O.k so last week i went to glentress with a mate and his dad. Hired a bike from there which was a kona cindercone. This was my first time doing any of this and absolutely loved it. Now i'm looking at getting my first proper xc bike. Loved the kona but was wondering if anybody could advise me of a good bike that has good equipment on it but also doesn't come with a crazy price tag ?

Thanks

Specialized is always a good bet at entry level.
Personally I'd buy second hand, keep an eye in the classifieds here and on bikeradar.

Thanks.
Checked bike radar out today, didn't really find much though :/

How much have you got to spend? something useable is going to be £300+ new with more money meaning less weight/more strengh/more or better suspension (give or take)

I've just listed a Rockhopper in the classifieds http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/fs-speciaiized-rockhopper-sl-2010 🙂

is £450 a good price for a bike which can be bought for £600 new?

I would have thought than a good bike to buy if the price is right

@TandemJeremy I paid closer to £700 for it! It's currently on at £699 at Evans – feeling my way here a little, what would you say a fair price for a 6 month old lightly used bike would be?

Looks a good price for a good bike to me. I <3 my Rockhopper.

In answer to the original question though.

Buy nothing, go to your local bike shops (plural), take a load out for test rides, see what feels right.

Clicky

I've just bought my Mrs one of these as her first bike…

Seems spot on IMHO..

look at spec hardrock or trek 3900 / 4300, depends on your budget though.

if you can get second hand go for it (it'll probably get battered if you're learning so doesn't matter if its a bit scratched etc 😛 ), it means you can get better spec on your bike and hopefully go faster and enjoy it more 🙂

drofluf I ain't sure really hence I asked the question. Usual formula is half new price +/- a bit for condition. I think I saw the same model for £600 on one site but I didn't check the small print.

I sold a similar one for a mate of mine for £350 IIRC last year

A nice bike for starters tho

Evening! There is a chance i will be selling a rockhopper 2009 19 inch frame soon, with original wheelset – could do you a decent price, if you are not looking to spend a fortune.
Would be good starting point – as it has been for me (only had it for 10 months) never done anything overly technical and certainly no downhill stuff!!!
Let us know!

And how tall are you? Might help with getting the size right.

Size and fit more important that most things. Not falling apart first time out is also good. After that you rarely go far wrong with Specialised (think of them as the Ford of mountain bikes), Trek (Vauhall in my opinion) or Giant (Volkswagen Audi Group, including Skoda and SEAT). But do budget on the £300+ mentioned earlier; though the sales are on, you may be lucky.

I've got an 18" Boardman Comp for sale for £350. It's the 2007 model with 130mm Recon's and SRAM X9 rear and X7 front mech. This years model isn't quite as good on spec but obviously mine's been used. I can send you photo's and complete spec if your interested?