I've spent the last few days trying to help a friend find his first mtb. For various reasons he has decided that he wants a new hardtail and has a budget of £500 (maybe a little bit over, but not much). He's 5 ft 10in, and wants disc brakes and a reasonable fork if possible. I've found a couple of options, if you have any serious suggestions or have spotted any end of line bargains please feel free to post a link.
Thanks in advance.
These look good, but a touch over budget
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=74284
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=74276
Classifieds Trek 6700? I got one for £350 as good as new. £150 to spend on clothes / helmet / pack.
Another option
B'Twin 8.1 from Decathalon for £500 would be my first recommendation. Recon forks, X7 & Deore drivetrain, Elixir 3 brakes and pretty light too at under 13kg!
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/81-2011-id_8168695.html
+1 for the Decathlon Rockrider 8.1. I have one. Top buy for the cash.
Rockshox Recon Silver TK fork, X7 mechs (front & back)+ shifters, Deore external BB & cranks. Elixir 3 brakes.
Only issue is replacement freehub bodies - but at £45 for a whole new rear wheel I can cope! Stock freehub lasted 18months of 2/3 times a week plus two all-day sportives and several half-day sportives on top without any maintenance (nope, none at all) :oops:.
Thanks all, that Decathlon bike looks very well equipped for the price. We'll go and have a look on Saturday.
+1 Rusty Mac that commencal looks great fun.Thought about buying it myself.
The weird thing with that dacathlon is that they do a hardtail for £50 less that has a terrible spec.
The sales guy in the shop agreed with me that you'd be mad to buy one over the bike at £500.
Strange sales strategy.
+1 for the Decathlon.
5 year warranty on the frame and good spec for a basic bike. It's always the forks that let down bikes at this price point. The Rockshox Recon is the best of the bunch at this level.