First soft tail

[Ootini]

I've got a CX bike on the C2W scheme, which is about to come to an end, and I'm thinking about picking up a full suspension mountain bike for rougher stuff.
Does anyone have any pointers on what to look for? I know nothing of MTB groupsets, manufacturers etc.
Obviously price is a factor and it would have to come within the C2W price range which I believe limits me quite severely for a FS MTB.

Thanks

 

[w00hoo_kent]

I've always believed that full suss is really just a downhill thing, but I'm willing to be proved wrong. When I was looking to do more trail riding I went for a hardtail just because it'd be something to soak up the odd landing from a jump. Depends on how rough the stuff is, but might be the way to look.

Might also be worth considering Fat Bikes, they come inside the C2W budget and a friend who is seriously in to his mountain biking is riding his almost as much as his FS MTB, partially because it's so much fun, partially because it saves on so much wear and tear. Don't know if you need to be particularly adept to get the most out of one though (I do know he is reasonably so) and they do weigh a ton (almost literally.)

I'm sure someone who really knows will be along in a bit.

 

[Ootini]

Ooh ok, cheers. I know nothing of Fat Bikes. Will have a google. Thanks

 

[Ootini]

A shop local to me sells both Ghost and KTM full suspension bikes, are either brand worth considering ?

 

[KneesUp]

A Fat bike or a full suspension bike don't sound very suitable for Cycling 2 Work to me.

What's up with the CX bike?

 

[vickster]

I am not sure its sole purpose will be commuting

 

[Keith Oates]

I don't know what budget you have in mind but if you get a 'full sus' where you can lock out the rear suspension and/or the front you get the best of both worlds. I got one when I was in Vietnam when I was going out with a group every Sunday morning and we used to go for mainly off road rides between 60 to 100 Kms. Without the suspension it could get painful near the end of the rides.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jagman.2003]

I've found full suspension very good for general MTB'ing
Advantages:

• The rear suspension gives a smoother ride.
• Soaks up the jumps & drops.
• I can run slightly higher tyre pressure to avoid pinch flats.
• Get better traction on climbs as it bounces less.

Disadvantages:

• More weight with extra components.
• More parts to go wrong/wear out.
• Useless out of the saddle if you haven't got a lock out.

 

[Ootini]

It wont actually be used for commuting. I'll stick with the CX bike for that, but from what I can tell there's nothing stopping me taking advantage of the scheme again to get a second bike.

I was just curious as to which brands / models / components to keep an eye out for up to and around the £1,200 mark.

 

[vickster]

It wont actually be used for commuting. I'll stick with the CX bike for that, but from what I can tell there's nothing stopping me taking advantage of the scheme again to get a second bike.

I was just curious as to which brands / models / components to keep an eye out for up to and around the £1,200 mark.

You'll need to check there are no terms around it being used for commuting, some schemes are very specific on this (whether they are policed or not will depend on the company)

 

[w00hoo_kent]

You'll need to check there are no terms around it being used for commuting, some schemes are very specific on this (whether they are policed or not will depend on the company)

Although I'm guessing you'll know what checking is being done as you got the CX bike on the scheme, yes?

@vickster has talked about the alternative option of interest free credit card and managing the payments yourself. I'm seriously considering that if I get tempted to go for another cyclescheme bike because you keep the monthly payments and offset the savings from paying pre tax by being able to haggle with the bike shop and buy something in a sale. Because of the cost to the bike shop of selling through C2W there are rarely deals, whereas as a direct buyer there are more options. You then own the bike from the beginning and don't have any end of scheme shenanigans to worry about. The difference in savings looks negligible from a cursory glance. You just have to be disciplined with not using the card for other things, and setting up the payments to it.

 

[vickster]

And you can change jobs during the payment period without losing the benefits...

There's always IFC from bike selling companies such as Evans of course as well assuming you qualify and can get the bike you want

 

[vickster]

The terms are quite clear, with a bit of a clue in the name. We have however done this one to death.

My understanding from this being done to death is that not all schemes are the same, nor all companies

 

[w00hoo_kent]

The terms are quite clear, with a bit of a clue in the name. We have however done this one to death.

Indeed, we have. Short version on C2W and buying bikes unlikely to see work - some people see it as OK, some people see it as tax evasion, some people are somewhere in the middle.

Take as much notice of other peoples views as you would any other long winded debate on here... :-)

 

[Ootini]

Don't worry, I'm well aware of the terms and conditions of the C2W scheme, and the level of policing.