[Closed] Buying advice llooking at 3 bikes

should be Whyte 605 2018 £750  not 606

At that price I would post a 'wanted' on here, be fussy about condition.

We have had plenty of well looked after bikes from here and local club for less than that.

I have been offered 3x as many that looked beaten...but be fussy, and you will get a gem.

Voodoo Bizango always gets good reviews. Halfords have a new version of it for 2018. Or they have a slightly pimped version called the Bokor with better forks and drivetrain in the sale ATM for £680.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductMobileDisplay?catalogId=10151&categoryId=165499&langId=-1&productId=1378591&storeId=10001

I’d definitely go used at that price. You should be able to get a nice bike for that budget

Unless you have the expertise and energy to know what to look for, there are lots of good reasons for not going second hand.  Not much between the 3 bikes you mention, all would be a good buy.

So are none of the bikes worth the cash. I’d look to Try and get a better deal like 10/20% off.

there is an option for the 2017 rockhopper sport at 460 and comp £530 plus I think I’d be able to get few quod more off.

personal opinion but would rather stay clear of Halfords.

used is an option but I looked on gumtree and unless the bike is viewable then I wouldn’t buy, there was nothing decent in my area.

The voodoo Bizango is a great bike for what you describe and more, better bang for buck than the rockhopper etc. For my money I would  go with that Bokor posted above.

All of those bikes are worth the cash imo.  If you looking at spending entry level prices, you will get an entry level bike (all the 3 you list will do a decent job).  As above, other option is to go second hand, but their are potential pitfalls, so I would bother personally.

I wouldn’t discount the bikes from Halfords, just because they’re from Halfords. You often get better kit for the money due to their buying power.

Speaking of which - the Calibre Line 10 got a great review in MBUK this month - but it’s right at the top of your cost range of bikes at £750.

http://m.gooutdoors.co.uk/calibre-line-10-mountain-bike-p414112&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6u3XjIWC2gIVirftCh3eSAYCEAQYASABEgKz9fD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I am a bit reluctant to go 2nd hand, based on time, effort ,missing any potential issues etc,  If I could find something on gumtree locally to have a look at it fair enough.

Regarding Halfords, I wouldn't buy anything form Halfords, purely based on the service they provide being terrible, I would rather give my money to an independent bike shop or one of the chains like Edinburgh coop.

I had thought about go outdooes or decathlon but usually used Ediburgh Bikes or online stores that provided a good service to me,

Thinking the rockhopper sport 2017 at £460 and if I can get a bit more off might just do the job for what I need it for, I do like the Marin tho. The whyte would be the one I'd buy but I am think that for the extra £250 do I really need to spend that.

Do you have a cycle to work scheme? Might make a slightly more expensive bike more affordable.

I do but not sure on the details and don't plan on cycling to work, so I guess that is a major factor 🙂

Vitus Sentier?

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-sentier-hardtail-bike-deore-2017/rp-prod146560?gs=1&sku=sku533391UK&pgrid=54183259122&ptaid=pla-425895959880&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_campaign=PLA+All+Products&utm_medium=base&utm_content=mkwid%7CsCLR1J5pV_dt%7Cpcrid%7C254147372073%7Cpkw%7C%7Cpmt%7C%7Cprd%7C533391UK

I think taking the Whyte out of the list as its just that little bit pricier than I wanted to spend, and not heard any comments so far that this is wroth the extra cash for my requirements.

So between the 2 below, which is going to be the better value, and best all rounder?

Marin Bobcat trail 3 29er 2018  £500

Specialized Rockhopper  comp 2018 £599 or the 2017 version at £530 (prob get this down too £480/500)

@ Malvern Rider

The colour shouldn't matter but on this occasion that is truly awful colour

I don't cycle to work but still qualified for the scheme.

The Whyte is definitely better - it’s got a Rockshox fork instead of low range suntoury and it’s 2x9 rather then 3x8 so more modern. I haven’t checked out the geometry but Whyte are fairly up to date with that on their frames

The Voodoo bizango knocks all your options into a cocked hat though - for £650 it’s got a suntour epicon 34 which is a pretty reasonable fork, and they’ve somehow also got a 1x11 Sram NX drivetrain on it. I can’t find anything else that even gets close to it for the money.

You could buy it from Cycle Republic instead of Halfords - they are much better at bike stuff than in the Halfords stores.

Found a brand new boxed specialized comp 2018 in Large locally, unwanted gift. £500 but open to offers could be an option

Cycle to work could be an option then, had a quick read on it and 32% discount, and they dont keep records of your travel

Whyte is my preference and under the scheme would be better, will take another look at the other recommendations,

Also worth looking at Pauls Cycles for discounted bikes

Cycle to work scheme doesn't sell the Whyte

Marin price is £450 then the discounts monthly on that price

Rockhopper comp 2018 also available at £599

Whats the opinions on the Marin Bobcat trail 3 29er?

What about the Cannondale range?

Or I could go £1000 on this Zest 26" 2018 Mountain Bike and would cost me £600 with the scheme

Are you very small?

https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s155p5700/CANNONDALE-TRAIL-SL-2-29-2015

Infact scrap that I thought after 12 months the bike would be mines looks like that is not the case, hand it back, extend the rental or buy the bike

@ scaled no would need L (6ft)

Ok so cycle to work scheme is out, seems an absolute con to me

So back to the original choice

Marin Bobcat trail 3 29er 2018  £450/500

Specialized Rockhopper  comp 2018 £599 or the 2017 version at £530 (prob get this down too £480/500)

or locally a brand new unused boxed rockhopper comp 2018 for about £450 (private seller)

You haven’t quite got the full story on the c2w scheme. There is a period where you don’t have to pay when your employer still pwns the bike but then it becomes yours after a small one off payment.

its fine, it works and it’s not a con.

@lister Yeah I get how it works but say I buy the marin at £450, it costs me £305 over 12 months, I then have to make a payment to but the bike, so what is that payment?

The savings of 32% are no longer there, say they ask for £100, I've only saved £94 so (16%) can prob get a 10-15% discount over easter so whats the point the the cycle scheme

Unable to get the 2017 range anymore from the place I was looking but they will give me 15% off the 2018 Specialized range.

Choice will pretty much be down to the rockhopper comp 2018 (£510) or the Marin botcat 3 (£450)

any other views on these 2 bikes?

For various mechanical reasons over the last year I have been on the end a number of cheap rentals where I just wanted to get out and ride / nothing else was available nearby. Cheap Specialized were good, I was no Marin fan, Hardtail Whyte was great - more fun than their double suss IMO. Cheap Diamondback 1x11 bikes also seemed very good for the price.

Not too much to go wrong on a rarely used S/H 1x hardtail. With basic knowledge / following a few youtube vids for common things to look out for an fix you will be fine.

Thanks for the Paul Cyles recommendation, I found the bike I was looking at last year Marin Bobcat Trail 4 2017 £429 in a 20 inch frame.

Any views on this one?

https://www.marinbikes.com/gb/bike-archive/bikes/2017-bobcat-trail-4

Anyone able to give any advice on the 3 bikes I’m looking at

not much around the pricing £429-£510 so juts needing some help on the Best Buy our the 3?

not getting very favorable opinions  on the bikes I listed so how about the below

Boardman team

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/boardman-mountain-bike-team-29er-16-18-19-frames

Whyte 605
https://www.edinburghbicycle.com/whyte-605-2018.html

Cannondale Trail 3 29er 2018 or 2017
https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cannondale-Tra ... gIaS_D_BwE

The Boardman is great bike for the money, 10% if your a member of British Cycling also.

Just as a heads up, if you choose the boardman (or anything at Halfords) today's the day to buy. Extra 10% off all bikes, then bc discount on top and maybe topcashback makes it great vfm. Also considering it as a +1 for my xc rides.

I would probably go for the bizango or bokor, pretty good spec builds onto a decent frame. If you don't like Halfords, take the bike to your preferred shoo for servicing etc.

Some of the other bikes you mention have very low spec drive trains and forks etc. in comparison.

Just my opinion.

As above!

Buy a bizango or Bokor from Halfords then take to your favourite bike shop and pay them to screw it together if you can’t do it yourself.  By far and away much better value and bikes than the other you have listed! Or as others have said buy from cycle republic not Halfords.

I had a look in store at the bizango or Bokor and to be honest I thought the actual design and style look poor, I know that shouldn't have an impact over the specs, but they do look poor IMO

So The boardman looked the best in the store, didnt like the Voodoo, The Specialized, Marin, Whtye and Cannondale are all not worth the money form what I've gathered through the posting, so what else is out there?

The Calibre Line 10 or the Boardman if you don't like the look of the Voodoo. They are all great bikes and at that price there the best brands to look at. Don't let the names put you off, the specs are great for the price. You'll be paying for a brand name and getting a worse spec if you go others by more sought after brands

What about this for the price?

https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b58s182p9301/MARIN-BOBCAT-TRAIL-5-27-5-2017/&eid=6edb914fe5f38951801eec36fe8e96af

I know the Whyte is more - but from my experience definitely worth it for the geometry. As an emplyer who runs the cycle to work scheme - it is no con. You willpay for the bike over a few months but the deal is the monthly payment comes off before tax and NI so HMG pay at least 31% and often a bit more. So £1000 bike for about £650..... or the Whyte for lots less and all paid for over 10 or 12 months. No brainer really. No need to demo that you are riding to work and you can use it each year for upgrades/maintenance items!

If it's any help I've had three Marins and the warrenty support was excellent, highly recommended.

1999 Attack Trail still fine.

2004 XC-100 custom build. Had it a couple of years then took it to the local shop "is that a crack.or just a very big scratch on the bb shell?" " Don't know, leave it here." Rang me two hours later, " Just been down the RAF base and x-rayed it, it is cracked." New Mt Vision Pro frame arrived about three weeks later.

A couple of years later got a stick.in the mech of that new frame, hanger didn't break and it ruined the dropout. Took it back, "that's a mess, leave it with us" Took 10 days or so, whole new swingarm and every bearing in the linkages replaced 'just in case'. It was now well passed the original warranty period from.when I bought the first one so I asked how much I owed them. "Oh no, that really shouldn't happen, that's a warranty job'

Top service. Don't often get the chance to say how good they were, no quibbles, just got it done. Silverfish should take lessons...

Both the Marin Bobcat Trail 5 and Whyte 605 and priced same as new, was just that this is the 2017 marin for  cheaper price of £429.

I presume for my intended use it would matter if its a 27.5 or 29er?

I just dont think the ride to work scheme works for me, I dont plan to stay with this company for the next few years, so although I can see that you pay less for the bike, if you want to own the bike after 1 year then thats when you have to pay a fee for the bike 25% of the market value of a bike over £500 when makes it not worth the hassle for me when you can get a discount at the start buying new.

I can see how it works if you plan to see it out over the 4 years or upgrade after the 12 months, but for me it doesnt work.

I am swaying more towards the 2017 Marin based on the price, I am 5'11/6ft so the 20" inch they have in stock would do the job.

That Bobcat trail looks good to me and a bargain price!It even has two bottle holders.You'll even have a few bob left for upgrades and accessories.Just buy it.

I do still like the Whyte 605, but Marin price is great

what about the whole 27.5 or 29er, much difference at my level?