What hard trail to buy

ssshhh123 · 06-12-2014 10:51am #1

Looking at getting a hard trail mtb in jan on the b2w scheme. Just looking for advice on which to choose. Was thinking around the 700 mark then spend the other 300 on few essentials helmet shoes etc. was looking at this so far http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=81937 also would be looking at joining or meeting up with a club to learn and enjoy a few spins with. I'm in the rathfarnham area. Cheers in advance

C3PO · 06-12-2014 3:15pm

At the risk of being a smartarse but it's hardtail rather than "trail"! &#55357;&#56836;
You would be far better off spending the full amount on the bike and buy some cheap 2nd hand gear until you can afford new stuff.
The bike you have linked has poor forks and the brakes aren't great either - this would be a far better bet - http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=81927
Given your location Epic or MAD would be your best bet for MTB clubs

Ryath · 06-12-2014 3:38pm

C3PO wrote: »

- http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=81927

Cannondales can be pricey for a given spec look at cube this is €749 and better specced same rock shox fork and 10 speed vs 9 on the cannondale. I'd advise spending the full €1000 on the bike though you can always pick up bits and pieces as you go.

I'd go for this http://www.fitzcycles.ie/p/2139/cube-acid love the paint scheme on it.

or the one I'm probably going to get myself
http://www.fitzcycles.ie/p/2140/cube-ltd-pro

It is exceptionally well specced for the price. You'd normally have to pay €1500 plus to get a bike with a rock shox reba fork.

C3PO · 06-12-2014 3:50pm

Ryath wrote: »

Cannondales can be pricey for a given spec look at cube this is €749 and better specced same rock shox fork and 10 speed vs 9 on the cannondale. I'd advise spending the full €1000 on the bike though you can always pick up bits and pieces as you go.

I'd go for this http://www.fitzcycles.ie/p/2139/cube-acid love the paint scheme on it.

or the one I'm probably going to get myself
http://www.fitzcycles.ie/p/2140/cube-ltd-pro

It is exceptionally well specced for the price. You'd normally have to pay €1500 plus to get a bike with a rock shox reba fork.

Personally much prefer a Cannondale to a Cube but you wouldn't go wrong with one either!

Ryath · 06-12-2014 3:58pm

C3PO wrote: »

Personally much prefer a Cannondale to a Cube but you wouldn't go wrong with one either!

Really like cannondale myself have one of their road bikes but the MTBs are pricey. This is €1820 for pretty much the same spec as the Cube ltd pro for €1049 very hard to look past those savings.

SomeFool · 06-12-2014 4:06pm

Depending on where you can use your Bike to work but planet X's sister company on-one might suit you. Have a steel 456 and love it!

StevieGriff · 06-12-2014 8:56pm

Would agree with everyone else and encourage you to put the full 1k towards the bike.
Everything around the 700 mark will just be running okish spring Rockshox XC30's shocks or similar along with acera/alivio gears and brakes. Buy a bike like that and then start to really like MTB'ing...you'll be sick of the bike by August.

There is a few exceptions though, but it all depends on where your C2W can work. Worth looking at this too.

ssshhh123 · 06-12-2014 9:37pm

Thanks for all the good advice so far. So many different opinions and choices. So if I splash the 1000 what will I need to get 2nd hand just so I know budget wise. Helmet shoes gloves multiple tool spare tubes clothing?

FirstinLastout · 06-12-2014 10:19pm

Quality well-fitting helmet.
Decent padded shorts, either baggy or sexy figure hugging lycra.
A couple of tops and a light jacket.
Gloves.
Glasses, either clear or tinted/sunglasses that offer decent protection.
Couple of spare tubes, decent pump & puncture repair kid. Ditch the tyre levers in the kit and replace with some that are better quality such as Park Tool levers.
Platypuss/Camelbak hydration pack cum backpack.
Decent quality multi-tool that includes a chain breaker.
Cable ties.
These can all be purchased from your local shop but if you go on longer spins with a club you won’t need to get everything at once.

The shop will probably fit the bike with standard low-end pedals which will suffice for initial spins but you’ll want to upgrade to either decent flats or SPD style clipless pedals.
If you go clipless then chat to your club members as to what they use; they take a while to get used to but give it time and you’ll be glad you made the effort.
Borrow or buy some second hand Shimano deore pedals from ebay etc for a couple of bucks so it’s a cheap way of trying ‘em out before committing fully.
Equally V8 or similar platform pedals are available 2nd hand.

What hard trail to buy

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