Bike recomendations

mcgarnicle

I've been planning on buying a car for the past few months but after giving it a lot of thought I've decided to buy a nice bike instead. I'm looking for a good mountain bike that i can take into the mountains etc at weekends but won't be too hard to cycle to work etc. I dont have a terribly large commute so it doesn't need to be great on that front. My budget is 1000-1500.

I'd imagine this sort of thing comes up here quite a bit but I'd appreciate any advice you guys can offer.

Morgan

What's your bike-parking situation at work like? Do you have somewhere 100% secure, preferably indoors to keep at €1500 bike? If not you should consider geting a cheap commuter and a nice mtb.

With that budget you should get a good quality hardtail. There is a huge amount of choice in that price range but you're looking at something with decent front suspension (probably Rockshox or Marzocchi) and hydraulic disc brakes. The Giant XTC and Specialized Rockhopper spring to mind but there are a whole load of others to consider too.

If it's your first mtb you should buy locally so you can test-ride whatever you're getting. Try Cycleogical, Cycleways and the Cycle Superstore to start and see what's available.

mcgarnicle

Hi Morgan, yes I will be parking it indoors at work so it will be quite secure.

mcgarnicle

Cycle Superstore have some beginners' MTB packages

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/showsearchresults.asp?priceFrom=0&priceUntil=999999999&idCategory=0&idSupplier=10&resultCnt=50&order=3&keyword=MTB+starter+pack

any thoughts on these offers?