Which Mountain Bike?

Greensprout

I'm looking to buy a Mountain Bike with a budget of around £250.

I've found these, can anyone give me any advice about them?
should I go disc or V brakes?

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_518255_langId_-1_categoryId_165499

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_518215_langId_-1_categoryId_165499

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gt/avalanche-30-disc-2010-mountain-bike-ec020899#reviews

http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/product/trek3900mountainbike2009-sale.aspx?&id=9771

freakybacon

What are you going to be using it for? The GT is the best of the bunch if its going to be used for actual off roading- nowt wrong with last years model. Be aware, however, that it would appear there are only "xs" sizes left- no good if you are a six-footer! If its a bike for mainly road use or commuting, there are better choices.

NeverAgain_2

Disc brakes are a victory of style over substance - no practical benefit whatsoever at this price.

GT is a good make, and Evans is a proper bike shop.

Better to buy from there than Halfords, whose branches vary at best.

Visit a shop for a 'fit and feel' fitting rather than order online.

thescouselander

I have previously owned a Carrera Vulcan which got nicked and a GT Avalanche 2.0 which I still have. Although neither bike is as recent a model as the ones you linked to I'd say the GT is probably the better bike - I've had mine quite a few years and it has served me well.

If you cant get the GT the Vulcan will still be ok - looks like it gets a good enough review on bike radar.

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mountain/product/review-carrera-vulcan-07-27707/

Mighty_Mariner_2

I am in the same situation! I have a budget of £250 for a bike for mostly using on roads but occaisonally off road, if any one has any suggestions? Would be appreciated....

Greensprout

freakybacon wrote: »

What are you going to be using it for? The GT is the best of the bunch if its going to be used for actual off roading- nowt wrong with last years model. Be aware, however, that it would appear there are only "xs" sizes left- no good if you are a six-footer! If its a bike for mainly road use or commuting, there are better choices.

I won't be doing any real off roading, more road/canal side riding.

I'm not 6 foot, 5'8"ish I believe a 18-19" frame would suit me best?

Which other bikes would people recommend to fit the budget?

Strider590

NeverAgain wrote: »

Disc brakes are a victory of style over substance - no practical benefit whatsoever at this price.

Glad you added that bit in, I was about to go into lengthy detail about why disc brakes have a huge advantage offroad..... Especially in mud

But yeah, the basic rule of thumb.... If the disc brakes aren't hydraulic, they're no good.

Think of cable disc brakes as a fashion accessory, the cycling version of boyracers painting their standard calipers red/blue/yellow/etc.

photome

another option is the rockrider from decathlon, it gets good reviews on mountain bike forums. Link to £200 version but you can spend more.

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/rockrider-5-2-grey-69566845/

Carrerra Vulcan is a great bike for £225, it is not often available at that price and is regularly over £300, but more usually just inder £300 if that makes sense

Arg

Strider590 wrote: »

Glad you added that bit in, I was about to go into lengthy detail about why disc brakes have a huge advantage offroad..... Especially in mud

But yeah, the basic rule of thumb.... If the disc brakes aren't hydraulic, they're no good.

Think of cable disc brakes as a fashion accessory, the cycling version of boyracers painting their standard calipers red/blue/yellow/etc.

If you think disc brakes are no good at that price then I would hate to think of your opinions on those rubbish V brakes at that price.

Strider590

Arg wrote: »

If you think disc brakes are no good at that price then I would hate to think of your opinions on those rubbish V brakes at that price.

V brakes are different, in that price range i'd want V brakes of any sort over disc's.

Set a bike wheel turning at a slowish pace and grab the tyre with your hand, stops easily doesn't it?
Now set it at the same speed at try grabbing the spokes near the hub.... No actually don't because it'll twist your arm off.
The momentum of the tyre is easier to stop at the tyre itself.... Trust me

V brakes don't need a lot of force** to stop a wheel, disc brakes need quite a lot more (which is why the best systems are hydraulic).
Due to the force** needed to stop a bike on disc brakes, it's not uncommon for the brake cables to snap. Where hydraulic brakes will leak before they fail.

With disc brakes it's also important that the wheels are of a good quality and balanced well, else under hard braking the disc could stop dead and the spokes would shear off (eventually)

**By force I don't mean on the brake lever (because that's all about leverage), I mean tensional force on the cable.

Arg

I guess I must have been lucky with cheap disc brakes because I found them a lot better compared to other brakes in both ease of setting up and braking power the only downside was they used up brake pads a little quicker.