£1200 to spend on a...
 

  You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more

[Closed] £1200 to spend on a new hardtail...what would you buy?

30 Posts
27 Users
0 Reactions
142 Views
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Good morning.
Im looking to buy a new bike shortly and after some advice as I have up to £1200 to spend on a bike but willing to go cheaper as its only going to be used for very basic trails with my 2 children aged 10 and 13 so nothing too adventurous and a short commute to work/
I was looking at a ragley but understand that they can have issues with quality control
I like the look of nukeproof bikes and I know Vitus are excellent too.
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated
I have been looking at these
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/nukeproof-scout-290-race-bike-2018/rp-prod159431
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-bikes-sentier-vr-hardtail-bike-sram-nx-1x11-2018/rp-prod159770
and this ragley has excellent reviews but not sure about the qc
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ragley-marley-2-0-hardtail-bike-2017/rp-prod145978
many thanks.
p.s I need a bike with frame size of 20-22inch


 
Posted : 21/12/2017 8:47 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

If its any help i just bought a ragley blue pig frame only, quality is perfect, beautifully sprayed and welded, really happy with it.

Customer service i can't comment on, hopefully i will never need to!!


 
Posted : 21/12/2017 8:53 am
Posts: 45504
Free Member
 

I spent £950 on this. SLX 1x11. Yari. Dropper. Light, wide wheels. So far I'm loving it, especially after tyre upgrade.

http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/new-bike-day-the-wait


 
Posted : 21/12/2017 9:01 am
Posts: 13942
Full Member
 

One of these would be very nice but probably overkill:

https://www.bird.bike/product/zero-tr-nx/#configuration

I'd be looking at the Voodoo Bizango which will do an admirable job at half the price.


 
Posted : 21/12/2017 9:05 am
Posts: 3445
Free Member
 

I've got a Whyte 901 I bought secondhand, and I absolutely love it. If I were to buy a new bike in that price bracket I'd seriously consider this year's version - it's plus tyred with upgraded componentry, and looks a cracking bit of kit. I'd suggest a test ride first if you can to ensure you get the right size, as they're pretty long.

I'd also consider one of the new Commencal Meta AM HTs - the Origin comes in at about £1100 and looks a riot.


 
Posted : 21/12/2017 9:07 am
Posts: 40225
Free Member
 

its only going to be used for very basic trails with my 2 children aged 10 and 13 so nothing too adventurous and a short commute to work/

Boardman Pro 29er when they have a 20% sale at Halfords (and using BC discount) - should get the price down under £750.

You'll then also have money for a nicer set of wheels & tyres, a dropper and a wider handlebar.


 
Posted : 21/12/2017 9:10 am
 wors
Posts: 3795
Free Member
 

Canyon Grand Canyon, brilliant bike, far more capable than the xc tag it gets.


 
Posted : 21/12/2017 9:16 am
Posts: 3834
Free Member
 

Stretch it a bit to £1350 and get a Whyte 901. Buy it from JE James and you also get £250 worth of credit to spend in the shop so it actually works out less than your budget!


 
Posted : 21/12/2017 9:46 am
Posts: 5661
Full Member
 

Rockhopper - Member
Stretch it a bit to £1350 and get a Whyte 901. Buy it from JE James and you also get £250 worth of credit to spend in the shop so it actually works out less than your budget!

Where are you seeing that deal? Can only see the one which gives you £135 worth of points.

Also I think, OP you need to clarify what type of riding you'll be doing, a 10 and 13 year old can ride as hard as any adult, depends on the kid. If it's just basic single track and fire roads then a £1300 hardtail might be overkill and a £600 Bizango will be more than adequate. If however you think you'll be taking on some decent trails then deffo spend around £1000. Don't forget the British cycling 10% discount if you buy through CRC.


 
Posted : 21/12/2017 11:23 am
Posts: 5182
Free Member
 

only going to be used for very basic trails with my 2 children aged 10 and 13 so nothing too adventurous and a short commute to work/

Whatever feels best to ride. Demos are your friends, but tbh if it fits you well then at that price you can't really go wrong IMO.

If buying online and taking a chance I'd probably just go for bang-for-buck sale/ex-display offers in XL size.

Something like:

https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-ramin-4-2017-mountain-bike-ex-demo-ex-display-EV327136


 
Posted : 21/12/2017 12:33 pm
Posts: 3834
Free Member
 

Thats the deal i got when i bought mine about three weeks ago now, must have been a special offer perhaps?


 
Posted : 21/12/2017 12:38 pm
Posts: 5182
Free Member
 

Strike that ex-display/demo link, you're only saving 45 quid on new (sale) price:

https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-ramin-4-2017-mountain-bike-EV275648

Me personally, because I like it, i'd have this if I had to sepnd the whole budget:

https://www.ukbikesdepot.com/m15b185s776p23739/Mountain_Bikes/29_inch_Hardtail_Mountain_Bikes/GENESIS_Tarn_29_2017/RS_GB/85796?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIirCDyJOb2AIVzbftCh3QXwDLEAQYBCABEgJePvD_BwE

Still both massively overspecced for your intended use though. I'd buy something lightly used for 6-750 and spend the rest on gear or trips with the kids 🙂


 
Posted : 21/12/2017 12:51 pm
Posts: 1494
Full Member
 

Can you squeeze and extra few quid on the credit card? if so...

[url= https://www.alpkit.com/sonder/bikes/sonder-transmitter-carbon-nx1-sektor ]Transmitter[/url]


 
Posted : 21/12/2017 12:54 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

or [url= https://www.alpkit.com/sonder/bikes/sonder-transmitter-nx1-1x11 ]this [/url]and add a dropper


 
Posted : 21/12/2017 1:13 pm
Posts: 3754
Full Member
 

If it was my money I'd go Nukeproof Scout or Bird Zero.


 
Posted : 21/12/2017 2:05 pm
Posts: 17187
Full Member
 

having recently changed HT's from a 13 Soul to a new Zero TR I'd wholeheartedly recommend the Bird 🙂


 
Posted : 21/12/2017 2:28 pm
Posts: 10225
Free Member
 

There are some nice bikes on this thread (particularly like the Whytes and the Bird), but for your intended use they seem a bit overkill.

If it's just some light trail centre use and commuting to work then you don't need massive fork travel or anything with hugely wide tyres (draggy on the road).

The mentioned Voodoo Bizango would do the job fine and save you loads of money. You probably don't need to worry about a dropper post or fancy tyres etc unless you're really going to get into it.

Of course if you get more adventurous, the kids are going to need better bikes too


 
Posted : 21/12/2017 2:54 pm
Posts: 618
Free Member
Posts: 2
Free Member
 

I spent that much on Bianchi Ethanol from Winstanleys recently. Excellent carbon frame and decent enough forks. Only drawback for me was that QR front and rear but I can take care of the front if and when I change the forks. The rear I'm not bothered about as it makes little difference on a hard tail. Plus gives you an excuse to upgrade your wheels to Hope. Like you my MTB time is limited these days but this is a nice bike that is capable of much more than I will put it through for the next few years


 
Posted : 21/12/2017 3:30 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I might be selling my 3 rides old 2015 Niner Air 9 in XL, with full XT and factory kashima forks. It will be a much higher spec than you'll get buying a newer 2017. I may hold onto it, but feel free to drop me an email should you be interested. My address is on my Member page.


 
Posted : 21/12/2017 6:55 pm
Posts: 1235
Full Member
 

Go secondhand. The above sounds like a v good option. I just bought a lovely stanton Sherpa for £850 secondhand. Got the odd chip but otherwise well maintained with hope wheels and brakes and a new drivetrain. Some bargains to be had...


 
Posted : 21/12/2017 6:59 pm
Posts: 2081
Free Member
 

I’d go for the new bizango as others have mentioned.
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/voodoo-bizango-29er-mens-mountain-bike-16-18-20-22-frames

If you end up doing more the frame warrants a few upgrades eg a brand x dropper is only £100, fancy others bits as required/desired.


 
Posted : 21/12/2017 8:19 pm
Posts: 3136
Full Member
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

some really excellent bikes mentioned above.

additional to those:
Following bike I'am interested in (27.5 "PLUS" trail bike):

http://www.mbr.co.uk/reviews/hardtail/merida-big-trail-review

£ 899 instead of £ 1300 (example only):
https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s182p7552/MERIDA-BIG-TRAIL-600-2017

Merdida Big Trail.
For £1200 you will get the lowest price "600" version.
Good deal would be, in winter sale, to get the 800 version for £1200?
(900 version: price is crazy anyway. With or without winter sale)

Had a look at the 800 version. Was impressed. But was too expensive for me. Ride a full suspension bike and have couple other, older sleds. Upgrade an old hardtail sled right now. But the "Big Trail" would have been definitely more fun than the old hardtails I have (one of them gets a new 130 mm fork right now).

Big Trail: focus is "playful and fun". Quality of the bike appeared VERY HIGH to me. The price tag for the "900 version" is nuts.


 
Posted : 22/12/2017 12:09 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

CRC have a few vitus hardtails in sale already... plus BC discount = killer deals


 
Posted : 22/12/2017 12:17 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

spoke about the

Merdida Big Trail

Playful trail bike.

others, downhill focused:

Project I have in mind for end of next year / winter 2018_19:

Mmmbop from Ragley
http://ragleybikes.com/products/mmmbop-27-5-complete-bike/
But the frames are sold out right now - there will be a new frame version mid 2018.

This frame competes - for my "project" - with:
Commencal Meta HT
This bike is - as complete bike - in sale right now.
around 800 Euros:
140 mm Sektor fork:
https://www.commencal-store.co.uk/meta-ht-am-origin-650b-yellow-2017-c2x19265777
around 1100 Euros:
160 mm Yari fork:
https://www.commencal-store.co.uk/meta-ht-am-essential-650b-orange-2017-c2x19822480

Above, with 160 RockShox Yari is a great, great sale right now...
But indeed more for the fast downhill race...

If you budget is £1200 ... - this 160 mm Meta HT AM would buy you an extremely capable AM hardtail!


 
Posted : 22/12/2017 7:21 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

22" frame? How tall are you dude?


 
Posted : 22/12/2017 7:34 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I was in LBS today, where they had a Genesis Tarn 10 down from £1200 to £875 thought it looked great. If only I had room for another bike. Whether it suits your needs however, I have no idea, sorry.


 
Posted : 22/12/2017 8:35 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I love how a 160mm hardtail is suggested on a thread where the OP says 'its only going to be used for very basic trails with my 2 children aged 10 and 13 so nothing too adventurous and a short commute to work'.

For the intended use, it'd be daft to pay 1200 on a bike imo. I think I'd go for the Bizango, or maybe the Marin Pine Mountain or the Genesis Yarn mentioned above. The plus tyres wouldn't be great for commuting though.


 
Posted : 23/12/2017 11:37 pm
Posts: 618
Free Member
 

Plus tyres would be perfect in Edinburgh for commuting as the roads are that bad!


 
Posted : 24/12/2017 7:03 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

https://www.ukbikesdepot.com/m18b185s18p23764/Hybrid_Bikes_and_Tandems/Mens_Hybrid_Bikes/GENESIS_Smithfield_2017

http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/urban/bridge/smithfield

A Genesis Smithfield might suit. Alfine 8, guards and a rack, steel frame and fork. They do an XL. Very low maintenance, Nice high stack for vis. In traffic, long chainstays for stability, nice comfy bars. Nice details. This years is £900 but last years identical bike is £589 which is a bit of a steel. Choice of cross tyres for mild offroads and lots of commuter tyre choice. I dont have one but that'l be a nice bike, if you leave your inner gnarr behind. Plenty left for top end lights, clothing and Ortlieb's.


 
Posted : 24/12/2017 8:40 am

6 DAYS LEFT
We are currently at 95% of our target!