Diesel

As I'm now using the MTB every day, and as Xmas is coming and my non hydraulic disks bind and the front wheel bearing is gone () its time for a new bike!!!!

I thought I'd go hardtail despite having had full suss bikes for years and want something light with good components (not wheel bearings that let go after 500miles) and elliptical WTB rims. I have a Mongoose Teocali but am tempted by this: GIANT XTC C3 2008 : £959.95 : BIKES : Mountain Bikes - Front Suspension - Pauls Cycles

Is a light carbon frame a good thing (I'm sick of pedalling extra springs and heavy metal!!!).

Any advice welcome - its basically for pretty smooth commuting, hence being happy to drop the rear shock.

Cheers

D

boxst

£1450!!! Wow, I had no idea bikes were so expensive.

No help I know, I'm just surprised!

Steve

Timwinner

iTrader: (3)

Have a look at Charge for hardtails. You will get a million people saying a million different bikes because as you know its a subjective thing.

Cotic and cove both make great hardtails too. Make sure you take a few out for a ride and if all else fails buy my Marin with pro peddle rear shock

Coffin Dodger

Personally if I was going to be using a bike for a daily commute I'd go for a road bike or one of those city bike jobbies. The thin wheels / tyres and higher gear ratios would just make the commute so much easier.

Something like this: Evans Cycles | Specialized Sirrus Pro Carbon 2008 Hybrid Bike | Online Bike Shop

Then get a good MTB for weekend fun

Scoobydiid

That's nice, good price. I assume you are getting it on a CTW scheme to save even more!

Rear sus is a waste if you are using it mainly on the road and being able to lock out the front will make for better climbing out of the saddle.

If you want a bit less drag, you might want to go for a slicker tyre.

Have fun.
Andy

SiPie

Never let me down in over 2 years of daily commuting

Specialized Sirrus Elite '09 (£538.25)

SJ_Skyline

Consider what you want the bike for - Commute? Weekend ride with a little bit of off-road? Hell for leather off-roading?

The evans cycles site is great, especially for deals on last-year's models. Personally I would go for Trek or Specialized with a light alloy frame and save a few £pounds rather than grams.

Whilst the brakes on my Trek are not the best hydraulics in the world, they are more than adequate for my needs and I just love having the single tri-directional unit for brake and gear shift. As I said first - consider what you need it for and what you are comfortable with.

One other debate we've had here a few times is SPDs. Personal view is they are better than pedals when used properly.

tanyatriangles

iTrader: (2)

Buy a titanium frame and build your own bike, Ti is still the ultimate frame, bar none.

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

I have a Cannondale Bad Boy 700 and two sets of wheels, MTB and skinny road wheels.

Matteeboy

Diesel - I wouldn't go for that. The carbon frame means lots of downgrades on other kit (e.g. brakes). It's great for racing but for everyday use, any impact will kill the frame. Light aluminium is better, and even light steel is very good.Titanium is even better but a frame alone will be £1000+++

I do a sort of "commute" every day (10 miles) but out and back home and I use a good HT MTB (Spesh Stumpjumper Comp) but then I also use it for full on XC riding as well as road use.

You might be better off with something like a Specialized Tricross - a sort of toughened up road bike with great reviews.

If you do want an MTB at that price level, look at the Boardman Pro, the Scott Scale 30 and 40, the Specialized Stumpjumper Comp and maybe a Trek too.

Also be aware that prices have shot up for 2009 - best getting a new but higher specced 2008 model for a lot less money.

dome

I personally think you can't beat a handjob

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...e/DSC_7894.jpg

Probably better suited to off roading tho.

Carbon is nice for road work, you'll find it'll absorb a lot of the harshness and give you a nice smooth ride.

Have you looked at 29ers? 29 inch wheeled mountain bikes, they roll very well and with the right tyres would be excellent commuters. Gary Fisher make a few. Also some nice Genesis bikes too. Cannondale Badboys are pretty good straight out of the box too.

So much choice. Or just get a new front brake and pair of wheels for yours for a couple of hundred quid?

Diesel

Its going to take me ages to decide! That Specialized Sirrius has rubber brakes, The Tricross has no front shock!!! Not looking for antiques here

I've always fancied a Kona... But only cos I've been to Hawaii. Pathetic!

It also has to be a bargain - maybe two years ago's model. Way good enough for me.

I have my MTB on skinnys now - too dangerous. Have to put the semi slicks back on unless I decide soon.

Ohh and it has to be SPD's all the way - anything else is like not having SKY+

Thanks for the input - I have a feeling after a glass of wine later I might do something silly as I still fancy the Giant... Could wait till Dec and save a couple of quid in VAT, but I reckon this lot are going to need it. Ironic!!

D

Nick_Cat

iTrader: (5)

Carbon frames are a lot tougher than they used to be. I have a carbon Scott Scale 30 which I use just for off roading and shortish dashes at that. Because I'm not in the saddle for very long I don't need full suspension - and I am a bit of a purist. If you are mainly going to be doing a commute on roads I would - as already suggested - think about a hybrid.
Nick

Diesel

Nick - what is the big difference between a hardtail MTB and a hybrid? Is it a rear rack?

I always swop skinny/wide/hard/soft tyres as I need them and am 100% comfortable commuting on my current Mongoose semi downhiller. What's the deal here?

Cheers.

D

PS whatever I get has to look sexy not utilitarian! This is also the reason I drive an Evo

Nick_Cat

iTrader: (5)

There are quite a few differences. Modern hybrids are tailored for those who spend most their time on the road but may occassionally go on trails. This explains it better than I can:
Hybrid and Trekking Bikes WhyCycle? - The impartial cycling advice site

Cheers
Nick

Diesel

Thanks for the link Nick. Still don't really get it though - looks like its just larger diameter wheels (700 over 26") and semi-slicks? And generally no front sus? D

nixxon

For a hardtail, you'll be wanting Steel or, if you're rich, Titanium. Aluminium and Carbon fibre are for men who don't want kids.
As steel bikes go, you won't get much better than this ...
Rocky Mountain Blizzard on eBay, also, Bikes, Cycling, Sporting Goods (end time 01-Dec-08 15:21:27 GMT)
There is NOTHING quicker through the woods!
(I've nothing to do with this bike sale)
Cheers, Nick

Diesel

Ehh? I thought carbon 'gave' a little so easing any gonad pleasure?

Two kids is enough for me mind!!!

Nice tyres D

g7prs

iTrader: (5)

I got one of these through the cycle to work scheme.

2009 Specialized rockhopper pro disc

All was going well until a small off at Glentress

Mr Bat

Diesel, everyone has their own opinion on bikes, at a certain price there is little real difference and it is down to your preference. Frames have different characteristics that are highly dependant on your weight/riding style.

Lots of "experts" out there, so try a few and buy one YOU like.

j4ckos mate

Halfords were running an advetr with 10 percent off reserved online bikes

mr fix it

Also look for Orange and try spec-ing your own with a Santa Cruz frame. My old hardtail was a specialised. Also some of the latest specialised bikes have lockouts on the shocks that either reduce travel or fully lock out the shocks, and they are also very light for a full sus. So you can use on and off road!

nixxon

WTF?

Luke

Merlin _ xlm _

Start from the frame and work out.....!


And dont get sucked into "bling of the year" The best hydro brake ever made was the "c2" the best mech brake was the "Avid" . Some stuff these days in shops wont last a year, Buy well trusted proven equipment . "Fox" make the best forks ,nothing touches them. But no matter what you buy...... play with a few tyres and if possible have 2 x set of wheels ready to swap over when winter comes. Tyres make a amazing difference.

Kieran_Burns

iTrader: (1)

Perfectly valid comment made by Mr Bat, Nixxon. Your weight, body shape, size etc can make all the difference in which frame / bike style to go for.


Back to the OP - I'd look at a CX bike myself. Well I would say that as I did

I've recently bought the Specialized Tricross Sport (£750) which is an ideal commuter, road frame and slick tyres (they say they are 32c which is bollocks as they look more like 35s) fast gears (50/11 in top) but very very low bottom range

It also has all the mounting points for the commuting stuff if you are so inclined (rack / mudguards)

It's ideal for on road off road as well, nothing like the extreme MTB stuff but perfect for what I want (road, country lane, bridleway)

nixxon

And your preferred riding terrain, etc, etc..., but in the previous sentence he says
"At a certain price there is little real difference..."
At the price quoted by the OP there are some very good bikes, but also some real mingers. THe OP asked for our opinions, which naturally are nicely varied, of the alternatives out there.
I'm sure he has already decided to buy one HE likes.

Diesel

Good point mate, but I do NOT know the difference between the various components (which annoys me in my usual forseniscally analysed 'hard earnt' dispositions decisions ). If I could do XTR all the way that would be easy - but is Deore better than LX? And if so in what components matched with what other third party components? It is hopeless crusade with no straight answers!

My WTB components on current Mongoose £800 bike seem crap, so I want a more Shimano/Mavic approach next time...

I want a Carbon frame as it may save a few Kg and be compliant on a hard tail - however will it crack?

Why is such a simple basic transport marketed up to be so complex, profit driven 'markety' and BS laden!!!

I am so tempted to buy a 'dog' and stick a 230w motor and a 12v lead acid on it - DRAGSTER!!!!!!

D

Diesel

Cheaper than a dog http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SYNERGIE-AVANTI-LITHIUM-E-Bike-Electric-Bike-Bicycle_W0QQitemZ250331310618QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK _Bikes_GL?hash=item250331310618&_trksid=p3286.c0.m 14&_trkparms=72%3A1298|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3 A1308
Just like a tailwind, slightly downhill????

nixxon

A pound or two of extra lard on a good steel frame is well worth the comfort and durability. It will last forever, or until some 'erbert nicks it. Save the weight on your wheels and tyres. 500gram of rotating mass saved is worth far more than savings elsewhere.
Can't really help with componentry choices- most of my stuff is at least 5 years old- but hand built wheels (Mavic rims are the best) are well worth the money. A good wheel builder will get them perfectly suited to you, and transform any bike.
Choosing a frame and speccing it yourself needn't cost more than a ready made bike, and you can save money where you think fit.
I bought a steel hardtail earlier this year, afte a few years of full sus, and it really is a lot more satisfying, picking your lines, rather than ploughing through/over stuff.
Cheers, Nick

Luke

AvoiD XTR!! its ok if you like looking after your bike after each and every trip and live near a good bike shop etc. But out in the sticks it sucks big time. The only XTR i have is a rear "V" and rear mech. But these are about 6 years old and better made. Also i have changed a few components on them. I know many good riders who swear by "Deore" hydro brakes and old hope"c2's" as they where built to last and not starting to get silly with 6 "pots" !! Hope lost their way a few years ago with the "mini"

Lightness should not be "The issue" a good steel frame can weigh the same as a Ali frame. But the ride will be miles better and it will last.

Bikes are just another thing men love to try and make better and they believe the new stuff is the best,

find a old "Dogs Bollocks " (Watch out , many fakes about) and built a good bike s/h. Have the wheels done by a GOOD builder who does nothing else. This will reward you big time.

!
I am so tempted to buy a 'dog' and stick a 230w motor and a 12v lead acid on it - DRAGSTER!!!!!!

D[/QUOTE]