New MTB'er..unsure of what to start with

[Stryker]

Hi all.

Firstly allow me to say hello to everyone....I've had a read through of some of the topics on here and everyone seems very helpful when it comes to offering advice.

Whilst this is not the first MTB I will be buying, I just thought I'd put the feelers out to gauge some expert opinion on what bike would be good to start with.

I am looking to spend around £300 on a bike that is going to be used 50/50 between on and off road, although not serious off roading......at least not to start with.

I've found two bikes that I like the look of, both of which are £300 (give or take a few pence!)

The first is the Dawes 08 XC 1.6, which you can find here: http://www.dawescycles.com/dawes/xc1-6.htm

The second is the Specialized Hardrock Comp Disc 08, which is linked to here:

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebw...QRY=C106&f_SortOrderID=1&f_bct=c003155c002909

As I said these are just two that I like the look of, however I'm not sure whether the spec of each is good value for money.

Any guidance/suggestions would be very much appreciated....also if anyone has any alternatives for around the same kind of money, then feel free to suggest them.

Many thanks

Stryker

 

[bonj2]

i'd urge spending another £200 on a rockhopper but if you don't want to the specialized's probably better than the dawes.

 

[spandex]

Stryker where are you based?

 

[Stryker]

Stryker where are you based?

I am based in Edinburgh.

Thanks for the input so far guys....£300 was kind of my limit, however if it would benefit me in terms of longer "wear" from the bike then I would consider more.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

I don't know enough about MTBs to advise, but hello and welcome anyway.

 

[gbb]

I don't know enough about MTBs to advise, but hello and welcome anyway.

I dont know ANYTHING about MTBs to advise , but welcome from me too

 

[punkypossum]

Hi, this might help:

http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12540401

Also might be worth visiting our mtb "partnerforum" here:

http://www.uk-mtb.com/

 

[Steve Austin]

I am a MTBer and know lots about MTBs

this one
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b4s2p720
has a better groupset and will possibly be a better bet than them too.

the spesh you've linked is ok but has got very cheap parts, wheras the Giant has got a slightly better groupset. Forks at this level will all be roughly the same, a little bit quirky, but workable. I would suggest you visit your LBS and see if they got any bikes for you, might be cheapish. Anything from the big brands will be fine. GT, Giant, Spesh are the brands i would stick with.

 

[bonj2]

I am a MTBer and know lots about MTBs

this one
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b4s2p720
has a better groupset and will possibly be a better bet than them too.

the spesh you've linked is ok but has got very cheap parts, wheras the Giant has got a slightly better groupset. Forks at this level will all be roughly the same, a little bit quirky, but workable. I would suggest you visit your LBS and see if they got any bikes for you, might be cheapish. Anything from the big brands will be fine. GT, Giant, Spesh are the brands i would stick with.

that giant's still got shoot forks.
better than the spesh he linked to probably, but not as good as the rockhopper.

 

[Steve Austin]

Any suggestions for a bike at £300 then Bonj?

or just vitriolic gibberish as per usual

 

[Tim Bennet.]

The Giant looks pretty good value for £299.

We could all join with Bonj and recommend loads of other bikes, non of which you can afford, but that one will give you a summer of fun.

 

[bonj2]

Any suggestions for a bike at £300 then Bonj?

or just vitriolic gibberish as per usual

"if it would benefit me in terms of longer "wear" from the bike then I would consider more."

not my words...