Is this a good choice for a first mtb?

[I like Skol]

Don't you worry about buying a 26" one just as the rest of us are going 29, I wouldn't let something like that niggle away at the back of my mind....

Don't let the 26"/29" debate sway you Potsy. I ride 26" and they are just as capable, if not more so than the bigger wheeled brethren. Don't forget, I'm 6' 1" and you are 5' and a bit? Crackle can follow fashion if he wishes but lets not forget who chickened out of coming to Llandegla and riding against some 'proper' 26" wheeled MTBs recently

Nothing in the whole of the north bar Glasgow, can have it home delivered for £18.
The 8.1 is in stock at Stockport so will go for a look at it

Ask the sales people at Stockport how the geometry and sizing between the two bikes compare. If they are very similar you could try the 8.1 for size/fit and then order the higher spec bike (will they order it to store or is home del the only option?)

IMO the 8.1 will be a good bike and perfectly up to the job but, the 8.3 may be superb in comparison and whoever heard of someone kicking themselves for getting a bike that is too good?

 

[Crackle]

... but lets not forget who chickened out of coming to Llandegla and riding against some 'proper' 26" wheeled MTBs recently

It was raining.

 

[e-rider]

29ers are the way forward. At a local MTB event last weekend just about all the competitors had them (not just the lanky ones either).

For £900 you could do better than that!

 

[Hacienda71]

29ers are the way forward. At a local MTB event last weekend just about all the competitors had them (not just the lanky ones either).

For £900 you could do better than that!

I assume this was not on twisty technical single track. As soon as you hit anything twisty the 26'er outperforms the 29'er. The each have there own characteristics and benefits.

At Llandegla the other day the vast majority of rigs being ridden were 26'ers all the hire bikes were 26'ers and the majority of new bikes for sale were 26'ers.

The world is not black and white.

 

[dan_bo]

and you are 5' and a bit?

Very magnanamous of you.

 

[potsy]

For £900 you could do better than that!

Any suggestions?

Think I'll do as skolly suggests and sit on the 8.1 and ask about the difference from the 8.3, I'm thinking it might just be higher spec'd and the same frame.

 

[Crackle]

Have you got a budget or are you winging it? I'd check out Genesis, Jamis, Boardman, On One and Whyte. That's me though, I've never been so attracted to Specialized, Giant et al. Marin aren't so hot anymore, Orange don't do the range they did.

Your other option is to build one, so you could buy a frame from Ragley or Kinesis or On-One

 

[Cubist]

Any suggestions?

Think I'll do as skolly suggests and sit on the 8.1 and ask about the difference from the 8.3, I'm thinking it might just be higher spec'd and the same frame.

It's not the same frame.

 

[potsy]

It's not the same frame.

Ah, cheers, in that case I'd really like a sit on it rather than buying online.
Any idea of the major difference Cubist?

 

[potsy]

Have you got a budget or are you winging it? I'd check out Genesis, Jamis, Boardman, On One and Whyte. That's me though, I've never been so attracted to Specialized, Giant et al. Marin aren't so hot anymore, Orange don't do the range they did.

Your other option is to build one, so you could buy a frame from Ragley or Kinesis or On-One

Budget was 700 or so but the spec of the Decathlon just had me thinking of going slightly higher.
The weight of it seems decent for 900.

 

[Cubist]

When I checked the specs you posted up the 8.3 frame was about half a kilo lighter than the other. The blurb made out it was an alloy frame based on the geometry of the carbon XC bikes. Let me have a quick look and get back on that.

I quite like @Crackle 's idea of a self build, but you may need to work hard to get within budget.

 

[Cubist]

8. 3 frame quote
FrameNew (6061 double butted) aluminium competition frame 1.450 kg in size S (1.850kg for the previous 8.2 frame).
New geometry inspired by the XC carbon competition frame
New standards:
- Conical head tube
- Hight Direct mount for the front derailleur;
- Post mount for rear brake callipers;
- Press fit 92 bottom bracket

As with the XC carbon frame we have a bike with very comfortable geometry that is devilishly efficient!

Whereas the 8.1 is

1. 1
   FrameDouble-thickness 8 series competition 6061 T6 aluminium frame; racing geometry; 1.85 kg in size M. Lightweight and resistant. Its geometry offers an ideal combination for climbs and descents.
   Available in 5 sizes: S; M; L; XL
   

 

[Cubist]

Of course you could always blow your budget on quality used kit. You should be able to get a hardly used frame off someone who has bought a donor bike, ebay has a load of Boardman team HT frames, or post a wanted ad on STW or pink bike. Less than £100 at a guess. Pair of Superstar wheels for about £130, Deore groupset from ze Germans, loads of Recon, Reba, even SiD forks about for around the hundred mark, just need a seal kit off ebay to be certain, CRC are flogging bars for next to nothing, the rest can be had for beans.

 

[potsy]

Does sound like it's worth holding out for the better frame then, not really fancying a self build just yet.

Will see what is what when I eventually get around to popping in

 

[Hacienda71]

I would think about second hand as Dan_bo suggested. I am sure a few good people on here could vet what you look at. You will not take the initial hit on depreciation, will get a higher spec bike and could sell on at virtually no loss if you don't take to it.