New/Used Hardtail - upto £700

mtbjunkie08
mtbjunkie08 Posts: 192
edited June 2015 in MTB buying advice
Hi,

I am looking to upgrade my current mountain bike (2008 - Scott Scale 80) to something better and also something that fits me better. I'm 6ft'1" with a 32" inside leg which unfortunately seems to put me in between a Large and XL in most bikes. With my 19" Scott (26" wheels) I have to have my saddle rather high, which I feel is not a good riding position as it puts all my weight forward.

Originally I was looking for a 650b and wanted a 2x10 drivetrain. Unfortunately I've found it really difficult to find anything under £800 which has a 2x10 drivetrain, except for the Boardman HT Comp which Wiggle were selling. I went and sat on the 19" Boardman in Halfords and although it felt good I still had to have the saddle atleast level with the bars or ideally slightly higher, so I'm still not sure if it was really large enough for me.
They dont do the boardman in anything larger.

So I have started looking at buying second hand, I really like the look of the 2013 Specialized Carve Pro:
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/ ... e/carvepro and also the Carve comp: http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/ ... comp#specs both of which I have seen sold in the past within my budget. What are people's opinions of these bikes? Does anyone own one, and what size?.
The other options are a 2nd hand Trek X-caliber 8/9 http://www.evanscycles.com/products/tre ... lsrc=aw.ds or a Trek Superfly 5 http://www.evanscycles.com/products/tre ... e-ec068689

Again any opinions on these would be appreciated. I looked at the Genesis Core 30 but not really sure I like the look of the very bland black frame. I also looked at the Vitus Sentier but as they are based in Ireland I cant just go and sit on one to try it for size. I could maybe look at converting a 3x9/10 bike to 2x10 which would widen my choice massively but the cost of doing so would be quite high and I'm not sure I want the hassle.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Comments

  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    edited April 2015
    All my saddles are level with the bars or higher.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

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  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Likewise, that's a normal height for a trail MTB, for XC it will be even higher than the bars depending on your height, I ride with a chap from work who is 6'5", none of his saddles are as low as his bars has he's very leggy (so long arms as well).

    If you want higher bars you can swap the stem or bars to raise them anyway, so maybe do that to the Scott.
    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.
  • kajjal
    kajjal Posts: 3,380
    I have a 2013 Carve comp which suits my mainly xc riding well. It also is fine for trail centres / parks. The only thing I upgraded were the brakes to XT which was a noticeable improvement. From 2013 onwards the carve, now crave is lighter than previous bikes.

    I am 6ft7 and have a 23" carve with the bars below the saddle a bit rather than level as I prefer it that way.

    If you are confident there are plenty of good second hand deals out there.
  • mtbjunkie08
    mtbjunkie08 Posts: 192
    The Rookie wrote:
    Likewise, that's a normal height for a trail MTB, for XC it will be even higher than the bars depending on your height, I ride with a chap from work who is 6'5", none of his saddles are as low as his bars has he's very leggy (so long arms as well).

    If you want higher bars you can swap the stem or bars to raise them anyway, so maybe do that to the Scott.

    Thanks for the feedback, perhaps its not as bad as I think it is then but I'm still looking to upgrade anyway. My Scott doesnt even have disc brakes and to upgrade to discs I'd have to buy disc-ready wheels and I dont think the Rockshox Dart 2 forks are exactly great either, so I'd rather put that money towards a new bike which is 2x10.
    Kajjal wrote:
    I have a 2013 Carve comp which suits my mainly xc riding well. It also is fine for trail centres / parks. The only thing I upgraded were the brakes to XT which was a noticeable improvement. From 2013 onwards the carve, now crave is lighter than previous bikes.

    I am 6ft7 and have a 23" carve with the bars below the saddle a bit rather than level as I prefer it that way.

    If you are confident there are plenty of good second hand deals out there.

    Well I believe the Carve Pro has slightly better disc brakes, thansk for the info about sizing though, I'm thinking an XL (21") would probably be about right for me.
  • mtbjunkie08
    mtbjunkie08 Posts: 192
    I am seriously considering this: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/boardman-comp-29er-x5-10-speed/

    Its the 29er 2x10 version of the Boardman I sat on in halfords (the large 19" model). Unfortunately they sold out of the 650b version.

    What do you guys think?
  • LJ.
    LJ. Posts: 149
    It's a good deal I saw the 650B version on there a few weeks ago, thought it was cheap and they are 10 speed, wheras halfords is 9.
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Good bike at a good price.
    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.
  • mtbjunkie08
    mtbjunkie08 Posts: 192
    Sadly Wiggle sold out of the Boardman Comp 650b version and I decided I didnt want to go for a 29er (which have also now sold out). So I'm still looking for a 650b HT with a 2x10 drivetrain within budget. I've looked at the Carrera Fury but its a really heavy bike compared to my 2008 Scott Scale 80 so that really puts me off it.

    Theres the Boardman Team 650b but really not keen on the Black frame. I've been scouring ebay, pinkbike, gumtree and here everyday for the Wiggle version of the Boardman Comp but alas only the 3x9 Halfords version seems to come up on the 2nd hand market.

    So I'm starting to get quite frustrated with the whole thing.
  • mtbjunkie08
    mtbjunkie08 Posts: 192
    Considering one of these now: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitu ... rod120719#

    But unfortunately they are in N.Ireland so I wouldnt be able to try one out. Anyone got one of these? Hopefully at 6ft1 and 32/33in inside leg the 19" should be ok for me?.
  • N0bodyOfTheGoat
    N0bodyOfTheGoat Posts: 5,851
    How about £722 for the 650B Team in the 15% sale?
    http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/m ... am-ht-650b
    ================
    2020 Voodoo Marasa
    2017 Cube Attain GTC Pro Disc 2016
    2016 Voodoo Wazoo
  • mtbjunkie08
    mtbjunkie08 Posts: 192
    NitrousOxide wrote:
    How about £722 for the 650B Team in the 15% sale?
    http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/m ... am-ht-650b


    Thanks for the suggestion but as I mentioned in a previous post I'm not really keen on the Black frame, I've tried to convince myself that the colour shouldn't really matter that much - but it isnt working :?
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    It's for riding, not looking at - once it's covered in sh1t you won't notice anyway.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • esa2
    esa2 Posts: 44
    I wasnt keen on the Boardman graphics actually but they do look better in person rather than pictures
  • mtbjunkie08
    mtbjunkie08 Posts: 192
    I believe the general opinion of the Specialized Rockhopper is that they are terrible value, but what about the the sale price of £680?: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... e-ec070633

    Is it still a terrible spec. How bad are those Tektro brakes? What else is bad about the spec compared to something in a similar price bracket?
  • Antm81
    Antm81 Posts: 1,406
    The XCR fork is poor.
    Trance 27.5 Hoodoo Her Scott Contessa Daughter's Vulcan
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Indeed Bizango is better specced for less money
    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.
  • mtbjunkie08
    mtbjunkie08 Posts: 192
    I mentioned this Vitus earlier but noone commented whether it was good or bad: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitu ... rod120719#

    Still seems decent spec to me and wanted 650b 2x10. Whats your thoughts on this one?. In the mean time I'm looking out for a 2nd hand Whyte 901 (2014/2015) within my budget too.

    Sorry but I really dont like the Voodoo frames.
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    A bit dearer than the Voodoo but it does have a better spec, altogether looks like it should ride very nicely, no 19" left though and 17" is going to be a bit small I think.
    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.
  • mtbjunkie08
    mtbjunkie08 Posts: 192
    Well with it being a 2015 model I would have thought they will be having more 19" coming in. Just cant decide if I want to take a gamble of not seeing it in the flesh or sitting on it.
    I'm going to my lbs this week to have a sit on a 650b Scott Scale 750 and hopefully a Whyte 901 as I am still looking out for one of these 2nd hand within my budget.
  • Antm81
    Antm81 Posts: 1,406
    mtbjunkie08 wrote:
    Well with it being a 2015 model I would have thought they will be having more 19" coming in.

    You'd like to think so but 2016 models are probably only a few months away, there's a chance that stocks will start to dwindle soon.
    Trance 27.5 Hoodoo Her Scott Contessa Daughter's Vulcan
  • mtbjunkie08
    mtbjunkie08 Posts: 192
    Antm81 wrote:
    mtbjunkie08 wrote:
    Well with it being a 2015 model I would have thought they will be having more 19" coming in.

    You'd like to think so but 2016 models are probably only a few months away, there's a chance that stocks will start to dwindle soon.

    They will be having more 19" in stock soon, but in the mean time........

    OK had a sit on a Whyte 901 in the LBS this week and it felt a pretty good fit. They were offering the 2014 model for £1050. My only concern is value for money doesnt seem as good as the Vitus. The Whyte has SRAM X5/X7 Groupset and Avid Elixir 3 Brakes, whereas the Vitus has Shimano Deore Groupset and Shimano BR-M355 Brakes but obviously the fork isnt as good, but the bike is £300 less.

    The Whyte has had excellent reviews in all the press for the last 18 months which is kind of encouraging me to stretch my budget to one but on paper the spec doesnt look that good.

    Which would you recommend?.....

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitu ... prod120719
    http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/categ ... -14-47854/
  • mtbjunkie08
    mtbjunkie08 Posts: 192
    I just thought I'd let you know I went and bought the Vitus in the end, had it about a week now, really pleased with it. Brakes and Gears are excellent, although it is my first bike with disc brakes (previous had v-brakes) so I guess they should be good!. I find it a really comfortable bike to ride, more comfortable than my previous Scott Scale.

    The large volume tyres and suspension (and ofcourse the 650b wheels) just seem to smooth out all the rough terrain so well!. I actually find it climbs alot better than my old bike too despite the slack head tube angle.
    The only thing that concerns me a little is that because the bottom bracket is slightly higher than my old bike I can only just reach the floor with the tips of my toes when sat in the saddle. This really doesnt affect me when riding it, I only notice it when stopping at junctions on the road.

    Overall its a great bike and am looking forward to taking on some more challenging trails!.

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