? What is important is that you test a few to geta feel.

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lynchy

Thanks for that help!
I do quite a lot of stuff but mostly I go too the peak district and to off-road rocky terrain stuff. But on the other hand I do a lot of steep downhill with jumps and that so I do everything. I would just appreciate if you could help me on either the Giant or Specialized or another your recommend i.e. Marin, Scott
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by supersonic</i>

Have you looked through the stickied thread in the beginners section on which new bike to buy, plenty of options there. What sort of riding will you be doing (terrain, length etc) and are there any features you are interested in? What is important is that you test a few to geta feel.

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Unknown

Well the bikes you mention are not really designed for doing big jumps and stuff, more for general trails and XC. If its harder riding you want to do, you may be better off with a hardcore hardtail with beefier components such as the Saracen Zen.

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lynchy

Yea it is defiantely more trails... But i meant i would shy away from doidn jumps but i prefer dwonhill. Just to give you an idea my freind who a ride with has just brought a Marin Palisades Trail... So that is the kind of area i was looking at!
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by supersonic</i>

Well the bikes you mention are not really designed for doing big jumps and stuff, more for general trails and XC. If its harder riding you want to do, you may be better off with a hardcore hardtail with beefier components such as the Saracen Zen.

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Unknown

The Marin is the same sort of bike as the Specialized, only much worse value with some rather basic parts. One to try, but its not good value.

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lynchy

So would you reccemmend the Specialized over the giant but the Giant does seem to have better forks?

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by supersonic</i>

The Marin is the same sort of bike as the Specialized, only much worse value with some rather basic parts. One to try, but its not good value.

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Unknown

Between the Spesh and Giant: both good bikes, I'd test to see what feels best for you. Both are well specced with great frames.

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Unknown

i recently went to a Specialized store and i was impressed with the rockhopper, not sure how it compares with other bikes in its price range though as i was spending a little less when i bought mine

have you sat on either of those bikes ?..........just those 2 you fancy or are you looking at others aswell

Trek 6000

guilliano

So no mention of the steel Merlin Malt 4???

http://www.flickr.com/photos/guilliano/

Anonymous

surely thats out and out XC

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guilliano

I'd say more trail oriented personally.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/guilliano/

Anonymous

Fair do's, very difficult to try if you aren't close to the shop, so more difficult to find out if it is or not

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guilliano

Also hard to differentiate between XC and trails I suppose. MBR sort of described XC bikes quite well... lightweight, effecient, short travel (80mm - 100mm) and generally at the higher end of manufacturers ranges. They also said that trails hardtails will have 100mm to 120mm forks. For once I think MBR have something right

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Unknown

I'd agree with that. The travel also refects the geometry, and the shorter travel bikes may have lighter components. At a price... on budget, most parts are similar weights for trail and XC bikes.

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Seagull

There is a very limited choice of over 100mm trail hardtail. It would be good if all of the major manufacturers made a 130mm hardtail frame, on the whole you need to either choose from one or two bikes in that category or go custom build.

If you have bits you can transfer fro an existing bike to make up for any holes in your budget then a custom build could be an option for you. You can get some decent frames such as on-one 456, Dialled bikes prince albert and then do a build-up. Your main thing will be to get some good 130mm forks, such as Rock Shox Tora or Recon.


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Wolf

If you have a Marin dealer close by, have a look at the B-17 for just under your budget figure. Unluckily, Marin bikes only get competitive specwise on the higher end models... My advise would also be to stop looking at XC bikes if what you are going to do is trail/downhill/jumps. They are just not designed for that use.

Marin Eldridge Grade 07
GT Avalanche 1.0 07

lynchy

Thanks for that! But doesnt the Marin Eldridge Grade 07 cost œ1045 or can you get it cheaper then that? I didnt mean i do those 8 foot high jumps i more meant what your going a downhill bit and there is a jump i would shy away from it:D <blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Wolf</i>

If you have a Marin dealer close by, have a look at the B-17 for just under your budget figure. Unluckily, Marin bikes only get competitive specwise on the higher end models... My advise would also be to stop looking at XC bikes if what you are going to do is trail/downhill/jumps. They are just not designed for that use.

Marin Eldridge Grade 07
GT Avalanche 1.0 07
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juankerrwmb

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by guilliano</i>

So no mention of the <b>steel</b> Merlin Malt 4???

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Because it doesn't exist?[:)] They're made out of Kinesium.

Seriously a Malt 4 is the way forward. It's more trail-oriented than either the XTC or the Comp Disc and comes in right on the money at œ750.

Wolf

Lynchy, I am recommending the B-17, not the Eldridge Grade. That is part of my signature [:D] the bike I ride. The B-17 is a trail 130mm suspension bike, which starts to be worth the money (very nice frame, ok parts). But as said, there are probably better/cheaper options if you don't fancy that one. But i would go for a Trail/All mountain bike for the riding you do.

Marin Eldridge Grade 07
GT Avalanche 1.0 07