Entry Level Mountain Bike

[Rusty Madra]

The time has come to replace my bike and I was drawn to the idea of a Mountain Bike so I can explore some trails and the like.

I was going to get a fairly decent entry level one (no point in getting something you have to buy twice)

Any recommendations for a good entry level mountain bike?

[twentyclicks]

I have no idea your idea of entry level.

I'd look for disc brakes (hydraulic preferably), and SRAM or Shimano running gear. It works, and parts are easily sourced.
Rockshox forks are easily serviced.
Air-sprung forks are generally where things are at suspension wise these days, but some cheaper ones will be coils (that's not a bad thing: they respond well, just are a bit heavier and less adjustable)... or you could just go with a rigid fork: the likes of a Vitus V27. The Vitus Zircon's are nice wee suspension bikes for more spends.

There may be the odd sale bike floating around still for good value, but sizes are limited.
Second-hand will get you more for yer money.

[LandyLiam]

so what sort of money would one pay for above spec on a new bike?

[twentyclicks]

V27 is about 400
Zircon III, basic rockshox, cable discs 450
Zircon II, air rockshox, hydro discs 700

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/SearchResults.aspx?Search=zircon *

Decent hydraulic brakes like the Shimano M596 are about 40 each, so its a cheap upgrade down the line if you want them.

* I do work for CRC so that's what I know. 

[LandyLiam]

  i get my cars for that sort of money 

[Rusty Madra]

Cheers for the tips.... It might seem like a big overlay but when you think of the amount of petrol saved it pays for itself after a while 

[LandyLiam]

you mean i'd have to cycle to work! thats 45 miles each way    (and i'd need a trailer for all my pruck  )

[LandyLiam]

sorted 

[mregan]

It's probably already been said above.  Buy one of Craig if not look at the buy and sell sections for a good spec second hand bike. 

www.mtbrider.com for a local classifieds section. 
Buy and Sell (Cyclists only) on Facebook
www.chainreactioncycles.com as mentioned.

What size are you after?

[Rusty Madra]

Not sure about size... I'm 5'11 and weigh about 14 stone: any ideas on size?

Have to get the bike from Podium For Sport: got some vouchers for
It!

[mregan]

Your looking for a 17.5 or 19 frame size. Get on the bikes see what feels good. 

Speak to Julie in Podium4Sport she will keep you right.  If they still stock Trek you won't go to badly with one of them. Lifetime warranty on the frames.

[MG1]

I got mine through the cycle to work scheme. If your work does this its well worth it. I got a gt aggressor £400.
It has cable disc brakes and suntour forks. Lightish frame shimano gears. I was really impressed with it, ihad a halforks yoke before and the difference is massive.

[Rusty Madra]

GT Aggressor.... Sounds like my kind of bike! Walked in on Fri afternoon... Shop was packed out.... Made an about turn and went straight out again. I never make big decisions in a rushed or busy showroom. Did that once and got an absolute stinking bike I didn't like. Going back this week!

[wmoulds]

Hi Rusty, I just bought myself a entry level mountain bike last year and I am very impressed by it. I read loads of reviews in magazines and on the internet, went to stores and even brought a friend who is crazy about bikes (runs a bike club and cycles in tournaments), and we found the VooDoo HooDoo bike to be the best.

Basically the spec is far better than the asking price compared to other similar priced entry level bikes. Surprisingly it can only be bought in Halfords in the UK. My friend doesn't trust Halfords, so when they built the bike he checked it over and a few things hadn't been tightned correctly, the brakes being one 

Anyway, its been used a lot and its still going strong with no problems. If you do go for it I'd recommend bringing it to CRC to give it a check over unless you can do it yourself of course.

[mregan]

No offence but taking a bike to another shop to give it the once over isn't a nice thing to do.

It's like bring your tesco horse burgers into your local butcher to look at and see if they are ok to eat.

Halfords are well known for their 'Issues' with bike builds.

I would rather spend a few quid more and have a back up service centre I could trust.