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Hi guys, new user here.
I am in the market for a new bike, it has been a long time since I last rode a mountain bike so I could do with a little advice as things seemed to have moved on a lot.
I have always had Specialized bikes in the past, the last one I bought new was an entry level hardrock around 20 years back and I stopped riding mountain bikes all together ~10 years ago. I have been riding a little Brompton folding bike for commuting but even that has stopped since Covid and my fitness has taken a hit as a result.
My daughter is now starting to get confident on a bike so I need something so we can start going on bike rides with her which to be honest would only need the most basic of bikes, but at the same time I want something a bit more capable so I can also start getting out some more myself.
Looking around at various reviews online the Voodoo Bizango looked like it ticks all the boxes for the sort of money I want to be paying, but they seem to have disappeared entirely, not just showing as out of stock.
To get something similar, air forks, 1x groupset, 29" wheels (though not quite sure why I have settled on this, it's not a deal breaker) it looks like I need to be spending around £850, I don't really want to go above that.
As for the sort of riding I will be doing, aside from pootling along with a 5 year old, will be mainly local woodland, gravel tracks, churned up bridleways etc. but nothing aimed specifically for mountain biking, being in the South East it's not overly hilly. I am however a short drive away from Hadleigh so I may start using the bike trails that have been kept from the Olympics.
For the spec and budget I think I am looking at the following contenders,
- Specialised Rockhopper Elite
- GT Avalanche Elite
- Whyte 605 (though this has spring shocks not air, how much difference this really makes I don'y know)
- Kona Mahuna
It would be great to hear what you think of those, or if there is anything else I should consider. Whatever I end up going for it seems unlikely that I am going to be able to try before I buy, so will be bought blind and based on recommendation, I will need to start getting on some waiting lists asap!
Thanks in advance!
If your budget can stretch a bit then check out an On One Scandal.
Plenty of reviews on here and other sites.
They all look like great bikes - you might be better choosing by stock availability and colour.
I just ended up with a Giant Talon 0 by following that route - setting my budget and getting what was in stock. It's a great bike, I like it so far. The 0 might be a little out of your budget but they do other ones too.
Looks like the Bizango is getting updated, due to be available in September according to this:
https://www.halfords.com/bikes/mountain-bikes/voodoo-bizango-mens-mountain-bike---s-m-l-xl-frames-452670.html
+1 for new Bizango I reckon.
danti, that does look nice! Might be a bit wasted on me but I could possibly stretch to it if I had to. I guess being built to order there is a bit more chance of getting a bike sooner rather than later.
chrispoffer, stock availability seems to be zilch on everything bar the more obscure brands, some of these seem to have impressive spec sheets for the money but the reviews on what they are like to ride are not great. I think I need to get on a few stock notification lists and be ready to snap something up.
sixtoes,geomickb, I hadn't been able to find any info so thanks for that, I have signed up for a stock notification so will keep my fingers crossed.
Vitus Nucleus is currently in stock which has been a pretty rare sight over the last year. I have the 2019 model and it's really good value and upgrades are not completely wasted like on a lot of other entry level bikes.
Both the VR and VRS models are within your budget. I have the 2019 model without any complaints and it tends to win MBR hardtail of the year.
Trek Roscoe, Specialized Fuse, Canyon Stoic and I have a Calibre Line 29 which I originally bought as a temporary bike while my kids were 2-4 years old as I knew I wouldn’t get riding much but it’s actually really good and I’m going to keep it and just gradually upgrade it over time until I can treat myself to a Curtis bike in a year or so (money and children depending).
After buying my daughter another bike, I realised today that I need some room, so I’m going to be selling my medium gx On One Scandal if you fancy a very capable bike. It’s been barely used with the addition of DMR Deathgrips, Nukeproof pedals, spoon saddle, tubeless WTB tough high grip tyres (plus spare nearly new cross country tyres), 150mm dropper etc. I was going to stick it on eBay for £1k at the end of the month but would look for £850 to someone on the forum. If you fancy a day out in Shropshire, you are welcome to come and try it for a few hours on the local trails to see if you like it 🙂
The Voodoo is an ace bike too, I had one of the slightly earlier models, great fun! Cycle to work might be your friend there…
Whatever you choose, welcome back and enjoy!! Looking forward to the ‘what full suss for under £2500’ in 12 months time 😉
Shortly to be followed by a "does anyone know a good divorce lawyer" post.
Annoyingly halfords uses a different cycle scheme to my employer. Looking to see if my employer can let us use Cycle2Work, but if not I may need to look at something else which is gutting.
I was basically on this same search 2 months ago and read everything on these boards and the various “top hardtail” pages.
If available, I think the Calibre Line 29 is the best you can get for your budget (dropper post!). I doubt you’d find one though.
I ended up choosing between a 21 Trek Caliber 7 (£900) and a 21 Rockhopper Elite (£850). Both had availability from niche places or Evans. They are/were basically the same bike but the Trek came with 29” wheels in a medium (good reason- and worth being picky about I think) and I preferred the colour (not good reason).
Given the 22 Rockhopper Elite seems to come with 29” wheels on all sizes- I don’t think you should overthink it too much and just get that. It is pretty much made for what you are using it for. It will fly down bridalways and be lots of fun on nice long sections.
If you suspect you will be tempted down a decent or two as time goes by though, I’d wait for that Bizango to be released. You could get a Brand X or One Up dropper post (love mine) on that for less than £950 all in and be pretty set.
Today this happened.
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Originally ordered in orange but due to a paint defect on their last medium frame Planet X supplied black instead.
Even as a medium it feels huge and these wide bars are going to take some getting used to, probably for the best I changed for a more inconspicuous colour!
great choice, a lot of bike for the money, and if you get enthusiastic with it, it has plenty of future potential
Posted again by mistake