MTB Advice

Pougle

Hey all,
I've been road cycling for the last while and want to get back into mountain biking. Looking at getting a light xc bike. Short list below Help!

2011 Fuji SLM 2.0
Sold out

2013 BTWIN Rockrider 8XC 10V Carbon
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-8xc-10v-carbon-mountain-bike-black-white-id_8216462.html

2012 Kona Kula
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=95439

DKO

If you'd consider second hand have a look on sites like the epic mtb buy and sell site or else adverts.ie, some dealt second hand bikes out there and you get to actually pick the up before you buy rather than taking a punt on the euro sites.

C3PO

The Kona is not really comparable to the other two - significantly lower spec! Personally I'd go with the Fuji (I much prefer the way it looks!) but there's not a lot between them in terms of specification!

Sagi

Agree with C3PO go for the Fuji or the Rockrider, both have good parts, if you have the chance to take a testride I'd decide after which one feels better, but if that's not possible you can take the one you find more attractive.

Outkast_IRE

the BTWIN is carbon, personally i dont think i would ever buy a carbon mountain bike, no matter how good you are all it takes is one bad fall and that carbon frame could be worthless.

studiorat

Outkast_IRE wrote: »

the BTWIN is carbon, personally i dont think i would ever buy a carbon mountain bike, no matter how good you are all it takes is one bad fall and that carbon frame could be worthless.

I wouldn't worry about carbon frames after watching this.

http://extreme.com/mountainbike/1025126/aluminium-vs-carbon-santa-cruz-test-labs

It'd have to be some serious fall.

C3PO

Outkast_IRE wrote: »

the BTWIN is carbon, personally i dont think i would ever buy a carbon mountain bike, no matter how good you are all it takes is one bad fall and that carbon frame could be worthless.

So is the Fuji! While I would agree that for All Mountain or Enduro carbon is a "bit brave" it really is the only material for an XC bike!

pot p

Personally id go second hand. Try the epic mtb forum, mad dublin forum, irishdh forum. Out of the 3 you have shortlisted it would have to be the fugi for me

Outkast_IRE

studiorat wrote: »

I wouldn't worry about carbon frames after watching this.

http://extreme.com/mountainbike/1025126/aluminium-vs-carbon-santa-cruz-test-labs

It'd have to be some serious fall.

Those test while they are impressive, work to the strengths of carbon.

I dont think either frame would fail when used normally.
The only worry with the carbon is it shows practically no sign of failure before complete failure.

ado100

Are you planning to race or is this just for mountain spins? As mentioned above, there's a good supply of well kitted second hand race bikes available on the MTB club forums like EPIC or MAD. But if you're going to spend €2k+, I would go and get advice from the likes of Expert Cycles in Rathfarnham or the Giant Store on Long Mile Road - a lot of people racing full-sus 29ers these days.

Pougle

Thanks guys