MTB recommendation

hornetstinger

hornetstinger

hornetstinger

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6 Sep 2016
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Considering getting a MTB from Halfords ;) There's the Voodoo Bizango, Boardman Mountain Bike Pro 29er, Boardman Mountain Bike Team 29er and Boardman Mountain Bike Comp 27.5".


Since mountain bikes aren't my thing apart from wheel size what are the differences?
 
I have a Boardman Pro 29er. Been a very good bike for the last year. You might find it a bit less agile than a 27.5 but the 29ers do roll faster.

The kit on the Pro's is very good for the price.

Whats your budget overall?

The Calibre Bossnut from Go Outdoors is a well regarded bike too.
 
^What he said.

I wouldn't get too hung up on wheel size, but if quite tall and/or doing longer flatter rides a 29er, but 27.5 is a good all round size.

What sort of riding do you do? The boardman pro is better on paper than the bizango, but more expensive.
Id try them out in the carpark and see what actually feels best personally.
 
All the bike's mentioned get high praise at thier price points.
Bossnut is well regarded as entry level full suspension, but you probably can't try that before you buy.
The voodoo and boardmans you probably can.

I suppose you should try and figure out if you want a hard tail or a full susser first. As a very general rule hardtails are more suited to single track cross country type riding, and full suspension for really rough stuff, drop offs, rock gardens etc.

But a lot depends on the feel of the bike. you'll generally get a better hardtail for the money, as they are mechanically more simple than hard tails.
 
Rather go for a hard tail. Halfords ideally for reasons ;-)

Bizango or Hoodoo. The Bizango is a better bike, pretty much everything is better, with through axle, brakes, shifters, derailleurs, clutch rear mech as well.
 
Well try out what you can, but the bizango consistently gets good reviews and I don't think ive ever heard anyone say anything bad about them.

Personally I prefer the looks and the spec of the boardman pro 29er hard tail,, but they are a fair few quid more, try both in the carpark if poss. Halfords are generally pretty good, give tnem a call tel them what you're looking at and they should probably accommodate you.
 
mattyfez said:
Well try out what you can, but the bizango consistently gets good reviews and I don't think ive ever heard anyone say anything bad about them.

Personally I prefer the looks and the spec of the boardman pro 29er hard tail,, but they are a fair few quid more, try both in the carpark if poss. Halfords are generally pretty good, give tnem a call tel them what you're looking at and they should probably accommodate you.
Click to expand...

You mean I can accommodate myself. hehehe The Boardman is £350 extra (for customers)

Just debating 27.5/29"
 
Tough call but there's sod all in it really in terms of wheel size.. You could put slightly fatter tyres on a 27.5 and the rolling circumference would be very close to a 29er.

In theory a 27.5 would be more manuverable.. a 29er will roll better..but unless you're a pro it will make no difference, get the bike at the spec you like at the price you like that feels best for you.

Also worth mentioning, I think british cycling members get discount at halfords, it might be worth paying a years membership and probably save a couple of extra quid if buying a full bike.
 
I got the Voodoo Hoodoo last year under the bike to work scheme. I went the wheel size just because its what I`m used to. There was a Boardman that I nearly went for but it came down to £150 price difference in the end went for the Hoodoo. Changed the seat, added some cool mudguards and its a nice bike. BUT the gears are horrendous to get just right. Halfords built it and the high gears were not right and not smooth. With my very limited amaterish knowledge (I hate adjusting gears) I had a go at setting them up but it was nigh on impossible to get it just right. I've done it before on my previous Claude Butler so I got it pretty down to a tee but the sweet spot on this one is so slight you improve the high end the low end goes. Adjusting the cable etc aggh. SO I took it to Halfords as you get a year free servicing etc thinking they would sort it out but they made it ten times worse. So I took it to a bike shop I've used before and paid £5 for them to have a look and they sorted it for me. Its still a little niggly at the high end but I can live with it. If I'd have known this before I bought it probably got the Boardmen.
 
varkanoid said:
I got the Voodoo Hoodoo last year under the bike to work scheme. I went the wheel size just because its what I`m used to. There was a Boardman that I nearly went for but it came down to £150 price difference in the end went for the Hoodoo. Changed the seat, added some cool mudguards and its a nice bike. BUT the gears are horrendous to get just right. Halfords built it and the high gears were not right and not smooth. With my very limited amaterish knowledge (I hate adjusting gears) I had a go at setting them up but it was nigh on impossible to get it just right. I've done it before on my previous Claude Butler so I got it pretty down to a tee but the sweet spot on this one is so slight you improve the high end the low end goes. Adjusting the cable etc aggh. SO I took it to Halfords as you get a year free servicing etc thinking they would sort it out but they made it ten times worse. So I took it to a bike shop I've used before and paid £5 for them to have a look and they sorted it for me. Its still a little niggly at the high end but I can live with it. If I'd have known this before I bought it probably got the Boardmen.
Click to expand...

Bought the Bizango. End stops are sorted, but some gear combos it slips, I think because the chain is so close to sprockets next to it, that it has to be spot on.
 
Bought a Bizango last year, does an odd thing and takes a few seconds to change gear after selection. Gonna have a go at the gears myself. If I mess up I'll take to my LFS
 
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