Bike for fun / snow commute

[Mike!]

I've been cycling to work almost a year now, buying a sirrus comp to replace the ageing Scott mtb I had early in the year. The Scott was passed on to my father in law who is using it daily pottering about.

I'm now after something to have a little fun on trails, cross country and for use during snowy commutes. My budget is low £200-£250, may stretch to £300 but would prefer to stay below £250 having the rest to replace tyres if needed. I will be looking second hand as I would prefer something with a bit of quality.

I would like front shocks (lookout if possible but not essential) and disc brakes. I have been watching some on eBay and almost bid on a specialised hardrock disc at £250 earlier today but decided to watch the market a little more.

I'm watching a Gary Fisher Marlin and a couple of GTAgrressor XC 2's. One if which has upgraded forks.

I'm after recommendations really as I've not been around the MTB market since the mid 90s! So any suggestions or links to possibilities (or anyone selling up?!) appreciated. I'd be looking at medium size. ....

Thankyou!

 

[fossyant]

Get your Scott back, and buy the FIL a new £200 MTB !

I have an early 90's MTB, XT stuff, no suspension, but will be getting the spiked tyres fitted again soon. It's been a blast the last two winters.

 

[Mike!]

The Scott was always to big for me fossyant or i would be doing just that!

 

[fossyant]

How about a carrera subway, then stick spikes on it. It's a 'tough' hybrid.

 

[Mike!]

I had considered one of those as I could possibly stretch to a new one but with a rigid fork and it's "looks" I think it may be to close to my Sirrus to be able to justify it to "her in doors" (In fact i almost went that way when buying my Sirrus!)

 

[lukesdad]

I really cant see the need for shocks, and even the discs would seem to be a luxury. Some of the rigids around in the early 90 s wont be beaten now at the price you are looking at.

 

[Mike!]

Reason for disc brakes is the rim brakes on my old Scott were shocking in the wet / crud and i don't want to make the same mistake again, yes the are great on my Sirrus but i don't take that through mud and snow etc.

Shocks are for my poor neck, back and shoulders - a car accident around 12 years ago means i do suffer a bit and i thought they may help on rough ground. Maybe an overkill but again don't want to regret not having them.

 

[Cubist]

I serviced a Spesh Hardrock for a friend of Cubester's a few weeks ago. It was a lovely bike for the money, decent brakes when set up properly, and Suntour forks .

It won't be a bad bet secondhand, but also look at Carrera MTBs on ebay... there are literally thousands. Some absolute Dogs, but you should find a Vulcan, Vengeance or Kraken at your budget.

 

[Mike!]

Well I made a purchase, as per usual for me I ended up spending a bit more than initially planned Just don't tell the wife!

A Saracen Zen 3 is now sitting beside me at work, paid £430 for it and even got one of these thrown in.

It's spotless, as per the description on ebay you can see it has hardly been used at all. Just needs some minor gear adustments and a brake bleed but I love it and it's fun to come to work across some heathland / cycle routes and only have about 4 cars to deal with.

Fitted some crud guards at lunchtime after one to many face fulls of mud and have to get myself a tail pack but other than that I plan to leave it as is. I can even cope with the 2.35 Maxxis Highrollers pumped to 60psi on my route....