The_Gza

Looking to get back into mountain biking after a gap of nearly 7 years so given there seems to be a few keen MTB'ers out there I'm looking for some help with choosing the right bike.

I've seen a couple that I liked: Specialised Hardrock A1FS (?) at £399 and a Giant something (white/purple) with disc brakes at £500. Any thoughts on these bikes (sorry for being a bit vague - the brochure is at home!)

I don't want to spend too much before I know how much time I'll be able to devote to my rediscovered hobby - plus I'll have to buy a new helmet and assorted clothes. In fact, the last time I was on a MTB was when shell suits were acceptable leisure wear Didn't go too well with chainrings though

Anything else I will need? (apart from an Ambulance on standby)

Richard Work

MBR have a review of £600 bikes this month, I have it at home - the Giant came out top, I think it did last year as well! I will post more details tonight if you want.

I bought a Kona NuNu last year, love it to bits although would love a full susser now...

Where abouts are you based, I'm trying to get back into it too!

Cheers

Richard

Molds

At that price point you will smile whatever you buy!

During your 7 yr gap things have gotten so much better at the entry level and mid level that you will be hard pushed to buy a shed.

Happy trails

The_Gza

Thanks guys

Richard - I'm in Central Scotland so I'm only about an hours drive from some excellent trails Some good canal towpaths near me too so I can get back into the swing of things gently

Richard Work

A bit of a trek from Oxford then......

Richard Simpson

Just got the magazine out - sub £600 group test:
Marin Bear Valley 4/5
Kona Lava Dome 3/5
Scott Expert Racing 5/5
Tribal Apache 2/5
Giant XTC850 5/5

Hope this helps,

Richard

boultsy

Gza - was it the XTC840, just been looking through the catalogue myself, a friend was asking me what I thought of the same bike.

Nice frames, good slope.
Nice short stem.
Not sure about the forks.
The drivetrain looks a bit cheap but I'm sure it'll be up to the job, you can always mod it
Nice rims and for £500 with disk brakes it looks pretty good.

I think if it was me I'd go for the 880, just for the RACEFACE crank, depends on the price difference.
Or maybe the Xtc Carbon, a full suspension bike weighing in at around the same weight as some high spec rigids

Luke

I think the Cheap "Race face " stuff is made for them... Its starting to appear on cheaper bikes.

Molds

My current "best bike" is a full sus Scott. My LBS does a variety of manufacturers bikes, but in my experience the Scotts always give great value for money on some great kit. I have no quibbles at all with mine, although to be fare I have spent over £3K in upgrades since the initial £1400 on the bike - oops

Not wanting to get into a "my bikes better than yours" discussion, cus thats not what I mean. But as an example, I love Konas bikes but for what you get you pay a bit over the odds for the name in IMHO. Kona are of course not the only ones guilty of that.

So, basically just a thumbs up from me for Scott making great kit at a great price.

BTW FYI The cheaper Race Face components are the from the "Prodigy" RF range. There is a lot of this appearing now on a number of brands as finishing kit. I think you can buy some of it after market now as well.

Ta

Matt

boultsy

oooh your right aswell, didn't realize that, I assumed they were Turbine's. Still, gotta be better than the shimano stuff they're kitting out with.

You can pick up the Prodigy XC cranks for around £90 and that's with the rings, bargin.

Luke

Bikes are just like Scoob's everyone spends money on them!!! My mate has some middleburn cranks. Ive got Xt and Deore hollow tech.
Would I buy some exotic stuff ?? No. Cris king head sets..... Ok you get a lifetime guarantee.. But are they realy worth the money?? Good tyres and a well set up bike are more important.

When I was sponsored by "Saracen" ( When they made good bikes!!)
I went to Iceland (1987) I was riding the first ever bike to be fitted with the "U-brake" fitted behind the crank......... The most stupid idea ever... On the first day the "Exotic" made ali seat stem broke... I was lucky to keep my ***!!! I did the rest of the ride ( Around the Island) on a £2.00 steel job as thats all I could get.

I had a great time climbing up a huge old Volcano with the bike on my back... Then blasting down the inside of the volcano!!! mental, had very little control!!!!!But when I look back I cant believe I did the trip without a Helmet.......

Be Lucky.. I was.

Molds

You get what you pay for with some upgrades.

I bought Race Face Turbine LP's with RF rings. I also went for the ISIS (new splined interface, rather than the classic taper) BB.

Cost me a bomb but as well as the prestige and looking great, they perform better than any cranks I have ever had! Perticulalry with the ISIS interface they are soooo stiff.

You feel so much more powerful riding them its amazing. I would never go for a tapered BB again and the shifting etc on the RF rings is great.

So yes, I could have bought a whole bike for what they cost me, but some upgrades really are worth it.

Bet there are Scooby upgrades you would think you can never do without if you changed your car for a "stock" one tomorrow?

IWatkins

Don't get my started on cranks and rings

Doesn't matter what I have, the rings die in a few months, or the cranks start to creak and the BB ends up shagged.

Doesn't seem to matter if I use XT/XTR, Race Face, Middleburn etc. Maybe it is just down to how I ride.

So, I'm on LX or XT on the full susser and mega cheapo FSA PowerPros (£38 for cranks and rings) on the singlespeed. Both seem to last the same milage, but cheap to replace

On the other hand, I know people who are always changing cables or breaking stems/seat posts. I can say I've never done either, but these guys do so every few months.

Maybe everyone just has a particular bit they keep trashing all down to the way/where they ride ?

Cheers

Ian