Need advice on buying a new bike... old bike stolen :-(

trumanzi
trumanzi Posts: 13
edited September 2010 in MTB buying advice
Thank you all for your help in advance.

Sadly, My old bike and my dads bike were stolen at the start of the week.

Only 9 months old too! http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=15900430


Now, It seems insurance are willing to pay out (But only offer me £500 for my bike, 9 months old and i paid more for it + upgraded it several times since. But i'm happy to have something) so it looks like i'm going to be buying a new bike over the next few weeks.


However, i'm not sure what i should buy. I think i am going to treat this situation as an upgrade and put some more £££ to the bike costs.

However i am not sure what i want to buy. I used to have an upgraded Kona Kula 2008 (damn i loved that thing), but i am looking to get something a bit beefier.

Can anyone advise?

I am looking to spend anywhere between £900 and £1200 pretty much, but might push slightly over that limit if its worth it.

Do any of you think getting a full suspension is a good idea in that price range? Or should i stick with a hardtail?

I am not greatly experienced on a bike, i crash quite a bit. I have only got into biking in the last year or so. But i am looking to start going up afan forest trails here in S. Wales/possibly branching into some easy DH stuff some time next year. After all we all have to learn sometime.

At the moment i mainly ride XC/canals/a few very basic trails in the woods here. But as i mentioned earlier i want to branch out into DH/complicated trails

I currently have the following bikes in my sight

Hardtails
http://www.wheelies.co.uk/p38796/Specia ... -2011.aspx
http://www.wheelies.co.uk/p38851/Orange-G4-2011.aspx
http://www.wheelies.co.uk/p36524/Orange-G3-2011.aspx

and then there is the new versions of my old kula

http://www.wheelies.co.uk/p39864/Kona-Kula-2011.aspx
http://www.wheelies.co.uk/p29703/Kona-Kula-2010.aspx


However if i decide to go FS
http://www.wheelies.co.uk/p38746/Specia ... -2011.aspx

As you can see, i do not have a clue what to buy this time around. It took me 3 months to pick my bike last time (However i did not actually ask for any advice back then).

So, What are your views? If you had £900+ to spend on a new bike, what would you get? (I do not have to purchase from wheelies, however i am going to give them a chance before looking elsewhere)

Alternatley if there are any bikes you can recommend, please let me know.

Comments

  • paulbox
    paulbox Posts: 1,203
    How about a Trance X4? 2011 model is £1,295:

    http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/copy_of_giant_trance_x4.html
    XC: Giant Anthem X
    Fun: Yeti SB66
    Road: Litespeed C1, Cannondale Supersix Evo, Cervelo R5
    Trainer: Bianchi via Nirone
    Hack: GT hardtail with Schwalbe City Jets
  • Sounds like you are looking for a capable all rounder, how about an OnOne 456 XT?

    Well respected frame and good quality components, seems like the best value for money for what you want.

    Plus with this xt groupset and rebas you can always transfer to another frame like an Ragley mmmbop or a Cotic soul if you don't get on with the 456.

    http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOO456XT/on-one-456-xt
  • Kona Kula Deluxe Mountain Bike reduced from £1899 to £999 @ Wiggle



    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Kona_ ... e=googleps
  • Slamdunkin wrote:
    Kona Kula Deluxe Mountain Bike reduced from £1899 to £999 @ Wiggle



    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Kona_ ... e=googleps

    I have actually had a look at that, however i use a 19" kona frame, 18" would be too small for me :-(
  • eebygum wrote:
    Sounds like you are looking for a capable all rounder, how about an OnOne 456 XT?

    Well respected frame and good quality components, seems like the best value for money for what you want.

    Plus with this xt groupset and rebas you can always transfer to another frame like an Ragley mmmbop or a Cotic soul if you don't get on with the 456.

    http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOO456XT/on-one-456-xt

    This looks like a pretty decent choice. Do you ride one/know someone who rides one? Would love a bit of detail regarding day-to-day usage.
  • You could save a few quid and buy this

    Felt Trail Shot 2010 Mountain Bike £599 (RRP £1,149.99 ) @ Wiggle with FREE Delivery + £12 Quidco

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Felt_ ... e=googleps
  • warpcow
    warpcow Posts: 1,448
    I'd second an On One 456. I personally have a regular Inbred, but they're basically the same apart from a couple of details. The frame is nothing fancy but it handles well, can take abuse. Overall they're very good vfm all-rounders; just as good to ride all day as for dropping the saddle and trying DH. There must be a hundred-odd people on here who own one of some sort.

    What height and inside leg are you? I used to ride a 19" Kona but my current Inbred is 18".
  • It seems, according to my insurer, i can only buy a bike off www.wheelies.co.uk :-(


    Any idea of a site on there all?

    Oh, i'm 5 foot 11 and my inside leg is 32inches
  • From that selection the Orange P7 S seems to fit the style of riding that you want to do. Long travel forks, a strong frame, and geometry that will give you confidence over the rough stuff.
    The components aren't as good as you might find on some of its peers but with the limited selection you are given the P7 fits the bill best.
    If you are happy with shorter travel forks then I'd be curious to try the Genesis iOiD (although admitedly I know FA about the Alfine) and I'd check out the Duster Eight and the Spesh Rockhopper.

    Your best bet though is to ignore everything that we have said, and just go and get your bum on as many saddles as you can!
  • fredy
    fredy Posts: 308
    i am in a similar boat, i was after a mini DH bike but my money (and skill level) has recently had other ideas and so i'm now after a tough AM/trail bike for the same amount of money.
    I'm pretty sure i found some 09 specialized pitches for this money on the net. I don't know what they are like but they were recomended to me when i asked regarding the mini DH/AM bike i was previously after.
  • eebygum wrote:
    From that selection the Orange P7 S seems to fit the style of riding that you want to do. Long travel forks, a strong frame, and geometry that will give you confidence over the rough stuff.
    The components aren't as good as you might find on some of its peers but with the limited selection you are given the P7 fits the bill best.
    If you are happy with shorter travel forks then I'd be curious to try the Genesis iOiD (although admitedly I know FA about the Alfine) and I'd check out the Duster Eight and the Spesh Rockhopper.

    Your best bet though is to ignore everything that we have said, and just go and get your bum on as many saddles as you can!

    Thanks for the advice mate, i've been eyeing up an Orange G4 2011 edition, think i should take a look at the P7 also when i go visit the showroom?
  • fredy wrote:
    i am in a similar boat, i was after a mini DH bike but my money (and skill level) has recently had other ideas and so i'm now after a tough AM/trail bike for the same amount of money.
    I'm pretty sure i found some 09 specialized pitches for this money on the net. I don't know what they are like but they were recomended to me when i asked regarding the mini DH/AM bike i was previously after.

    A lot of people have told me to take a look at pitches, however on www.wheelies.co.uk they are all £1.5k+

    A bit out of my price range sadly.
  • fredy
    fredy Posts: 308
    ah of course, sorry.