What size MTB?

brayblue24

Think I will take the plunge and get a MTB-not an expensive one but one for commuting and some off roading but nothing heavy. Had a look at a few but don't know what's the optimum size for me. On a road bike I'm a 56, does that automatically transfer over to a MTB or do I need a different size?

Ah_go_on

You'll be between a 17.5" and a 19.5" however I suggest you go to your LBS and they will give you the best advice.

fenris

I am a 56 on a road bike and a large on Giant MTB's
The distance between the bars and the saddle is probably the most important as your saddle will be adjusted up and down many times on any given off-road spin, you just need to be sure that it can go low enough.

If the reach on the bike is too short then you will find that you spend a lot of time being launched over the handle bars!

Drop into Stuart in Sprockets (beside Centra on the Vevey), he has a good selection and has being doing silly things on MTB's with EPIC for years. There is a good selection of New and "pre-loved" bikes in the shop.

The Bike Rack in Cabintely is the other main MTB shop, Al and Paul are both very experienced riders and will not set you wrong.

Derekson

I agree with "Fenris" best to visit a specialist shop and get fitted. It is a bit like buying shoes while you know generally what size you are normally it can vary from brand to brand and the same can apply to MTB's.

The imporatnt thing is you feel comforatble on it and that you will be happy riding it on trails and off road if thats your thing. Try and avoid going to a general bike store instead go to a MTB specialist store like the Bike Rack.

Good luck with your plans and welcome to MTB, just get out and ride!

brayblue24

Thanks guys,

Took your advice on board and visited a few LBSs, got the size sorted and the possibilities narrowed down

brayblue24

Budget is a concern so any reviews on thie budget entry bike please:

http://www.specialized.com/gb/gb/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=53293&scid=1000&scname=Mountain

Coming in at €499

Tenzor07

brayblue24 wrote: »

Budget is a concern so any reviews on thie budget entry bike please:http://www.specialized.com/gb/gb/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=53293&scid=1000&scname=Mountain
Coming in at €499

I've had/have a Spec Rockhopper/FSR Xc Pro/Allez and have had no issues with any of them, the A1 Alu frame helps soak up road vibrations when your commuting... The forks and brakes are ok for a bit of light off-roading, though if you plan on getting more into off-roading then you will find the components lacking..

brayblue24

Yeah like that I've had an Allez and am currently on my second Roubaix and never had any issues with any of them

fenris

A lot of MTBs from the same manufacturer share a frame for almost the whole series (e.g. Giant XTC, Lapierre Technic) and just change the bits so you can buy at the low end and replace bits as they break/annoy you with something better. Generally you are better off going for the bike with the best frame and fork and building from there as forks get very pricey very quickly when you move away from entry level.

The flip side is that you can pick up most other parts really easily as there are always people changing their setup and looking to get rid of kit to fund the next great object of rotharlust!

It may be worth going for a good second hand bike at that price point, you would get a better frame, fork and hydraulic brakes. The Suntour fork is very entry level and would probably get annoying within the month as would the mechanical disc brakes.

I tend to consider pedals, front chainrings, deraileurs etc. as consumables and not view them as adding significant value to the bike to start with - you will probably smash at least one of them within the first few months as part of the process of moving from cautious to crazy and back towards confident!

The MTB orientated LBS's and the MAD, EPIC and IrishDH for sale forums regularly have good bikes well setup for what our trails have to offer, It may even be worth putting up a "bike wanted" add.

brayblue24

So another question folks?

Anybody know anything about Land Rover MTBs? Or is it just a gimmick? Have one on apro for the weekend and the spec is good but till today I'd never heard of them

I've also just noticed that Halford's have a web offer on the Boardman Sport reduced from €603 to €528:

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_561399_langId_-1_categoryId_212589#dtab

I know Halford's don't always get a good press but the feeling seems to be that the Boardman is a good machine. Any thoughts on either of the above?

Icyseanfitz

yeah boardman is a quality brand, and that model is very good value, the problem with halfords is when they put the bike together you could pay a LBS to give the bike a once over to make sure everything is properly installed though, you should also give the second hand market a gander