[Closed] MTB On a budget

I'd suggest asking them what bike they recommend, write it down and then ask on here for opinions. When I was buying my first mtb around 5 years ago I was told that you have to spend at least 450 quid before you get a half decent mtb that you could take offroad, not sure if that's still true now but I imagine it is.

Halfords boardman range? used to be very good value but not checked for a while

Depends how much of a hurry you're in to get started and usage.

You've stated usage: forest tracks not trails. Assuming you mean the kind of forest tracks that someone might walk around and not technical singletrack then you should be ok wwiith almost anything to be honest, but if you start getting more adventurous a heavy, badly specced bike will suck the joy out of riding and possibly be a danger.

As always, secondhand will offer better value for money, especially as there have been a number of changed standards in mountainbiking recently, so it's possible to pick up a very high end 26" wheeled bike for peanuts compared to its actual value. Obviously if going SH then knowing what you're looking at is important which is where the 'hurry' bit comes in: If you aren't in a tearing rush, try and spend a few weeks reading the forums and asking questions to get an idea of what kit is what and what you might want.

If going new, then £500 is probably realistic as a starting point for a mountain bike. Looking quickly at Halfords, there's a £500 Boardman that's a bit old school but will be fine. There's a £650 29er Boardman that's a lot better spec wise - will be worth the extra if you stay with it. A quick look on Chain Reaction was actually quite disappointing - once all the 'out of stock' bikes were stripped out the choices were very poor at the price point.

IMO if you're looking for the cheapest possible then the Calibre Two.Two is your best option. Best bike for the price that you'll find, though you could get better if you go all the way to £500.

[url= http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/calibre-two-two-v2-mountain-bike-p383858 ]http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/calibre-two-two-v2-mountain-bike-p383858[/url]

Don't think much of the new paint job though... the old one was much better!

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/laura-trott-mtb-1-womens-moutain-bike

If it fits, swap the saddle, knocks spots off off the Two.Two (which was considered a good sub £400 hardtail)... Raidon fork, 1x11 and hydraulic brakes for £350! 😯

£16 for 15% discount http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/membership/

Vouchers bought through work at a discount to make Halfords bikes even more of a crazy bargain.

Thanks for the replies, I just know what I'm like, a magpie comes to mind, will see all the shiny bits and buy something completely inappropriate

Second hand at that price, definitely. I picked up a small 26" Soul with nice bits for just under £500 😀

I'd be going second hand at that price point for sure, a good friend of mine bought a late 2000's orange five with fox 36, hope brakes, hubs etc for under 500 quid.

On a separate note is that! Laura Trotton bike any good? Been trying to get the missus out on a bike

I'd go rigid at that price and intended use

+1 for the Boardman 29ers.

Excellend VFM, great for your needs and can also handle off-road trails if required.

Best to wait for the regular 20% off promos.

You mention forest tracks with no off road.
I'd go 2nd hand rigid with some 2nd hand Exotic carbon forks.

Or one of these new (or 2nd hand):
[url= https://www.mangobikes.com/shop/bikes/point-ar/point-ar-flat-bar-claris/ ]Mango Bikes[/url]

The new breed of 'gravel/adventure' bike will be well suited for your use.

16 for 15% discount http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/membership/

The Toyota discount is only 10% for complete bikes.

For tracks not trails? If you're cycling on roads to get to the forest tracks might be worth (as someone said) looking at

[url= http://www.jejamescycles.com/gt-grade-alloy-sora-road-bike-2015.html?gclid=CNG0nMHz5NICFRSNGwodnLYOxw ]GT Grade gravelly bike greatly reduced[/url]

Otherwise +1 for used rigid 29er MTB bargains.

I'd go rigid at that price and intended use

Thanks for sharing..

^ 😆

Buy a used 26er. They are out of fashion, so really good value.....

drewd - Member
16 for 15% discount http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/membership/
The Toyota discount is only 10% for complete bikes.

Oops, it does help if you read the smallprint, doesn't it? 😳

10% Toyota discount on complete bikes at Halfords.

Bit vague as to whether all bike bits are 10% off too, or whether non-complete bikes get the 15% off.

Used 26er +1

My nice Sanderson with Hope/XT/Fox is worth @£3-500 on a good day...

for £600 I just bought a 26" Orange 5
for £350 I just bought a Specialized FSR Comp in MINT condition.
for £200 I just sold a couple of older, but with good working bits, 26" HT bikes.

n0b0dy0ftheg0at - Member

drewd - Member
16 for 15% discount http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/membership/
The Toyota discount is only 10% for complete bikes.

Oops, it does help if you read the smallprint, doesn't it?

10% Toyota discount on complete bikes at Halfords.

Bit vague as to whether all bike bits are 10% off too, or whether non-complete bikes get the 15% off.

It's a bit vague, but I think it's 15% off everything except full bikes. I signed up to it when they had the Black Friday deal as I also drive a Toyota, so thought it might come in useful.

Back on topic, as mentioned above 26ers are very cheap, but some 29ers on eBay are cheap too. There was a 2015 Genesis High Latitude the other week that was sub £300. I was tempted by it but it was too big for me. I'm reluctant to get rid of my Charge Duster as it's worth so little!