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For a friend & neighbour, no real requirements although he's not "that" into the sport yet, just want's something better than a hybrid for local tame stuff in a pretty flat south herts so FS is not a sensible option, a HT would be a better bet.
He sent me a link to [url= https://www.evanscycles.com/scott-scale-960-2016-mountain-bike-EV253342 ]THIS[/url] asking if he could do better, I have checked Pauls & thought [url= http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s155p5502/CUBE-REACTION-GTC-PRO-29-2014 ]THIS[/url] looked like better value, also looked at OO & the 27.5 Parkwood looked good at a grand but the lack of component detail has me wondering & it may be slightly too relaxed/fun biased.
So what would you recommend for him? He about 6' & not bothered about the latest & greatest, just solid kit & good value for money.
Cheers.
I think the park wood would be a better choice, it's a lot less racy and would be a lot more fun. It'll do all of the day to day without being too heavy and it'll rip through a Welsh trail centre
I was tempted to get one of these in c2w this year but we've already got two pinnacle bikes in the house.
https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-iroko-2-2016-mountain-bike-EV244133
Decided not to bother in the end but this was also on the list
http://shop.birdmtb.com/zero-tr/zero-tr3.html
Boardman 29'er thingy, great bike
Boardman team 29er? This will leave him money for shorts, helmet etc and other things that will make riding more comfy and enjoyable.
[url= http://www.marinbikes.com/gb/bikes/description/2016-pine-mountain-1 ]Marin Pine Mountain[/url]
I have a Bird Zero TR, frame plus parts I already had, and it's a great bike. The TR3 linked to ^ looks pretty good for the money and even if your mate doesn't want 'the latest & greatest' he doesn't want something he can't upgrade if the bug really bites! IMHO
Fatty Trail
Ramin 3 2016
B'TWIN RAFAL 720 LTD EDITION MOUNTAIN BIKE, XT - 27.5"
13 Incline Delta 27.5"
Boardman Pro 293r
Calibre Bossnut
Boardman FS Team 27.5
GIANT ANTHEM 27.5 3 2015
I would see what is available in the LBS or Halfords, rather that trying to find him a great online deal.
If there are any issues with the bike & it was bought online, you will be the natural port of call to sort things out. You might be fine with this, but I'd be tempted to get him to look at the offerings in a nearby shop so he can take it back there when the 'gears aren't shifting right' or 'the brakes are dragging'......
I would see what is available in the LBS or Halfords, rather that trying to find him a great online deal.If there are any issues with the bike & it was bought online, you will be the natural port of call to sort things out. You might be fine with this, but I'd be tempted to get him to look at the offerings in a nearby shop so he can take it back there when the 'gears aren't shifting right' or 'the brakes are dragging'......
+1, and the inevitability of something going wrong on a mail order bike with corners cut somewhere. A freehub will sieze, a headset will wear out in no time, etc. You might shrug it off as one of those things and cough up £30 for a decent headset, he'll just blame your choice of bike (because fair enough £1k is a lot of money on a push bike!).
Voodoo Bizango + £500 quid of upgrades / coke / hookers.
Another vote for Boardman Pro 29er. I have one and it's amazing for the money. Can't fault it (apart from the fact they don't make an XL).
Seconhand ?
I have an as new Park wood 29er in large that I'm selling for 500.
Another for the Boardman Pro 29er
Reba RLT
GX groupset
half decent wheels with Mavic Rims
Its amazing value for £1000 and there are lots of discount schemes that will give you 10% off
I bought one
Voodoo Bizango - under £600 and cracking value
Unlikely to need more unless he actually gets into it
Boardman is a good shout, or maybe something from Pinnacle?
Many thanks to each & every one of you have replied, its really very kind of you all 😀
I agree with a lot of the comments re blaming etc & I also agree that the Boardman looks stonking value so I shall be recommending that to him.
Thanks again all.
Bizango with deore 615s and a dropper.
I had one of those cannondale trail one last year, its really good.
Only reason i dont still have it is my cousin needed a bike to go to work so i gave it to him.
Same here with the blaming thing, or more the case of the feeling of partial responsibility in some way if something went wrong. IMO it's best to have a layer of detachment from the final decision.
In the heat of the moment I offered to build a new bike for a clueless friend and then quite quickly thought better of it. In the end, suggested that he look at Halfords/Boardman, On One, Paul's Cycles Clearance, Merlin Clearance etc etc. Offered to give him more help if required, but tried to not get too involved with the final decision other than odd bits of advice about specific components against another. He bought a Boardman from Halfords which is a great bike for the price he paid, he uses it loads, he's had a few issues as to be expected, brakes, gears etc, I don't feel responsible in any way but help him out if I can or leave him to deal with it himself without feeling guilty.
perchypanther - Member
Voodoo Bizango + £500 quid of upgrades / coke / hookers.
POSTED 11 HOURS AGO # REPORT-POST
This. Great value first bike.