opinions please

[Kiwiavenger]

im trying to pursuade my new boss to impliment a cycle to work scheme through halfords (i know, bit dodgy but there is only 1 other bike shop in my area!) and am looking for a mountain bike to both commute on (with snow/ice studs for when it gets nasty) and riding the clay trails and a few offroad trails. ive come across this and was wondering on people opinions im looking at a maximum of about £500 all in.

im new to the realms of MTB'ing and like the look of hydralic disc brakes along with the lockout on the air suspension which i think could be handy! im also quite handy with a spanner and sockets so may look to upgrade.

 

[VamP]

That is eye wateringly heavy. With that budget, go secondhand.

I just built a Pace rc305 with Rebas, Hope hydraulic brakes and XT/SLX drivetrain from a mixture of secondhand and new components. All in at 24lbs. £1600 bike for £800. Like you I am new to the world of MTB, but not new to cycling. Building is loads of fun, and a great learning curve. I have now no doubt that I will manage all future maintenance on the bike as well.

If it has to be new from Halfords then look at the Boardman's and the Carreras.

 

[Kiwiavenger]

if it goes through it may have to be halfords but they can source other makes so might look into that!

most of the ones ive looked at are 14-15 KG in my price range almost weiging 50% more than my roadie!

 

[akb]

The Carrera Vulcun was on my list when I was searching for a MTB. Lots of great reviews and good price too.
I did however settle for a Spesh Rockhopper for £600, on 0% finance. If money is a problem, quite a few LBS now offer a 0% finance scheme.

 

[lpretro1]

Don't encourage use of Halfords - you will regret it. Their CTW scheme often includes having to have them service your bike - don't do it. That bike is not very good. As someone recommends - use your dosh to buy a decent one second-hand and then upgrade parts/components as they need it.

 

[Psycolist]

As the general trend, your not gonna get much quality for a bike with the equipment you mention for £500. As for the CTW, I & my family have used it with Halfords previously, not had any problems and apart from the empty headed, vacant looking, pimple ridden oiks on the tills, but no metion of a service contracts has ever been made.

 

[Cubist]

Don't encourage use of Halfords - you will regret it. Their CTW scheme often includes having to have them service your bike - don't do it. That bike is not very good. As someone recommends - use your dosh to buy a decent one second-hand and then upgrade parts/components as they need it.

My firm uses Halfords C2W. They set up the deals and sell you a bike if you want one of theirs. I however persuaded my LBS to become an authorised C2W supplier for Cube bikes, and got one off him.

There are no mandatory service contracts by the way.

 

[VamP]

You can get this second hand.

Or this new. Or if you up your budget a bit, this.

All of them infinitely better than the Voodoo.

 

[Kiwiavenger]

I might just buy a light ish hybrid through c2w if I can get it arranged and stick panniers on it then save up to get a half decent hard tail or full sus for hitting the trails!

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