Recomend MTB for a beginner

Repolho

So As the thread title suggests I'm a newbie to mountain biking. So far I've been to the Ballyhoura trails 3 times and have been enjoying it.

Twice I've rented bikes and once I had a loan of a bike out there.

I just got an €800 tax rebate today so I think I;ll put that into a new bike. I;m sure I can convince the Mrs that at €40 a pop for rental it will work out cheaper in the long run!

So with that budget in mind,

1. Would I be better off with a better hardtail or a budget full suspension?
2. What should I be looking for in terms of components ( I don't even know the hierarchy of MTB components!)
3. Links to recomended bikes would be appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

PS - I've asked at work and they have had no other requests fir the cycle to work scheme so looks like buying under the scheme will be a non runner, plus I commute about 50k each way so it might be a bit suspect!

boomdocker

lots of good advice here from the MADsters:

http://www.madmtb.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2023

Lumen

Yum.

[URL="https://us.v-cdn.net/6034073/uploads/attachments/30878/91618.png[/IMG][/URL]

TirNaNog.

Hardrock sport disc..............

Lumen

Yum again.

Repolho

Lumen, that is a pretty sweet looking machine.

Are you recomending it, or do you just like the looks of it?

Repolho

TirNaNog. wrote: »

Hardrock sport disc..............

I think these are the bikes that they rent out at the trail. The rental guy told me that he sells all his bike fully serviced after 35 rentals for €450. Would these be a good buy or is there a reason he sells them after only 35 rentals?

Lumen

Repolho wrote: »

Are you recomending it, or do you just like the looks of it?

I know nothing, but a quick google for reviews of a couple of components from both those bikes turned up nothing negative.

Would also like to hear from people who know what they're talking about.

I also have Focus Raven and (predictably) the Spesh Rockhopper on the shortlist, but I am drawn to the blackness.

CheGuedara

+1 on the canyon (and not having experience of it) - hot lookin machine & the spec on that is wicked for the cash, that's my take on it - just had a google around at the other big brands and can't find anything close to it for the same

petethedrummer

Lumen wrote: »

Yum again.

I bought one of these recently. It looks better in the flesh and I've only fallen off it once when erm finding its limits.

Lumen

petethedrummer wrote: »

I bought one of these recently. It looks better in the flesh and I've only fallen off it once when erm finding its limits.

Does it look exactly like that, or is the picture just FOR ILLUSTRATION PURPOSES?

petethedrummer

Lumen wrote: »

Does it look exactly like that, or is the picture just FOR ILLUSTRATION PURPOSES?

Exactly like that. Only my kitchen is a bit brighter than their studio.

Here is a review for the slightly higher specced LTD Race. I got the LTD Team.
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mountain/product/ltd-race-09-33077

boomdocker

+1 for the Cube

I have this:http://www.cube-bikes.de/xist4c/web/ams125-pro-black_id_36132_.htm

petethedrummer

Lumen wrote: »

Does it look exactly like that, or is the picture just FOR ILLUSTRATION PURPOSES?

In fact its so exact, it even has the mismatching tyres as per the pic.

Redjeep!

IMAGE FOR ILLUSTRATION PURPOSES ONLY...

What other purposes are there for an image but for illustration ?

Cool looking bike. Would go really well with my white road bike.

mmmmm..hope this thread going to turn into a bike p0rn thread....mmmmm......

andysheehan2003

@op heres my 2 cents worth,
bought boardman comp hardtail in halfords back in may thru the c2w scheme with the intention of doing a bit of offroad. been heading to ballyhoura twice a week since, absolutely hooked :rolleyes:.(thinking of doing the race in ballyh on halloween:eek:) i paid 700 for the bike because it was the last of the 08 models left,they were bringing out the 09 model soon after which had more or less the same spec but cost 890. I can defo recommend the boardman has withstood my lack of bike skills around ballyh no prob.
A few things i can recommend when buying are:
1. Hydraulic disc brakes- an absolute must.
2. lockout on the suspension - for the climbs.
I go to ballyh with some lads from work 2 have specialised, 1 has a trek and 1 has a giant. Of all these i would defintely think about upgrading to the specialised bikes.(maybe next year)
Hope this helps.

BryanL

Get a Scott Genius limited edition for about €10,000 because your worth it!!!

Repolho

BryanL wrote: »

Get a Scott Genius limited edition for about €10,000 because your worth it!!!

Isn't that always the way; you start out with a budget of a couple of hundred euros to buy a bike then suddenly you're looking at bikes for a thousand and so on

I think you're right might as well just bite the bullet right from the offset. Where do I get me one of these €10k bikes?:D

wingknot

I have a Boardman hard tail mountain bike for sale and in excellent condition,never used off road,take a look see what you think,open to
offers.http://adverts.ie/147835

Trek EX8

1. For 800e stick with a hardtail you'll get more for your cash.
2. The bikes posted by Lumen are good choices especially the Cube.
3. Talk to the guy in Ballyhoura about one of his bikes. They also have a bike shop close by and as far as I know most of their bikes - even the hire bikes - are Specialised. So they would be well worth a look. You might get a lot more for your money if you went for one of the hire bike and that guy keeps those bikes in top condition. Also if anything went wrong with it he's always there every weekend.
Hope this helps you out a little.