New Mountain Bike

p4radox

p4radox

p4radox

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Joined
1 Oct 2004
Posts
10,772
Location
Cambs/Herts
After some ***** stole my beloved Giant Terrago '07 I'm in the market for a new hardtail. I'm waiting for an insurance payout of about £400 for my stolen bike, and I'm willing to spend up to £550 on a replacement.

Here's the spec of my old bike, obviously I'd like my new bike to be better than this:

Shimano Deore front and read derailleurs
Suntour XCR 100mm front forks
Giant MPH3 hydraulic disk brakes

Some of the bikes I've been looking at are:

GT Avalanche 1.0
Merlin Malt 1 http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&productId=1491&categoryId=100
Giant XTC4

I'm unsure what would be the best component to prioritise in this upgrade. For example, would I be better off getting a bike with an identical gear set but better forks (something from Rockshox?), or sticking with the Suntour forks (as loads of bikes at this price have them) and upgrading to Deore LX gears?
 
Just got my latest issue of Mountain Bike UK and it has group test of bikes in your price range, including Merlin Malt 1, which off the top of my head was the bike to get, only downside was older looking frame design and a clunky rear mech.
 
Personally i'd get better forks and brakes over the groupset, as if you ride it properly you're gonna break the mech sometime down the line anyhoo, replace it with something better (LX most probably) then for a few quid. Mechs cost nout really. Just make sure your shifters and cassette is 9 speed. To me forks and brakes are more of an "investment" in bike terms than a groupset.
 
Thanks chaps.

The Malt 1 does indeed look like a good buy, apart from the crap silver paint job.

I'm trying to work out the differences between these two models:

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&productId=1327&categoryId=39

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&productId=1491&categoryId=100

The 09 Deore (more expensive model) has Hayes Stroker Ryde hydraulic discs, whereas the cheaper one has Deore hydraulic discs. Are the Hayes Stroker much better?

It's also not clear what gearset the cheaper model has. Barkey52: did it mention it in the article you read?
 
I think those brakes are much of a muchness, i'd probably choose the hayes over the deore in this case but i've used neither to be fair. I doubt it would make that much difference, the price difference in buying them front and rear is about £40
 
I'd take the Deore brakes. Stroker Rydes are quite different to (the more expensive) Stroker Trails. Deores are nicer to look after IMHO.
 
Just to throw another into the mix:

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&productId=1108

commencal combi deluxe

NEW Combi NUTS AL frame
RockShox Recon SL solo air fork with turnkey lockout
Shimano and Sram 27spd transmission
Avid Juicy 3 hydraulic disc brakes
Alex double wall rims laced onto Shimano and Commencal disc hubs
Raceface components
Kenda Small block eight tyres
SDG Bel Air saddle offers maximum comfort and style
Bike weight: 27.5lbs



Unfortunately I'm 6'3 and the large size is currently out of stock.:(
 
model reviewed is the more expensive model that you linked to

Gears/cassette/chain/bb/crankset was shimano deore

the clatter was from rear derailleur hitting the chainstay on rough trails (which can be solved with a chainstay protector)

overall

Spec 9/10
value 10/10
Climbing 9/10
descending 8/10
ingletrack 9/10

Winner of test
good

great handling, great spec

no good
old looking frame and rear mech clatter

Cheaper model has different brakes, stem, handle bars, seat, seat post and tora forks
 
Thanks Barkey.

The derailleur hitting the chainstay sounds a bit worrying. The spec is damn good for the price, but the colour scheme is putting me off quite a bit.

What other bikes scored highly in that group test?
 
Specialized Hard Rock Pro Disc £499

Spec 7/10
value 8/10
Climbing 9/10
descending 8/10
Singletrack 9/10

Overall

8/10

Good
Great Frame
Good Weight for the price

No good
24 speed
Compact cockpit won't suit all riders

Scott Aspect 30 £549

Spec 8/10
value 8/10
Climbing 9/10
descending 8/10
Singletrack 9/10

overall 8/10

Good
Geometry, handling and fun ride
Good frame to upgrade

No Good
Stiff chassis and performence geometry won't suit beginners
no disc brakes and wheels not disc ready

Trek 4500 £450

Spec 7/10
value 8/10
Climbing 7/10
descending 8/10
Singletrack 7/10

overall 7/10

Good
Stable and predictable handling that's built around reliable transmission.
Disc Ready

No Good
no disc brakes
Heavy frame and conservative geomtry hinder its ride appeal
you can have more fun for this cash

Also found this in MBR July 08 dirty dozen test, These are 08 bikes

1st Kona Blast
Joint 2nd Specialized rockhopper
Joint 2nd Commencal Normal disc
4th Lapierre Tecnic 500
4th Iron Horse Warrior 3.0
4th GT Avalanche
 
Go secondhand - some real bargains out there. I picked up a Specialized Rockhopper Comp 2008 only ridden 3 times for £500. A virtually unused 2007 Pro went for £550 the other day too..
 
Yeah i didn't mention it in my earlier post, but going second hand is such a better idea :) I wish someone made me do so when i started years ago would have saved me a fair bit to begin with!
 
If I was shopping in that price range, i reckon I'd either be going used, picking up one of the ridiculously cheap 08 Rockhoppers that are still around, or possibly getting a Carrera Fury. They've got a storming spec and come in well under your budget, certainly outclasses the hardrock.
 
Also secondhand, i got a 05 kona hoss with hayes nine hydraulic disc brakes, deore group, only been rode 4 times in 3 years and i got it for 250 from someone who didnt know much about bikes. I got an absolute steal .
 
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