Which MTB for about £400ish? - SV650.org

06-04-10, 02:31 PM

I need to get fit and as my shins are knackered running is kind of out. Looking to take up biking; probably off-road on Salisbury Plain more than on road.

I've been looking on here at the MTB Thread and on a forum (something Raider?) but I haven't got a clue. Some have said the Carrera Kraken is good from Halfords but it's...well from Halfords

Others have said the GT Avalanche (I think).

I haven't got a clue, don't even know which makes to go for/avoid. I'd spend more but this may be a hobby that I don't take to so it'll just sit in the garage for years

06-04-10, 02:34 PM

I've got a Carrera Vulcan from Halfords, never had a problem with it, put it together myself got them to do my first free service etc. It was a good deal that I got on it too, can't complain. I don't use it anymore as I will be upgrading soon. If you fancy it, we could talk figures.

I took to biking a lot last summer, getting out if and when I could on a weekend, just hit roads and went for massive treks.

06-04-10, 03:26 PM

Have you got a cycle to work scheme where you work? If you don't have one, then ask them set one up.

If so then get a bike through that its actually a really good deal. I cycle to work when I can, I have used my bike alot it has made difference cause i have lost weight and also its so much easy to get about.

You want to look for the web site bikeradar. Just put it into goggle.

fizzwheel · 06-04-10, 03:33 PM

the forum is bikeradar.com

Andy, pop into this place and have a look around, and speak to the sales guys in there. They are a very good shop and have a good reputation.

http://www.stonehengecycles.com/

maviczap · 06-04-10, 03:47 PM

When I was in Halfrauds the other day, they had offers on a GT and a Carrera. Both were of a similar spec, discs front and rear, plus front suspension.

I think the Carerra had slighty better group set (gears)

They were both around the sort of money you want to spend, I think the GT was under £300!

Nothing wrong with GT or Carerra.

Originally Carerra were made or assembled in Italy, certainly the top of the range ones were

06-04-10, 04:31 PM

There's a fair amount of choice at that price. This will give an idea of what you could get (price-filtered between £250.00 and £399.99):
http://www.wheelies.co.uk/Catalogue....Mountain-bikes

Shop around, search on forums and ask on here

06-04-10, 05:56 PM

I'd go for something second hand but almost new if you see what I mean.

I just bought a second hand specializer Rockhopper disk 2008 model. They originally retailed at about £700 or so. I got it for £350 and the guy had ridden it about twice. Not a mark on it and the original chain grease by the looks of it. I'm very pleased with it and the spec is far better than a new bike of a similar price.

06-04-10, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

the forum is bikeradar.com

Andy, pop into this place and have a look around, and speak to the sales guys in there. They are a very good shop and have a good reputation.

http://www.stonehengecycles.com/

Haha, went in there after work. I'm now browsing the Marin and Specialized catalogues

They had a Marin Shoreline Trail for £349 or Specialized Hardrock Sport for £349 too, any comments?

Work do the Cycle2Work scheme but I'm having trouble finding out who runs it and I've heard it's only open at certain times of the year

I'm getting more tempted by the Carrera's as it doesn't seem that anyone has a bad word to say about them for their price.

CheGuevara · 06-04-10, 06:47 PM

Another vote for the cycle-to-work scheme. You will get a better bike for your money, or the same bike for less money on what is effectively a 1-year interest-free loan. I bought a £1k Kona for what works out to less than £70/month -not too shabby really.

fizzwheel · 06-04-10, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyb

Specialized Hardrock Sport for £349

My brother has just purchased one of them. I had a look at it yesterday, for the price it looked really good. But I am not up to speed on what is current and what is not with MTB's.

Carrera's in general seem to have a good rep. Just watch for setup issues with Halfords, i.e. gears, brakes etc you might find it needs a tweak or to. The quality of the setup seems to vary between different halfords if you get a good bike mechanic in the halfords local to you, well you'll be set.

Personally I always prefer to use a decent bike shop, thats why I said to go to Stonehenge cycles. Enjoy the catalogue browsing

06-04-10, 02:31 PM	#1
andyb Guest Posts: n/a	Which MTB for about £400ish? I need to get fit and as my shins are knackered running is kind of out. Looking to take up biking; probably off-road on Salisbury Plain more than on road. I've been looking on here at the MTB Thread and on a forum (something Raider?) but I haven't got a clue. Some have said the Carrera Kraken is good from Halfords but it's...well from Halfords Others have said the GT Avalanche (I think). I haven't got a clue, don't even know which makes to go for/avoid. I'd spend more but this may be a hobby that I don't take to so it'll just sit in the garage for years

06-04-10, 02:34 PM	#2
plowsie Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Which MTB for about £400ish? I've got a Carrera Vulcan from Halfords, never had a problem with it, put it together myself got them to do my first free service etc. It was a good deal that I got on it too, can't complain. I don't use it anymore as I will be upgrading soon. If you fancy it, we could talk figures. I took to biking a lot last summer, getting out if and when I could on a weekend, just hit roads and went for massive treks. Last edited by plowsie; 06-04-10 at 02:36 PM.

06-04-10, 03:26 PM	#3
metalmonkey Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Which MTB for about £400ish? Have you got a cycle to work scheme where you work? If you don't have one, then ask them set one up. If so then get a bike through that its actually a really good deal. I cycle to work when I can, I have used my bike alot it has made difference cause i have lost weight and also its so much easy to get about. You want to look for the web site bikeradar. Just put it into goggle.

06-04-10, 03:33 PM	#4
fizzwheel Super Moderator Mega Poster Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Somerset Posts: 3,614	Re: Which MTB for about £400ish? the forum is bikeradar.com Andy, pop into this place and have a look around, and speak to the sales guys in there. They are a very good shop and have a good reputation. http://www.stonehengecycles.com/ __________________ Look Dave, I can see you're really upset about this. I honestly think you ought to sit down calmly, take a stress pill, and think things over. K5 GSXR 750 Anniversary Edition

06-04-10, 03:47 PM	#5
maviczap Member Mega Poster Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 9,097	Re: Which MTB for about £400ish? When I was in Halfrauds the other day, they had offers on a GT and a Carrera. Both were of a similar spec, discs front and rear, plus front suspension. I think the Carerra had slighty better group set (gears) They were both around the sort of money you want to spend, I think the GT was under £300! Nothing wrong with GT or Carerra. Originally Carerra were made or assembled in Italy, certainly the top of the range ones were __________________ We're riding out tonight to case the promised land Make everyday count RIP Reeder - Jolly Green Giant and comedy genius

06-04-10, 04:31 PM	#6
Jabba Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Which MTB for about £400ish? There's a fair amount of choice at that price. This will give an idea of what you could get (price-filtered between £250.00 and £399.99): http://www.wheelies.co.uk/Catalogue....Mountain-bikes Shop around, search on forums and ask on here

06-04-10, 05:56 PM	#7
philbut Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Which MTB for about £400ish? I'd go for something second hand but almost new if you see what I mean. I just bought a second hand specializer Rockhopper disk 2008 model. They originally retailed at about £700 or so. I got it for £350 and the guy had ridden it about twice. Not a mark on it and the original chain grease by the looks of it. I'm very pleased with it and the spec is far better than a new bike of a similar price.

06-04-10, 06:47 PM	#9
CheGuevara Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 478	Re: Which MTB for about £400ish? Another vote for the cycle-to-work scheme. You will get a better bike for your money, or the same bike for less money on what is effectively a 1-year interest-free loan. I bought a £1k Kona for what works out to less than £70/month -not too shabby really. __________________ - K9 SV650S: Hel brake lines, carbon end can - SZR660: The project... - K5 SV650S: K7 GSXR750 front end, ZX6RR shock, GB Moto rearsets, Hel brake lines, Renthal risers, Tuono bars, V-Rod headlamp, "JMV" belly pan ~SOLD~ (wonder where it is now)