UKC

Hi, I was just wondering if any kind soul would be willing to help on that horrible which bike question. I've come up with these 3 models but open to suggestions. Probably buy from a local shop rather than Evans depends on prices though hehe

The 3 models I have currently short listed are (at cheapest seen prices)

http://www.evanscycles.com/products-comparison I'll check see if this link works. but they are
Scott aspect 55 @ £350
GT avalanche 3.0 Disc @ £340
Specialized hardrock sport disc @ £360

Now the important bit; I'm looking at using the bike for bridleways, delamere forest tracks and beginner XC with a more downhill than uphill idea (if i can find a buddy) budget is £400 max
Thanks in advance and kind regards
Iain

In reply to iain abernethy:
check out bikeradar

all would be fine but go for the one which fits best

In reply to Ian: for £400 i'd be tempted to buy a second hand bike on ebay. you can get some very good quality bikes for mcuh less than they are really worth. especially if you are thinking of getting a bike to tank it down hills on, you want something that's up to the job but not so precious that you won't want to crash it.

In reply to iain abernethy:
Of the three there I'd go for the specialised. All three have similar limitations in the forks department but the finishing kit on the specialised looks better quality and easier to upgrade when you want/need.
Hope that helps,
Gethin.

In reply to iain abernethy: Cheers peeps
in regards to bikerader I've posted there but had no replies just loads of views lol

and with ebay, I know I could possible find something but I wouldn't know enough to check it over and as every time I've used ebay (3 times) iv found scammers so not my favourite place

thanks for help all and keep it coming

In reply to Ian: I agree that the fit is priority. All models that you have identified will probably suit.

Ebay is ok but you do need to really know what you are looking at, as cracked frames can be hard to spot; especially via a computer screen!! You could try to see if any ocal shops have second hand bikes to sell. If they are reputable they will have given it a thorough check over and possibly even a service; they should at least be able to tell you what might need replacing any time soon

Have a look on the Bike Radar or MBR websites as they have good review sections for most common components so you can make a judgement on what your own priorities are for the riding you intend to do and then balance all the pro's and con's.

Good luck

In reply to iain abernethy:

Get the GT! I had an Avalanche 3.0 which recently got nicked. Insurance replacment is the Aggressor 3.0. Its comes with hydr disc brakes. Halfords have it at £350 (RRP £380). Its basically a very good bike for the money and will more than meet your mtb requirements. Happy riding!

In reply to iain abernethy: check out the latest what mountain bike mag - they have a section on bikes I think for £400.00 or less.

In reply to iain abernethy:

I'd go for the specialized hardrock sport.

In reply to iain abernethy:

Get the Specialized one. I spent ages last year deciding which bike to go for. Had to choose between a Giant XTC 4.5, Scott bike (one of the Aspects) and Specialized Hardrock. In the end I decided to stretch my budget a little bit further and go for the Specialized Rockhopper because of the spec and they were on sale. Very happy with it and definately made the right choice. I'd have been pretty happy with the Hardrock as well though I reckon. My girlfriend ended up buying the Hardrock sport disc.

In reply to iain abernethy:

They all have mechanical disc brakes (cable) -- big downside. Hydros beat cable hands down. To be honest you will struggle to get hydros with your £400 budget so I'd second the eBay option. You will get much more bang for your buck. You can get some really good bikes off eBay at reduced costs.

Im a trained professional cycle mechanic so if you want me to look at any for you on eBay as a back-up opinion I'd only be too glad to help you out. Send me links via email and I'll check them out for you.

Happy shopping!

In reply to climberuk:

My first bike was a Rockhopper, was very happy with it too.

In reply to Steve Perry (Pezz): cheers for all the help one more thing to throw in the mix though as the local shop has sold out of GT and specialized (I can check elsewhere which I will try) but they offered a Genesis Core that is currently £100 off http://www.birkenheadcycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b29s2p782. Just about to google it but any knowledge again is great,

Cheers again Iain

and Steve cheers for the offer I'll PM some links that I've seen

In reply to iain abernethy:

The Core 00 isn't a bad bike and with that £100 off it's even better. It comes with Shimano's low-end hydro brakes, which to be honest aren't bad at all as long as you bleed them every now and again -- usual cost for that is around £20 but that depends on the shop you take it to.

The Suntour forks are ok for canal tow-path riding and family orientated mtb trails but I wouldn't trust them on any self respecting xc mtb trail and definitely not anything with small drop-offs or jumps but it all depends on what you want the bike for.

All-in-all, the Core 00 is a good buy at that price and it would be a great starter bike for sure (Genesis do make good quality frames and they are UK based) but take a look at eBay anyway.

Another thing to be aware of is that the new 2010 bikes are being released by some manufacturers now (Trek and Gary Fisher to name but two) and over the next few months so if you shop around you will get some great deals on '09 bikes as shops clear stock levels and again on eBay. Trek also offer a life-time warrenty on all of their frames which is just awesome (just keep that receipt and there will be no bother).

Something else which hasn't been mentioned is frame geometry. What type of body you have can dictate which bike is best suited for you. For example I have short legs and long body so a Gary Fisher with a shorter seat tube height but longer top tube is better suited than say a Giant which tend to be shorter in length (mtb anyway). Not a major issue unless you do loads of miles / race but worth factoring in.

In reply to Steve Perry (Pezz): Agree with what say about geometry, some bikes just feel "right" for you, others don't. Try out as many as you can. Also agree on hydraulic brakes, but they can always be upgraded when the cable brakes give out / piss you off. I would also avoid Halfords, as some of their shops have awful after sales service and support.

In reply to Chris F:

Just cos you buy a bike from them, doesnt mean to have to do anything else with em!!!

In reply to iain abernethy: I've got the specailized hardrock sport, it's bloody good. Had it for 4 years now. Took a fair few knocks when i started and still goes well.

In reply to FantasticMrFraser:

Yup, I had one for 4 years (v brake one from 2003ish) - no probs with changing the front fork either.

In reply to iain abernethy:

I like the specialized bikes (I have a hardrock sport), but on a recent ride my dads bike (a rockhopper comp) had a few issues! First off four of the spokes came out. Then the chain snapped. Then a brake cable snapped. Then the bearing in the front wheel broke (it was quite funny, as soon as he stopped pedalling the bike stopped!). Finally the rear deraillieur stopped working properly - not quite sure why by that point we basically threw it at a bike shop person and went to sulk in a nearby cafe.

I found it all rather hilarious :-P We spent more time in bike shops along the way than we did riding!

My hardrock sport I should point out, has been flawless. And I'm REALLY clumsy with stuff!

In reply to iain abernethy:

Test ride all three, and buy the one you like best. The Specialized will probably be the easiest to sell (as the brand is well known and well thought-of) if you decide to upgarde at a later date.

In reply to iain abernethy: Deff try them all out befor you buy one, no point in buyin a bike that looks good and people recomend if it isn't comfortable and dosn't feel good to ride, if your doin xc in it you'll prob be in the saddle for long periods of time.

Always look at the 3 points of contact this goes for any bike
1. Pedals, large surface area and thin is better, as long as they feel comfortable for you.

2. Seat, Firm, made of somthing durable, leather takes longer to wear in but lasts longer and is more comfortable when it is worn in. Get the mech to adjust the seat befor you test it, you should have a slight bend at your knee when ur foot is at the bottom of the rotation.

3. Handle bars and grips, you dont wana be reaching out for them or have them real close near your knees, grips just want to be comfortable and get the Mech at the shop to move the brake leavers and gear leavers so they are in reach befor you test ride.

Also check the length of the frame (top tube) as this is goin to make a big difference to comfort, too long and ur back and arms will ache from reaching, too short and you will have all sorts of problems and back ache. Stand over the bike and make sure you got pleanty of room for the family jewls and then some.

Folks are to taste and situation, Roxshox and Marzzochi are best quality and eastest to look after and get parts for, any others just put the front brake on hard and push down with all ur weight and see wot happens if they feel plush and come back up nice and quick they will prob do nicely. If they bottom out (make a thud when they are compressed) or top out ( make a thud when they come back up) or feel kind of stiff and juddery and slow they not much use cos thats what they will do when you hit something big and thats really not what you want.

Last off, how good are the components the brakes and gears first.
Brakes, good V-brakes are way better than crap cable discs, hydros might be hard to come by for £400.
Gears, Shimano and Shram are the best two, not much between them they just work in a different way to each other. Shram chains are easyer to install/maintain though.
Then the wheels hubs and other moving parts (head set, cranks etc.) then the finishing kit (bars, stem, seat post) then how goos does it look colour etc.

Check out 'Charge' and 'Mongoose' bikes in your price range from Evans Cycles. From the list you picked I'd also go for the Specialized Hardrock try goin for the next model up with hydro brakes if you squeze it it will be well worth it.
Or if you wana go mad I've seen a Commencial Meta 5.5 full sus for about £650 in Sherwood Pines Cycles in Nottinghamshire, she is a Beautiful machine!

Dont know why I just typed all that, it just came out. Hope it helps in some way, Si

In reply to Simon Lyons:

Excellent bike! We had one on demo at our shop last year and EVERYONE made very positive comments about it. It's quite a bit over your budget but it's worth every penny of that £650. The '09 5.5 retailed at around £2k though so I'd check it out first, could be a 5.5.3 for example (different spec bike) and could be used / ex-demo or even an older bike. Maybe Rythem24 could clear that up for you.

In reply to jules699:

Apart from the free service in the first month that most decent bike shops offer, knowing the bike you have bought is assembled properly and haivng faith that someone competenet can help you shoudl you need any after sales support.

Other than that, no you don't need anything to do with them.

In reply to Steve Perry (Pezz): could be a 5.5.3 for example (different spec bike) and could be used / ex-demo or even an older bike. Maybe Rythem24 could clear that up for you.

I thinks it is the 5.5.3 model and yes its used I think prob ex demo but was very clean and tidy machine in white, just some mud on the tires. They are an exelent shop though si if u give them a ring they'll give u a full speck list.

In reply to Simon Lyons: Bugger its been sold anyways, Soz

In reply to iain abernethy: as always something goes wrong lol, went to buy the specialized hardrock sport disc and though id called and been told they would hold wasn't there when i arrived miss communication was the line.

so now prob off to evans cycles see wat stock they have was wondering if anyone could tell me is the hardrock comp at £350 worth it, i think it has better forks but worse breaks

here are the links
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/hardrock-comp-2009-mountain... comp

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/hardrock-sport-disc-2009-mo... sport disc

In reply to iain abernethy:

also try merlin cycles -- the Malt 1 is in your range!!