mountain bikes

HUmmmmmm don't know why the URL tabs aren't working so you'll have to cut and paste

[northwind]

Originally Posted by Red ones

you guys are making me feel old. My MTB is totally rigid! It is great on climbs and downhills, but clearly vibrates like an Ann Summers party.

When i got mine, affordable suspension was still pretty rubbish... So it's got one of those comedy Girvin flexstems instead, the bars are hinged and there's a wee rubber damper in it. Basically what it does, is it makes the centre of the bars sharper should you perform a stump-groining.

I've got a TREK 4000 but I have thinner tyres on it as it's mostly used for going to the shops. Unsprung, after riding my SV I have no idea about the benefits of suspension.

Alright. I am a bike snob. I have been riding since I was about 14, and working in the trade for part of that.

I would still say though, that if you are thinking about trying mountain biking, there is just no point in buying a new bike for 300 pounds. You might as well turn up for the minitwins with a Honda 50.

Everything on the bike will be mush, compared to what you will get even if you spend twice that much. If you buy a bike for 600 sterling, you are now entering proper bike teritory. (I am talking about a normal bike here, not a display model / last years bike etc.)

You will not get full suspension, but you will survive fine with just shocks. (There is no point in buying full for this price.)
As someone mentioned, you will need proper pedals and shoes. SPDs are cheap and fine.
Make sure as many bearings as you can are sealed. Espec the bottom bracket and wheels.
Also buy a set of slick tyres for any road usage you are putting on it. Save the knoblies for the mountains.

This is what I want...

The new Giant Anthem. Quite nice. 3 grand sterling... which actually very reasonable.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?...s/giant_anthem

My brother is fairly competative in triathlons and some of the people involved in that and Iron Man races have insanely expensive bikes. He is bitter that his bike is holding him back and he reckons it cost him 2 places. This is a bike that was £2K, second hand.

Like most things, past a point it seems to be a case of lots more cash for a very marginal improvement. I was looking at a bike for my dad for his 60th and past about £600, it got silly; 15% price increase for 2% weight saving (and decreased durability!), etc.

I'm looking at getting a pushbike in the next couple of months. I'll probably get a second hand one for £100 or so, that'll do me fine.

[Ratty]

This would be an excellent starter bike.

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/product...v=GIANT_XTC_4_

Ratty

My mate across the road is into edurance MTB (24hr races) he has 2 bikes set up for different conditions when i asked him what they cost i nearly fainted when he said 5 grand for the pair, daft bugger sold his BMW 1150 to pay for them!!

chris

I'm thinking about getting a more dedicated road bike, selling my MTB...

Originally Posted by Ratty

This would be an excellent starter bike.

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/product...v=GIANT_XTC_4_

Ratty

Good find. They have taken a good bit off the price...
You might still want to throw on a decent set of pedals, and probably a new saddle.
I would be curious to see how well those brakes work. I would imagine they are decent. Although they might be a bugger to service.

Very reasonable looking bike though for that price.

[tigersaw]

I bought a Giant about 6 years ago, dunno what model, but its light and has the full suspension. Its done about 2000 miles now, (longest trip was Amsterdam and back), but apart from the gear selector being worn its in pretty good shape.

My company bought me a bike last year, disk brakes and lots of bling, but it was rubbish, especially the brakes - give me good centrepulls anytime.

I would reccomend a Giant, oh yes.