Recommendations on Mountain bike for about 1000 euro

travist

hi there,

I am looking in the Cycling forum and also the cycle wiki to get recommendations for best mountain bikes for about 1,000 euro but didn't seem to find any. Thought there'd be one somewhere.

A quick look on the internet seems to highlight that for about 1000 euro a hard tail is better than a fully suspension - reasoning seems to be that at this price, the components on a full suspension wouldn't be as good as a hard tail and the rear suspension would be heavy.

Any recommendations for new bikes for this price?
Cheers

darrenw5094

I have my eye on GT Aggressor in Halfords.....minus 30% tax on the 'Bike To Work' scheme.
http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_512509_langId_-1_categoryId_212589#dtab

fret_wimp2

If you have around 1000 quid to spend overall, I would personally go for the Grand Canyon AL 6.0.
http://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes/bike.html?b=1802


If your looking to get a bike that usually costs 1K but get it on the bike2Work scheem and save a few bobbies, id go with the Trek 6300.
http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/mountain_hardtail/6_series/6300e/

Both great bikes. Canyon has better shocks, cabling through body and slightly better components overall IMO. Unfortunately you cant get a Canyon on the bike2Work scheeme (before anyone comments, i know we should be able to but most companies wont go through the bother, as discussed in other threads).

Im not an expert, having only recently gotten into the MTB arena, but from any research ive done, and review's ive read, id go with one of those two.

travist

thanks to both!!

I didn't know halfords did anything at that level but seem to have a good selection.

The Canyon looks good, hadn't heard of this company before. Are they well know?

Would love a Trek but I imagine lesser know companies would offer more for less. I wonder if all Trek prices are set or there are some shops can set their own prices?

petethedrummer

The boardmans are supposed to be good. But I don't know much about MTBs.

travist

thanks guys

Has anyone heard of this make - Corratech?

I was checking out this one - Corratec X-Vert S Lite CA+ Hardtail

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=46176

seems that ChainReaction will deliver the bike also. Only downside to that is putting bits together!

blorg

Both Canyon and Corratec are highly regarded brands.

C3PO

I saw one of these recently at the MAD NPS - amazing spec for the price and really well finished.
http://www.stevensbikes.de/2010/index.php?bik_id=48&lang=en_US
There is a new Irish importer - contact Gordon on at gbicycleconsultants@gmail.com

You won't go wrong with the Canyon and the Corratec is fine too. Personally I wouldn't go near anything from Halfords - they really haven't a clue!

STOKESY_01

Halfords have a great range tbh

Theres Apollo and Carrera which would be their own budget and premuim ranges. Then theres the GT range and the Boardman range. You'll know in store if your talking to some1 with cop on or not differs from store to store but Halfords do offer a good range and a good repair service !

Toblerone1978

RPL1 wrote: »

Personally I wouldn't go near anything from Halfords - they really haven't a clue!

But what about the bikes themselves, are they decent. Their staff mightn't have a clue but if you brought the bike and got someone to put it together for you?

C3PO

Toblerone1978 wrote: »

But what about the bikes themselves, are they decent. Their staff mightn't have a clue but if you brought the bike and got someone to put it together for you?

Well personally I wouldn't buy a Carerra but the Boardman's are grand bikes! I bought a Boardman Team frame at the end of last summer, from a mate, built it as a winter training bike and have used it at least twice a week since - not a bother! On the other hand I've been trying to get a rear hanger for it since last September from Halfords!! If I break the hanger, it seems I might as well break the frame!
I just don't understand why you would buy from Halfords when you can buy better bikes at similar prices from Stevens, Canyon etc?

at1withmyself

travist wrote: »

thanks guys

Has anyone heard of this make - Corratech?

I was checking out this one - Corratec X-Vert S Lite CA+ Hardtail

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=46176

seems that ChainReaction will deliver the bike also. Only downside to that is putting bits together!

It's not that difficult to put together, usually just attach the fonrt wheel, add the pedals and align the handle-bars.

That bike looks like like very good value for money with the XT groupset you'll probably find it hard to beat. If you up your budget a little they have a nice Rocky Mountain for 1350 with a fox fork and mavic wheels.

Although if I was you I wouldn't tie yourself down to a womens specific model as you can get a small mans bike with a short stem and just check with the shop about getting a female specific saddle.

c montgomery

petethedrummer wrote: »

The boardmans are supposed to be good. But I don't know much about MTBs.

I have 2 boardmans and there fantastic.

The Boardman Team for 1060euro is excellent value and really well kitted out:)

travist

streching it a bit and now looking at 3 others

Cube Reaction - RX Hardtail Bike 2010
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=44334
or a
Rocky Mountain Element 30 2009
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=32971
or a
Iron Horse MKIII Comp
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=48031

The Iron Horse is not the most handsom looking thing, but I guess that's not the point of a mountain bike really.

Any comments on these? The hard-tails seem much lighter but I guess much bumpier downhill

zil

Have you considered looking at getting a second hand bike? You could pick up a very decent hard tail for less than €500. The general consensus is that you learn better bike handling skills on a hardtail. Also my thinking would be that if you get something decent but not that expensive you'll be more likely to try new things whereas if you've got a fancy expensive bike you'll be a bit more afraid of breaking it and won't push yourself as much. And when your a beginner you need all the help you can get to man up and hit the harder stuff.

travist

zil wrote: »

Have you considered looking at getting a second hand bike? You could pick up a very decent hard tail for less than €500. The general consensus is that you learn better bike handling skills on a hardtail. Also my thinking would be that if you get something decent but not that expensive you'll be more likely to try new things whereas if you've got a fancy expensive bike you'll be a bit more afraid of breaking it and won't push yourself as much. And when your a beginner you need all the help you can get to man up and hit the harder stuff.

Well, my thinking is that you can't be sure what you get second-hand and you need to trust the integrity of a bike when coming down a hill quickly.

Don't want to end up like this...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5lhnr0DM04 although it was user error in this case!

Norden08

just an idea .. check out chainreactioncycles.com - they have great selection