MTB recommendations - hardtail 1000 euro

king_of_inismac

Hi guys,

After renting for a while, I'm considering buying a MTB for mostly off road use.

Can someone provide a novice with some general advice when purchasing? I'd know my way around purchasing a road bike but know very little about MTBs and want to get the best value for money.

My budget is about 800-1000 and I'm about 5'8 BTW.

Cheers,
M

Cast Iron

king_of_inismac wrote: »

Hi guys,

After renting for a while, I'm considering buying a MTB for mostly off road use.

Can someone provide a novice with some general advice when purchasing? I'd know my way around purchasing a road bike but know very little about MTBs and want to get the best value for money.

My budget is about 800-1000 and I'm about 5'8 BTW.

Cheers,
M

Recent thread here to start you off.

http://touch.boards.ie/thread/2057116595/1/#post88295216

At 5'8'' you'd be looking at a 16.5'' frame I'd say.

Have a Trek myself but was impressed by Boardmans (spec & weight) when looking.

king_of_inismac

Thanks for that. I used an 18" frame at the weekend (and found it fine) but you reackon 16.5" would be more suitable?

Tenzor07

king_of_inismac wrote: »

Thanks for that. I used an 18" frame at the weekend (and found it fine) but you reackon 16.5" would be more suitable?

16.5" is a small size frame and wouldn't really be suitable..

Each manufacturer can have slightly different top tube sizes and geometry but, you should be looking more at the "Medium" size frame, around 17.5" or 18"

Colonel Panic

And 18" frame would be fine for you unless you've got really short legs or something! MTBs are a bit more forgiving when it comes to sizing compared to road bikes.

StevieGriff

Loads of value and deals to be had at the moment! Especially in the 800-1000 price range. Will try not to bombard you with links but if I was given that amount of cash to buy a hardtail tomorrow it'd be one of these:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/corratec-x-vert-limited-edition-bike-2013/rp-prod91545

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_777799_langId_-1_categoryId_212589

(For around 100 more they have the 650b version but the fork isn't as good)

And if you want to push the budget a bit and get a full squish:

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_991934_langId_-1_categoryId_212589

Reviews of all of them can be found handy enough.

Check your local bike shops too as a lot of places will be selling off 2013 stuff and "old hat 26ers". You can get a really awesome bike these days if you don't go for the more expensive trendy 29er and 650b stuff.

Cast Iron

king_of_inismac wrote: »

Thanks for that. I used an 18" frame at the weekend (and found it fine) but you reackon 16.5" would be more suitable?

Nothing like trying to find out! As the lads say 18 is likely the right one, as you found yourself. Being able to take them for a spin made the difference for me, finding the most comfortable. Happy hunting.

king_of_inismac

Great advice so help lads! Its very much appreciated!