Bike suggestions please

[Jasseh]

I'm looking to buy a new bike (preferably within the next couple of weeks). It will be used for both getting to/from work (only 2 miles away) and for off road/trails on weekends.

I was planning to get this: http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-91-id_8213074.html
But I have decided to try go for something cheaper instead (plus large is taking forever to get back in stock).

What would you recommend for under £500?

Currently looking at these:
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/btwin-rockrider-520-s-mtb-id_8208678.html

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_810671_langId_-1_categoryId_165499

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_927853_langId_-1_categoryId_165499

I'm also looking on Gumtree/eBay for deals, just missed out on a Rockrider 9.2 with upgrades for £355 (£1100 new from Decathlon).

The new bike will be replacing this:
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_811613_langId_-1_categoryId_165499

 

[Jasseh]

What kind of trails will you be riding? Out of all the people that have asked for bike suggestions in the last year only one of them actually needed an MTB. The vast majority were better off with road bikes.

The main route I've done so far has been around the Pennine Bridleway but I'd be looking to find more routes once I have a better bike (my current bike has problems with both gears and brakes).
What road bike would you recommend if I do go for that option instead?

For a 2 mile commute a mountain bike will be fine, I did 5 miles each way regularly on mine but I rode it much more at the weekends on trails.

Generally speaking stay clear of full suspension mountain bikes at this price range as the suspension components will be very low end to get the cost down, which will end up making the ride not very good off road. The Voodoo and Carrera bikes are excellent, of those 2 the Voodoo is probably better off road if you really get into it.

What height/weight are you, there are some cracking bikes that would be better than the halfords or decathalon bikes I could recommend if I knew what size you where

Noted, no full sus, thanks.

I'm 5'11 and weigh 73.6 KG (11.6 St).

Where are you? Thinking about selling my MTB, its a Voodoo Bokor.

Halifax, probably a bit too far.

Out of the Halfords bikes get the Hoodoo. It is great, though I would look to spend the extra £100 and get the Bizango 29r.

Hadn't looked at that one, I'll add it to the list to consider.

As I said, I can push the budget back up to £800 if it will be worth doing but would like to try save some cash if I can (to replace my graphics card lol).
Edit: I thought I said this ^ , turns out I didn't. Maybe I shouldn't have posted this thread at 1:41am lol...

Thanks for all the responses so far

 

[Jasseh]

Right now it looks like I'll be getting either the Voodoo Hoodoo or the Voodoo Bizango 29er. Not fully decided which of the 2 to get yet but I'm hoping to have decided by Friday so I can (hopefully) go out for a ride on the weekend (assuming the bike is in stock).

 

[Jasseh]

Well I have the Hoodoo, though I have the older version which has the better forks (plus a few upgrades I have added).

My Dad has a Specialized Stumpjumper Comp and I honestly prefer the Hoodoo. It is just more fun.

I would certainly consider the Bizango though, as it does come with the better air forks.

MTB hardtail of the year last year as well - http://www.mbr.co.uk/bikes/voodoo-bizango-29er-review-2013/

Verdict

It’s rare that we test a bike that totally wipes the floor with the competition, but that’s exactly what happened with the VooDoo Bizango 29er. Thanks to the superior performance of the Suntour Raidon fork, a no-holds barred spec and an attitude that screams ‘bring it on’, the VooDoo isn’t just better than its £600 rivals, it bests most of the £1,000 hardtails too. Fast, fun and up for anything, it poses the tricky question: why spend any more when a £600 hardtail is this good?

That review seems very promising...

Curious about this:
"All the VooDoo needs now is the latest clutch design rear mech to stop the chain slapping on the chainstay, but we’d settle for a neoprene chainstay protector."
Is that likely to be an issue? (Hoping not since it was MTB hardtail of the year.)

Sounds like I'd need to replace the seat too but I'd probably end up having to do that with whatever bike I buy.
"The saddle, however, isn’t the best — the padding is too soft and you can feel the hard plastic base."

Unless someone has a better suggestion for this price range by tomorrow night it looks like I'll be buying the VooDoo Bizango 29er.

Thanks

 

[Jasseh]

I've always used a chainstay protector. They are not very expensive. In fact I have had chain-slap with every bike I have ever owned so it is no big deal.

Just buy this when you are in the store - http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_954558_langId_-1_categoryId_165524

Thanks

Just ordered the VooDoo Bizango 29er and the chainstay protector. Went through Quidco for 10% off and 3% cashback, £549.48 before the cashback .


Thanks for the suggestions and help deciding, looking forward to trying out my new bike on the weekend.

 

[Jasseh]

Just make sure the person who built it looks like they know what they are doing and also make sure you take it in for a temp check within the next few weeks. All included I believe.

I have personally found their staff to be very knowledgable, but have read stories online about poorly built bikes.

The last bike I bought from them (in 2011) was built poorly so I will be checking it over and possibly getting someone else to check it too.

 

[Jasseh]

Finally got my new bike . I had ordered it for Friday but got a call in the morning telling me the only one they had in stock was the display model. They ordered a new one in for me which was ready yesterday. Picked it up this morning:

It seems like the person that built it this time did a better job than whoever built my old bike there. The ride home was fine other than the wind being annoying.