I’m in the market for replacement MTB i’ve had mine close on 6 years, its not worth upgrading with parts cost, I’ve not kept up with seasonal improvements what’s around in terms of brakes, forks and other things etc.The range is bewildering, I’m going round in circles slowly loosing the will to live.
I was thinking of joining MTBR forums to ask over there, the impression I get with no disrespect to (MTBR members here) is once you’ve had high end bike the lower/middle entry stuff becomes more difficult to evaluate and its rubbished. The bike mags have too many choices, bike shops are useless.
My budget’s up to around £600 maybe little more, I’m not a serious rider more paths, some singletrack/offroad, not hardcore, with some normal road use as well. I would be looking at all suggestions please from riders.
I’m not adverse to considering good used/cared for 2nd hand stuff, advantage being more expensive to start off, so hopefully would get a better model unless its well used/abused. or new 2011/2012 models with discounts.
I’ve been looking at Cube,Trek models, others considered also.From reading Shimano particularly Deore range is more popular/better made than Sram stuff, of course there are other important stuff for durability wheels/tyres etc to consider.
Whatever I buy its going to be long term purchase, something that will do me for a good while and, perhaps for more energetic riding if I choose.
Any members like to chime in with suggestions who have experience and/or of these models or similar
i used to be a hard core mountain bike racer, now recreational road and occasional competetion.
its too bad about the bike shops. the bike shops here in my locality are really quite good.
i’ve had three GIANT’s and and three GARY FISHER’s loved them all. all mountain bikes and one road bike(giant).
i have always been partial to GIANT bicycles. they seem to have the best features and components for the money. check them out…buy the best one you can find in your price range.
sounds like you are a little above average/recreational cyclist and a bike in the $750 US range would suit your needs. maybe a 29er for combo road and trail use.
i ran SRAM on all my mountain bikes exclusivley and couldn’t have been happier. on the road i like shimano.
I’d say I’m more recreational, but if wanted I had something that was capable of doing little more,
didnt want situation of buying bottom end stuff finding out didn’t meet my needs being out of pocket when few $$ spent wisely at the start would be sufficient for my needs and more without being OTT.
I’ll look at the GIANT stuff thanks BTW, any reason for going for 29er as opposed to 26’’ wheels.
I’m much more of a commuter than a mountain biker (my MTB wears Nokian Extremes and is only used in really nasty winter weather). With that being said, the best “bang for the buck” will be in the used market. I’d be much more concerned with fit and compenents than brand. Fit is most important as you generally only have limited adjustments within the size of each frame. For components - I agree with looking for Deore or better.
For commuting and non-technical trails I’m a fan of full rigid frame and fork. The suspension just seems to rob power from what would otherwise be forward propulsion.
Ride as many as you can. Look at Kona…but they might be a bit pricier. There are so many nice bikes out there…but the nicest is the one that fits you and fits your riding conditions.
Thanks for input labrat, I didn’t look at it that way until i read your post, suppose apart from frame angles, all a bike is just a collection of parts, its just finding the right one and best bang for buck.
kronological I’ll certainly look at Kona thanks, for some reason I dismissed them this evening probably had to much Beck’s
