New Bike, £250ish?

[PeterStoba]

Hi,

Seen a few bike threads on here in the past, and a few people seemed to know what they were talking about

Been looking in my local bike shop (which I assume will be alot more expensive than online) and really like the look of the GT/Giant/Scott sort of bikes, although most of them were between £600 and £850

I just want a mountain bike that looks good and 'performs' well, using it on roads and sometimes off road, but no major downhill stuff!

Just looking round it looks like I might have to settle for something other than a GT or Giant, as they are quite pricey.

Just looking for some advice basically on what websites are good for bikes really

Thanks

[scaryjim]

£250's a tight budget tbh, when I got my new city bike last year I was amazed at the cost of anything other than an absolute bargain basement job. Is that your absolute maximum?

[PeterStoba]

£250's a tight budget tbh, when I got my new city bike last year I was amazed at the cost of anything other than an absolute bargain basement job. Is that your absolute maximum?

Yeah it is rather tight, could go up to £300, but anything more than that and I'm not too sure I'd be happy spending it, considering where I live etc...

[scaryjim]

£300 should give you more options. Any particular requirements / preferences? You've already mentioned potential off road - what kind of terrain would that be? Do you need significant carrying capacity (you might want to leave some budget for pannier racks / bags)?

[Georgy291]

then dont bother, either go for a dirt cheap halfords bike or i think you really need about £500 tbh. Im sorry but i had to learn exactly the same lesson. Im a downhill nut i saved up £600 and asked my matest same advice, expecting to get a decent full sus mtb. Sadly i barely scrapped a hard tail.

So my advice is either keep saving or buy a dirt cheap bike. not worth getting middle ones.

[PeterStoba]

£300 should give you more options. Any particular requirements / preferences? You've already mentioned potential off road - what kind of terrain would that be? Do you need significant carrying capacity (you might want to leave some budget for pannier racks / bags)?

Requirements, not alot really, the budget forces me to a hard tail bike, which is what I want anyway.
Potential off road will only be every now and then, terrain won't be that bad at all really, mainly on road. Would really like disks, although I know it might not be possible, it's not essential, but thats about the only thing I would like.

Won't be carrying anything, so no need for racks or bags, can always throw a rucksack on my back if I need to carry anything with me, but I doubt I will.

then dont bother, either go for a dirt cheap halfords bike or i think you really need about £500 tbh. Im sorry but i had to learn exactly the same lesson. Im a downhill nut i saved up £600 and asked my matest same advice, expecting to get a decent full sus mtb. Sadly i barely scrapped a hard tail.

So my advice is either keep saving or buy a dirt cheap bike. not worth getting middle ones.

Hmm, I see what you mean, but I'm pretty sure I can get something good enough for my needs for £300, maybe a bit over



Been reccomended this on another forum (before I increased the budget) - http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/product...d=m1b38s2p1897

I don't really like the look of it (stupid I know) and it's in store only

I found this Mongoose - http://www.discountcyclesdirect.co.u...oducts_id=9581

Not sure how it is, looks ok to me, my Mongoose BMX a few years ago was great.

2008 model is cheap - http://www.discountcyclesdirect.co.u...oducts_id=7423

Also found some 2009 GT Outpost / Avalanches on www.activesport.co.uk, read some bad reviews, but also some good reviews, will ring them and see how it goes.

[scaryjim]

I used to have a GT Outpost Trail (many years back now mind) and found it a very capable hard tail - even took it off road in the lakes and it coped easily as well as the full-suspension bikes my mates had. Personally I hate full suspension bikes, but that's probably because I usually have road bikes!

That 2008 mongoose looks a great deal - my current city bike is my first with disk brakes and I can't see myself ever going back now - although I'm not sure how going off road would affect them : but I can't see any reason why it would be a bad thing.

[Georgy291]

another option that you could do, is look for second hand bikes on places like ebay, and some real bargain there, just make sure you understand the condition they are in.

also have you had a look at bike2work scheme? its a huge discount system for buying bikes

[rover214]

Not sure about the size frame you need as you have not specified

Try this if you only need a small frame

http://www.bikeoutlet.co.uk/products...09-720-10.html

or this in your price range

http://www.bikes2udirect.com/B2167.html?id=JELzyZcZ

[PeterStoba]

I used to have a GT Outpost Trail (many years back now mind) and found it a very capable hard tail - even took it off road in the lakes and it coped easily as well as the full-suspension bikes my mates had. Personally I hate full suspension bikes, but that's probably because I usually have road bikes!

That 2008 mongoose looks a great deal - my current city bike is my first with disk brakes and I can't see myself ever going back now - although I'm not sure how going off road would affect them : but I can't see any reason why it would be a bad thing.

Yeah, the 'off road' won't be that taxing, so the disks should be fine, 2008 Mongoose is a good deal, but I just can't bring myself to buy it, I want a GT Just looks so much better.

another option that you could do, is look for second hand bikes on places like ebay, and some real bargain there, just make sure you understand the condition they are in.

also have you had a look at bike2work scheme? its a huge discount system for buying bikes

Been checking ebay, not alot on there really, most are collect only.

Can't use bike2work, as I don't work

Not sure about the size frame you need as you have not specified

Try this if you only need a small frame

http://www.bikeoutlet.co.uk/products...09-720-10.html

or this in your price range

http://www.bikes2udirect.com/B2167.html?id=JELzyZcZ

Need a large frame as I'm 6ft with a 32" inside leg, size guides reccomend a 22"

Thats a nice bike though, the claud butler, will keep it in mind

[nibbler]

I disagree that the middle of the range bikes are useless. I payed £400 for a trek 7.3fx and it has been amazing. It's not what Peter wants, but it's a good bike, for a middle-of-the-range price

[rover214]

Ok, the Claud Butler frame on offer is too small, no probs

Try this, 20" frame and maybe add a longer seat post?

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/pr...29er_Bike_2009

or this

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/pr...uter_Bike_2009

or this

http://www.rutlandcycling.com/17873/...paign=pid17873

[rover214]

Found this

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.GT-Traffic-4...Bike_27932.htm

[Georgy291]

Can't use bike2work, as I don't work

But dont your parents work? ask them to get the bike for you and you pay them back....its nearly 40% off the bike tbh.

[PeterStoba]

I disagree that the middle of the range bikes are useless. I payed £400 for a trek 7.3fx and it has been amazing. It's not what Peter wants, but it's a good bike, for a middle-of-the-range price

Yeah, reading reviews about some of the bikes I'm looking at, and there not bad at all.

Ok, the Claud Butler frame on offer is too small, no probs

Try this, 20" frame and maybe add a longer seat post?

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/pr...29er_Bike_2009

or this

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/pr...uter_Bike_2009

or this

http://www.rutlandcycling.com/17873/...paign=pid17873

I like the first one, could be an option with a longer seat post, if needed, I didn't think of that Shame it's out of stock, sure I can find one elsewhere.

The last one isn't really what I'm looking for, looks like it should have a basket on the front

But dont your parents work? ask them to get the bike for you and you pay them back....its nearly 40% off the bike tbh.

Yes, but that's more hassle than it's worth tbh, I'd rather buy it and own it.


Managed to get a lightly used GT Avalanche 3.0 Hydro Disc 2010 for £316

[scaryjim]

But dont your parents work?

Not only would this be a) hassle, and b) contravene the rules of the scheme (the bike has to be primarily for the employee to commute to work), but also they'd have to employed by someone who was taking part in the scheme - not all employers are.

Managed to get a lightly used GT Avalanche 3.0 Hydro Disc 2010 for £316

Nice one - enjoy