HI
Im fairly new to all this and dont really know what type of bike to be looking for.
I want something that can go downhill comfortably, hit a few small jumps, ride uphill,and is easy enough to ride several miles on the flat.
Am i right in thinking something like a specialized xc comp would do all this?

if so then thats out my budget anyway, looking for something used and if poss for a max of £500 although id rather spend less. am i asking for too much for too little?

enlighten me.

oh and im 5ft 10 and weigh about 67kg

Right time of year to be looking lots of offers on the 2011 bikes just now. The spesh rockhoppers around the 500 – 600 Mark seem to be getting loads of praise just now as are the Carreras at this price point but you have to deal with Halfords…. Most important is that it fits you properly. Try before you buy even if it means try and then sneakily order cheaper on line.

Remember to budget for gear for yourself ; helmet, pedals (shoes if going clip less) shorts jacket gloves some basic repair stuff and water carrying (bottles or hydration pack) but I’ve beef using same helmet shoes etc for more than 10 yes as I spent on the best I could afford.

Be careful though you’ll soon be stashing money away for bling and trying to explain that your £2000 bike wasn’t actually that much given all the stuff they gave you with it 😉

A 120mm hardtail would be a good starting choice IMHO.
This much travel should allow you to fufill all your needs without being too specialised in one direction.

As per Jamie, the halfords stocked Carrera, Voodoo (and lesser extent @ this price) Boardman ranges is well worth checking out, as though they may not have the ‘branding’ of the bigger makes, there overall spec tend to be better for it. Again a similar story can be said for decathlon bikes.

BUT again just repeating Jamie really, there are lots of deals coming up at the moment, as shop try to shift old ’11 stock as the new 2012 stuff is starting (for some manufactureres) to come through now. It’s worth having a good browse round, and even checking out all of your local bike shops (even playing them off against each other to get a good deal), a good place to buy if you’ve yet to master the art of bike maintenance.. the internet maybe cheaper but online shops won’t tell you why your gears aren’t working properly.

2nd hand bike can be had cheap, IF…and I need to repeat: IF you know what your looking for. Part of buying 2nd hand is accepting the fact that part like drive train will probably be worn, so though you may get a lot of bike for your money initally. If the gears need replacing a month later (especially with winter on the way now), do you have the money/experience to replace them?

You can also look at some of the bikes in Decathlon Stores, some of there models have quite good specs for the price.

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/81-2011-id_8168695.html

Just find the best deal on a big brand bike in you size

Enjoy!

Edit. Ot go with a Carrera Fury. Its just they are less likely to be reduced at the moment. Great bike for the money, my son has one

Dont get hung up on full suspension. I would be much happier with a decent forked hartail than a FS with dodgy shock and forks!.

Really spend some time looking at your choices. Ask questions on here!

If it was me, I would choose something with the best fork I can afford. even budget Disc brakes are generally good and you can always rely on deore to work. This stuff can be upgraded later.

Thanks for the responses guys, i work on all my own cars and motorbikes myself so maintenance shouldnt be an issue(i hope), i looked in halfords yesterday and took a liking to white boardman comp priced at around £650 but thats a bit more then i want to spend really but could stretch to it.

Are there certain specs i want to be looking for? id rather spend a bit more then buy something cheap and cheerful that breaks on a first outing as im a strong believer in ‘ you get what you pay for’

im going to look at a rockhopper comp this week,my original £300 secondhand budget has already more then doubled in a week. 2011 model is up for £750, down from 900 at http://www.cycle-revolution.net and back to halfords to check out what they have again. i could happily spend a grand on a bike but would much prefer to stay towards the the £500 mark.

Have a look at Pauls Cycles for some very good deals on Giant and Kona bikes. Suddenly your new budget stretches to a bike that was originally circa £1000. Just make sure you get it set up properly (or set it up properly yourself) because they tend not to be that well fettled out of the box.

I would go for second hand HT with hydraulic brakes, as you’re a bit handy with tools. You can upgrade bits as they break or you want better!

If you go and look at a secondhand I think the things to look out for(apart from the state of the frame) are the things that wear out quick.
Check the wheels for dodgy, rumbly bearings and wobble and also wear in the drivetrain (chain, cassette, chainrings). I’d look at those before tyres tbh. Obviously check whatever suspension too.

The STWers will probably say thats simplistic, but £300 might not get you much.

Second hand is the way, you’ll probably find something like a complete On-One 456 for that. Be patient and keep your eyes peeled on the forum, they go fast!

New prices are prohibitive, but there are many of us on here that fettle away chopping and changing on a regular basis.

Sounds like you’re after an XC bike but think a little longer term. Something a little more solid may mean you can ride more challenging stuff as you progress. Don’t get hung up on weight and concentrate on hardtails for your budget. They’re great, but you’ll hear FS only snobs saying nothing compares 🙄

Let us know when you find what you’re after and we can steer you and your money in the right direction. There’s a lot to cover, so it’s a little difficult to say. That being said, you’ll definitely be after either Marzocchi or Rock Shox forks. There are lots of bikes at £500 which are let down by rubbish forkage.

Also don’t blow your beans on something expensive before you know what you want, a lot of us are riding a Trigger’s Broom.

You mentioned £750, £600 for a second hand complete bike will get you something really good. It’s a potentially very expensive sport, don’t throw your money away!

Personally I’d look for

An air fork, ideally rockshox

hydraulic brakes

second hand can have great bargains

yes I think it has to be a hard tail at this price

Personally I’d look for

An air fork, ideally rockshox

hydraulic brakes

second hand can have great bargains

yes I think it has to be a hard tail at this price

2011 Specialized bikes are already reduced. I’d go to your nearest bike shops and try out a spesh, giant, merida or trek hardtail and get one bought.

Absolute basic specs are:
8 or 9 speed.
Alivio or Deore rear mech.
Hydraulic disc brakes. Preferably Shimano.
Rock shox, Marzocchi or other decent spring or air fork, preferably with adjustable rebound. Not an RST or Suntour, and nothing with elastomers.

The main things are getting decent forks and frame. I wouldn’t get overly hung up over things like non replaceable chain rings as a cheap Shimano chainset is cheaper than a set of rings.

I wouldn’t bother with second hand, too difficult to find a decent bike for sale nearby, and spending hundreds on the classified ads on here is too fraught for my liking.

how reliable are the reviews on bike radar? the carrera fury reads well and is priced well, as are the voodoos, but like jamie says, that means dealing with halfords. im going to keep an eye out on forums and have a look in a few shops and see what catches my eye. realistically i know im looking at £600+now

what size frame do u reckon i need to look at, i thought about an 18″ but a mate of mine whos been riding years and is of similar size and build to me reckons 14-16″ as its easier to throw about? he did state thats his personal preference thou.

The Carrera and Voodoo are probably two of the best value new options at normal price.

In the sales, have a look at the Genesis Core range, they get good reviews and look to have a decent frame with versatile geometry that could take some upgrades.

I would think you would want a medium bike probably, or if buying an On-One then probably a 16″ (they have long top tubes). Have a go on your mate’s little bike and see if it suits you but you’ll probably find climbing is a bit awkward and uncomfortable.

im now considering going up to £1200. anyone got any info on the whyte range? came across a whyte 901 in a shop today which is more of a trail ride and at £1140.

Have replied to your ‘wanted’ ad – I have a steel Sanderson complete bike with Rebas 🙂

I see your budget has more than doubled in three days. Welcome to the world of mountain biking – as addictive as crack and only twice as expensive 😆

Someone posted about the Voodoo Wanga being £800 at the moment thanks to a 20% off promotion at Halfords.

Looks like a good all rounder and is really well specced bike for the budget so that might be worth a look.

How about,

http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDetails.asp?productID=52798

You will need to budget some money for riding gear, its not much fun when it’s bollocking freezing.

although you do get 10% of the value of the bike with the above deal in kit so you could get a jacket gloves etc.