The MTB thread

[Mr Speirs]

Whoa!! Quick google fu and I've just had an anal prolapse!!

[G]

Aye you don't need something like that just for bimbling about on... But then if you start riding and get hooked you don't want to buy a sub £1000 bike that will fall apart if you do more than 5 miles a week on it.

I used to ride loads and bought an £780 cube when I started again, within 6 weeks the frame was bent and the rest of it was falling apart.

Buy yourself a bike and come for a ride with DMC and I, you'll be hooked.

[Winder]

Finally found the pump track at swinley forest! Woo hoo

Originally Posted by Winder

Finally found the pump track at swinley forest! Woo hoo

Where?

This isn't my map btw. I wouldn't have a clue where these trails headed let alone have the inclination to mark them down. Warning: Huge map.
http://www.nostra-casa.co.uk/images/...ingletrack.jpg

[Winder]

I'll have to look on the map and work it out. I marked it on my Garmin forerunner but not sure if it marks it on a map when you plug it in to the laptop. I'll try it tonight

[Mr Speirs]

So I'm planning to buy a MTB. Mainly to keep my fitness levels up and cycle round the woods with the dog.

Budget would be around the 600-800 mark and tbh I have no idea what the hells going on with MTB's.

Help me out....what would you buy?

Originally Posted by Mr Speirs

Help me out....what would you buy?

I'd buy light and strong.

You may just have to settle for strong...

[northwind]

Most likely something from Halfords or Decathlon though worth looking elsewhere.

Used to be, the answer would be a Carrera Fury from Halfords, simple as that. But it's not quite as good any more, it's still worth looking at but not as simple a choice, the wheels and forks got downgraded Boardman and Voodoo from Halfords also good, check them out... But this:

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/81-2011-id_8168695.html

Seems fantastic for £500 and leaves you some change for decent pedals and tyres. The wheels are a bit cheap and the fork is basic but you could easily spend £750+ from a "proper bike shop" and get equivalent wheels and forks and a worse drivetrain. I've not actually ridden one- the old model I rode was pretty different- but the spec is hard to beat. Shame they don't do a slightly higher quality model though.

I was over in leisurelakes dropping off my lefty for service the other week and they have got some great deals on some really nice pre owned stuff.
The cannondale splice 29er was lovely

Boardman is always a pretty good shout these days.

Do you want full suspention or a hard tail?

[Mr Speirs]

Leisurelake? That in daventry? Couldn't see much on the website. Might head over there and take a gander.

Decided on a hard tail i think. Mainly becuase full suspensions were too much.

Was having a look at pitsfordcycles online too. They stock Specialized, Giant and Trek.

Northwind that one you linked looks good. The only thing I've picked up on really is to avoid the Suntour forks?? I'm yet to find one without those forks but the one you've linked has the Rock Shox. Are they going to be compromising else where to spec those forks?