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...new mountain bike please!

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Lopo
Lopo Posts: 484 Forumite
in I wanna buy it or do it
Hi all....

Just wondering if anyone could give me some pointers in getting a new mountain bike please ? What to look out for and expect etc....warranty? maintain costs? best safety lighting lamps to go for etc...

I've not bought one for ages, the last I had was a Diamond Back which was and still is fabulous but they only seem to make BMX still stunt bikes now.

Any idea what the best brands out there are now please and good place to shop or even try from too ?

Thanks in advance....Lopo :)
Beware Lego Men with Deep pockets...! :cool:

Comments

  • before_hollywood
    before_hollywood Posts: 20,686 Forumite
    Lopo wrote:
    Hi all....

    Just wondering if anyone could give me some pointers in getting a new mountain bike please ? What to look out for and expect etc....warranty? maintain costs? best safety lighting lamps to go for etc...

    I've not bought one for ages, the last I had was a Diamond Back which was and still is fabulous but they only seem to make BMX still stunt bikes now.

    Any idea what the best brands out there are now please and good place to shop or even try from too ?

    Thanks in advance....Lopo :)

    do you want an expensive one or a cheap one?
    halfords have offers on every so often.
    once you get an idea of what you want, it's worth heading down there to price them up
    things arent the way they were before, you wouldnt even recognise me anymore- not that you knew me back then ;)
    MercilessKiller wrote: »
    BH is my best mate too, its ok :)

    I trust BH even if he's from Manchester.. ;)

    all your base are belong to us :eek:
  • EvilMonkey
    EvilMonkey Posts: 680 Forumite
    It really depends on what you're after price wise? a £50 special from stirling bikes (I'm shuddering as I right this) or a top of the line Whyte or Orange (£2-3K). How much were you thinking of spending, or probably more importantly, what were you hoping to be able to do with it???

    There are a few mountain bikers on this forum, but you may also like to pose more specific questions at somewhere like https://www.bikemagic.com a mountain bike specific site with attached forums. https://www.singletrackworld.com also has very good forums...

    I've got a fairly cheap bike (Claud Butler Cape Wrath) which I cycle offroad for about 2x 3 hour sessions per week. It cost £350 odd quid, and is by far the cheapest bike out of those I regularly ride with. In 1 year it's cost about £100 in maintainance (the UK winter is rough if you're asplashing through puddles / knee deep mud twice a week!) and I've spent a fair bit upgrading parts (most of the cash went on a set of disc brakes!)

    Hope this helps

    E.M.
  • grumbler
    grumbler Posts: 58,629 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Most MTB have full suspension. If you are not going to cycle off-road don't buy a bike with rear suspension. You do not need it. It gives nothing but extra weight, cost, maintenance and inconvenience with fixing mudguards, rear carrier etc.
  • Lopo
    Lopo Posts: 484 Forumite
    Appreciate the responses so far...

    Well my last DB set me back about £550...so I'm happy to go higher than that for something nice....Dont want to be spending anywhere near £1000 though - tad excessive for the leisure riding I intend to be doing.

    Familiar with not not needing dual suspension already, just front is sufficient as I have little intention of doing any serious off road missions! It needs to be lightweight, my last DB was around 23lbs which could be held very momentarily on my little finger! :)

    Want to add a decent trip monitor to it too so and suggestions there would be appreciated too...I like my gadgets!

    Best type of night-riding-lighting ideas appreciated too...!

    Really have no inkling on what the decent brandings are !?

    Thanks mse'ers!!
    Beware Lego Men with Deep pockets...! :cool:
  • EvilMonkey
    EvilMonkey Posts: 680 Forumite
    Lopo, I reckon for £600 you should be able to get something pretty nice! Good decision to stay away from full suspension, they say that decent DS bikes start at £800-£1k....

    Most of the names around a while back are still here, Giant, GT, Specialized, Kona, all good mid price brands I'd say.

    Trip monitors are pretty cheap now, I picked up a wireless one for £15 which does me fine.

    Night riding - now your'e talking, if've you've got a total amount to spend you should probably leave £100-£150 at least for some decent off road lights.

    I picked up a second hand set of vistalites, 4 battery sticks, 3 lights and lots of wiring for £90. I have a 5W flood and a 15W spot on the handle bars and a 10W mid on the helmet. I'd say the helmet one REALLY adds to the experience so I'd try to get something for it. It's gettig to a good time for it too, the trails have dried out after the winter and it's getting warmer too! I was out in the hills south of London last night and it was glorious!

    Have a look on the bikemagic site, there's ALWAYS a post or 2 saying "What bike for £xxx?" So you can either piggie back those for idea's or post on your own.

    I'd also recommend going to your Local Bike Shop (lbs), not only for advice but also to actually buy. I bought online and collected it from a warehouse, good price, but I lost all of the saving + more in time + transport hauling the bike back for a waranty repair which they then refused to do. LBS's are generally more customer focussed and willing to discuss things (some will even through in discounts if you spend a bit with them!)

    E.M.
  • Dunkyboy_2
    Dunkyboy_2 Posts: 326 Forumite
    Have a look on https://www.LwisureLakesBikes.com they have loads of stuff, and you can usually do a deal, so don't pay full price for anything. :beer:

    My bike is a Specialised Rockhopper and it has been brilliant, cost £450 about 4 years ago, but you can get the same one now with disc brakes for similar dosh. Can't rate them highly enough,hope this helps........ :D
    Not ashamed to say ABBA are Great :j
  • robstoff
    robstoff Posts: 39 Forumite
    My brother recently bought a £1000 Canondale bike. very good for serious off-road. TBH, i would go for something a little less expensive. Gary Fisher bikes are very, very good! try a Marlin, about £500 i think, ive got a Wahoo, and paid £330, and it is superb. unless you spend over £1000 its not worth getting a rear suspension (softtail) bike, as the cheap ones just take away all the energy you pedal.
    Let me know how you get on!
  • Jay-Jay_4
    Jay-Jay_4 Posts: 7,351 Forumite
    Do any of you guys fancy doing Adventure Racing? You sound like an adventurous bunch and having bought your main bit of equipment you could start ARing for very little outlay.

    Have look at the ACE race website (adventure, challenge and endurance)



    Or have a look at SleepMonsters website for some more info.....go on....you know you want to ;)
    Just run, run and keep on running!

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