What is the best mountain bike around £300-£500?

phillai

I've decided that I must do something to keep fit and have decided that I really want to buy a decent mountain bike through the Ride2Work scheme.
I know nothing about bikes since my BMX days...

My friend has advised me to get a mountain bike with hydraulic brakes.

Does anyone know if this bike is any good for the £369.99 price?

Specialized Hardrock Sport Hydraulic Disc 2007 Mountain Bike


Or can you recommend me something else that is similar or even better?

Many thanks in advance!

Hotspur

Have a look at the Evans Cycles website for lots of detail and a bike finder tool.

http://www.evanscycles.com/dept.jsp?dept_id=1002

Edindevon

There's a thread where someone asked the same question on HotUKDeals and there was plenty of support there for the Specialized Hardrock you've identified. It was flagged up as being available for £329, but it seems to now to only be available in 15 and 13 inch frames for this price.

http://www.dalescycles.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=SPECHRPROHYD07

An alternative that is highly rated on cycle forums is the Carrera Fury. With the bike already reduced from £549.99 and a double discount currently on a Halfords, you can pick it up in some Midland stores for £370.99, or get it delivered for an extra £9.99. Plus Quidco at 4%.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_240449_langId_-1_CarSelectorCatalogId__CarSelectorGroupId__varient__categoryId_103670_crumb_33980-33957-89377_parentcategoryrn_103670

Edindevon

Woby_Tide

there a re a few topics on the www.bikeradar.co.uk forum including a c ouple of sections on the 'best bikes' in each price banding. There's alos a lot of useful info in general on what real users think of the various makes.

As it stands though I had been looking at the Specializeds on reputation too amongst a few other brands for a while and just picked up something off Ebay last night(different make but regarded as similar to Specialized)

ni fact found th elink here

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12540401

As you can probably guess, the most common question on this forum is 'what bike
for x amount?'. Here is a quick run down of what to expect at certain price
points and a few examples of models. The bikes mentioned will all be 2007 models
at RRP, and be your standard XC/trail type machine. The most important thing
however is to go and try the bike: it could have the best spec in the world, but
no good if it doesnt fit. I'd recommend that newcomers to the sport buy from a
local shop - this way you get 1st hand advice, get to test it, will have it fully
set up, a free service and easy to reach after sales care. Don't forget to budget
for safety gear and basic tools - it is important you keep the bike clean,
maintained and adjusted.

UP TO £300:

This is about the price for a good capable entry level hardtail. It is worth
reading the beginners bike thread for info on what to look for. However there are
some very good machines below this price that will suit many first time buyers.

Decathlon Rockrider 5.1 - £210: alloy frame, 8spd, alloy components, decent fork,
V brakes and sub 30lbs weight make this a great starter bike for those who dont
want to venture too far off road.

GT Avalanche 3.0 - £260: classic entry level bike sports great frame and parts, and a set of cable disc brakes for superior wet weather performance.

Carrera Vulcan - £260: similar to the Avalanche in spec and forks, another good
entry level machine with solid frame and parts.

Mongoose Tyax Elite - £280: one of the best selling bikes of the year. Ups the
ante with a superb damped forks, but still gets 8spd drivetrain, good frame and
cable discs, excellent performer if a little weighty.

3-£500

In this price range things move up a gear. Forks start to have damping cartridges, offering much better performance off road: gears may be 9sp, not only offering more range, but more durability. Even hydraulic discs are appearing, which are simply the best stopper out there. Not all offer all this, it depends on what you want from the bike, but personally I feel the fork is the most important component for performance.

Trek 4300 - £300: another classic entry level XC bike. May not have the fancy forks and discs of others, but classy frame and light weight make it a good bike for light trails and paths, or to upgrade.

Carrera Kraken - £360: amazing value bike from Carrera shoehorns 9spd Sram gearing, Tektro cable discs, superb frame and damped suntour fork for a great price. Only slightly high weight lets it down

GT Avalanche 2.0 and Mongoose Tyax Super - £400: two very similar bikes set the budget standard. Proven frames, damped forks with lockout, good quality shimano drivetrain and amazingly hydraulic discs

Trek 4500 - £400: no discs on this one, but 9spd Shimano, Rockshox fork and light make for another excellent XC offering from Trek

Giant Terrago - £430: 9spd, hydro brakes and oil damped fork with a frame like this for 430 quid?

Genesis Core - £450: the new kid on the block, designed for UK riders. Standout fork make this a good option, backed up with decent brakes and tyres.

Carrera Fury - £500: incredible bike for the money. Tora 318 fork unbeatable at this price, plus fully butted frame, 9spd Sram gearing and twin piston hydro brakes.

phillai

The Carrera Fury bike sounds great...
But they dont sell it at Evans Cycles!

Does anyone else do a Ride2Work bike scheme for the Carrera Fury bike?
I want this bike badly now!