What mountain bike for me?

dean_ham · 27 Aug 2007 at 16:59

Hey everyone, im on the lookout for a new mountain bike, looking at spending £400-500.

I used to have a Marin cant remember what model which was an excellent good quality bike. Havent done any biking since i came off a few years ago and broke both of my arms lol so i dont know nothing about what makes a good etc etc.

I want a bike for general cross county trail tracks etc front suspension a must not sure if i need rear suspension?

This one has caught my eye for £500

Marin Nothside Trail

SPECIFICATIONS
Frame 7005 Aluminum, Oversize Edge II Top and Oversize Edge Plus II Down Tube, AXC XXL Tri-Burner Seat and Chain Stays
Swingarm N/A
Fork Marzocchi MZ Comp, 120mm of Travel, with Preload Adjustment
Rear Shock N/A
Headset Ritchey LB 1 1/8in Threadless
Rear Hub Shimano, 32 Hole Disc
Front Hub Shimano, 32 Hole Disc
Spokes Stainless 14 Gauge with Brass Nipples
Rims WTB SpeedDisc All Mountain, Double Wall, 32 Hole Disc
Tyres Kenda Kinetics 26inx 2.35in
Shift Levers SRAM X-5 Trigger 8 Speed
Front Derailleur Shimano Alivio
Rear Derailleur SRAM X-5, 8/9 Speed
Cassette SRAM PG-830, Power Glide II, 8 Speed, 11-32
Chain Shimano HG-40
Crankset TruVativ Blaze, 2.0 RG, Composite Rock Guard, 36/24 with Power Spline
Bottom Bracket TruVativ Power Spline Cartridge
Seatpost Comp Alloy Micro Adjust, 30.9mm x 400mm
Saddle Marin AXC
Bar Double Butted 6061 Alloy, OS-31.8mm, 38mm Rise
Stem Forged Alloy A-XC, with 31.8mm Bar Clamp
Grips WTB Weirwolf with Drop Guard End Plugs
Brakes Hayes MX-2 HD Mechanical Disc with V7 Rotors
Brake Levers Forged Alloy 3 Finger
Pedals BMX Platform

What do you recommend guys?

tom_e · 27 Aug 2007 at 17:08

at that price do not touch the full sussers, personally ive got a trek 4500 which is a great bike and is at the bottom of your budget.
The bike youve posted looks like a nice bit of kit apart from the mech disc brakes you really want to either be looking for hydrolic disks or just stick with v brakes

sneakyd · 28 Aug 2007 at 09:54

Have a look at Merlin Cycles. They've got a Commencal Combi R reduced to £499. Complete bargain was £650. Have a look, this has Avid Juicy 3 hydraulic brakes as well as the Marzocchi forks that the marin has. Nice SRAM components to boot!

I have the Commencal Combi Hydro on order and this is £500 normal price and MBR gave it 9/10.

If it fits you'll not get better for £500.

Tredz have a Giant XTC 4.0 for £399 I think and again that's great value for money.

SDK^ · 28 Aug 2007 at 11:35

Now is definitely the right time to buy a bike as there are plenty of discounts and bargains to be had. Don't hang around though as within a few weeks all of the popular sizes will be gone.

GT Avalanche 1.0 Disc : £449 (was £500)

Trek 6000 Disc : £474 (was £550)

Specialized Rockhopper Disc : £549 (was £650)

Kona Caldera : £599 (was £750)

SoliD · 28 Aug 2007 at 11:39

sneakyd said:
Have a look at Merlin Cycles. They've got a Commencal Combi R reduced to £499. Complete bargain was £650. Have a look, this has Avid Juicy 3 hydraulic brakes as well as the Marzocchi forks that the marin has. Nice SRAM components to boot!

I have the Commencal Combi Hydro on order and this is £500 normal price and MBR gave it 9/10.

If it fits you'll not get better for £500.

Tredz have a Giant XTC 4.0 for £399 I think and again that's great value for money.

What this man says, I would have got the commencal hydro last year had there been a stockist closer, the spec is amazing the ride is supposed to be brilliant and that price is a bargain.