- This topic has 9 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 13 years ago by CaptJon.
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£700 hardtail – any recommendations?
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HallsyFree MemberPosted 13 years ago
After a trip to Afan last weekend my brother has the bug to get a bike!!
Me personally, I always build my bikes up, so don't really look at new complete bikes, but he will be taking advantage of the C2W scheme, and wants something he can use of some occasional commuting and the odd trail centre.
He doesn't want to spend more than £700 really (price before C2W discount).
At this price I'm guessing most of the big names will have pretty basic specs, and with him not being the best at spanner wielding, some reliable componentry would be high on the list.
Looking around at the cheaper names I've come across a couple that seem well worth a look,
Focus Black Forest Expert £699
Reba's, XT/SLX, looks nice, only thing I'm unsure of for trail type use would be the bars & bar ends, but suppose he could get another bar. Does look pretty good to me for the cash anyway.
Cube Ltd Team RX £760
http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/27971/Cube_LTD_Team_RX_Bike_2010
Similar spec, but Recon's & Formula RX brakes (heard good & bad about these). Nice finishing kit. Looks just as good apart from the fork, which I gather an '09 would have had the Reba for same price – shame.
So, any opinions on those two, or anything else to throw in to look at? Boardman HT Pro was a consideration from me, but they are out of my brothers budget (£999 iirc).
PeterPoddyFree MemberPosted 13 years agoFor £700 I'd probably have one of these
http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/mountain/core/core-20/overview/
Boardman bikes are good at that price too though 🙂
glenpFree MemberPosted 13 years agoOur hire bikes are Genesis Core 20's, and I often just ride one of those in preference to my own, which is three time the price and fs. Really good bike, fork's a bit bouncy but you don't really notice once you're in to your ride. Very comfortable too – doesn't feel like alu. Not sure if Genesis have any 2010 bikes left though…
PierreFull MemberPosted 13 years agoThese aren't too bad either:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/evolution-20-2010-mountain-bike-ec021914Good frame, good parts (though I don't know why they went for Toras) and heavily discounted 'cos it's Evans' own brand.
: P
AlexSimonFull MemberPosted 13 years agoWhen looking at budget bikes, I always look for a couple of things first.
Geometry – is it suited to what I want to do.
Frame details – will it fit the tyres I want to run. Is it singlespeedable (if that's a requirement). Bottle bosses, etc.
Fork – Recons are fine, rebas are a 'nice to have'. Toras/suntour a complete nono for me.Then start looking at the other details. To be absolutely honest style and brand comes reasonably high for me.
Looking at the focus – it's value can't be denied – even Nobby Nics! But make sure 100mm forks are enough and as you mention the bars are a bit 'race'.
There's the Boardman http://www.boardmanbikes.com/mtbht/ht_comp.html
But it does look like the norm is 100mm forks and a lean towards 'race' is still the norm at this price.
Some more:
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOO26SCD/on-one-scandal-comphttp://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop/Bikes/Mountain+Bikes/Merlin+Bikes/Merlin+Malt+1+Bike_MERLIN-MALT1-BIKE.htm (with Recon upgrade comes to £700)
Hope that helps
chappersFree MemberPosted 13 years agoIf you read What Mountain Bike, boardman comp and Voodoo Bokor (No.1) score very well – both at Halfords.
HallsyFree MemberPosted 13 years agoPretty much how I felt Alex, fork being fairly important.
Does look like most bikes at this price point are a little racey with 100mm fork, but if he uses it for the odd bit of commuting that will probably be better than a 130mm trail HT. Although saying that, I happily commute a short distance on my Trailstar LT.
Just looked at Boardman's again, and the Comp HT looks like a good spec for £700 also.
Just want to get a few recommendations down so I can get him to test ride a few. Genesis is one I had forgot about, will look them up – liewise the Evans's models.
Initially I was thinking of a Merlin Malt, but in his price range he would only be able to get the older Malt 1, rather than something like a Malt 4.
Maybe I should encourage him to spend more!!
HallsyFree MemberPosted 13 years agoThat Bokor looks nice as well – off to do some reading.
Actually quite liking the Boardman Comp, although the Firex GXP cranks are a worry, I've heard the BB's are total shite?
glenpFree MemberPosted 13 years agoThe fork is always the weak point of the spec at this price. Very very unusual to get anything better then Tora. The Pinnacle is a really good discount.
I don't think it makes much difference going for a 100mm fork. Perfectly adequate for a starter bike, or indeed just a bike for anyone to enjoy. I don't ride around on one of the Genesis bikes thinking the ride would be transformed with another 20 or 30mm on the fork.
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