New Mountain Bike Advice

R0B75

R0B75

R0B75

Soldato
Joined
15 Aug 2003
Posts
5,863
Location
Burton-upon-Trent
Hi all

Following on from my broken Carrera thread I've decided I'm getting a new bike. It won't replace the Kraken I have (currently having a bottom bracket issue looked at) as I will use that for commuting. The new bike will be used for my leisure riding. This way my commuting won't be affected should I break something. It's been a hard few weeks having to drive to work! :p

Anyway, my budget is around £800 and am looking at another hardtail. I want something that will take some punishment, though in all honesty the most it will get is the odd rough canal path or woodland track. I think I live too far away from any 'proper' trails.

I've picked out a few that I like the look and spec of, mainly from reading people's advice on here already but also rider reviews on the web.

Firstly we have the Focus Black Forest. http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Focus_Black_Forest_2009/5360037562/

1 left in my size!


Secondly the Pro version http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Focus_Black_Forest_Pro_2009/5360037558/


Finally the Cube Ltd Team (black anodized) http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=30535

The question is, which one of these would be the best choice? I'm leading towards one in particular but I would like some more expert opinion. Also, feel free to recommend others in my price range. You can never have too many choices :D

Cheers.
 
Yeah, that was the one I'm swaying towards and the reason why :D

But seeing as there is only 1 left in my size I'd have to be quick but I want to make the right choice before I take the plunge.
 
I'd be more than happy with Reba forks - I've got them on two of my bikes and they've been fantastic in terms of reliability and performance.
 
Gutted. Wiggle have now sold out of the Black Forest. Nooooooooooo!

That leaves me with the Pro version and the Cube.

I don't like having only 2 choices so can anyone recommend some more bikes around the £800 mark?

Thanks
 
Hmm as good a bike as it might be I'm not sure I like the look of that.

I'm find this rather tough and now looking at bikes in excess of £1000 :eek:

I'm loving this
 
Focus bikes in your budget are worth checking out - Raven (£1000) and up are carbon frames :)
The Raven Expert looks good.
 
Yeah, I've noticed the Raven and noticed it had a Carbon frame. Are carbon frames really necessary for leisure cycling? I know they are lighter but are they as tough as alu frames?

Also been looking at the Cube Reaction here

Can't seem to find anywhere else that stocks it and the website appears very new. Dodgy?

Might give them a ring tomorrow.

The bike seems quite heavy if the specs are correct compared to say the Black Forest, again assuming the specs aren't fibbing...
 
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R0B75 said:
I know they are lighter but are they as tough as alu frames?
Click to expand...
I have a carbon frame on my All Mountain bike which has taken some abuse over the last 18 months - 6ft drop offs, 4ft jumps etc so I would guess it's durable ;)

R0B75 said:
The bike seems quite heavy if the specs are correct compared to say the Black Forest, again assuming the specs aren't fibbing...
Click to expand...
1480g (1.4kg) refers to the frame weight
 
SDK^ said:
I have a carbon frame on my All Mountain bike which has taken some abuse over the last 18 months - 6ft drop offs, 4ft jumps etc so I would guess it's durable ;)
Click to expand...

Well that's given me something else to think of. :)

I fully realise now that buying the right bike isn't easy :confused:

I know what I want to use it for, just want the right look, specs and obviously price.
 
MBR this month has 4 budget hard tails
- Beone Aspire; £675 MBR SCRORE 7
- Focus Black Forest; £700 MBR SCRORE 8
- Dave Hinde DHR; £799 MBR SCRORE 7
- Pinnacle Coldharbour; £699 MBR SCRORE 8

The black forest has been getting some good reviews!
 
R0B75 said:
I'm find this rather tough and now looking at bikes in excess of £1000 :eek:
Click to expand...

R0B75 said:
The bike seems quite heavy if the specs are correct compared to say the Black Forest, again assuming the specs aren't fibbing...
Click to expand...

GT Zaskar can be had fro around a grand. Carbon goodness.

3633387825_0b0c7a2379.jpg


Tripple triangle goodness.

Or the Focus Raven?

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Focus_Raven_2009/5360037556/
 
I quite like that GT.

The Raven is one that is a possiblity. I've read people don't think much of the Manitou forks though? Reliablity issues...

Another one I like the look of is the BMC Team Elite
 
R0B75 said:
I quite like that GT.

The Raven is one that is a possiblity. I've read people don't think much of the Manitou forks though? Reliablity issues...

Another one I like the look of is the BMC Team Elite
Click to expand...

Yes I like the GT too! Me and the wife both own a GT (Avalanches) and I'm getting the 2009 or 2010 Zaskar to replace my Avalanche via works CycleScheme.

Both bikes had been very reliable.


Not sure about the forks on the Raven but I have a Focus road bike and it has been very reliable apart from the tyres which are pants.
 
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