joe v3sti

iTrader: (8)

Hi guys Ive recently decide to buy myself a decent entry level mountain bike in order to get out a bit more and I really would like to get my fitness up quite a bit.
I've borrowed a couple of bikes from friends recently to see how I get on, one a 26" kube the other a 29" out of the 2 I preferred the 29" although it took a little but more to get it moving in places it just felt better over the rough stuff and a bit better suited to my size I think.

I'm not overly tall, 6"1 however I am quite long in the legs and arms.
So ideally a 29" wheel, hard tail, l or xl frame.

Ive just been doing some trails recently with a lot of up and down work, so nothing too extreme. Please bear with me I not massively clued up on bikes, just looking for something to enjoy that I'm not going to outgrow.
I've got a budget of around 650/700, not massive I know. I think it's quite a healthy budget but I'm no pro.

Any help or advice would be appreciated, ideally if you have links to the model I which you recommend that would be really helpful.

Thank you

Graz

Probably on the right track with a Cube. Just bought one myself, admittedly not a mountain bike but a hybrid. For the money there was nothing that came close from other brands. £750 for a double butted aluminum frame with an nice anodised finish, mostly Shimano Deore LX components (30 gears), hollowtec crank, disc brakes, etc. Pleased with it so far. I'm 6ft3 and ended up with the biggest frame size so one down from the largest would probably suit you.

Boro

iTrader: (1)

Hate myself for saying this but if you're not a badge snob and want a decent spec for budget money, try Halfrauds!

Their Carrera range is highly thought of when you look at bang for buck!

Matteeboy

Try and get a 2013 bike if you can; massive reductions.

I'd also try some out; sizes vary a lot (some have a long top tube, some are shorter, etc). I wouldn't restrict yourself to brands as most are fine - Evans is a good place to start looking but really do try and try in person; most shops will at least try and price match.

Your budget will get you something perfectly decent.

Matt_STi

Have a look at Evans Cycles - I brought my bike from them and other than it turning up fitted with the front forks the wrong way around, it was good! Nice and cheap too!

CrisPDuk

Like Matteeboy says, get to a shop and try a few, different frames suit different folks. which is where good shops with knowledgeable staff come into their own

Evans are good, I've also found Rutland Cycles good to deal with in the past too

Graz

All well and good but if you're a lanky git like me then you'll find most if not all bike shops don't stock bikes in the biggest frame sizes. They'll order one in for you provided you put a deposit down first but then that pretty much commits you to buying it.

That said Evans are good, as are Leisure Lakes and as mentioned if you can find a 2013 model then you'll get a good reduction. Alas they'd sold off all the 2013 bikes that I was interested in by the time I'd decided what I wanted

As for Halfrauds, the Boardman stuff is supposed to be fairly good but you can generally get a better specd. bike elsewhere for the same money. The Carrera stuff is not so good, generally the frames are quite heavy.

Anyway your budget will get you a decent hardtail MTB from a reputable manufacturer no problem.

g7prs

iTrader: (5)

This site usually has some good discounts on last years bikes.

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s15...spension-29ers