UKC

Hi All,

I'm just about to move near Thetford Forest and it would be impolite to not think about getting back into some MTB. I'm not wanting to get overly serious, just more about having fun and exercise. I'm looking for a hard tail MTB with hyd brakes, shimano groupset for around the £650 mark.

I've been looking around Wiggle and Chain Reaction - has anyone come across a good deal recently? Any recommendations?

Thanks

Chris

In reply to The Marmot:

http://www.cotic.co.uk/product/soul

Cheers
LD

In reply to The Marmot:

The decathlon hardtail did well in reviews a wee while ago:

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-81-mountain-bike-grey-id_8168918.html

thanks for the suggestions so far.

I had my eye on something like this:

http://www.cyclesuk.com/10587435/products/cannondale-trail-5-2015-29-hardta...

Any thoughts on the Suntour forks? Always used Rock Shox previously. Not after anything too amazing, just adequate for a sunday ride 2-3 times a month.

Ta

In reply to The Marmot: Edinburgh cycle coop has a 29in hard tail, their own brand, Revolution, for around that price. Fairly good spec, and good back up from the company.

In reply to The Marmot:
any reason why shimano groupset in particular?

Chain reaction cycles has some great bargains on at the moment

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/es/en/clearance/bikes

as does wiggle - that charge cooker could suit

http://www.wiggle.es/sale/bicicletas-de-montana/?mi=260&ma=800&omi=260&oma=...

In reply to The Marmot:
My mate has one of these - great spec and ride for the money:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-bikes-sentier-275-vr-hardtail-bike...

Hardtail of the year <£1k
Bit over your budget though.


This is the slightly less well specced version - under your budget:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-bikes-sentier-275-hardtail-bike-20...


The forks are always pretty rubbish at this price point - upgrade with second hand in future.

In reply to The Marmot:

Look like some great deals at CR -
Is this the best time of year to get a new one, seem to be lots of offers.
I was looking at a new roadie and a new MB but probably in a month or two, but if nows better then I might strike now?

In reply to JamButty:


Its 2015 range time so the old stock is being sold off.

In reply to Bob Hughes:

For Shimano group set, it's more a case of aiming for that than something unbranded at the price point i'm looking at. The FSA on the Vitus looks really appealing.

Is now a good time? maybe or maybe not - perhaps Jan/Feb clear out of 2014 models might be better....

Thanks for the replies!

In reply to The Marmot:

Now's a great time to be buying. They clear out the 2014 stock now, not in Jan because the new model year comes out in September. Plus Sunn bikes has gone bust so you've got some half price deals going. They've got a very good rep. I've just pulled the trigger on a Tsar 1 at half price. Might be a bit burly for what you're after - that's why I suggested the charge cooker. But you could also get the Sunn and put shorter forks on it. That's my plan.

In reply to The Marmot:

The VooDoo Bizango 29er, from Halfords of all places, gets good press.

http://www.mbr.co.uk/reviews/hardtail/voodoo-bizango-29er-review-2013/
http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/category/bikes/mountain-bikes/29er/produc...

I like my Cube Analog 29 but I'm new to all this MTB stuff.

In reply to thedatastream:

I've a specialised Rockhopper Comp Pro SL for sale if you'd be interested in second hand.


ben.j.watts@gmail.com

In reply to Lurking Dave:

I'm not sure how you get a Cotic Soul for £650 good as they are (I have one). They are over £500 for the frame and full builds are around £2000...

Good shout on the Voodoo Bizango and if you join British cycling for £20 you get 10% off at Halfords taking the price down to £540. Not sure you can get better for the money.

In reply to boriselbrus:

Doh - my brain said 650 for the frame... ignore me.
Cheers
LD

In reply to boriselbrus:

I was looking at the Bizango, but it seems the frame size i want is pretty much sold out. So second place in MBR was the Saracen Mantra Pro:

http://www.saracen.co.uk/bikes/trail/mantra-pro

thanks for the offer on the 2nd hand specialized - ideally looking for new as I like interest free credit deals

I'm also looking for a bike. Anyone got any good links or advice on how to size up a bike for me? Will be going on long rides.

In reply to ERU:

For size you really need to try it, as they all size them differently! 18 inch frames are not all the same size!
Where are based? My husband is selling a bike in Stirling if you were around the area and want to try it?

In reply to ERU: My advice would be to sit on the bike and see how it feels. And also be wary of older online sizing guides as the trend has been to get larger bikes for a particular height of person and they feel a lot easier to ride. Example - I am quite little - when I started riding I was recommended a 15 or 17 inch frame with a long seatpost and stem, I am now riding a 18/19 inch 29' and it is a ton easier to drive.

I'd be looking for a 29 on sale somewhere.

In reply to girlymonkey:

Based in Warwick

In reply to The Marmot:

My shop has 30% off all 2014 stock at the moment but probably a tad far all the way down here in Weymouth.

In reply to The Marmot:

have you considered Boiardman Hardtails. We have 2 Boardman MTBs - Comp and Team . Both from ebay and nearly new. People tend to buy them on cycle to work scheme and off load very quickly. The Team model was literally unused (ridden home from the shop) and cost us £500. It is £850 I think new. They are a great spec, very light for the cash and - most importantly very nicely balanced to ride. There's a fair bit of snobbishness about them due to the Halfords connection - but objectively they are great - as almost every test shows. Just a thought......

In reply to The Marmot:

Charge cooker 3 at Evans. Great 29er! £699!

In reply to The Marmot:
Try eBay. I got an aforementioned Cotic Soul in absolutely brand new condition for your budget and made sure it had all the receipts and warranty documents.
Now I know I got really lucky but it can happen.

And it's a beautiful bike. Steel is real.