Best bikes for a beginner

APJohnson1988
APJohnson1988 Posts: 3
edited August 2015 in MTB buying advice
Hi all,

I am completely new to the world of MTB riding although it is something which I have been extremely interested in for quite large period of time, but for a number of reasons though I have never taken the plunge and bought a bike. I live approx. 2 miles from Marquis Drive in Cannock Chase so this is where I see riders on a daily basis whilst walking my dogs and where I will do the vast majority of my riding. I am cancelling my membership at my local gym and buying myself a bike due to the gym being as exciting as watching paint dry, so I will be doing this as a job is, but I also as a source of fitness.

Anyway back to the point in hand, the exciting part. I have a budget of no more than £500-600, ideally wanting to spend less if possible. When I was looking into starting a few years back (2010-11) there were a range of bikes which seemed well spec'd for my price range (Rockrider 8.1, Boardman Comp, Carrera Fury, Voodoo Hoodoo etc) with some of these still being around with newer models and in the RR 8.1's case a new name (RR 560).

I have seen that this bike is on sale atm for £400 which when looking over other post's holds a high opinion amongst a lot of members, especially for price. Online this bike is sold out, although I would check in my local store to see if the stock this in my size.

My other choice(s) are either the Calibre Two.Two or Calibre Point.50 which are both on sale at the moment for sub £400. Looking over the specs it seems that the Point.50 has the same forks as the RR 560 but with 120mm travel compared to 100mm on the RR, although I am not entirely sure on this. Regarding gears etc I wouldn't know where to start so opinions are always good.

Here are the links to the bikes:

http://m.gooutdoors.co.uk/calibre-point-50-alloy-hardtail-mountain-bike-p275620 - Calibre Point.50

http://m.gooutdoors.co.uk/calibre-two-two-alloy-hardtail-mountain-bike-p275612 - Calibre Two.Two

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-560-mountain-bike-id_8293151.html - Rockrider 560

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/voodoo-hoodoo-mountain-bike - VooDoo HooDoo

Thanks.

Comments

  • Antm81
    Antm81 Posts: 1,406
    I'd dismiss the.22, not because it's a bad bike or even too expensive, but when the .50 is only £15 more it makes no sense to buy the .22.
    Trance 27.5 Hoodoo Her Scott Contessa Daughter's Vulcan
  • alexjim
    alexjim Posts: 48
    VooDoo HooDoo have a very good reputation, look at review this may help.
    Alex
  • jamski
    jamski Posts: 737
    [url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19689695#p19689695]Antm81[/url] wrote:
    I'd dismiss the.22, not because it's a bad bike or even too expensive, but when the .50 is only £15 more it makes no sense to buy the .22.

    I have the .22 but totally agree. May as well get the .5. Rockrider 560 is a great bike for the money too. In fact that's the best of the lot!
    Daddy, Husband, Designer, Biker, Gamer, Geek
    Bird Aeris 120 | Boardman Team 650b | Boardman Pro FS | Calibre Two.two
  • dirkpitt74
    dirkpitt74 Posts: 518
    Rockrider is the only one with air sprung forks.
    Voodoo Hoodoo was down graded to Raidon coils last year - also looks like downgraded to Altus drive train.

    For me it'd be either the RR or the .50.

    Depends if you want 3x10 Shimano (RR) or 2x10 SRAM (.50) drive train.

    Drive train on the .50 is the same as my Carrera Fury - not had any issues. But be aware that you have to buy the FSA bottom bracket (never as cheap as a Shimano one) if it needs replacing as the cranks have an odd size 19mm spindle.
    _______________
    Chris

    Current FS: 2017 Nukeproof Mega 275
    Current HT: 2017 Nukeproof Scout 275
    Kids Carrera Blast Refurb/Upgrade
    My Blog - Midlife MTB Mutterings

    Previous FS: 2014 Nukeproof Mega TR 26'er
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    The RR is on runout and on limited supply which may decide your choice for you, but it is that or the .50
    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.
  • APJohnson1988
    APJohnson1988 Posts: 3
    Firstly thank you for your replies. Unfortunately the RR 560 is not in stock at my local Decathlon and unavailable online so that's ones a no go.

    Secondly do air forks make a massive difference over coil forks? I ask this as I stopped in at Halfords yesterday and looked at the Boardman Comp and VooDoo Bizango which both have air forks and liked both of these bikes. My only uncertanty is deciding the fact the VooDoo is a 29er and I have read a lot of opinions on the 'fors' and 'againsts' so I guess I'd just need to try and see how it feels in comparison.

    Boardman Comp - http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/boardman-mountain-bike-comp-ht-650b

    VooDoo Bizango - http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/voodoo-bizango-29er-mountain-bike

    If either of these bikes are considerably better than the Calibre Point.50 then I'd choose one of those, but if they're not worth the extra money then it seems silly to spend £100+ more.
    DirkPitt74 wrote:
    Depends if you want 3x10 Shimano (RR) or 2x10 SRAM (.50) drive train.

    Drive train on the .50 is the same as my Carrera Fury - not had any issues. But be aware that you have to buy the FSA bottom bracket (never as cheap as a Shimano one) if it needs replacing as the cranks have an odd size 19mm spindle.

    Regarding gears I am a total novice so I would probably just go with whichever was the most efficient/reliable.

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