Looking for new bike advice needed

[petemadog]

Hi all

I've only just discovered this forum and I'd like a bit of buying advice please.

I've been riding a cyclocross bike for a while which is basically a road bike that can take wider nobbly tyres.

Now I want a proper mountain bike. I'll be using it to go over mountains funnily enough, I've had a browse through the gallery on this website and I'd like to tackle some of the routes you guys do and hopefully join in some of the forum rides. I'll also be taking the bike to trails like coed y brenin for a bit of fun.

So . .

Do I go with hardtail or full sus? I've seen this on CRC

www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=44316

Is this suitable for what I need? I don't understand all the mountain bike components XT, Deore etc, rock shox . .

I want something lightweight for carrying up unridable tracks but can't see the weight of bikes listed anywhere.

Any advice on what to buy would be much appreciated.

Thanks

[christian]

Hi mate, the cube in the link doesnt look too bad at all, decent forks and a lockable rear shock, also the weight is in the specification, 12.7kg which is 28lbs.
Wont go far wrong with that mate.

As an alternative, maybe look at Specialized camber, cracking bike and 120mm travel.

[Tweeks Cycles]

Hi There - Welcome to the forum

A full suspension bike is well worth considering if you have over £1000 to spend, 100-120mm of rear wheel travel is an excellent starting point as you they don't loose to much cross country efficiency and when combined with the lockout / propedal can climb like a hardtail but with additional traction and comfort over rough surfaces.

As such the XMS is a good choice and features an almost unbelievable spec for the money. Whilst we dont have the 2010 version as listed there we do have the 2011 version with S, M and L sizes all in stock if you wanted to pop down and have a look at one in the flesh.

We also have a few 2010 full suspension bikes left over which may be of interest; There is the Mondraker Factor and Factor R which we are offering at a massive 30% discount and also the Scott Spark 60 which has 20% off at the moment.

Either way it's well worth calling in, We give 10% off all accessories, clothing and components for MBNW members and would look after you on a bike purchase

Regards

Matt @ Tweeks

[petemadog]

OK thanks for the replies. Sorry Tweeks but I'm nearly a 2 hour drive from you guys

I've had a bit a re-think about the amount I want to spend. Unfortunately I've got a humongous tax bill coming in January so can't go spending serious cash. I've searched ebay but prices seem too high for second hand bikes IMO. So I've found a budget hardtail which I think will get me through 12 months and if I've still got the bug I can treat myself after that. anyways here it is

www.rutlandcycling.com/26087/Mongoose-Tyax-Elite-Mountain-Bike-2010.html

It's a bit heavy but decent fork, disc brakes and not too bad kit. Does anyone have any other suggestions before I go ahead? And will this get me over the Snowdonia mountains?

[Arnie]

Hi Pete,
Are you from Tre or Porthmadog?

Personally, i'd save up another couple of hundred quid minimum and get a decent entry level bike thats the next step up from that. You won't go wrong if you look at brands like Cube, Kona, Giant, Specialized & Trek for example.

Your money would get you a much better fork and componentry, but more importantly, a better designed and lighter frame that would definitely see you through all the local xc routes you'd like to try your hand at. If you're going to be spending your hard-earned money, spend that bit extra and you'll get something that you'll enjoy, that will reward you with miles of great rides. Don't skimp and end up with a swampdonkey of a bike or it might end up putting you off for good.

[Arnie]

However, if you've already gone and bought it, i'm sure it'll be a lovely ride. Its a nice colour.

[petemadog]

Thanks for the reply Arnie, from Tremadog BTW

No I haven't bought it yet. Basically I can spend £300 now on something like this or an ebay bargain. Or I'll have to wait until the new year I know it's a real budget bike but for the money it seems ok. I'll just use it as a commuting hack afterwards.

As long as I'm still cycling I'll be buying a decent full sus in the sales next year but this is to get me through the first 12 months.

The other option is stick it out on my cyclocross bike (which is pretty well specced) but It's not up to the rocky descents as I discovered the other day.

[priceyla]

Pete I have had some good bargains off ebay, worth having a good trawl and setting up some searches, people do seem to buy bikes then never use them so don't write off a second-hand buy, you could get a tidy bike for £300 from ebay.

You can also search for all bikes within a certain radius of your postcode which makes viewing easier. Good luck, let us know how you get on.

[sally]

theres a Trek 6700 for sale on here-can'y go wrong with that!

[petemadog]

I've just won this in ebay

cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230545070472&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_752wt_1139

Rockshox dart 3 at weighs in at 12.5Kg

£330 ?

Should do the trick

[Arnie]

Nice one Pete, that's a great bike for you to start with. I reckon that should stand you in good stead for joining the many rides you'll find on here. Enjoy it mate, see you out there.soon.

[priceyla]

You've done all right with that, my mate had one of these until it got nicked recently, he reckoned the standard fork was useless so you've gone for the right option, as he loved it otherwise. I'm sure you're an experienced ebayer but do check the bike over properly against the spec., and insist on a decent test ride, before you pay up ;-)