Which £500’ish MTB….?

[sevenfourate]

For some gentle Trails / Winter riding and general exploring ? Ie: Nothing very testing for man or machine. And I won’t be looking to upgrade from standard specs too much……

I think I’ve got it down to these 3 below on looks / spec and reviews:

https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/bikes...-hardtail-mountain-bike-2022-greyorange__9380

https://winstanleysbikes.co.uk/marin-bobcat-trail-3-2021-bike

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/vitus-nucleus-27-vr-dropper-and-pedals-bundle

Unless someone’s got some great real World experience of something else ?

Cheers.

 

[Oldhippy]

I have a Koga Miyata full blown high spec tourer for sale which will do all those things and more for £500 on the for sale page.

 

[Cycleops]

I know MTBs are very cool but for the sort of riding you describe a hybrid would suit you much better. Many are now MTB lite with fat tyres which will cope with anything you throw at it. They’ll be able to give you a better turn of speed on the road with better hill climbing performance. You can buy one with the suspension fork if you like but I’d omit that as at that price point they’re usually poor quality and just add weight, adjusting the tyre pressures down will give more comfort over the rough stuff. Something like these:

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/kona-dew-plus-urban-bike-2022

https://winstanleysbikes.co.uk/bikes/hybrid-city-bikes/marin-stinson-1-2021-bike

https://winstanleysbikes.co.uk/bikes/hybrid-city-bikes/kona-dew-2022-bike

 

[sevenfourate]

I know MTBs are very cool but for the sort of riding you describe a hybrid would suit you much better. Many are now MTB lite with fat tyres which will cope with anything you throw at it. They’ll be able to give you a better turn of speed on the road with better hill climbing performance. You can buy one with the suspension fork if you like but I’d omit that as at that price point they’re usually poor quality and just add weight, adjusting the tyre pressures down will give more comfort over the rough stuff. Something like these:

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/kona-dew-plus-urban-bike-2022

https://winstanleysbikes.co.uk/bikes/hybrid-city-bikes/marin-stinson-1-2021-bike

Thanks very much for the thoughts and suggestions.. I do already have a Cyclocross bike with fat rubber that will also cover all those tasks……

However; I’m definitely still looking for an front suspension / Aluminium framed MTB as a do it all / winter hack 😎

Cheers.

 

[Jameshow]

I would go for the forme as it's groupset is deore.

The Marin is an odd 2x setup.

 

[sevenfourate]

I would go for the forme as it's groupset is deore.

The Marin is an odd 2x setup.

My thoughts / choice on ‘face value too.
Does help that I already have a bike from the Forme brand. And stock is nearby at their local stockist. Simple semi-bold colour appeals too.

Marin is supposed to be modern geometry in a retro type looking package.
Exactly what it looks like funny enough…..

 

[Cathryn]

For some gentle Trails / Winter riding and general exploring ? Ie: Nothing very testing for man or machine. And I won’t be looking to upgrade from standard specs too much……

I think I’ve got it down to these 3 below on looks / spec and reviews:

https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/bikes...-hardtail-mountain-bike-2022-greyorange__9380

View attachment 667823

https://winstanleysbikes.co.uk/marin-bobcat-trail-3-2021-bike

View attachment 667824

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/vitus-nucleus-27-vr-dropper-and-pedals-bundle

View attachment 667825

Unless someone’s got some great real World experience of something else ?

Cheers.

My son and I both have Trek Marlins and we adore them. Roughly that price point and cheaper on ebay.

 

[I like Skol]

However; I’m definitely still looking for an front suspension / Aluminium framed MTB as a do it all / winter hack 😎

Sometimes, only an MTB hit's the spot. Don't be dissuaded by the people that don't have that excitement in their lives....

The Marin is an odd 2x setup.

I find it odd that you describe a 2x set up as odd compared to the other two bikes that are possibly compromised by their 1x drivetrains. There are some (and I include myself in this group) that consider multiple chainrings the enlightened option that actually gives a more flexible and practical gearset once you ignore the red herring of the oft repeated 'duplicated gear' argument.

 

[Jameshow]

Sometimes, only an MTB hit's the spot. Don't be dissuaded by the people that don't have that excitement in their lives....

I find it odd that you describe a 2x set up as odd compared to the other two bikes that are possibly compromised by their 1x drivetrains. There are some (and I include myself in this group) that consider multiple chainrings the enlightened option that actually gives a more flexible and practical gearset once you ignore the red herring of the oft repeated 'duplicated gear' argument.

I only meant odd in that MTB historically used to 3x and now 1x and wasn't aware of 2x being common on MTB, thanks for the correction.

I have 3x /2x on my bikes!

 

[I like Skol]

2x was and is a thing on MTB for a good while. Shimano ran SLX and XT as 2x for a few years the fashion for 1x overtook.

I run a 3x chain set as a 2x by removing the smallest chainring. This gives me all the gears I need to ride anything with a 32/44 chain set and 11-34 cassette.

 

[sevenfourate]

Sometimes, only an MTB hit's the spot. Don't be dissuaded by the people that don't have that excitement in their lives....

You got it in one. Ex BMX and MTB’er here. And although I likely have a bike that is well capable of what I’m looking to do. It doesn’t quite cut how I’m looking to achieve it…..

And whilst I much appreciate the educated alternatives: My question this time around was a much pre-considered ‘Which MTB’……not ‘Name the bike I need for’……..😎

I guess the simple explanation of mine about gentle tracks, light use etc - was to quantify the fact I neither desire or need a £5k full Sus behemoth blah blah 😳

So: Any other offers on a £5-£600 hard-tail for general Winter shenanigans ?

 

[sevenfourate]

My son and I both have Trek Marlins and we adore them. Roughly that price point and cheaper on ebay.

Cool ! Which models do you have ? And for what type of useage……?

 

[Jameshow]

Cool ! Which models do you have ? And for what type of useage……?

https://www.balfesbikes.co.uk/bikes...rel1ChKhwTWFbnqXj3rTAUbYDnm1uraMaAurwEALw_wcB

Looks a good spec?

 

[fossyant]

Forme - Better mechs and is 1x10 but it's only a Suntour XCM fork (fairly basic)

Marin - 2 x 8 but slightly longer travel XCM with lockout.

Vitus comes with dropper and better air forks, better tyres, pedals but bit unkowwn BOX 4 gears and only 1 x 8

All a bit compromised TBH - if you are doing more 'flat' terrain, then 2x will give you closer gears - it's why I perfer my 2 x 10 setup as I often use it on flat trails as well as full on off road/trail centres - if fulfills both great.

The Vitus is on sale and has some 'extras' but the Forme does have the better mechs and 1 x 10 is more useable than 1 x 8

 

[fossyant]

That TREK is better, still got shot forks, but you aren't going to get better for £500, when decent forks are £500 on their own.