Which MTB question again?!

GForcer1

Looking to buy a MTB after having some fun recently in Ballyhoura and GF.

Anyway looking in the 800 region and have narrowed to these 3

Cube Tean LTD - these bikes seem to get good reviews, never really heard of them though. 2009 model reduced also.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=30535

Spesh Rockhopper - rented one of these in Ballyhoura, seemed really good to me - new 2010 model

http://www.mcconveycycles.com/store/product/10912/SPECIALIZED-ROCKHOPPER-SL-BLACK-21-INCH-2010/

Felt Q920 - seems good spec wise but reviews not as good as Cube or Rockhopper ( better spec'd i think though than Rockhopper)

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Felt_Q920_2009/5360038906/

Lastly seen this Scott

http://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/bikes-5/hardtail-mountain-bikes-17/scott-2009-scale-mountain-bike-17685.htm

Any thoughts on above or other recs? Used to do some MTBing years ago so getting back into it but want to give it a good go so i think a bike in this range would be needed.

cheers

BryanL

Hardtails are fine if you have good skills and don't mind getting rocked about or if you don't want to really push it on the decents.
For a bit more money you could get a felt virtue 3 from wiggle and get much more out of a trail like Ballyhoura.
Bryan

kerryscoob

GForcer1 wrote: »

Looking to buy a MTB after having some fun recently in Ballyhoura and GF.

Anyway looking in the 800 region and have narrowed to these 3

Cube Tean LTD - these bikes seem to get good reviews, never really heard of them though. 2009 model reduced also.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=30535

Spesh Rockhopper - rented one of these in Ballyhoura, seemed really good to me - new 2010 model

http://www.mcconveycycles.com/store/product/10912/SPECIALIZED-ROCKHOPPER-SL-BLACK-21-INCH-2010/

Felt Q920 - seems good spec wise but reviews not as good as Cube or Rockhopper ( better spec'd i think though than Rockhopper)

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Felt_Q920_2009/5360038906/

Lastly seen this Scott

http://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/bikes-5/hardtail-mountain-bikes-17/scott-2009-scale-mountain-bike-17685.htm

Any thoughts on above or other recs? Used to do some MTBing years ago so getting back into it but want to give it a good go so i think a bike in this range would be needed.

cheers

Sorry for jumping in but how about http://www.airevalleycycles.com/products.php?plid=m1b97s2p4568&tbv=GENESIS_BIKES_Core_20_Bikes_Mountain_Bike_-_Hardtail

I purchased brand new end of July done about 100Km and went and bought a road bike instead, bike is spotless, cant fault it, excellent gearing etc. was looking for €500 but that is negotiable.

Even if you were to buy brand new I would consider the Genesis range.

TinyExplosions

Or how about a Kona Kikapu Full Sus mtb for 700 -only seen light use, and is a damn fine bike, I just don't have time to mtb anymore. It's a good spec, with Hayes Niner hydraulic brakes, Marzocchi MZ-3 fork, Fox Vanilla Rear Shock, Deore for the groupset... would be ideal for you if you're 5'8" - 6'1" or so, as it's an 18" frame

Drapper

TinyExplosions wrote: »

Or how about a Kona Kikapu Full Sus mtb for 700 -only seen light use, and is a damn fine bike, I just don't have time to mtb anymore. It's a good spec, with Hayes Niner hydraulic brakes, Marzocchi MZ-3 fork, Fox Vanilla Rear Shock, Deore for the groupset... would be ideal for you if you're 5'8" - 6'1" or so, as it's an 18" frame

thats a tank! go light xc .... try a few out before you buy! the usual shops.

hard tail for 800 your get allot more than a full sus for 800 (which will have heavy clunky parts)

Lumen

I don't know much about MTBs, but have the Cube Ltd you linked to and it is a lovely looking thing, the black anodized finish is great and it has a real quality feel about it.

I did some minimal assembly (purchased from CRC) and it all seemed really well bolted together.

Being a roadie, having to consult an instruction manual to work out how to operate the forks was a bit of a shock.

Drapper

Lumen wrote: »

I don't know much about MTBs, but have the Cube Ltd you linked to and it is a lovely looking thing, the black anodized finish is great and it has a real quality feel about it.

I did some minimal assembly (purchased from CRC) and it all seemed really well bolted together.

Being a roadie, having to consult an instruction manual to work out how to operate the forks was a bit of a shock.

Fork travel usually is about 10% sag XC of the fork lenght! rule of thumb. Wrap a little cable tie around the shaft and sit on the bike if the cable tie remain at 10% of fork leg then use this to gauge if you need more or less air..... positive air 5 psi for stiffer -5psi for more sag :-)

sean_d

You need more than 10% sag - try 25-30%

OP - in that price range, hardtail, definitely. Full suspension bikes in that price bracket are overweight and under-specced.
You very definitely don't need full suspension for anything like Ballyhoura. Starting on a hardtail will also force you to properly develop the necessary skills to become a competant rider, rather than the instant gratification of full-suspension sofas.

Go to a shop and sit on some of the bikes - get a feel for them, ask for a test ride if possible. Get the one that feels right to you, don't buy on spec alone.

TinyExplosions

Drapper wrote: »

thats a tank! go light xc .... try a few out before you buy! the usual shops.

hard tail for 800 your get allot more than a full sus for 800 (which will have heavy clunky parts)

It is indeed, but is still a nice bike underneath it all -won't break like!

Gavin

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/custom-mountain-bikes/merlin-mountain-bikes/merlin-malt-2-09.html

# New 2009 Merlin Malt 2 frame
# 2009 Rockshox Tora SL forks lockout
# Full 2009 Deore Disc disc brake groupset
# Wheels - Handbuilt with Deore discs hubs and Sunn disc rims & Black spokes
# Ritchey Comp bars, stem and seatpost (Evolve XC +£35.00)
# WTB Rocket V saddle
# Excludes pedals
# Sizes centre of BB to the top of the seat tube

800 squids

edit - actually it's 10% off those merlin bikes, and with the currency conversion I think you save a bit more as well.

Repolho

GForcer1 wrote: »

Looking to buy a MTB after having some fun recently in Ballyhoura and GF.

Anyway looking in the 800 region

I'm in the same boat (started a thread on it a few weeks ago!). The 2009 Cube LTD Teams are all gone now on CRC.

I just saw this one on CRC which looks a pretty good spec but I dont know anything about BH bikes. Anyone any insite?
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=36005

Greyspoke

+1 on the Merlins. The Malt frame is excellent for the money and designed for crappy UK/Irish conditions with lots of mud clearance. Compare the spec of the Merlins against the other bigger name brands and they came out very favourably especially with the current exchange rate.

blorg

BH are a Spanish manufacturer, very reputable. On the road side they sponsor AG2R which is a pro team riding the Tour de France, etc. Nicolas Roche (Stephen's son) rides for them.

Bulmers

TinyExplosions wrote: »

Or how about a Kona Kikapu Full Sus mtb for 700 -only seen light use, and is a damn fine bike, I just don't have time to mtb anymore. It's a good spec, with Hayes Niner hydraulic brakes, Marzocchi MZ-3 fork, Fox Vanilla Rear Shock, Deore for the groupset... would be ideal for you if you're 5'8" - 6'1" or so, as it's an 18" frame

think for a full susp would need to spend more, plus would get more for my 800 with a HT as mentioned by another poster

Lumen wrote: »

I don't know much about MTBs, but have the Cube Ltd you linked to and it is a lovely looking thing, the black anodized finish is great and it has a real quality feel about it.

luvly bike alright but looks like i missed the boat with all my procrastinating!!

.

blorg wrote: »

BH are a Spanish manufacturer, very reputable. On the road side they sponsor AG2R which is a pro team riding the Tour de France, etc. Nicolas Roche (Stephen's son) rides for them.

this seems like a good deal, has anyone any exp of them?

Any opinons on the Rockhopper or Scott in original post?

tks for the replies.

concussion

BryanL wrote: »

Hardtails are fine if you have good skills and don't mind getting rocked about or if you don't want to really push it on the decents.
For a bit more money you could get a felt virtue 3 from wiggle and get much more out of a trail like Ballyhoura.
Bryan

Starting on a full suspension won't develop good skills. I've also never had a problem using a hardtail in BH.

sean_d wrote: »

OP - in that price range, hardtail, definitely. Full suspension bikes in that price bracket are overweight and under-specced.
You very definitely don't need full suspension for anything like Ballyhoura. Starting on a hardtail will also force you to properly develop the necessary skills to become a competant rider, rather than the instant gratification of full-suspension sofas.

Go to a shop and sit on some of the bikes - get a feel for them, ask for a test ride if possible. Get the one that feels right to you, don't buy on spec alone.

Can this be made a sticky somewhere for every new MTB'er to read??

TinyExplosions

Bulmers wrote: »

think for a full susp would need to spend more, plus would get more for my 800 with a HT as mentioned by another poster

This is true if you were buying new, but the Kikapu retailed for well over a grand here when new (and that was without hydraulic brakes), so the spec on it would be comparable with a new 800 quid hardtail, at least in my view (not necessarily trying to push my bike on you btw!)

Repolho

Just wondering does anyone know anything about the Revolution bikes from Edinburgh Co-OP. Its their own brand range.

I was specifically looking at these two bikes:

Revolution Triad 1.0

and

Revolution Shadow

They seem like good value to my untrained eye?

ednwireland

remember a review a couple of years ago they quite liked them i think
these are the reviews on bikeradar

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mountain/?brand=2021&results=12&orderby=highestrated&pricerange=&_brc=0

boomdocker

lads,

get yerselves down to ballinastoe next saturday for the demo day and put your ar$e in the saddle. the only way to buy your first bike.

details here:http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewcontent.asp?idpage=158

Idleater

boomdocker wrote: »

lads,

get yerselves down to ballinastoe next saturday for the demo day and put your ar$e in the saddle. the only way to buy your first bike.

details here:http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewcontent.asp?idpage=158

Looks interesting. I'd love a go on an Anthem X...