Mountain Bike buying advice

iwillhtfu

+1 to the above I picked up a HT boardman comp a few years ago that would have done about 60km from new. I got it for €300 original price was €1200 or so.

The owner had even fittedo road tyres to it and included the knobbys in the sale.

Plenty of bargains to be had second hand and yes with a full suss you have to watch for worn bushings etc but it should be fairly easy to tell a well used mtb from one that was bought with the best of intentions on the BTW.

pegdrums

iwillhtfu wrote: »

+1 to the above I picked up a HT boardman comp a few years ago that would have done about 60km from new. I got it for €300 original price was €1200 or so.

This is probably what I'll do. I'm a drummer and 99% of my gear was bought on adverts. Same thing, waited for the right bargain....had the cash and picked up a bargain.

What do you think of this boardman: http://www.halfords.ie/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/boardman-mountain-bike-comp-27-5-2016

killalanerr

Probably a bit more than you want to spend , but you can't beat a bit of bike porn

https://www.canyon.com/en-ie/factory-outlet/#category=mtb-bikes&id=21594

I got mine form here (not this one) , good value and I love it

iwillhtfu

pegdrums wrote: »

What do you think of this boardman: http://www.halfords.ie/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/boardman-mountain-bike-comp-27-5-2016

It's a decent spec probably a bit more than I'd be willing to spend considering what a bit more might get you.

Good tyres
Good brakes
decent groupset
good entry level fork with lock out and damp adjust (big plus there)
120mm travel aswell more than enough for a HT
The smoothed welds give a nice look to the frame also.

I'd be curious to the weight but all in all it's a decent mtb

maddness

Have a look in your local bike shop and see what you can get. I'd stay away from a Halfords mountain bike tbh and buy secondhand as suggested. Don't discount a good second hand 26" wheel bike. The only mountain bikes everyone had were 26ers until a few years ago when marketing took over and convinced us all that we needed a 29er and then 27.5/650b. There is still plenty of fun to be had in a 26er. Buy a good value second hand 26er and if you get hooked as many do worry about wheel size when you are buying your next mtb.

pegdrums

killalanerr wrote: »

Probably a bit more than you want to spend , but you can't beat a bit of bike porn

https://www.canyon.com/en-ie/factory-outlet/#category=mtb-bikes&id=21594

I got mine form here (not this one) , good value and I love it

:p:p:p:p:p:p:p

pegdrums

maddness wrote: »

Have a look in your local bike shop and see what you can get. I'd stay away from a Halfords mountain bike tbh and buy secondhand as suggested. Don't discount a good second hand 26" wheel bike. The only mountain bikes everyone had were 26ers until a few years ago when marketing took over and convinced us all that we needed a 29er and then 27.5/650b. There is still plenty of fun to be had in a 26er. Buy a good value second hand 26er and if you get hooked as many do worry about wheel size when you are buying your next mtb.

LBS had that diamondback sync 4.0 €420 on BTW. Decent bike, nice frame and light. Cheap brakes and pedals but other than that it looked decent enough to me.
http://www.diamondback.co.uk/MTB/Product/?pc=1&pt=10&pg=18179

Very tempting

iwillhtfu

killalanerr wrote: »

Probably a bit more than you want to spend , but you can't beat a bit of bike porn

https://www.canyon.com/en-ie/factory-outlet/#category=mtb-bikes&id=21594

I got mine form here (not this one) , good value and I love it

I've a spectral they're a cracking bike and big bang for your buck.

C3PO

pegdrums wrote: »

LBS had that diamondback sync 4.0 €420 on BTW. Decent bike, nice frame and light. Cheap brakes and pedals but other than that it looked decent enough to me.
http://www.diamondback.co.uk/MTB/Product/?pc=1&pt=10&pg=18179

Very tempting

Rubbish forks!

pegdrums

Even if I sold my much beloved Transalp I still couldn't afford it!:eek::p

pegdrums

C3PO wrote: »

Rubbish forks!

Rubbish suntour model or rubbish because they're suntour?

C3PO

pegdrums wrote: »

Rubbish suntour model or rubbish because they're suntour?

I would really set myself a minimum of Rockshox/Fox forks.

pegdrums

C3PO wrote: »

I would really set myself a minimum of Rockshox/Fox forks.

But they be expensive no? I'm a beginner don't forget so would the difference in quality not be lost on me?
Im willing to save a bit more and wait (sold two drum bits today ) but also really keen to get going!

iwillhtfu

C3PO wrote: »

I would really set myself a minimum of Rockshox/Fox forks.

To be fair the newer suntour forks aren't to bad. The ones on that ridgeback would be poor though.

Lemming

C3PO wrote: »

I would really set myself a minimum of Rockshox/Fox forks.

X-Fusion are alright too, and some of the higher-spec manitou ones.

But, put in perspective, that bike isn't exactly a big-budget item so the spec is going to be relative to that. You can probably find a slightly better spec elsewhere for the same money, but in and around the same ballpark.

xxyyzz

Being honest, a reasonable new entry level hardtail starts at around €800 and even that is a low end model if you want something to stand up to riding natural mtb trails. Anything less is false economy as you'll end up replacing broken parts. With your budget a second hand hardtail is your best option.

ford2600

xxyyzz wrote: »

With your budget a second hand hardtail is your best option.

If you are Cork based (you mentioned Tracton) try the bike shop in Carriagline.

Shop is located here I promise!
https://goo.gl/aJFpoC

Owner is sound, it's not the highest end shop in the world but owner races mtb's and knows his stuff always has frames/2nd mtbs built up. Give him a shout and he should be able to put a decent bike together for you for budget.

Send me pm if you want his mobile. o21 four9I963six is landline

topcat77

This is the bike i picked up second hand on Adverts last year.

http://www.adverts.ie/mountain-bikes/voodoo-bizango-18inch/11637573

I've bought loads of stuff on Adverts but i think this best buy i've had from a point of use, enjoyment and bargain. I think second hand is your best option with the budget you have, just be patient for the correct advert.

pegdrums

topcat77 wrote: »

This is the bike i picked up second hand on Adverts last year.

http://www.adverts.ie/mountain-bikes/voodoo-bizango-18inch/11637573

I've bought loads of stuff on Adverts but i think this best buy i've had from a point of use, enjoyment and bargain. I think second hand is your best option with the budget you have, just be patient for the correct advert.

Think it's the way to go alright!

Nice bike....ya did well

pegdrums

ford2600 wrote: »

If you are Cork based (you mentioned Tracton) try the bike shop in Carriagline.

Shop is located here I promise!
https://goo.gl/aJFpoC

Owner is sound, it's not the highest end shop in the world but owner races mtb's and knows his stuff always has frames/2nd mtbs built up. Give him a shout and he should be able to put a decent bike together for you for budget.

Send me pm if you want his mobile. o21 four9I963six is landline

Yea saw him on Facebook. Gonna try and head out to him in a week or two. Wife's parents are over next weekend.

I'll pm you for his number. Cheers.