Mountain Bike £500-£600 range
#1
Mountain Bike £500-£600 range
I didn't know whether to put this in here or the sports section but thought NSR would get more views so here it is....
Looking for a mountain bike and really know bugger all about them, the last bike i owned was a Redline BMX back in the early 80's..
Im looking to spend £500-£600 and popped into Halfords earlier and nearly walked out with this http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_165499
It was only a little voice in head my telling me to do some research before splashing out.
I also saw this in there which looked nice... http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_165499
..............so basically, the Boardman really is the top end of my budget but is it worth the money for the spec?
Can i get a better bike for the same money or maybe a cheaper bike that pound for pound is a better buy?
Jay
Looking for a mountain bike and really know bugger all about them, the last bike i owned was a Redline BMX back in the early 80's..
Im looking to spend £500-£600 and popped into Halfords earlier and nearly walked out with this http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_165499
It was only a little voice in head my telling me to do some research before splashing out.
I also saw this in there which looked nice... http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_165499
..............so basically, the Boardman really is the top end of my budget but is it worth the money for the spec?
Can i get a better bike for the same money or maybe a cheaper bike that pound for pound is a better buy?
Jay
Last edited by jayallen; 04 April 2014 at 09:53 PM.
#2
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#3
Jay
Where abouts are you from ?
Ive got a Boardman pro that i'll be selling soon for around £650, it cost £999 from Halfords last year, it has £300 of extras fitted to it.
Where abouts are you from ?
Ive got a Boardman pro that i'll be selling soon for around £650, it cost £999 from Halfords last year, it has £300 of extras fitted to it.
#4
have a look here, give them a ring, speak with Chris, Joe, or Mick
http://www.rocknrollbikes.com/
http://www.rocknrollbikes.com/
Bournemouth fella.
#5
Have a look at new bikes, find one that you really like and then look on e-bay. LOADS of people spend a fortune on a brand new bike, ride it twice and then sell it due to lack of use.
That's what I did last year and got myself a decent spec GT for around half the RRP. The guy had ridden it 3 times then put it in his garage for 6 months - even had the plastic protectors on the forks...
That's what I did last year and got myself a decent spec GT for around half the RRP. The guy had ridden it 3 times then put it in his garage for 6 months - even had the plastic protectors on the forks...
#6
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Or just buy a last year model for a huge saving. But do try bikes out first - fit varies a lot between brands.
Halfords can be okay and that Boardman is a good one but you can get better deals than that.
Your budget should get you a perfectly decent steed.
Halfords can be okay and that Boardman is a good one but you can get better deals than that.
Your budget should get you a perfectly decent steed.
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#8
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I was in a similar position last year. I stumbled across Vitus Bikes on www.chainreactioncycles.com
I paid around the £500 mark, and the spec was far better than similarly priced specialized/scott/marin/etc. Came with lock out rockshox suspension, avid juicy hydro discs, decent gearing.
Only downside is its internet based.
I paid around the £500 mark, and the spec was far better than similarly priced specialized/scott/marin/etc. Came with lock out rockshox suspension, avid juicy hydro discs, decent gearing.
Only downside is its internet based.
#12
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Steer clear of halfords mate (ex bike tech), head to chain reaction cycles. It's an online dealer but shops have started to spring up I believe, anyway by far the cheapest and should have lots more options in your price range. Good makes include, trek, giant, orange, norco, specialized to name a few. Rule of thumb I used to get punters to follow was buy the bike with the best groupset on (brakes, gearing etc) within there budget, these are the parts that are most likely to fail first. Most stuff is shimano, the deore and xt ranges might be in your budget and if so worth going for. As for boardman bikes, wouldn't bother, much better options out there
#13
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I'd just be wary of spending a lot on a bike if your not really going to do anything other than bimble around as even mine is overkill and it aint as fancy as some of the stuff I see being ridden by fat blokes with all the gear and no idea when i'm out on it. £300 should see you onto a decent bike that will cope with most things your old *** can throw it at.
#14
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Steer clear of halfords mate (ex bike tech), head to chain reaction cycles. It's an online dealer but shops have started to spring up I believe, anyway by far the cheapest and should have lots more options in your price range. Good makes include, trek, giant, orange, norco, specialized to name a few. Rule of thumb I used to get punters to follow was buy the bike with the best groupset on (brakes, gearing etc) within there budget, these are the parts that are most likely to fail first. Most stuff is shimano, the deore and xt ranges might be in your budget and if so worth going for. As for boardman bikes, wouldn't bother, much better options out there
I DID however buy my latest Fox forks off them but was careful to check and double check they were proper, brand new forks with a full steerer. I then had them looked at properly. They are handy for some bits and bobs but I wouldn't buy a whole bike from them.
Halfords completely depends on the technician and I've come across good ones. I've bought bikes for mates before and I always strip them down, grease them properly, check the wheels for truing and generally "sort" them - I'd do this with almost any new bikes from Halfords to a top end retailer.
If Halfords have a good deal on, buy but do give the bike a good check over. They also had a good maintenance package deal a while ago which might still be running - speak to the bike people there; if they appear to be halfwits, go elsewhere. Halfords isn't ALL bad, some retailers are.
#15
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/catego...-pro-11-45094/
Ive owned several hard tails including a Giant, GT Avalanche 1, Cube and a Trek.
The Boardman Pro is head and shoulders above them, its ultra light and nimble and is a superb fast x country bike, i do regular 25 - 30 mile rides on mine and it feels great to ride.
If you start spending less you get heavier bikes and they are like pedalling a tank, the GT Avalanche is like that, i soon got rid. The more you spend the lighter the bike will be and the better the components will be. You get a lot of bike for the money with the Boardman Pro, just don't let Halfords assemble it. The bike comes in a box direct from Boardman, all you need to do is attach the handlebars and the front wheel, just get your local reputable bike shop to do a quick check and service for around £30 for piece of mind and away you go.
#16
Thanks for all the help guys...
Went out this morning and bought a 2014 Cannondale Trail 29er which came in £150 below my budget. I did look on chainreactions site lastnight but the plus side to my choice is, its from a local bike shop so comes with its first two services free of charge.
Its not a huge spec but ideal for what i want....Pick it up at 2pm when they have assembled it.
Went out this morning and bought a 2014 Cannondale Trail 29er which came in £150 below my budget. I did look on chainreactions site lastnight but the plus side to my choice is, its from a local bike shop so comes with its first two services free of charge.
Its not a huge spec but ideal for what i want....Pick it up at 2pm when they have assembled it.
#17
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Plenty of review sites disagree with you, this is just one example of many
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/catego...-pro-11-45094/
Ive owned several hard tails including a Giant, GT Avalanche 1, Cube and a Trek.
The Boardman Pro is head and shoulders above them, its ultra light and nimble and is a superb fast x country bike, i do regular 25 - 30 mile rides on mine and it feels great to ride.
If you start spending less you get heavier bikes and they are like pedalling a tank, the GT Avalanche is like that, i soon got rid. The more you spend the lighter the bike will be and the better the components will be. You get a lot of bike for the money with the Boardman Pro, just don't let Halfords assemble it. The bike comes in a box direct from Boardman, all you need to do is attach the handlebars and the front wheel, just get your local reputable bike shop to do a quick check and service for around £30 for piece of mind and away you go.
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/catego...-pro-11-45094/
Ive owned several hard tails including a Giant, GT Avalanche 1, Cube and a Trek.
The Boardman Pro is head and shoulders above them, its ultra light and nimble and is a superb fast x country bike, i do regular 25 - 30 mile rides on mine and it feels great to ride.
If you start spending less you get heavier bikes and they are like pedalling a tank, the GT Avalanche is like that, i soon got rid. The more you spend the lighter the bike will be and the better the components will be. You get a lot of bike for the money with the Boardman Pro, just don't let Halfords assemble it. The bike comes in a box direct from Boardman, all you need to do is attach the handlebars and the front wheel, just get your local reputable bike shop to do a quick check and service for around £30 for piece of mind and away you go.
#19
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Used to be mad on kona bikes,haven't rode in years,and been pondering whether to get back into it.
Couple guys at work keep asking me to go out on a bike ride at Cannock chase.I know once I get back on and out there again,I'll probably love it,just need a bit of a push to do it again.
Gets me thinking whenever I see a bike thread.
Couple guys at work keep asking me to go out on a bike ride at Cannock chase.I know once I get back on and out there again,I'll probably love it,just need a bit of a push to do it again.
Gets me thinking whenever I see a bike thread.
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