Mountain Bikes Recommendations???

hollywoodhoppy

Hi all, first time poster here and would appreciate some help. I’m getting into cycling again, last bike I had was a Kona Nunu back in 2002 which was recommended to me by a college mate, great bike but got stolen from my house. Anyway I want to get something very good to start off with again, maybe full suspension if possible because I will be doing a mixture of off road and road cycling. I am unsure of sizing charts for bikes, I’m 5ft 9” so if anyone can recommend me a size or direct me to a chart that would be great. Here are some bikes I need some advice on. Which would be best and which would be best avoided or any other suggestions would be great, thanx a mil!!

http://cgi.ebay.ie/Diamondback-XSL-Full-Suspension-Mountain-Bike_W0QQitemZ230141912955QQihZ013QQcategoryZ33503QQtcZphotoQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=10839

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=15121

Itsfixed

Hi

For the money you are talking about, a better buy would be a hardtail MTB with front suspension. You can buy full-sussers for this kind of money, but theyre too much of a compromise in terms of componentry and wheels because the frame is that much more expensive. More to go wrong too.

Just my tuppence. The best cheap full susser MTB is a Specialised FSR xc, judging by the best buy lists of my usual MTB mag, what MTB?

Bluefoam

I have the GT I-Drive XC 4.0, Its really good and the price is great. Bought it in January coz I didn't have much cash at the time, first thing I did was to change the saddle & pedals. In the past 6 months I have also put on disk brakes (needed to upgrade the hubs for this) and put on a Marzocchi 120mm fork, now the bike is savage, really happy with it.

The paint chps a little easy, but I can live with that.

Drapper

go to a few shops, try a fwe test bikes and take you time! a good full sus will start in the region of €1,500 and upwards, below that weight is compromised for low quality parts! you'd get a good Kona Kula for that (HT) and they are a fine mtb bike! anyway buying bike on the net is a big no for me! unless you tried it out and like it!

hollywoodhoppy

thanks for your suggestions lads, i'm wondering what ye think of this kona...

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/index.html?pageTitle=Kona_Kikapu_Bike_2006&pageDesc=The_Entrylevel_DualSuspension_XC_Kikapu_uses_the_same_proven_4bar_rear_suspension_as_King_Kikapu_The&action=detail&maincatID=0&catID=&prodID=7508&brandID=

Drapper

can you do me a favour, go into cyclelogical on the quays and check the range of Konas and Treks there! After that take a spin to tallaght and see the vast range of giant, lapierre and the like in Cyclesuperstore! every bike is different and may be perfect for one but a load of balls for anaother"!

hollywoodhoppy

cheers draper, i appreciate what you're sayin, i'd be more interested in comments on quality and reputation of components such as forks, breaks etc. when i narrow it down i'll go to those shops and know pretty much what i want!!

copacetic

the kikapu is a nice bike and thats a great saving. kona in general have a great name and are known for bing solid and reliable if a little heavy.
What isn't great about it is the mechanical disc brakes and it is still debatable whether the rear shock on bikes of this price is worth having. As you can see it is a simple rebound type one. As noted above the fsr or similar is about the cheapest high quality full susser according to the various magazines. normally they say to keep with hardtails up to that price range.

Your best bet is to try online review sites and the mountain bike magazines to learn a bit more. There are so many options/brands/prices to consider. You can often find that a good price on a 2006 sale bike is outweighed by the higher spec on the 2007 versions.