Max £450 hardtail budget. New or 2nd hand - Whats the best?

Stebbil
Stebbil Posts: 10
edited March 2012 in MTB buying advice
Hi all

New to this forum and pretty new to the world of mountain biking. I have recently moved to a rural village and quite a few of the new people I have met go biking around the surrounding countryside. I think they go on moderate difficulty runs and speaking to them they paid in the region of £600-£1000 for their bikes.

Anyway, I would like to get involved in this to lose weight and get me out into the fresh air. I have a max budget of £450 and not sure if to buy a new one, or go second hand. Problem is that most people I speak to at work all have £1000+ bikes and therefore their knowledge on the entry level stuff is a little limiting, which is leaning me toward buying a second hand more expensive bike (Trek, Cube etc) rather than say a careera from Halfords.

Any advice on what to look out for be it new or second hand and general advice overall would really be appreciated.

Many thanks
Stebbil

Comments

  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    The 2nd hand market is massively variable, and can involve a lot of luck.

    New though, if you can stretch to £500, is the Decathlon Rockrider 8.1:

    http://www.decathlon.co.uk/81-2011-id_8168695.html

    Not many bikes below £800 can touch it, never mind £500! Excellent spec, decent weight.
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    For £450 you'll always get a better bike used than new, however do you know what to look for and can you service it yourself (otherwise budget for a service!).
    Used a Carrera Fury is a good choice and common enough to give you a chance of finding one, should pay about £350-400 for a good 2 year old bike leaving you a bit for service and TLC.
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165499

    10% extra discount if you buy online bringing it in budget and I'd be amazed if you don't have a Halfords somewhere nearby to get sized up first
  • ^^ very good value there on that bike.

    Second hand will allways be cheaper but like sonic says it very much about luck, and involves quite a lot of risk, though if calculated well can be very worth while.

    A rockhopper may be within your budget as i got mine new for £450, though you may have to wait a while untill the season ends before they become avalible
    London2Brighton Challange 100k!
    http://www.justgiving.com/broxbourne-runners