Quality Bike, Best Features for the Fairest Price

TheJay

I cannot decide which bike to go for? I've been offered a 15% discount on any bike I go for from nationalcycles.co.uk or perhaps you guys can find something better on eBay so I can get a real deal? Depending on how good the bike is, will depend on how much I am willing to spend. I could probably stretch to £500 if there were a really good deal for a bike that is worth way more or something.

TheJay

What do you guys think about this? http://www.trade-it.co.uk/AdRef/TW820G755/Class/25/ParentClass/8034/Category/3330/Editions/1U|Bristol|2L,4T,3C,3D/SArea/local/SortOrder/PRHI/Ads/40/Web/FullAdDetails.asp

anewman

You're probably best finding a cycle shop and trying some out. If you like it, just say you don't like it, and then look on the net for same model at a cheaper price or you could try haggle prepared with web prices. I can't see why a really good cycle shop wouldn't let you try one out on the road and hills etc (although can't say I have been to a cycle shop).

TheJay

In an ideal world one would be able to try before they buy, but unfortunately there is no way for a reputable bike shop to guarentee they will get their bike back in one piece if at all!

Yes it is probably a good idea to go to a bike store, perhaps Halfords? It's a nice idea to haggle.

tomstickland

I've got a hardtail and I ride it down loads of trails, including downhill black runs. A decent full suspension bike is going to cost £800 or more. For £300 you'll be buying "tat". You'd be better off buying a discounted hard tail with a RRP of £500.

The only time that full suss has real advantages is down certain "steppy" surfaces where a hard tail bashes your ankles to bits or on massive jumps.

National chain Leisurelakes are worth looking at for discounted bikes.

BillScarab

PLenty of proper bike shops will let you test a bike. It's no differrent to testing a car. However I think it would be pretty cheeky to waste their time testing a bike and then go and order it elsewhere.

It's worth checkign out local bike shops as they often have second hand bikes for sale that have been serviced and are excellent buys. I got a nice second hand carbon and alloy road bike that way.

david89999

I am not an expert on what type to buy, though my wife and I both cycle, on a small budget, so have done a lot of research about what is available for what.
One thing I am pretty knowledgeable on though is cacky service, so here's two places to avoid like the plague....
Halfords - previously mentioned, brought one bike there for my daughter - not set up properly, overpriced, spotty erks reluctantly serving you, and apparently little interest in making sure you get the right bike.
Winstanley bikes on the internet, offer very good prices, but absoultely incompetent in terms of service. Forget any promised delivery times, and in my case any chance of getting the bike you actually order!
Our two bikes were brought from independent shops, neither was obverpriced in terms of what I could get the bikes for elsewhere, and both offer follow up servicing. It's nice to be able to support local business, and they tend to be run by people who have actually ridden a bike before!

MORPH3US

OP, most of the bikes you keep posting are full suspension... have we not helped you to decide not to go for a full susser? If not then i'm wasting my time with this post, but just in case....

In this months Mountain Bike UK magazine, they tested bikes for "under £300" which might interest you...

They tested the Giant Yukon, Claud Butler Stone River, Iron Horse Maveric 3 Disc and the Muddy Fox Tornado.... the winner of the test was the Giant (got 8/10 and the others got 7/10.

However it does then say that must budget mountain bikes have budget forks which "top-out" often. It then goes on to say that they are fine for canal tow-paths or local tow-paths, but for anything harsher (like my local train Follow The Dog on Cannock Chase) you need something better....

If you can afford £400 then I highly recommend my GT Avalanche 2.0 which benefits from hydraulic suspension and hydraulic disc breaks.

However below (courtesy of Bike Radar forum):

UP TO £300:

This is about the price for a good capable entry level hardtail.

Giant Boulder - £200: thoughtful speccing form Giant gives us a well laid out and capable entry level MTB with features usually unseen at this price

Decathlon Rockrider 5.2 - £200: 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 Disc - £299: classic entry level bike sports great frame and parts, and a set of cable disc brakes for superior wet weather performance.

Carrera Vulcan - £299: similar to the Avalanche in spec and forks, another good
entry level machine with solid frame and parts. Edit: check out the latest version with a damped XCM fork!

Mongoose Tyax Elite - £299: 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

Specialized Hardrock Pro - £400: Sturdy offering from Specialized, with well proven Avid disc brakes, butted frame, hydraulic lockout sus fork and dependable shimano drivetrain.

Trek 4500 - £400: no discs on this one, but 9spd Shimano, Rockshox fork and light weight 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.

5-£800

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.

GT Avalanche 1.0 - £500: according to WMB the best 500 quid bike ever, with superb frame, hydro discs, oversized damped fork and great shimano gear inc hubs and cranks.

Mongoose Amasa Elite - £569: SRAM X7 gear, Tora Uturn forks and dependable Tektro hydro disc brakes makes for a tough offering from Mongoose

Specialized Rockhopper - £600: superb M4 frame is the standout feature; dependable Tora forks, good drivetrain and parts with Avid hydros. Great base to upgrade.

Saracen Zen 1 - £650: the original UK hardcore hardtail, and still up there with the best. Great geometry with tough frame and parts for hard riding fun.

Genesis Altitude 1.0 - £800: steel hardtail from the British brand, made for Reynolds heat treated 725 cromo steel. Well balanced parts package designed for UK riding.

Trek 6700 - £850: one of the cheapest bikes to feature the award winning Rockshox Reba. Add to this the legendary Alpha frame, Bontrager kit and the new XT shadow mech and you have a great value bike for trails and XC

Merlin MALT 4 ~ £900: part customisable steed from the Lancashire bargain builders, based on a superlight Kinesis frame with stunning value kit.

MORPH3US

david89999 wrote: »

Halfords - previously mentioned, brought one bike there for my daughter - not set up properly, overpriced, spotty erks reluctantly serving you, and apparently little interest in making sure you get the right bike.

I agree with you on the service at Halfords David, but I can't agree that they are overpriced... in their Carrera and Boardman bikes, they offer some of the best value, best specced bikes available today...

If you know what bike you want then buying from there is ok, you just don't want to listen to a word of advice they give and want to check their "bike build" yourself before you ride...

(Disclaimer - not all Halfords employees are idiots, there are some good ones out there)

TheJay

Nice information, thank you very much!

If anyone else would like to share their wisedom that would be very much appreciated also!