£500 hardtails
 

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[Closed] £500 hardtails

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My 14 year old nephew was about to buy a £300 odd internet full sus. He's pretty outdoorsy - i reckon, given a bit of nudging, he could be an amazing climber or biker. Lives in very rural france and there's pretty good riding close by.

I'm steering him towards a cheap but good hardtail (we'll help him out). MBR rec is a Vitus from CRC but they've all sold since I sent him the details last week. There's a Marin for a bit more (Rock Spring 2) and the spec looks good but it's not a model Marin have on their website and I can;t find a geometry chart or detailed spec anywhere. Any clues as to why?

 
Posted : 11/05/2019 11:34 am
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keep an eye on Pauls Cycles for that kind of price range too.
Some slightly better specc'd cubes etc for £550

https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/bikes/mountain-bikes/male/instock/onsale/

BTW, the Rock Spring might just be a model for CRC, however it is identical by the look of the build spec and frame spec as the Bobcat 5
https://www.marinbikes.com/gb/bikes/2019-mountain-hardtail-sport-bobcat-5
for which there is a geometry table on the marin site.

 
Posted : 11/05/2019 11:53 am
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If it's the Nucleus 26 that you were looking at on CRC, then wiggle still have them in stock.
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/vitus-nucleus-26-kids-mountain-bike-2019-altus/

We have just taken delivery of one, and it's a nice bike.

 
Posted : 11/05/2019 12:16 pm
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Olly has got tall - he's 175cm now so I reckon he's on an adult Large based on the Marin size chart... (maybe he's 15 going on 16 now..)

BTW, the Rock Spring might just be a model for CRC, however it is identical by the look of the build spec and frame spec as the Bobcat 5
https://www.marinbikes.com/gb/bikes/2019-mountain-hardtail-sport-bobcat-5
for which there is a geometry table on the marin site.

Bingo. Same paint job as well... don't know why i didn't spot it. That's a bargain bike at £560 notes on sale - it looks like all the parts would actually work. Deore 1x10, shimano hydro, and a fork that's based on old Reba parts.

 
Posted : 11/05/2019 1:08 pm
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Second hand at that price...

 
Posted : 11/05/2019 1:44 pm
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Second hand at that price…

Nephew is in France. Advantage of CRC is free global shipping...

 
Posted : 11/05/2019 2:36 pm
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My sons Nucleus showed up Wednesday, only slight negative is the front brake cable was routed around the back of the fork which was an easy fix and the tubeless valves were missing but they have sent them out. Bike is awesome for £450,

 
Posted : 11/05/2019 9:48 pm
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That Bob Cat looks pretty damned good for the price.👍

 
Posted : 11/05/2019 11:13 pm
 Moe
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We use Bobcat 5's in our hire fleet and they are doing well, the only issue has been lack of range in the adjustability of the seat post to fit riders.

 
Posted : 12/05/2019 7:40 am
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Moe - what's the fork like? It's coil sprung and I'm guessing the spring could well be too firm for my nephews 60kg weight on a large.

That Felt looks a killer deal but only in medium and already purchased the Marin....

 
Posted : 13/05/2019 2:40 pm
 Moe
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what’s the fork like? It’s coil sprung and I’m guessing the spring could well be too firm for my nephews 60kg weight on a large.

Yes, you could be right, I know the San Quentin fork is pretty stiff but from memory the Bobcats are noticeably softer. I'm at work tomorrow so will have a play.

 
Posted : 18/05/2019 2:39 pm
 Moe
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Our lad in the yard was getting the fork to work for him pretty well today and I'd guess he's around the same weight (he hasn't got a clue!). Don't know where you are but we're at High Lodge, Thetford and I had a visit from the manager at Alice Holt the other day and they also run Bobcat 5's.

 
Posted : 19/05/2019 9:34 pm

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