bike recommendations

tnwoolley · Post by **tnwoolley** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 7:58 am

hello all you lovely cyclists, i need some of your collective wisdom please!

im going to spain in the summer and looking to buy an all mountain bike in the region of £1000 - 1300 (preferably one with a set of brakes that arnt complete rubbish).

any ideas?!

tom

Andy J · Post by **Andy J** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 9:25 am

Take a look at www.planet-x-bikes.com
They were before christmas selling a full carbon bike with ultegra groupset for £999, I believe Mal Craven a fellow club member mentioned buying one on a thread on here about the cycle to work scheme that Halfords run.
For the money these are excellent value and a very capable machine.
Regards Andy

Arthur · Post by **Arthur** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 9:45 am

All mountain => MTB, 6" travel+?

What are you looking to do on the bike?

tnwoolley · Post by **tnwoolley** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 2:33 pm

hi there arthur,

yeah im looking for a long (ish) travel, full suss bike to cope with the rocky descents and drop offs we're expecting to encounter in the pyrenees. im riding a merlin malt 2 (hardtail) at the minute and as much as i love it i dont think it'll be up to the job.

i was checking out the specialized pitch, kona dawg, cannondale prophet 3 and norco fluid but cant seem to pick a clear winner out of them!

Andy J · Post by **Andy J** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 5:38 pm

Apologises for being a fool and not reading your post correctly. Best thing to do is have a look around the local shops and talk about what your intended use of the mountain bike would be, after seeing a couple of possibilities then I would look on the internet and shop around for the cheapest price. Lots of people have been giving the specialized range good reviews so that could be a starting point.

Tullio · Post by **Tullio** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 8:23 am

Hi Tom,

As Andy says check around the local bike shops. Richard (owner at Fulford Cycles) went to the Pyrennees last year. He rides a Giant Reign and swears by them. I think he's got a demo. Also consider the Orange 5. They're not too heavy, built locally and bombproof.

A word of warning though. All the bikes above and those you listed are quite heavy. Ideal for the Pyrennees and Alps and playing with at trail centres, but they'll be hard work uphill. Does the area you're going to have any uplift services i.e. chairlift, trailer etc? If not you'd better get down the gym and start working on those thighs! I've ridden in the Alps a few times both on the downhill stuff and cross country. I wouldn't have wanted a heavy bike when riding up some of those passes.

Arthur · Post by **Arthur** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 9:45 am

Andy J wrote: Best thing to do is have a look around the local shops and talk about what your intended use of the mountain bike would be, after seeing a couple of possibilities then I would look on the internet and shop around for the cheapest price..

I'm going to disagree with Andy here. I think this is very bad form. If you ask shops for test rides etc, it's only fair to buy from a local shop. Personally I think it's always a good idea anyway as that way you get tuneups/serving etc. as well.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 9:55 am

Arthur wrote:
Andy J wrote: Best thing to do is have a look around the local shops and talk about what your intended use of the mountain bike would be, after seeing a couple of possibilities then I would look on the internet and shop around for the cheapest price..
I'm going to disagree with Andy here. I think this is very bad form. If you ask shops for test rides etc, it's only fair to buy from a local shop. Personally I think it's always a good idea anyway as that way you get tuneups/serving etc. as well.

Or you just give the local shop a chance to match the best internet price you can find, or at least get reasonably close. What's the test ride and a bit of tweaking worth to you? £20, £50? At www price + £50 they'll still make *some* profit. My own view is that if I'm going to give to charity I'll give to Oxfam, not a local businessman!

Arthur · Post by **Arthur** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 2:07 pm

It's not about charity, but treating people fairly. Haggling is fair enough, but just taking the advice and time then wandering off to buy online isn't good form imo.

Andy J · Post by **Andy J** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 5:35 pm

Disagree partially with you Arthur, if I can buy a bike considerably cheaper online than loacally then Im going to buy it online, if however you get your local bike shop to price match which 90 % of the time they cant then yes I would buy it from my local shop. However at the end of the day it all comes down to how much disposable income you have.

nickb · Post by **nickb** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 6:16 pm

Don't dismiss 'last years models' either. I got a Spesh FSR last year cheap as the 08 models were coming out, and the new models are no different, usually just different colours! I highly fecommend the higher specced FSR bikes with the fox triad shock as they are great fun somewhere like glentress etc, less than 30lb, climb very well, and have a higher BB than something like an Orange

tnwoolley · Post by **tnwoolley** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 9:21 pm

wow, look at all this feedback...thanks everyone for your input!

RE the LBC vs internet i'll probably end up down at bob trotters or cycleheaven as im being drawn towards the pitch pro and ransom 40 (both good spec but reasonably light to take the pressure off my thighs!) and i cant seem to see a great many price savings on the net. will pop down there at the weekend to have a sit on them and see which one feels right!

Arthur · Post by **Arthur** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 9:33 pm

Andy J wrote: However at the end of the day it all comes down to how much disposable income you have.

Not at all. Nothing wrong with buying something online because it's cheaper. I do that all the time. The bit I was objecting to was that you seemed to be suggesting going down the LBS to get test rides etc and then buying online. I think that's taking advantage. Your later post makes things clearer!

barberj · Post by **barberj** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 9:51 am

I would try out a few bikes before you make the plunge. York Cycleworks can arrange demo's of Marin bikes. Fulford can do Orange and Bob Trotter will lend you a Specialised. Most of these bikes you have to book in advance as the manufacturer send out the bike to the shop from its demo fleet. Basically you hire the bike for the day for about £40 and if you like it and buy it you get your hire fee towards the cost of the bike. There are also some try out days for bikes. There is on at Dalby forest at the end of April (27th I think, link below). You do need to book bikes for though at this late stage there maybe not much left to try I think one of the MTB mags . Evans are also doing ride-it events (link below) around the country where you can try out Pinnicle bikes for free (with a deposit but free other than that, £10 for the event entry). I am booked on the event near Thirsk on the 12th July. Finally you can hire different bikes from the trail centres (or near them) at Dalby forest or other trail centres. Best to start trying them towards summer as they tend to have a limited range of bikes to try in winter.

http://demodaze.trekbike.co.uk/site/2/283.html

http://www.evanscycles.com/rideit.jsp?item_id=707

I am also looking at getting a new MTB next year so I intend to have a thorough idea of what I want before I buy. My current MTB being a 14 year old Orange with no suspension.