Devildog

Another MTB question, sorry. Have searched, but technology moves on.

A Few queries for the knowledgeable. I've ridden road bikes for years and know what's good/bad/indifferent in that arena, but not much knowledge of mountain bikes.

1) Looking to buy a couple of bikes for Mrs Devildog and me - a combination of road, trail, track riding. Leisure use only - no competition, although we are both reasonably fit. I'm guessing hardtail as full suspension will be overkill.

2) Can we get something decent for around the £500 mark?

3) Disk brakes - are they strictly necessary, or are v brakes good enough?

Happy to buy last years model to save a few quid.

Over to you guys

Cheers

Matteeboy

Buy last years model, get V brakes (NOT mechanical disks - hydraulics are the only ones to have but pricey), get hardtails (full sus too heavy and prone to break at £500) and you'll be able to pick up decent machines.

£500 mark very very competitive so you might be able to get a bargain.

Specialized, Scott, Cannondale, Trek and others all good.

SJ_Skyline

1. A hardtail will serve you fine (I use a high-end one) and for your budget, gains on a full-sus bike will be offset by it's weight.

2. Absolutely, have a look at Evans as a yardstick.

3. Hydraulic or cable discs? For your budget you will probably find most bikes come with cable discs or low-end hydraulics. Not overkill, just that the price of the technology has dropped.

Best of luck, it's surprising how addictive it's become to me after so long away from it.

EddScott

Last months WMB had a bike test for around the £500 mark.

I just bought a Genesis Core 1.0 for £450 which I can't fault apart from no lock out on the front fork.

The winner was a Carrera (Halfords of all places) at £500 in the nose. Can't remember what model.

andythejock01wrx

Base Specialized Rockhopper is £550. Good bike (I have one in my shed).

Giant do good hardtail at this price too.

Devildog

Cheers guys

Hoping even better deal to be had if I buy two

pwhittle

you'r more likely to get bargain around October when the 2008 ones come out
Cable disks are ok, I have them on my commuter, but they add a fair bit weight, so decent v's may be better.

Trek and Spec both do nice women specific version - smaller frame, stem cranks and brake levers usually

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Halfords bikes tend to score well, and are well specced for the price. Buying power, I suppose.

I'd be inclined to have a look on e-bay too.

You'll either end up with a better bike for the money, or pay less for the same quality, secondhand.

Alcazar

rgv_stu

bought my kona from Sunset MTB - Kona, Orange, GT, Trek, Mongoose & Dahon Mountain Bikes - Sale Now On about 7 years ago and its still going strong, was a last seasons bike with a good reduction in price. its not worth paying for new colours in my opinion

PG

Evans Cycles: Product: Specialized Hardrock Pro Disc 2007 Mountain Bike
and
Evans Cycles: Product: Specialized Hardrock Sport Hydraulic Disc Womens 2007 Mountain Bike

Great VFM and comes in under budget too

Devildog

Cheers Paul - although I'm not sure she'd want the girl's version

PG

She'll get what she's given!.... and like it !

Spoon

I'm sure you could order it in pink, tell her.

Personally I'd buy the one bike for her and I'd have a basket fitted on it for me. Put that idea past her too.

Tim-Grove

If you can stretch the budget a little more the Merlin malt1 is great for the money. My mate has one and its bomb proof.

Merlin Cycles Ltd Merlin Bikes