The MTB thread

Didn't say cheap

[northwind]

Originally Posted by Mr Speirs

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?

Not really that simple... Suntour get slagged off because they do make some rubbish forks, but, they're not all bad. Whereas Rockshox make some brilliant forks and so people forget that they also make some crap.

Rockshox' bottom end ones- XC28 and Dart 1- are very poor, don't settle for anything this bad in your price range (there will be loads, companies put them on middle-range bikes because they know people will say "Ooh, Rockshox" even though these ones are rubbish). Likewise Suntour's XCM and XCT.

One step up are things like the Suntour XCR and Rockshox Dart 2. Still quite bad. You can do better- they work OK but they can be shortlived, my XCRs were pretty nice til they filled with mud.

Then it gets more complicated because Rockshox' names are baffling and Suntour get inconsistent. But the Suntour Epicon and Raidon are decent forks, as is the Rockshox Recon and Tora... TBH they're the least I would settle for, if I were you. You might see some Marzocchis but they're too confusing to get into

But even with, say, the Recon there's about 5 different versions, the most basic ones are alright (Turnkey or TK, like on that Decathlon, or 302 on the Orange) and the best ones are pretty nice (Motion Control ones)

[northwind]

OK so... The Orange Pure is alright, but the frame is pretty damn heavy as is the fork. Even with the discount it's too pricey- lots of the bit are kind of bottom shelf- but there's nothing very wrong with it, good honest bike, sturdy but very heavy. Bandit 600 That sale's only got big uns though.

The Orange G2 is a ridiculous ripoff. Orange trade quite heavily on their name tbh, nobody would buy it if it said Carrera on the side even if it cost £500.

Cube do a weird thing with their lower priced models, which is they make them quite nice but fit terrible forks which totally sabotage them. I wouldn't. Quite a lot of the build is worse than the Rockrider but it's a lovely frame on the Cube.

The Rockhopper's just too expensive tbh. Nothing terribly wrong with it, you could recommend the Expert if it was about 25% cheaper maybe.

So that's the slagging done... Here's some good things:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...Id_165499#tab2
This one's better than any of the others you posted- decent forks, and cheaper, good overall kit choice.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...Id_165499#tab2
Very similiar to the Boardman but a bit sturdier (and heavier). Probably a less good allround bike but better for harder use.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...Id_165499#tab1
There's nothing wrong with this at all-just about every component is better quality than the Rockrider, apart from the fork which is just OK. A very good bike.

TBH all these are decent bikes, you can get a lot for your money if you're careful. Only downside of Halfords is that the shop mechanics can be, er, erratic.

Can I recommend Genesis? I have the Core 40 2011 but there are some nice bits of kit there, and its a British brand

http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/...core/core-26-3

hi folks cn i get some advice please?

Ive just got myself some majicshine copies off eBay for 30quid. Initial impressions were good with a good beam and good intensity. Howeverthey only seem to last for 45 mins constant use. I found this out testing themalong the side of a local river the other day and nearly came a cropper.



Can you suggest any way of a)improving them and b) somethingelse of similar price that might last a couple of hours?

[Mr Speirs]

Went into Halfords to look at the Boardman Comp today. Looks nice, think I might go for that. Will give it a couple of days and see if something else crops up but leaning towards the boardman at the minute.

Originally Posted by AndyBrad

hi folks cn i get some advice please?

Ive just got myself some majicshine copies off eBay for 30quid. Initial impressions were good with a good beam and good intensity. Howeverthey only seem to last for 45 mins constant use. I found this out testing themalong the side of a local river the other day and nearly came a cropper.



Can you suggest any way of a)improving them and b) somethingelse of similar price that might last a couple of hours?

Possibly an AA battery operated Cree LED torch like the Fenix. Otherwise you're getting into expensive territory for the well known branded stuff like Hope, U.S.E., etc.

If they have an intensity setting like most mountain bike lights then I'd run them lower whenever possible.

[G]

Originally Posted by Mr Speirs

Went into Halfords to look at the Boardman Comp today. Looks nice, think I might go for that. Will give it a couple of days and see if something else crops up but leaning towards the boardman at the minute.

Do it, then nip to cannock and you'll be hooked

[Mr Speirs]

Went in to halfords to have a chat about the bike, was actually going to buy it but the knowledge..or lack off had me turning on my heels and walking out!! Couldn't believe it. I didn't expect much you know as it's halfords but jeez!!

There was 3 of them...none of them could offer any advice on what size bike I needed let alone tell me what size the bike I was sitting on!! Even after measuring it they still weren't sure.

I've got my heart set on the Boardman but will either buy it online and build it myself or try and find one elsewhere. Not letting those monkeys anywhere near a bike.

Originally Posted by Mr Speirs

Went in to halfords to have a chat about the bike, was actually going to buy it but the knowledge..or lack off had me turning on my heels and walking out!! Couldn't believe it. I didn't expect much you know as it's halfords but jeez!!

There was 3 of them...none of them could offer any advice on what size bike I needed let alone tell me what size the bike I was sitting on!! Even after measuring it they still weren't sure.

I've got my heart set on the Boardman but will either buy it online and build it myself or try and find one elsewhere. Not letting those monkeys anywhere near a bike.

I've got a boardman hardtail and I think it's ace, I'm not as speedy as the rest on here but go at a fair whack downhill if I've not collapsed from the climb.

It's easily coped with my 16 stones landing from jumps etc with no damage thus far, my only regret is i didn't buy a full suspension version.