looking for a reasonable 2nd hand mtb

[tonyw]

After buying a brand new bike from hallfords and 16 months trying to get it put right had enough so looking for advice on buying 2nd Hand, no bells and whistles this time so no hydraulic brakes just want a good solid second hand front suspension bike to get a fresh start. I know the pitfalls but am willing to put in the time and effort on the right project any ideas what I should start looking at? thanks tony

 

[Cameronmu917772]

Hey.
From what you have said in your thread you are another to add to the halfords bunch. I'm not going to say you were a fool in fact the very Opiset. Nice descission on getting in the saddle . We do need to know some things though. Like do you still own the halfords bike you bought or did you manage to get them to refund you? What is your budget? And your fitness level? What sort of riding are you wanting todo? With family or friends that kind of stuff? That way we can work out what kind of bike you are after

 

[Peteaud]

After buying a brand new bike from hallfords and 16 months trying to get it put right had enough so looking for advice on buying 2nd Hand, no bells and whistles this time so no hydraulic brakes just want a good solid second hand front suspension bike to get a fresh start. I know the pitfalls but am willing to put in the time and effort on the right project any ideas what I should start looking at? thanks tony

Budget £

 

[tonyw]

about 350 and whatever I get for mine on top of that

 

[tonyw]

well sorry about that, yes I do still own the Halfords bike but after 16 months it has done about 80 miles been back 5 times and had 3 sets of clarks hydraulic brakes, in the finish bought a bleeding kit did it myself but has sullied the experience somewhat.So that will be sold towards cost of new one.level of fitness not quite beginner not as fit as i was due to not having a reliable bike for a year, as to what I intend to do I am moving into a more rural area with a lot more offroad trails but will need to use it on roads to get about as well. I will say do not let my experience put people off Halfords bikes the kracken had an excellent rerview for a sub 500 bike the problem was service and fitting.

 

[vickster]

These guys often have good reductions on older MTB models, if considering new as well

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s2p0/Mountain-Bikes/Front-Suspension

 

[Cameronmu917772]

Ok well I do try not to preach my self I would say don't shy away from hydraulic disks they really are great. What I find is it has been a shift over the last 5 years more than anything els in that people like the big nobly tires and the rounded rims aswell as disks of some sort being a must. E.g you can't even look at bikes in tesco that arnt offering some form of disk brake system and trigger shifters it's all a marketing and captive audience trick.

Anyway for the money you have available around £450-£550 you can buy a brilliant bike. You will probably find like most of us cyclists once you start you can't stop so really you want a reliable bomb proof starting bike capable of a little rugged terrain not to mention hitting a good pace on the roads to and from tracks. I would recommend spending some time looking into maybe three or four similar bikes and go to a shop have a go on them see how they feel to you. I started on a specialized hard rock about 7 years ago and everyone from family to friends that ask me what bike to buy I point them in the same direction. Not one has ever wished they had bought something els. You can pick them up from a year old on line (gumtree/eBay/pinkbike) for as little as £250
You won't be disappointed. Hope that helps and if you need anything els let me know pm me if you like

 

[tonyw]

thanks for the advice,when I was cycling regulary did get the bug, and am now investigating the specialised hardrock as seems like they are very well priced, much appreciate the advice will keep thread updated with developments