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Hi there,
I went mountain biking for the first time a few weeks ago and I am already absolutely hooked! I tried it up at Laggan Wolftrax for anybody who has been there. Awesome place. I'm now looking for my own bike and I think I've narrowed it down to two bikes, although I am more than open to suggestions!
I'm between a brand new Ridgeback MX5 for £350 and a 6 month old Kona Caldera (that has had a fair bit of use) for £400. I'd get new tyres and new brake pads with the Kona.
The Kona Caldera is the bike that I rode at Laggan Wolftrax so I've already had a thorough test ride on it and, although I know next to nothing about mountain bikes, it felt pretty good.
I'm just wondering whether anybody has any experience with either of the two bikes (or both) and whether anybody had any general comments on what to go for, what to look out for, etc. As I said, I'm open to suggestions, so if anybody knows of any other decent bike that I could get my hands on for £500 or less (preferably less, I'm a poor student!) please let me know.
Thank you 😀
is it an ex hire caldera ? if so dont touch it.
the ridgeback is a lovely bike for the cash but unless you know where there is one most LBS are sold out of them as supplier ran out about a month n a half ago - if you can stretch look for the genesis core 00 , rrps at 499.99 but most dealers knocking them out for 450ish just now.
if you can find a commencal normal they are sweet
It is an ex-hire Caldera, yeah. What makes you say don't touch it? Are ex-hire bikes are a total no-go area then? The bikes they sell have only been used for 6 months and they do replace the odd bits and bobs for you free of charge. I guess it's the brakes that get the most wear and tear on hire bikes. Still, I can't help wondering whether it's worth getting the ex-hire bike and then spending money on replacing worn parts. Just because the Caldera retails at about double what the MX5 retails at - so there must be something better about it?
They have a Ridgeback MX5 on sale at my local bike shop, that's where I found it. They have 2 on show, not sure if they have any more in stock.
Thanks, will have a look at the bike you recommended kimbers!