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Looking to make some recommendations for a friend who is interested in getting into cycling.
Wheel size agnostic but at just under 6' the ones I have suggested so far have been 650b.
He'd perfer a suspension for but I have warned that at the lower end of the ££ range they are likely to be heavy and well a bit crap.
I've suggested a Boardman Comp (£519), Saracen Mantra Pro (£449), Pinnacle Ramin 1 (£450) , Giant Talon 1 (£599) and a On One Parkwood 27.5 (£599)
He went out on an organised ride borrowing a Mantra Pro so thats really my baseline.
Any other suggestions?
Decathlon? [url= http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rafal-700-mountain-bike-275-id_8338359.html ]Here[/url], or for a touch more [url= http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rafal-720-mountain-bike-275-id_8337929.html ]here[/url]. A bit Euro/XC in style but worth a glance I'd suggest.
Voodoo Bizango
[url= http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/voodoo-bizango-29er-mountain-bike ]http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/voodoo-bizango-29er-mountain-bike[/url]
Boardman something or other.
That Boardman Pro 29er was £719 with the 20% and another 10% BC discount.
I have ridden one. Really impressive for that money, just a wider bar required IMO.
That Pinnacle Iroko looks a cracker. It's on my list for the new bike on c2w in the spring.
Deore, recon, great handling according to reviews, comfy saddle and £40 left over for some other kit...
This looks like fun http://www.discountcyclesdirect.co.uk/catalog/product.php?CI_ID=21800&Item=%27Charge%20Cooker%202%202016%2027.5+%20Mountain%20Bike%20-%20Gloss%20Blue%27
The Voodoo Bizango looks really good, was looking at one yesterday, its a 29er though. The Hoodoo is a 650b if that's what you want. I certainly can't fault my Voodoo Wazoo fatbike.
looks good...nice spec.[url= http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/calibre-gauntlet-650b-mountain-bike-p343871 ]go outdoors calibre[/url]
You should always buy a bike way more than you think you can afford. Otherwise you will soon be dissapointed and fork out a fortune buying upgrades. Would you drive a shite car? A good secondhand bike could be an option.
cube bikes are the best vfm at present. from the sale section of CRC.
something like the cube ltd 29.
Check out Giant Fathom 2.
99 over price but well worth it.
120mm forks bolt through and dropper for 799.
Great value.
Thanks,
Max
[url= https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-iroko-1-2016-mountain-bike-EV244132 ]Pinacle Iroko 1 [/url]- £640 at the mo. Runs a RS Recon fork and lots of Deore bits.
You could have a Mantra Trail now for the top end of that budget - great hardtails.
I would recommend a 650b+ hardtail or just a hardtail. Full suss is good but there are a lot of costs further down the line such as shock servicing and pivots. Go for second hand and let someone else take the depreciation hit. A plus sized wheel will give a bit of squish. Also a 2x10 might be better for someone just getting into it rather than the current trend of 1x, they can always change over to that at a later date.
Bizango or Iroko would be my choice. Probably the Iroko, great frame and that build has no huge flaws.
I'd have a look at the new cannondale dale cujo, 27.5+ and decent geometry from £750
As said before a second hand bike is worth consideration...
Grand Canyon AL 5.9 looks quite decent 🙂
I like the look of the boardmans, but the bizango will leave you with change for accessories that you'll inevitably need to buy anyway..saddle bag, spare tubes, puncture kit, multi tool, chain lube etc.
I've got a Bizango (as well as a FS) and I like it. The forks aren't quite as refined as the ones on my FS, but that's the only real issue. Gears, brakes and tyres are all good, finishing kit is good enough, nice wide bars, the wheels are probably a bit porky but I've not weighed them.
I started on a £350 Hardrock back in 2005, spend £700 not £400 and as above try and get something discounted as a £900 rrp going for £700 will a whole world better than a £500 bike. In hindsight I should have spent a bit more. Definitely hardtail.
If your mate is starting from scratch he needs to allow for a helmet (don't go ultra cheao for that !) and some gloves as falling off is part of the learning experience. As a beginner flat pedals (upgrade fro m standard ?) and trainers (or approach shoes) are ok.
