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I'm looking to start biking, gently for a few weeks then onto tracks, forest trails, local runs once fitter.
Maybe even enter a comp later this year (more likely next due to fitness).
I have a low budget and have seen what looks like a BH Peak 2012 model bike brand new for £350.
It has lockout forks, hydraulic brakes and 26" wheels.
They also have a Forme Alport 29.2 for £500 similar spec but bigger 29" wheels. Again hydraulics etc
The alternative is trawl eBay and hope for a cheap GT (currently a couple of xtc I'm watching)
I must admit the bigger wheels don't feel as responsive as the smaller but there must be some benefit if most of the new bikes have them now.
Any of you guys ridden a BH?
What's your opinion?
Have you looked at the options in Decathlon?
Decathlon is a good shout. 8.1 and 8.0 are really good value
or if you don't mind second hand, get a Carrera fury - they retail for about £600 to £800 new so can get them for about £250 second hand. It got an award for best entry level hard tail for a few years in a row.
I've only just become aware of Forme this year, but have never heard of BH.. have to say neither of their website seems very informative, can't find a geometry chart for either bike. In fact the BH Peak 26er is almost impossible to find on their website in any section other than the technology (Peak 29er is a different matter).
So I'd be struggling to recommend either (though I know nothing bad about either), but would tend to stick to the more mainstream likes of Halford's Carrera Vulcan or Decathlon's Rockrider 520/540.
Second hand (the GT option) can be a great saving, but unless you reasonable knowledge of recognising wear, it's a minefield for a beginners IMO.
Specialist dicounters like [url= http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s2p0/Mountain-Bikes/Front-Suspension ]Paul's Cycle[/url] are worth a browse too.
As for wheel sizes, unless you particularly tall (over 6ft), I wouldn't worry too much about going 29er for your first bike, and I think you'll be struggling to find a cheap 650b hardtail (prove me wrong..) at this lower end of the market (just yet). 26er haven't stopped working just fine, since the different wheelsizes appeared - there just more choice (no bad thing)
Thanks for the help.
Bought the BH Peak in the end, weight and hydraulic brakes was the winner.
Did a run of just under 4 miles on it and I'm now hooked!
Bought some gear and warned my wife that she might forget what I look like this summer.
Heading to Lee Quarry for a few hours tomorrow morning.
If anyone up there feel free to say hello.