Boro

iTrader: (1)

I'm looking at getting a couple of mountain bikes for me and the gf to do some relatively flat trails with the possibility of the odd downhill but nothing too extreme in the future.

Can anyone recommend some good brands? We've looked at some of the carrera bikes in Halfrauds just to get an idea of spec, cost, etc.

Probably a hardtail? Hydraulic disc brakes?

Where should I start? Budget about £300-400 each.

drb5

iTrader: (4)

Don't think Halfords is the best place to start shopping.

Get into a local Evans Cycles and have a chat with the guys in there. Test out sitting on the bikes and get a bike that's on sale.

I went the secondhand route, but ended up spending more on upgrades than I should have.

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

I don't necessarily agree with drb5.

Halfords are fine if you want a DECENT entry level bike: look for alloy frame, Shimano gearset, Shimano or Tektro brakes, no plastic in the brakes or geartrain, 24 gears, and if you can, separate gear and brake levers.

Disc brakes? Maybe, but I still prefer GOOD V-brakes for ease of maintenance and setting up. My bikes all use Shimano XT or XTR, except for one that is on Hope XC4 discs and I wish it wasn't. The pads rust, the friction material falls off the backing plates, the brakes aren't easy to maintain with tiny springs that ping off into the yonder.....

Second hand?

Yep, I'd also go that route, but TAKE YOUR TIME, choose something that already HAS as many of the features you want. Don't buy the first bike you see unless it's PERFECT!

And that's my last point: sit down and write a list of what features you MUST have and what you would LIKE to have.
Then buy the bike that most closely matches those criteria. Before you buy, do some research to see what prices are like for upgrades: it's relatively cheap to upgrade V-brakes, for example, but NOT discs. It's cheap to upgrade the gear mechs, not so cheap to upgrade the shifters and damned dear to upgrade the chainset.

HTH

wilbo

iTrader: (1)

If you can up the budget to £500, the Rockrider 8.1 in decathlon will be very hard to beat for the spec, it even has remote lockout on the forks and full SRAM X7. Saying that, even there cheaper bikes have very good specs. You may find the link below useful.

http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/ar...der-500-29451/

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/81-2012-id_8168918.html

Midlife......

iTrader: (2)

http://www.ridgeback.co.uk/bike/x0-2#details

Ridgeback can be good value if you pick the right one.......the above retails at £299 so should be cheaper. Remember you have to budget for the other kit that you need

Shaun

nik52wrx

You've picked a good time to buy a bike as shops often have sales around now to clear 2012 stock ready for 2013 bikes.

Nik

Flight

The Voodoo Hoodoo was recommended to me. Good spec for about £500 if you can stretch that far.

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

A few here:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Specialize...item19d6a27350

Voodoo Hoodoo here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VooDoo-Hoo...item19d6a4ec7f

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kona-Calde...item3f1ede5f49

Just three to llok at, but loads more on there.

Ian E

iTrader: (1)

Some good deals on Wiggle, e.g. http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gt-avalanche-30-2012/

Cheers,

Ian.

CrisPDuk

I wouldn't say I'm an expert, but I would say alloy framed hardtail with a decent air sprung fork is the way to go, I've just built one for MrsD to replace the steel framed boat anchor she was riding, and it's transformed her enjoyment of cycling

I would echo alcazar's comments too, properly set up V brakes are more than adequate, my decade old Deore XT 739s are more than capable of chucking 110kg of me over the bars

ChrisB

V brakes would be fine for fire-roads and the like, but I'd take discs for "I-want-to-stop-NOW!" in all weathers. Would agree they can get expensive for eating pads though...



That was after two winter rides (the other spring was AWOL)

Ian E

iTrader: (1)

Or Chain Reaction - had a few bikes from them. http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=66721

CrisPDuk

The trouble is, disc brakes in the hands of the inexperienced can be dangerous for that very reason

I change the blocks on my V brakes every twelve months or so. though I admit, being on the large side, I probably get through rims faster than you do

CrisPDuk

Had a lot of bits off them over the years, good people to deal with

scoobyboy

disc brakes all the way for me, i ride a trek ex5 full suspension as a daily commute of 35miles and covered just under 10k miles in 2 years on it. only changed the pads once so far and never had an issue with them seizing or the backing falling off.
i would personally stay away from halfords if you want it to last, i'd join a couple of mtb forums and get more advice but they all think the same about halfords.

dpb

35 miles commute on roads, seriously. !!?

CrisPDuk

That's only about 17.5 each way, one of the lads in our office does nearly that

Half that is still about 17 to much for me

dpb

It was the full suspension bit I was amazed at really!

CrisPDuk

I would imagine it's locked out for most of the time?

Unless he's got the energy levels of a hyperactive toddler of course

Frosticles

iTrader: (1)

This.

Boro

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the links guys. Taking a look now.

I see Halfords have reduced the one I was looking at by £120!!!

Is this the best deal available for the Carrera Vulcan??

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_165499

scoobyboy

it is locked out and i do run road tyres as well which help but yes it is hard especially keeping the energy levels up. i'm on a lchf diet as well to hold off on sugar crashes which so far is the best way i've found of keeping energy up.
takes me about 1hr 15 mins on a steady run and just under 1000 calories each way

chrispy200+

iTrader: (2)

Think there's better out there, at the reduced price its ok.
Try real-cycles, bought an ex display from them, £850 new and I paid £300, Paul's Cycles quite often have good deals as well with bikes that are a season or two old now.

Much prefer disc brakes over V brakes, don't think they are a pain other than bleeding them out takes a bit longer than adjusting cables, have managed to destroy a set on a downhill day but that's to be expected really

Boro

iTrader: (1)

Bit the bullet and bought the Vulcan, some mudguards and some padded shorts.


It'll be ready tomorrow but I'm away for a few days so will give it a ride next weekend.

Any other must have accessories to go for?

Helmet obviously, etc

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

I got a Trek 8000 on the cycle to work scheme for £1040, was reduced being a 2011 model from £1600, it is a hardtail and I have put some Schwalbe City Jet slicks on as the original knobblies punctured about once a week, none since changing. I bought it as a mate suggested next year we go to Morzine but he bailed out just after I bought it, still its a lovely bike and preferabl in winter for the commute than the road bike, the roads round here are crap and it just means I dont have to gingerly pick my way through.