Don't know where to start.

[Snoopeh]

Hey !

I'm new to these forums and know nothing about bikes.

But regardless. I would really like to get a MTB. Preferably full suspension for a decent price for hitting the woods and the trails. But I really don't know where to start.

I currently have a specialized crosstail. Which is a solid bike I love it. But when I take it on the trail and such it can be a slight nightmare. I have had a lot of mountain bikes in my teens. None were a really good brand or such. Just your classic £160 Argos type bike.
So if anyone could suggest where to start or what to look for in a bike so that I know it's good quality it would be appreciated. I would consider a hardtail aswell if all decent full suspensions were out of my preferred price range.

I was also wondering if it would be possible to buy chunkier wheels and tyres and swap them onto my crosstail when I'm not commuting.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Snoopeh]

www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/scott-high-octane-2-dhfreeride/1111844373 I saw this and it looks good and a good price for me. Is this decent guys ?

 

[roadrash]

if you give an idea of your budget , the regulars will be along with suggestions i would think.

 

[Drago]

If you're only hitting woods and trails a full squidge isn't likely to be necessary. Decent useable full squidgers start at around the grand but £700 on a front springer is liable to get you a bike in the top 5% performance wise, and 500 notes gets you something eminently usable.

What's your budget, and how tall are you?

 

[vickster]

Have a look at decathlon, they seem to have good MTBs

 

[oldstrath]

Crosstrail looks like a good bike for woods and trails. You might want a different tyre - I use these http://www.wiggle.co.uk/continental-cyclo-x-king-racesport-folding-cx-tyre/ on an old Galaxy , can get round most of the easier routes in the Cairngorm on them without problems.

Personal opinion - suspension is overrrated for lots of rides.

 

[oldstrath]

www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/scott-high-octane-2-dhfreeride/1111844373 I saw this and it looks good and a good price for me. Is this decent guys ?

Decent downhill bike, better exist, but will get you down stuff, assuming it's as undamaged as he claims. If you really want a dh bike I'd take someone knowledgeable with you to check it over. Hardly what I'd think of for hitting woods and trails, but would help get you down off the Ben.

 

[Snoopeh]

My budget is probably around £650 - £750 top but i would like to pick something up a little cheaper if possible. I am 6ft4

 

[zizou]

www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/scott-high-octane-2-dhfreeride/1111844373 I saw this and it looks good and a good price for me. Is this decent guys ?

Downhill bIkes are quite specialist in terms of geometry (slack angles and lots of travel its all designed for going downhill) they are not much fun for normal trail riding

 

[vickster]

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-700-s-full-suspension-mountain-bike-id_8289292.html
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-560s-full-suspension-mountain-bike-id_8322588.html

Although no XL online, could try local store

Or maybe consider something like this with a sizeable discount, in 22" too which I guess would be right for a tall lad

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s182p5546/CUBE-LTD-PRO-27-5-BLACKLINE-2014

 

[MichaelW2]

Hard-tail but 26", 27.5 or 29er?
VooDoo Bizango 29er seems to do everything right, if it fits you.

 

[mrbikerboy73]

My budget is probably around £650 - £750 top but i would like to pick something up a little cheaper if possible. I am 6ft4

@Snoopeh I'd go hardtail with your budget unless you can find a good second hand full sus. If it's for the woods and trails, a hardtail would be perfect for this, you probably wouldn't need a full sus bike. They tend to be heavier and require more in the way of maintenance so it's worth considering that too.

 

[Snoopeh]

@Snoopeh I'd go hardtail with your budget unless you can find a good second hand full sus. If it's for the woods and trails, a hardtail would be perfect for this, you probably wouldn't need a full sus bike. They tend to be heavier and require more in the way of maintenance so it's worth considering that too.

I would consider a Hardtail after assessing my options. Just don't know what one is right for me or what ones good or not. I wouldn't want a second hand one because I wouldn't know what to be looking at to know if I'm getting ripped off or not. Unless it was mega cheap.

 

[oldstrath]

Personally I'd stick with a CX bike for woods and trails to learn the skills, then go to a good bikeshop and seek advice, maybe hire something to get a feel for what suIts you. If you get up to Aviemore Bothy Bikes are very good and very helpful

 

[Snoopeh]

Thanks for all the help everyone but have decided on this bad lad went into my local cycle shop and apparently this is the business for the price.

Thanks though everyone!!!