Which Hardtail Mountain Bike for £300-£500?

Redgie

Redgie

Redgie

Associate
Joined
18 Nov 2008
Posts
2,430
Location
Liverpool
I'm looking for a bike, I've been mountain biking loads and have cycled all my life but I've never owned a proper bike, only ever cheapish Giants or currently I'm lending my Dad's Marin.

What I want is a hardtail for trails and general use (Though mainly trails) that's good value for money, has hydraulic brakes, scope for possible upgrade and just generally an all round good bike.

I've been looking at the Specialized Hardrock series, they seem good value bikes, but the Sport doesn't have hydraulic brakes. The Pro meanwhile seems great but it's a bit much at £600.

I've also looked at some Kona's and Cube's but I don't really have much knowledge in them, which ones are good?

Originally I wanted a second hand one, but now that there are less on eBay in the run up to summer I'm more tempted to buy new. I live 2 minutes away from Formby Cycles and they match any online price and throw in a 6 week service so it would be good to get it from them, but they stock pretty much everything Evans Cycles do so I've been using their site for window shopping.

Any help much appreciated, I need some experienced opinions!
 
Last edited:
Don't want to sound like a broken record but have a look at the Decathlon Rockrider 8.1 from Decathlon. I recently purchased one myself for £450 and can't recommend it highly enough for the price.
 
I agree with IC there. I may seem biased as I have one, albeit in v-brake model, but the bike itself should handle what you want. I have used it on the red routes around Carron Valley and Glentress and the bike wasn't fazed one bit. Fork may be a bit pants but what bike at this price point (new) has a good fork?

The frame is deemed to be excellent and worth upgrading in the future (Rockshox Recons can be had for 120 notes now and again). Also worth noting that I contacted Specialized regarding max travel and they state 25mm increase is not a problem and actually recommended 100mm travel for the Hardrock....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom