Mountain bikes

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27 May 2003
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What bikes do you have/recommend?

Got back into cycling after a few years out and my current bike
(Standard with no suspension or anything) is a bit of a bone shaker when it comes to cycling over the rougher/uneven ground and woodland. Bought a decent gel saddle and it still kills my ass after a 3hr bike ride. :mad:
So I've been looking at the suspension bikes, anyone recommend one for around the £200-250 mark (single or duel suspension).

Heard that the cheaper duel suspension aren't that good (worth spending the same on a better "front-suspension only" bike).

Been on mountain biking forums etc. but they just say "you need to spend at least £400 on a bike to get a decent one" I'm like "Bugger that! :eek: I'm not spending £400 on a bike!...not for what I use it for!"
 
I ride a lovely gt sts which is a few years old now. Its full sus and made of thermo plastic andcost me £4k to build.

Anyhoo as for bikes

on your budget forget about full sus as you will get poor frame and components to save money for a porr sus frame.

Budget sus forks have come a long way so you will ahve no probs getting a hardtail bike with a decent set.

I would look at specialized 03 Hardrock at £299.99 from leisure lakes a bit more than you wanted but if you want front shox If you can find an '02 modle you may get it less ;)

Under £300 your not going to get anything decent with shox, full rigid at £250 yes

Happy hunting and riding

specialized 03 Hardrock

FRAME
The frame is made from A1 Aluminium which is more manipulatable than other alloys. This means that Specialized can add material to areas where strength is needed, while shaving it off to create a lighter frame where it isn't. On the Hardrock this is used in a 3D box design on the downtube and headtube which creates an effective way to dissipate vibrations from the critical headtube area.
SUSPENSION
Suspension on the Hardrock comes from the RST Capa TL. This fork provides 80mm of travel through a combination of coil and MCU spring. Preload is adjustable which enables the performance of the fork to be tuned to rider weight. Suspension enhances steering control which is important for novices when they start out off road.
DRIVETRAIN
Shimano is used throughout the Hardrock. Altus levers are easier to reach and have a light action to reduce fatigue. Acera is used on the front derailleur and rear mech where it uses 11 tooth pulley wheels to enhance durability.
BRAKING
The brake levers on the Hardrock are Altus for an easy reach to enhance control. These are combined with Tektro brakes which have a linear pull for braking power. Disc mounts on the Hardrock enable later upgrade so the bike can advance as you do.
WHEELS AND TYRES
Alex DM20 Rims are used on the Hardrock. These double wall rims have machined sidewalls for improved braking performance. Specialized Enduro Sport tyres have an aggressive tread which enhances confidence building traction. The round profile means predictable handling for steering precision.
 
£4k :eek: ??? You're a serious rider I take it then???

Cheers for the info, I've actually been looking at the Specialized Hardrock bike you mentioned, I may be tempted to splash the extra dosh.
I was looking around to see if I could find it any cheaper than £299 but no luck yet. Price seems to be fixed everywhere!
I'll see if there are any 2nd handers going!

I suppose if I was to get into biking a lot more than I am now, I can always upgrade the shox and other parts if necessary.


I'll give it some thought, cheers!
 
My bike is insured for 700quid, its not the most expensive thing in the world, but its nice enough. It shows u dont need to spend too much to get a nice bike.

bike.JPG


For the price you suggested, you should be able to pick up a 400-500 quid 2001/02 Front sus bike secondhand, or in a clearance sale in a magazine :D Try to get something low in a decent range, That way you get a decent frame, which will accept upgrades well :)

Secondhand/last years models is definately the way to go.
WHATEVER YOU DO, dont go and buy a 200 quid job from a random kiddies bike shop :p
 
Could go and buy a £100 duel suspension Barracuda from an auction site!
Gotta be a good bike with a name like that!! :rolleyes:

Actually just found someone selling a 2nd hand 01 Hardrock FS for £200 local to me....sounds ideal.
Gonna give them a call me thinks!

Cheers!
 
make sure that the front forks feel relativly smoth and that there is no (or very little) play betwenn the legs and the stantions (where te fork slides over itself) if there is play or it feels ruff then the bushes are probably shot.

even the lowere shimano groupsets are pretty hardy so there shouldn't be much to worry about, general checks for play in all moving parts and fro crack dents on the frame should save you from buying a lemon :)
 
The ad says (it's actually an 02 not an 01 like I mentioned earlier!) "hardly used, excellent condition, never been off road" so I'm not expecting it to be a battered piece of carp but will definately give it a good once-over (if the bike is still available that is!) and double check the forks.


Thanks for the advice guys!
 
Last edited:
Originally posted by Apocalypse
Noob question here. :p

How do you calculate what size bike is best for you, without going to a shop and sitting on them all?
Click to expand...

you er, compare it against your inside leg measurement............
 
I think the general rule is to measure your inside leg then subtract 10-12" to get the frame size (depending what the bike is gonna be used for (road or off-road).
My current bike is a 21" frame and I'm a 33" inside leg.

Had a look at the links noob and the 6 months 0% interest they're offering on their bikes is tempting!
 
There isn't really a good way of testing it actually, without trying.

I ride a '19"' now. the seat tube is exactly the same height as my old 16"...

there isn't actually any frame measurement that is 19" on it... but I'm not complaining ;)
 
it depends what you want it for if you are road cycling you want a reasonable sized frame so that when saddle is slightly higher than bars your leg is just less than straight with crank at 6 o'clock

if off roading then the trend is for a smaller frame that is easier to throw around trails and weighs less ( marginally)

and i cant believe that nobody has mentioned the cheapest yet most comfortable upgrade A DECENT SADDLE

I used to have three bikes a Road bike, a hard tail, and a full sus.

all of them had a San Marco Rolls Saddle, relatively cheap yet ever so comfortable once you've broken the leather in. £15 for normal version, £40 for one with titanium rails.

but seriously look at the saddles after all the its the main point of contact with the frame.
 
Originally posted by Cookie-Monster


and i cant believe that nobody has mentioned the cheapest yet most comfortable upgrade A DECENT SADDLE
Click to expand...


Have already done that (see first post) :)

I'm hoping after a few more bike rides, my ass will be as tough as nails :eek: .
 
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