O/T Mountain Bike buying advice

brighton terra · Aug 17, 2014

I'm looking to buy a new hard tail mountain bike for no more than £600. From looking at various reviews my best option would appear to be one of the following:

Carrera Fury
Specialized Rockhopper
Voodoo Bizango
Saracen Mantra Pro

The Voodoo is probably the best, but being a short arse (5' 6") I'm not sure the 18" frame would be suitable for me.

Could anyone offer any practical advice please?

Motogull · Aug 17, 2014

I don't mean this in a sarky way, but go and speak to your local bike shop.

Normal Rob · Aug 17, 2014

Or go to a MTB forum?

Eggmundo · Aug 17, 2014

I have a specialized rockhopper, great bike ...but you get what you pay for. If you can get an XT gear set then get it. Also wheels, wheels, wheels. Look at the spokes and nipples, if the nipples are aluminium then look at upgrading to stainless steel. Preferrably with a set of mavic cross rides.

Other than that it is a good bike, just a few upgrades to finish it off.

Blue3 · Aug 17, 2014

Eggmundo said:
I have a specialized rockhopper, great bike ...but you get what you pay for. If you can get an XT gear set then get it. Also wheels, wheels, wheels. Look at the spokes and nipples, if the nipples are aluminium then look at upgrading to stainless steel. Preferrably with a set of mavic cross rides.

Other than that it is a good bike, just a few upgrades to finish it off.

I also have the rockhopper and find it uncomfortable and twitchy on steep descents

brighton terra · Aug 17, 2014

Motogull said:
I don't mean this in a sarky way, but go and speak to your local bike shop.

You'll not find many, if any, bike shops which sell every one of these options.

brighton terra · Aug 17, 2014

Normal Rob said:
Or go to a MTB forum?

I have done. I just thought I'd ask the great and good on here as well!

brighton terra · Aug 17, 2014

Eggmundo said:
I have a specialized rockhopper, great bike ...but you get what you pay for. If you can get an XT gear set then get it. Also wheels, wheels, wheels. Look at the spokes and nipples, if the nipples are aluminium then look at upgrading to stainless steel. Preferrably with a set of mavic cross rides.

Other than that it is a good bike, just a few upgrades to finish it off.

Thank you. I'm guessing that all of those upgrades will take it well over £600.

Motogull · Aug 17, 2014

brighton terra said:
You'll not find many, if any, bike shops which sell every one of these options.

Doesn't really matter. They'll find out what you want and help you find the best option.

Albion Robster · Aug 17, 2014

Dude, go for the Voodoo Bizango.
What Mountain Bike magazine rated the bike with five out of five stars.
Comments were 'Really well equipped, sweet handling, speed sustaining, maximum fun machine for the money'

folkestonesgull · Aug 17, 2014

Where and what are you planning to ride? Check out the On One 456 if you want a bike that can be upgraded...

folkestonesgull · Aug 17, 2014

Personally if I was buying a hard tail now I would get a 29er

brighton terra · Aug 17, 2014

folkestonesgull said:
Where and what are you planning to ride? Check out the On One 456 if you want a bike that can be upgraded...

Nothing too challenging. Just the South Downs, New Forest, Isle of Purbeck etc

Eggmundo · Aug 17, 2014

folkestonesgull said:
Personally if I was buying a hard tail now I would get a 29er

The 'new' 29er is the 27.5er! I like the look of the 29's, a mate has one and he rolls effortlessly, can't turn mind you

sebtucknott · Aug 17, 2014

Personally. I'd look second hand. I wanted to buy my dad a new bike for his birthday max £500 ended up getting £1500 worth of bike for £400 in mint condition.

There is a big difference between the cheaper components and the more expensive ones. Key things are brakes, rear mech and forks for me.

Check this out -
www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/trek-fuel-cost-over-2500/1077320054

Serious kit for £500

theboybilly · Aug 17, 2014

Jamis Trail X 650b from Evans Cycles - £325 (reduced from £450)
This is a 2014 bike with disc brakes. Absolute bargain

£1.99 · Aug 17, 2014

How about one of these? http://www.wooshbikes.co.uk/?sirocco

Comedy Steve · Aug 17, 2014

sebtucknott said:
Personally. I'd look second hand. I wanted to buy my dad a new bike for his birthday max £500 ended up getting £1500 worth of bike for £400 in mint condition.

There is a big difference between the cheaper components and the more expensive ones. Key things are brakes, rear mech and forks for me.

Check this out -
www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/trek-fuel-cost-over-2500/1077320054

Serious kit for £500

Lovely bike but I think the OP wanted a hardtail

Billy the Fish · Aug 17, 2014

Comedy Steve said:
Lovely bike but I think the OP wanted a hardtail

The only reason you get hard tail is because you don't want to shell out for full suss. There's loads of good deals for 2nd hand bikes, you just need to keep an eye out. People tend to buy mountain bikes and then not use them, it makes for good deals if you know what to look out for

*** although that Trek bike is well old, wouldn't pay a monkey for it

Comedy Steve · Aug 17, 2014

Billy the Fish said:
The only reason you get hard tail is because you don't want to shell out for full suss. There's loads of good deals for 2nd hand bikes, you just need to keep an eye out. People tend to buy mountain bikes and then not use them, it makes for good deals if you know what to look out for

Hmm... not sure I agree. I find you get power down easier with a hard tail, and for rear suspension - perch off the saddle!

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