hi
im going to take the plunge and get myself a bike, most of my mates are riding so i kinda feel left out. im going to do mainly trails, local woodland, xc nothing major but i would have a go at anything.

ive done alot of research on internet/forums (you guys seem to be the best )and ive narrow my bikes down to 3. ive got about £700/750. no scheme so its my hard earn cash. okay which is the best please, many thanks again.

Whyte 805 Bike (2011)
Frame: 6061 Hydro Formed T6 Aluminium, Custom Drawn and Multi Butted
Fork: RockShox Recon Silver TK, 100mm Travel, Adjustable Rebound, Turn Key Lockout
Rear Shock: N/A
Crankset: Shimano M521, 44-32-22, 9 Speed
Bottom Bracket: Shimano BB-ES25 Square Taper
Pedals: VP Composite with Alloy Cage and Toe Clip
Front Derailleur: Shimano Alivio, 9 Speed
Rear Derailleur: Shimano SLX Shadow, 9 Speed
Shifters: Shimano Alivio, 9 Speed
Cassette: Shimano HG-61, 11-34, 9 Speed
Chain: Shimano HG-53, 9 Speed
Front Hub: Alloy, Double Sealed Bearing Hub, 32 Hole
Rear Hub: Alloy, Double Sealed Bearing Hub, 32 Hole
Rims: Alex TD-24, 32 Hole
Tyres: Continental Trail King Wire 26” x 2.2”
Front Brakes: Hayes Stroker Comp, V6 Rotor
Rear Brake: Hayes Stroker Comp, V6 Rotor
Brake Levers: Hayes Stroker Comp
Handlebars: Whyte Low Rise 20mm, 31.8mm, 680mm Wide
Headset: FSA Semi Integrated, 1 1/8” Sealed Cartridge Bearings
Stem: Whyte Custom, 70mm S, 70mm M, 80mm L
Seat: Whyte Custom
Grips: Whyte Custom Lock-on.

GIANT TALON 0

AluxX aluminium, Fluid FormedTM
Forks RockShox Recon Silver TK Solo Air, aluminium steerer, 100mm travel
Rear Derailleur Shimano XT Shadow
Front Derailleur Shimano Deore
Shifters Shimano Deore 27 speed
Chainset Shimano M542 22/32/44
Bottom Bracket Shimano External
Chain Shimano HG73
Freewheel Shimano HG50 11-34
Stem Giant Connect
Handlebars Giant Connect riser
Front Brake Shimano 445 hydraulic discs 160mm rotors
Rear Brake Shimano 445 hydraulic discs 160mm rotors
Brake Levers Shimano 505
Rims Giant S-XC2 DW aluminium
Front Hub Giant Tracker
Rear Hub Shimano M475
Tyres Kenda Nevegal DTC 26×2.1″
Saddle Giant Cross Trail D2
Seatpost Giant Connect
Pedals Giant platform

AND FINALLY A HALFORDS BIKE, WHICH IM UNSURE BUTS ITS 100 QUID CHEAPER THAN THE TWO ABOVE,

VooDoo Bokor Mountain Bike 2011
Approximate Weight (KG): 14.3kg
Brake Type: Hydraulic Disc
Chainset: Shimano FC-M431
Fork Lock-out : Yes
Fork travel: 140mm
Forks: 140mm Suntour Epicon air suspension fork with lockout & 15mm through axle
Frame Colour: Matt White
Frame Material: Alloy
Frame Size: 19-20
Frame-: Lightweight 7005 aluminium
Front Brake: Tektro Auriga Comp Hydraulic disc 180mm rotor
Front Mech: Shimano Deore FD-M590
Gear Shifters: Shimano Deore SL-M590 27spd
Gender: Mens
Handle Bars: Riser 31.8mm
Headset: 1 1/8 Aheadset
Number of Gears: 27
Rear Brake: Tektro Auriga Comp Hydraulic disc 160mm rotor
Rear Mech: Shimano Deore RD-M592
Rims: Alex SX44 Double wall black 32 hole disc rim
Saddle: VL-3165
Seatpost: 400mm Alloy 27.2
Stem: 31.8mm alloy 80mm
Suspension: Front
Tyre size: 2.25″
Tyres: Maxxis Ardent 26 x 2.25
Wheel size: 26

SORRY IF THE POST IS LONG, ANY HELP IS GREATLY WELCOMED. THANKYOU

Canyon probably be the best.

http://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes/bike.html?b=2052

£750 for juicy 3s, xt rear mech, deore drivetrain, decent tyres, and a reba air fork. Sorted, much better then those other 3.

Hello and welcome. You are right, we are the very best.

Have a look at Canyon, unlikely you will find better bang for your buck, German mail-order company, lot of folk on here started getting them (including me).

http://www.canyon.com/_uk/mountainbikes/bike.html?b=2052

hahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

How have you got to your shortlist?
Have you looked at others and discounted them?

There’s a Boardman from Halfords for about £650 that would get my vote over the Voodoo you mention.
And have you considered a Specialized Rockhopper? Probably considered to be a ‘boring’ choice, but it would be an excellent bike to get started on.
That Canyon mentioned above also looks like a good buy, but you would struggle to test ride one in advance as they only deal mail order, I think.

Out of the ones you’ve seen. is there one you like the look of best? Appeals to you the most?

out of the three options i would go giant. seems to have a better spread of components. decent fork, brakes and gears.

just remember as with any bike you might want to change the saddle for comfort, the stem for sizing and the tyres for something that suits you / your local terrain. (ask when you buy it)

The Whyte would be my pick on frame alone. Whytes ride very well indeed.

Another consideration – Where to buy….I would always suggest you use your LBS (Local bike shop) as they’ll help you get the most out of the bike in the longer run. Whereabouts are you based?

thanks for the reply lads, going to have a look at the canyon like you side when im finish this post. i came to those bikes really by the forks, it seem what im reading its all about frame and forks ( the darts and suntours, i keep hearing r bad things on forums). so those choices seemed good ! i dont no anything about the bikes lol. i do like the look of the giant and whyte. reading to many reviews and forums i think ive got a fork phobia as im trying to get the best buy possible. hmmm i didnt think it would be hard tbh lol. i suppose there is no bad things about the 2 i picked, like everyone says its how it rides for you.

thanks again lads, im sure i will be sticking around in the near future

wow i like the look of that canyon. is it worth buying seriously ! the look of it is exactly what i want, dont no about the gear as i havent a clue, but you guys say the spec is spot on. hmm watch this space

what about one of these
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/8-1-2011-172069577/

many thanks, but ive been convinced to buy the canyon. it was between the 4.0 and the 5.0, as there is 140 quid, but its nearly xmas so ive decided on the 5.0 lol. went to buy it and its out of stock. ive just got to keep checking. ive sat on a large frame and seemed comfortable on one, but the size checker is saying medium, . but a couple of centi more it goes to largeim 5.11. going to go with large when it available.

thanks again, wouldnt have found this one with you guys. nice one

Skeet if Canyon recommend medium is get a medium. Or give them a bell and chat about it. Worst case you can have it delivered and if it feels too small they will take it back at no charge to you.

Smaller bikes are easier to ride, if you get one too big it can ruin the fun and your ability.

+1 on size, think medium at 5’11 unless you are very long legged…..have a chat with Cullen at Canyon.

Your spelling is making my eyes bleed.

Skeet if Canyon recommend medium is get a medium

Not sure about their MTB sizing, but their road sizing comes out tiny. I am 5’11 and it recommended me a small road bike, I went medium, and it is a very good racy fit, but could easily go large after trying a friends large, I’d phone them up and have a chat.

but apart from that I am a massive Canyon fan. You can;t go wrong IMO.

One thing, if its out of stock it may be for a long time, I believe they make their bike in batches throughout the year, so one week they’ll get model A size small, next week Model A size medium, week after model B size small.

haha sorry about my spelling, im just a lazy writer. ive ordered by bike.. YIPEE. a 4.0 came in stock on medium. i did the size chart several times and medium was coming up everytime, also the frame size is 18.5, so yep i reckon you guys were correct again !

well thanks mcboo for your link, it wasnt the 5.0 but the 4.0 but i saved nearly £150 so that can go towards helmet, locks, lights etc. i will post a pic when i recieve it.

thankyou again

gaz

nice one, thats a whole lot of bike for under £700.

Good choice, hope you enjoy it. Try not to leave it out in public too much, even locked up. Shiny new fairly expensive looking bikes scream nick me.