£500 top budget for...
 

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[Closed] £500 top budget for beginner MTB - what's good?

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Evening all

Mate in work's a die-hard roadie and probably never slung his leg over a nobbly-tyred beast in his life.
However - he's asked for my opinion on a few bikes he's seen - yes, he's seen the light 😉
These are what he's seen:
http://www.johnatkinscycles.co.uk/m1b0s2p728/Scott-Aspect-670-2014
http://www.discountcyclesdirect.co.uk/catalog/product.php?CI_ID=18306&Item=%27Cube%20Aim%20Disc%202014%2026

These are very basic but probably ok for what he wants...however he's prepared to go up to £500 - even if 2nd hand. Is anywhere knocking out 2012/2013 hardtails in that price range? There must be some pretty good bikes out there for that price. Even though he'd be doing tow paths and local park/bridleways I think he'll like it more than he'd care to let on and might be looking for a better bike sooner rather than later. He's happy to spend that so he should get the best bike he can for the money...any suggestions?

Cheers


 
Posted : 03/11/2014 9:03 pm
 jonk
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I don't think you can buy better than this

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-81-mountain-bike-grey-id_8168918.html

Deore, rockshox etc good spec


 
Posted : 03/11/2014 9:05 pm
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Voodoo Bizango keeps getting great reviews.

10% off at Halfords at the moment (so £539), think British Cycling and other discounts can be chucked on top which would take it in budget.


 
Posted : 03/11/2014 9:08 pm
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The classifieds, second hand every time for that budget.


 
Posted : 03/11/2014 9:11 pm
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Giant Talon. 2014 model if you can find one. Great riding frames for the money.


 
Posted : 03/11/2014 9:12 pm
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Why are you looking at 26" (didn't think you could get those bikes anymore)

My mate bought a [url= http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/ramin-one-2014-29er-mountain-bike-ec055206 ]Pinnacle Ramin One[/url]

Been well happy with it - contemporary geo, wide bar short stem, steel fork...


 
Posted : 03/11/2014 9:16 pm
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That Decathlon looks great for the money - he lives near Cov so might encourage him to go there.
Few nice ones on Fleabay - Orange P7 in Manchester currently under £200 but has loads of watchers, and a nice Carrera Fury from 3/4 years ago.
Loads of old Marin full-sussers from years ago too 😉


 
Posted : 03/11/2014 10:55 pm
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Another £99 would get him a new Saracen Mantra Pro - they've been raved about in the MTB press this year. I had a hire one from Drover Cycles and loved it. They may have a couple of 2014 ex-hire ones left for bargain prices. Look 'em up at drovercycles.co.uk


 
Posted : 03/11/2014 11:24 pm
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Older model Carrera Fury for £430 at Halfords, doubt you can do better than that. Or £540 for the latest 650b model.
P.S. Anything with an XCT fork is garbage, if he gets a taste for it he'll have to buy another bike soon afterwards.


 
Posted : 04/11/2014 8:20 am
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I bought the Decathlon for my son. Great bike.
Looks much nicer in the flesh than on the website.

He was too small for a Voodoo/Boardman, otherwise they would have been on the list too.


 
Posted : 04/11/2014 8:34 am
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13 bikes from halfrauds look like a good buy, saw one in store the other day look great value for money

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/13-incline-alpha-27-5-mountain-bike-2015


 
Posted : 04/11/2014 9:28 am
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wow...that decathlon is a bargain!


 
Posted : 04/11/2014 9:33 am
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B'TWIN Rockrider 8.1 is very good bike, also may see budget cycle - [url= http://bikesport.bg/en/products/1175-sprint-radical-27_5-_quot_-mtb-2014-hard-tail-mountain-bikes_ ]http://bikesport.bg/en/products/1175-sprint-radical-27_5-_quot_-mtb-2014-hard-tail-mountain-bikes_[/url]


 
Posted : 04/11/2014 3:20 pm
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+1 for the Voodoo bizango with halfords discount codes!

Superb bike for money


 
Posted : 04/11/2014 3:35 pm
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Happy with my Bizango here too.


 
Posted : 04/11/2014 3:46 pm
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walla24 - Member

wow...that decathlon is a bargain!


Size small only online - don't know about instore. The Small is small too - suitable for my 12yo.


 
Posted : 04/11/2014 3:53 pm

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