darlodge

Is it possible?

Are there any decent mountain bikes that can't be had for under £250?

Main uses are a bit of everything really, cycling with the dog, a bit of the mountain bike paths and to and from the inlaws, no mega down hilling although I'd like the option if possible.

I've seen posts on here before about bikes, but you guys spend more than my car is worth, well almost !!

I don't want, nor can I afford full sups, but I'd quite like front. Not bothered who makes it and what kind of brakes or anything it has. I just don't have a bloody clue what I'm looking at.

bikesyoulike.co.uk have some bikes on special offer (GT Avalanche 3.0 Disc Mountain Bike 2006 for £249.99, or without discs for £199.99)

Thanks
Darren

Hoppy

TBH Daz, I think you can. I am always astonished at what you get for that kind of money at Halfords. Sure, they will be heavy lumps with cheap low-end components but I can't see why they shouldn't be perfectly adequate for what you've said. If you don't ride competitively or with a bunch of snobby mates, you'll be happy 90% of a bike's performance is down to the rider anyway (make that 95%).

Cheapest place I have found is:
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s2p0 &tbv=Mountain_Bikes_-_Front_Suspension

They have brand new 2004 models from top brands like Trek, Giant, Kona, GT etc under your budget with 20-40% off. Pay them a visit if you can - hundreds of bikes, and dozens in your spec, above and below your price point. Beware 'feature creep' though I went to buy a £400 bike last year's model and ended up paying £850 even after 40% discount. If that sounds like I'm a hypocrite well, yes I am, and also a sucker for trick toys and nice components. TBH, with my **** on the seat, the bike makes no difference except that I love it

Don't forget to budget for a decent helmet, gloves, front and rear lights, speedo etc. You can easily spend a few hundred quid on that lot

Cheers,

Richard - The Happy Hypocrite

PS Edited to add, don't buy a bike without at least sitting on it first and taking a tour of the carpark. All bikes are different - you can't compare stated sizes between different brands. When I try individual bikes, I can feel quite happy on a small, medium or large providing the seat height is correct. But ride them all side by side and you'll quickly see which size suits you best - probably the most important 'performance enhancing' feature. Tip for getting the seat height - sit comfortably with your heel on the pedal. When your leg is straight and knee locked out, you'll be very close to optimum with your toes on the pedals.

stevem2k

GT Avalanche is a really good bike at this pricepoint.. I've got a 2.0 disc

other option is the Spesh Hardrock

lawson101

Now that you come to mention it Im considering getting a new bike after too many years out the saddle.

Heres my options...

http://www.bikescene.co.uk/moreinfo....ion=687&sale=0

http://www.bikescene.co.uk/moreinfo....ion=720&sale=0

http://www.bikescene.co.uk/moreinfo....ion=572&sale=0

I know there a bit more than you were wanting to pay, but i am just looking for opinions without starting another thread about it.

ps Im thinking about the Kona

TopBanana

At the lower price points like this the far east manufacturers like Giant just can't be beaten

B0DSKI

iTrader: (17)

worth lookin on Ebay u can pick up some good second hand bargains on there for £200-£300

darlodge

Thanks for the comments guys.

I'll pop into the bike store near my work tomorrow lunch time as they have hundreds of bikes.

I had not even thought about buying a helmet or lights !!

Steve, how do you like your GT Avalanche? Is it heavy? Are the discs worth the extra £50? Do you have to replace the discs more often than pads?

The missues said she would also like to ride it so it needs to be light-ish! It's a good think we are similar heights as otherwise I'd have to buy 2 bikes!

Darren

stevem2k

Frame is one of the lightest at the 'sensible' money level ( lighter than my wife's smaller hardrock sport ) . Discs probably aren't worth it for what I use it for , but feature creep took hold and the 2.0 has supposedly better shocks . Not had to change pads yet , but I've only had it a month I like it a lot.

If you want to try either ( though the spesh is the laydees model ) pm me and we can sort something out ..

Steve

Hoppy

Darren, if you're going to spend a little more, I'd put it towards some better forks that you can adjust to minimise 'bobbing' and can take a knock or two. Disc brakes are only better in heavy rain, deep mud etc

Get LED lights. If you ride on any busy or unlit roads, I would have two rear lights. For front lights, you can get feeble ones that are only intended to alert other road users - ie you can see **** all with them. Or spend a bit more and you can get front lights that you can actually see quite well with - might be handy for dog walking?

Richard.

PS Get a harness for the dog and you probably won't have to do any pedalling at all

r32

Simple message is spend as much as you can, but spend wisely. The better the spec. lighter etc and the better the groupset, the more you will like it. Check out on the web theres plenty of shops about doing good deals, last years models are always good value for money. Dont forget that helmet though. Enjoy, its a good way of keeping fit and I bet theres dozens of good routes off road in your area. Let us all know what you get.....
Evans cycles, leisure lakes etc etc

darlodge

Thanks again lads.

I'll report back once I've bought one

The harness is an option mush mush Ellie mush

Darren

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

There are some crackers on e-bay at the mo. I did a quick search in "Cycling", then refined it to "used items only", then "Mens mountain bikes".

First page had a GT Avalanche 2.0 at only £99 with 9 hours to go, and several good buys from Specialized, Giant, Kona (the "Roast" frame is very good), Saracen and even Carrera, all at well under £250 for bikes that cost well over £400 a year ago.

Forget dealers, look at e-bay first, but DO know current prices when bidding.

Alcazar

Rabid

http://www.mountain-mikes-leather.com/about.htm

http://www.powerweb.net/meanmountain...mages/RARR.JPG

StickyMicky

****, i spotted the "mike" as well but you beat me

darlodge

I tried to edit it after I'd saved it but you can't edit the title

Thanks Alcazar, I'll have a look on fleebay.

Darren

BOB.T

Spend as much as you can to get a better spec and you'll enjoy riding more and ride more

I'd also say Hydraulic disc brakes are worth their weight in gold! They're totally awesome! Not only is the performance stunning, you don't need to do anything to them, like nothing! You just get on and ride, no twiddling cables, adjusting levers, adjusting blocks, nothing! I insisted on them when I got my bike last year and I'm soo glad I did, they're really worth it! And they work in the wet!

v8voodoo

My vote goes for Giant in that price range. I'm on my second one now after the last one was indestructible. Had it for 10 years, now a workmates son is hammering the life out of it and it's lapping it up. I've moved on to a 2005 Terrago Disc. Take a look around for stores (mainly online) that are selling off last years stock.

Although as mentioned above, take a ride on one first to see if it suits you.

Nige.

The Chief

I knwo nowt about MB's for teh experts amongst you which woudl you say is the better bike GT or Trek???

Cheers

chump

I have a Specialized Hard Rock Sport exactly the same as this:

http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productD...categoryID=60#

with Digital Computer, Specialized saddle bag, Specialized Wind Pipe Pump, and Specialized Bottle Holder plus front and rear mud guards.

Only a couple of months old and still in excellent condition.

Leaving the country in 2 weeks so need rid asap...let me know if you're interested. It is a fantastic bike and i'd only want £230 for it if you collect.

darlodge

Chump, where abouts are you based?

I could be interested.

Darren

chump

Sent you a PM mate

Kieran_Burns

iTrader: (1)

anyone know why i shouldn't recommend a hybrid to my wife when she only really wants for nature trail type cycling - that and cycling over to her mums...

darlodge

Because they don't look as good. I've just been down the bike shop and the hybrid's look like something my gran would ride

They had the GT Avalanche 3.0 with discs that I was looking at. Its about the right weight and it feels alright.

Darren

PG

If you work for a company then try and get them interested in the Ride2work scheme

http://www.evanscycles.com/ride2work...DC08E83282.tc5

46% saving on a new bile and payments taken off your top-line.

darlodge

My bike purchase has been placed on hold until I recover from Tuesday's biking accident.

I borrowed my brothers ful sus bike and went off road, was doing about 20-30mph, hit a mound of mud, took off , landed badly heading for a tree. Tried to brake, grabbed the disc brake to hard, fish tailled and then lost it

End result, heavly bruised arm (I can't lift it above my head), removed a 10cm patch of skin from top of my shoulder, ripped my shorts, more skin removal from my leg and scraped my elbow.

It was was going alright until then. I had to pull the stones and bark from my shoulder and then cycle back home to get it cleaned.

All in all its been cool though, already feel fitter are 1 week, the body heals and chicks dig scars

Darren

Iwan

My company decided it was too much hassle for them to administrate this scheme, along with childcare vouchers. B*stards, 43% is a big saving - I'd have totally done this.

Reality

That's only £3 more than that site's wanting for a new one

EP82

You'd get alot of mountain mikes for £250..

http://www.mountainmikes.com/menu.shtml