First Hard Tail - Advice Needed

The Machine

Hi all,

I've started getting into mountain biking and am really loving it. So I'm now looking to get a bike! Since I mainly do trails I want to start with a hard tail bike. I want to get something that won’t break the bank but one that I won’t out grow to quickly.

From reviews I've read the Claud Butler Cape Wrath D27 is rated as the best sub £500 bike around.

http://www.falconcycles.co.uk/CORP/MTB/capewrathD27.html

So if I get it delivered from Evans Cycles in the UK I am looking at around €780. Has anyone tested this bike? Is it as good as they say? Or is there any other hard tails at similar prices that I should be looking at?

Thanks in advance!

ThOnda

Try also Chainreactioncycles.com, they are in the north. Good prices and free delivery. And also some bargains.

ednwireland

depends where you are but chain reaction have a shop as well so you could go up and try them
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=17829
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=20811
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=14964

also crc do free postage in ireland

long time since i owned an avalanche but it was my first mtb many years ago

for reviews try
http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/XC_Hardtail/
or
http://www.bikemagic.com/review/reviewCategoryProducts/mps/rcn/56/cat/Hardtail/rpn/4314/rgn/1/v/1/sp/328344336126364695616

hope that helps

Quigs Snr

How did you find the avalanche, I am still thinking of picking one up.

The Machine

Thanks for the feedback!

I'll check out the GT Avalanche and the Kona Cinder Kone!

ThOnda

All brands have the same categories of bikes. Just go to shops (or browse net) to see shapes and colours. And after that follow your wish-list and go to see the bikes in real.

Quigs Snr

I am thinking of taking the plunge with this one...

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=14966

I am about 5'7 with a 29/30 inside leg. What size do you think I should get 15" or 17" ? I obviously cannot try this bike out in person, being on a webshop, my LBS reckons a 17.5" trek for me, but that could be because that is all they have in stock and they guy recommending this is a roadie like me too....

ThOnda

Why not? And by the way, you can try the bike, they have Warehouse and sop in doagh in the north.
And the bike is pedal-less, count with it.

Quigs Snr

Thonda, it would be cheaper for me to buy a bike local than take a 400 mile round trip to their warehouse ! Have to drop a wheel in for repair and pick up some kit in my LBS today so I am going to size some mountain bikes up.

No pedals is not an issue. I wouldn't want pedals, I'd prefer to pick up my own, most of the pedals with bikes in that range look like abominations to me. A pair of clipless for me I reckon, so used to them on the road bike (which don't come with pedals either - well not the ones I usually go for), I hear you can get ones that are flat so can be ridden in normal shoes, but you can also clip your cleats in, so I am looking for those..

Dirk Gently

Anyone recommend a good quality hardtail for less than 500 blips? I'd prefer a bricks and mortar shop so I can check it out before buying.
I wont be putting slicks on it and will have to cycle a fair distance to get to the trails so something that can take a bit of abuse but also not too heavy that I'll be cream crackered just getting to the mountains. (will be cycling from Finglas to the mountains before I get to go off road). Some of the links above look decent, is there anywhere in Dublin who supply them so I could check them out?

Can't afford to splash out right now so 500 blips is my budget. Am I better off waiting a couple of months till I can splash out or will I get what I'm looking for @ 500 blip blips?



Edit: thoughts on the Lapierre Tecnic range?


Lapierre Tecnic 400 '07

Tecnic 700

More....

TinyExplosions

clown bag wrote:

Anyone recommend a good quality hardtail for less than 500 blips? I'd prefer a bricks and mortar shop so I can check it out before buying.
I wont be putting slicks on it and will have to cycle a fair distance to get to the trails so something that can take a bit of abuse but also not too heavy that I'll be cream crackered just getting to the mountains. (will be cycling from Finglas to the mountains before I get to go off road). Some of the links above look decent, is there anywhere in Dublin who supply them so I could check them out?

Can't afford to splash out right now so 500 blips is my budget. Am I better off waiting a couple of months till I can splash out or will I get what I'm looking for @ 500 blip blips?

It's not on the Cycle Supersore website, but they have the Ridgeback mx2 in there for 300 squid -a damn fine bike for the money, not too heavy, hardtail, half decent front suspension... I got one last week and am well happy with it