Help with choosing mountain bike

ShinyDiscoBall

Hey guys, im a complete noob when it comes to this and wanted some advice.
Going to pick up mountain biking, a bit of off road and was wondering what bike and where to get it. was looking at a Giant xtc 4 are they any good and value for money.

any recommendations???all help appreciated!!

mossym

ShinyDiscoBall wrote: »

Hey guys, im a complete noob when it comes to this and wanted some advice.
Going to pick up mountain biking, a bit of off road and was wondering what bike and where to get it. was looking at a Giant xtc 4 are they any good and value for money.

any recommendations???all help appreciated!!

what is your budget?

ShinyDiscoBall

approx. €700

kona

GT Agressor XC1 2009 its similar to the xtc4 but has IMO a much better fork, cranks and brakes. Its also cheaper, around e680.

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_530585_langId_-1_categoryId_212589



If I was you Id spend the extra e250 and get the GT XCR, Comes with better cranks, forks, gears, brakes.

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_512509_langId_-1_categoryId_212589#tab3

You can probably get a extra bit off on the weekend as halfords usually have a sale.


que....various posts saying halfords are ****.

mossym

that was pretty much my budget too, and i ended up with a specialized rockhopper disc..and although my experianceis pretty limited i can't fault it yet, have thrown it off anything down in ballyhoura and it has eaten it up,

ShinyDiscoBall

thanks guys the more info i have d better!!!

wats the best shop to get a mountain bike in or is it a matter of opinion seen as they are getting nowhere fast in the best bike shop thread!!!:D:D:D

kona

ShinyDiscoBall wrote: »

thanks guys the more info i have d better!!!

wats the best shop to get a mountain bike in or is it a matter of opinion seen as they are getting nowhere fast in the best bike shop thread!!!:D:D:D

Just shop around, and buy in the shop that is the cheapest IMO.

I wouldnt take much notice of the threads about bike shops here, everybody has somthing bad to say about everywhere, and sombody will have praise for it.

I just buy what I can as cheap as I can, Dont be afraid to make offers;)

davgtrek

for buying best thing to do is to buy online
www.paulscycles.co.uk
www.evanscycles.co.uk
www.chainreaction.com
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com

then when you have secured the deal and gotten delivery of the bike bring the boxed up bike into your nearest halfords. take out their €25 year maintenance plan and they will set up the bike for ya. and you can literally drop it back in as often as you like for servicing & tweaks. the labour is free.
if you need any parts... usually gear cables etc. you buy from them.

this is IMHO the best of both worlds.
You get the best deal on the bike and a no questions asked servicing policy.

go to your local bike shop and ask them if you brought in a boxed up internet bought bike would they set it up for ya and see the reaction.

if they ahd any sense they would grasp this concept and say "yes no probs. setup cost €50 and do you want a years policy for €50.

but they wont !!!

good luck and enjoy.

i'd personally go for the xtc giant or a specialised.
the only things you need to get as good as possible are the shocks & brakes. the rest of the kit will wear out anyway and is easily & fairly cheaply replaced. BUT ONLY DO THIS WHEN IT BREAKS/WEARS OUT.

enjoy