Advice on first mountain bike

Tom_D3
Tom_D3 Posts: 13
edited June 2016 in MTB buying advice
I'm looking to start mountain biking, and need a mountain bike. As I have a low budget (Under £200), I have been looking at the used market. In my area, I have found these bikes:
- Specialized HRXC (2008?)
- Specialized Rockhopper (2004ish?)
- Trek 3500 2014
- Kona Stuff 2005

All of these bikes have disk brakes, and are in good condition. I know that there will likely be some problems, however I have experience fixing bikes after riding road.
I will be doing mostly trail riding and possibly some jumps, and am looking for a good all rounder bike to start mountain biking, so would like some advice on which will be most suitable.

Thanks in advance :D

Comments

  • Lungs94
    Lungs94 Posts: 160
    £200 is really low budget to start off mountain biking, but I'd suggest looking at second hand Carerra or Voodoo, I wouldnt buy a bike older than 2010 most likely will need alot of parts replacing nor would I look at buying a bike for £200 from the major brands, horrible spec for the money.
    Bikes:
    2013 Mondraker Dune XR - XX1 XO1 Hope, Easton Carbon, Fox
    Voodoo Bizango XT - Hope, Pikes, Mavic
  • JGTR
    JGTR Posts: 1,404
    Saw a Carrera in Halfors today for £199, rigid fork but looked well worth the money
  • I always have a look in the FS section on here, most bikes are over this budget BUT if you haven't already, a "wanted" ad might prompt someone to part with something decent for your money?

    Try also searching for used decathlon bikes on the bay, new ones (I love mine) are good value so I can only assume a used will be in budget?
  • Tom_D3
    Tom_D3 Posts: 13
    Thanks for the advice:)

    Ive manged to increase my budget, but I'd still like to go used. The bikes now available to me are:
    Giant Yukon FX
    Giant XTC 2.5
    Specialized Hardrock Pro
    GT Agressor XC2

    All of these bikes are in good condition (From a local second hand bike dealer), but I was wondering which one would you reccomend?

    Thanks
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Depends on the year, have been several versions of each (and they vary). What you want to look for is:

    - a fork with rebound damping, preferably hydraulic and adjustable.
    - disc brakes, hydraulic is a big bonus
    - 8 speed rear cassette or higher (not a crew on freewheel).

    And of course fit and feel. I'd see if you can find some more info on them.
  • Tom_D3
    Tom_D3 Posts: 13
    Giant Yukon fx 2008:
    Fork: RockShox Dart 2, 100mm travel
    Shock: Giant Air, 4" travel
    Brakes: Hayes HMX-4 w/160mm rotor brakes, Tektro Alloy levers
    Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore
    Rear Derailleur: SRAM SX4
    Cassette: 8-speed, 11 - 32 teeth

    Giant XTC 2.5 2007:
    FORK RockShox Recon 351 air 80mm travel, Motion control remote lock out
    BRAKES Avid Juicy 3, 160mm rotors
    WHEELS Mavic XM117 rims, Shimano 475 hubs
    DRIVETRAIN Shimano LX 27 speed shifters, XT rear mech
    9 speed cassette

    Specialized Hardrock Pro 2008:
    Fork: SR Suntour SF7-XCM-HLO 100mm travel
    Brakeset: Avid BB-5 w/6" rotor brakes, Avid FR-5 levers
    Drivetrain: mix of shimano Alivio and Altus
    8-speed, 11 - 32 teeth
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Of those the Giant XTC is stand out better, better fork (by a long way), better drivetrain and hydraulic brakes. However is is very much an XC bike, so what sort of usage do you envisage?

    You would almost certainly get better value with a used Voodoo/Rockrider/Carrera than any of those.
    As an example http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Carrera-krake ... SwtJZXVVx3 is better than the Yukon or Lardrock and a better trail bike than the XTC.
    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.