MTB advice

rottweiler

Hi All,
Just looking for some advice on a hardtail mountain bike,i have 400 max to spend,just starting out with the cycling so not looking to spend much,although if there was one i could buy and upgrade as i went along it would be great,heres some bikes i was looking at on chain reaction cycles,any advice much appreciated.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=30541

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=43251

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=33982

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=43257

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=33981

Also would i be foolish to buy now due to new year sales etc

blorg

The sales start around September in the bike world, if anything they are coming to an end around now. €400 is not a lot to be spending on a mountain bike if you actually want to take it off road- what is your intended use? Of those that you linked the GT Avalanche 2.0 Disc Hardtail Bike 2009 is probably the best value.

thebouldwhacker

Does it have to be new? If so, and your employed, and your employer is willing, you can get the bike on the cycle to work scheme.

If it doesnt have to be new there seems to be a few second hand bikes on adverts atm which would stretch your €€€ a bit.

€400 will get you entry level but tbh it all depends on your usage, if your out doing 50km of single trak an week you will have different needs to 10km xc once a month...

Best of luck

Surveyor11

I'm new to MTB as well, have you looked at McConvey's (www.mcconveycycles.com). I got a Giant Talon 2.5 - worked out €513 (was quoted €625 in ROI) - I know that's outside your budget, but a good started bike IMHO. You could look at the Giant 3 - a slightly lower spec, would work out about €450. The only thing that differs as you move up the Giant Talon range is the forks and drive train (maybe teh brakes as well), so these can be upgraded - I intend to do this as I go along. Just bear in mind that these bikes do come 'flat packed' and require a certain element of home building - easy enought if you're handy with a set of allen keys.

Don't forget to factor in the essentials in your budget:

• Helmet
• Lights
• Lock (depends where you're leaving the bike, if under your bum on cycles then no need:))

Also winter gear:
base / mid layers
Outer shells / waterproofs
Cycling shorts / longs

I'm putting the kit together on a budget as well, check earlier threads for useful pointers.:pac:

rottweiler

Thanks for the replies.

No joy with the cycle to work scheme so im buying myself,to be honest if i get a year or two out of it ill be happy and ill upgrade then,im used to weights and running and fancy getting into cycling (might try a triathlon)as my job is situated beside a forest and mountain with stony roads so just want a bike to improve my fitness(DURING LUNCH) and maybe once every month or two hit a trail.
Ill check out the adverts as advised.

Lumen

rottweiler wrote: »

im used to weights and running and fancy getting into cycling (might try a triathlon)as my job is situated beside a forest and mountain with stony roads so just want a bike to improve my fitness(DURING LUNCH) and maybe once every month or two hit a trail.

There is really no bike that will do all of this well. Triathlon in particular would be challenging on a mountain bike.

If you are in the 5'7-5'9" height range and stretched the budget a bit you could buy this off me. I still wouldn't recommend doing triathlons on it, but you would certainly be a lot faster than on a MTB.

</shameless plug>

rottweiler

The trails would prob be more important as ill definitely be doing these where as the triathlon is just a thought at the mo,plus i could always borrow a bike off a friend

kona

Try 2nd hand @400 you could get a good deal. Or try get that Kona Kikapu in the adverts section, Its over your budget but its a good deal.

.

strummer_ie

For trails, don't forget disc brakes and front forks with at least 100mm travel.

Then you would be sorted for muddy, rocky trails.

At least that would be my thoughts.


PS: Keep an eye out on: http://www.adverts.ie/showcat.php?cat=52
Thanks to the Cycle to Work scheme there's a scarcity of 2009 bikes leftover in the shops that you could have picked up a deal....

rottweiler

cheers for all the help,bythe way im 5foot 7,what size bike am i looking for.I spotted a trek 4300 on adverts is this a good buy

DirkVoodoo

Probably a 16" mountain bike, but it's best to try a few sizes. Some people prefer to undersize them to make it easier to throw them around the trails, but a more roomy cockpit will make climbing more comfortable.

strummer_ie

rottweiler wrote: »

cheers for all the help,bythe way im 5foot 7,what size bike am i looking for.I spotted a trek 4300 on adverts is this a good buy

Looks nice, but no disc brakes. If you are going off-road and it's a bit
muddy, you'll really appreciate the disc brakes.

21" (Large) might be a bit big for you....more for a 6 footer ;-)
Probably need a 19" frame (Medium)

EDIT: Stand corrected, 16/18" frame would probably be better.
Size chart at: http://www.trekbikes.com/faq/questions.php?questionid=63

Home:Ballyhoura

rottweiler wrote: »

bythe way im 5foot 7,what size bike am i looking for

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Probably a 16" mountain bike, but it's best to try a few sizes. Some people prefer to undersize them to make it easier to throw them around the trails, but a more roomy cockpit will make climbing more comfortable.

Yes, I am 5'7 too and ride a Giant XTC 3 in the small 16" size. I have the seatpost at max extension which is perfect, and I threw on a longer 120mm stem and dropped it down as low as it could go. I do the occasional race and it seems good enough for that. FWIW, it was RRP €900 but I got it for €700.

Plus, I had an old GT Avalance 2.0 (see its for sale picture here...I knew very little about bikes at the time so the description had to make it sound as good as possible! ). It was really a very good bike for what I needed at the time. I actually did high mileage on it and not a problem kind. I would definitely recommend the entry lever GT's as a good started MTB and value for money.

rottweiler

Home:Ballyhoura wrote: »

Yes, I am 5'7 too and ride a Giant XTC 3 in the small 16" size. I have the seatpost at max extension which is perfect, and I threw on a longer 120mm stem and dropped it down as low as it could go. I do the occasional race and it seems good enough for that. FWIW, it was RRP €900 but I got it for €700.

Plus, I had an old GT Avalance 2.0 (see its for sale picture here...I knew very little about bikes at the time so the description had to make it sound as good as possible! ). It was really a very good bike for what I needed at the time. I actually did high mileage on it and not a problem kind. I would definitely recommend the entry lever GT's as a good started MTB and value for money.[/quot

Nice bike,Is it still for sale,is it possible to upgrade brakes to discs on every bike,is it a big job

As ye can see i know f all about bikes.I appreciate all the helpful advice

Home:Ballyhoura

No, its long sold now! Sorry.

No, upgrading to disc brakes is not that big a job as long as the fork has got disc brake mounts as well as on the frame. The only thing is you would be left with the V-Brake boss's but that doesn't really matter, I've seen loads of guys bikes with them and it's grand!

rottweiler

cheers
Is a 16/18 inch frame classified as a medium or small,these are the only options on chain reaction website,also as mentioned before i was thinking of waiting till after christmas for sales etc,am i wasting my time as mentioned above

Lumen

rottweiler wrote: »

cheers
Is a 16/18 inch frame classified as a medium or small,these are the only options on chain reaction website,also as mentioned before i was thinking of waiting till after christmas for sales etc,am i wasting my time as mentioned above

Remember that UK VAT goes back from 15% to 17.5% in the new year. Not a huge difference, but it all adds up.

Enduro

If I was you I'd definitely be aiming for size small / 16 inch frame for MTBing. I'm 5'10 and I've got two MTBs that are size small, but a great fun to ride. Its best to sit on them and try them though (although if you're like me when I bought my first MTB you won't be able to tell whats a good fit for MTBing).

Have to agree totally with the others that getting disk brakes and preferably a good 100m or better fork are well worth getting right from the start. Its cheaper to buy a bike properly equiped with these than to buy a cheaper bike and upgrade later. Definitely keep an eye out for second hand bikes. look on the buy and sell sections of the MTB club websites, like EPIC and MAD (and mtbireland too, just in case).

strummer_ie

rottweiler wrote: »

cheers
Is a 16/18 inch frame classified as a medium or small,these are the only options on chain reaction website,also as mentioned before i was thinking of waiting till after christmas for sales etc,am i wasting my time as mentioned above

Theres also:
www.wiggle.co.uk
www.evanscycles.com

rottweiler

Right ive decided to get the disc brakes straight away,currently i have 3 options.

1.http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=33982

2.http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Kona_Fire_Mountain_2009/5360039068/

3.second hand specialised rockhopper


All are around the same price,any more advice appreciated.

strummer_ie

rottweiler wrote: »

Right ive decided to get the disc brakes straight away,currently i have 3 options.

1.http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=33982

2.http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Kona_Fire_Mountain_2009/5360039068/

3.second hand specialised rockhopper


All are around the same price,any more advice appreciated.

If you're going to cycle on the roads, make sure you have a lockout on the front suss.

strummer_ie

Looking at the 2 of those bikes, I don't know if there is much difference, but I think the Kona has a slight edge on the GT component-wise.

Maybe someone a wee bit more wise can confirm ;-)

YOURFACE!

I have a Kona Fire Mountain Deluxe. Some may argue that its over priced for what it is but I got it last year in the sales and I love it! The components are generally entry level but nothing has broken or gone wrong so far. I have upgraded the saddle and the pedals but thats about it.
Its really comfortable to ride on and off road (I cycle mine to work) and its taken me around the Glentress 7 Stanes in Scotland with no bother! I think its a great little bike for someone starting off!

thebouldwhacker

Hey rott, just to let you know I bought a second hand rockhopper and can not find fault with it. I would prob drop it into you lbs for a health check before splashing the cash though. If you are going to trust a machine with your life and limb you should make sure its not gonna kill you!
Belting down a hill @ 50kph really is a bad time to think '...gee, I ment to ask if I needed new brake pads'

Anyway just to let you know sometimes second hand is the best option!