With having more time on my hands was looking for a new challenge for when the wind does not want to play ball. Looking to buy a
reasonable secondhand mountain bike. Any tips or advice gratefully received or if you have a bike for sale would be interested for some
more info.
got mine from Je james cycles nearly half price, would recomend a look at theyre site
Cheers Shem, What bike did you get mate. Would i be right in thinking i really only want front suspension?
Full suss or a hardtail thats a big can of worms that one!
Ive got a Giant anthem, a cross country full sus, so a nice all rounder, so 3 inch of rear travel opposed to 6-9 of a full down hiller. Its lighter than a lot of hard tails so no need to worry about down hiller weight either, well pleased with it.
i recently bought a scott reflex fx25 full susser with remote lockout on the rear shock with a flick of a switch on the bars which
turns it into a hardtail
works a treat
Whats your budget Dan, better to get a good hard tail than a cheapy full sus.
are you sayin my scott is a cheap bike mr shem
No not at all, I didnt say that did I! It sounds expensive with all that flick swith suspension stuff. But if your starting, Ill see you behind the bike shed after school. LOL
right i,m settin off for pennal on me bike now live in stourbridge it might take me an hour or so.lol
the list price on my bike was 1100notes but i got it thruogh ebay for 600 brand new
jejames are good because they do interest free credit and you can check with their calculator how much you will have to pay
search and ye will find
Ye, I checked it out online, theyre down from 1100 to 800, so youve had a bargain. Mines pretty similar spec, I got it for 780 down from 1300, mainly becasue its a late 06 spec, (gutted I havnt got 08 colours)!
knowing me i will probably blow my budget. Old habits die hard.
we had a thread like this when al was getting his new bike a few months back.....i'd still reccomend a full sus cross country bike
though....last years specialized seem to have come down in price......although for the same price you could get something with an
engine...... 
Have a look at classifieds on Singletrack and Bikeradar if looking for used bikes - usually loads around and seem to go for about half
new price when a year or two old which is shocking.
http://singletrackworld.com/
http://www.bikeradar.com/
I've built up a single speed bike over winter so have been thinking of getting a full sus to replace my hardtail, spotted this which
looks good value:
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b4s1p1291
Loads of other deals there too, like this XTC:
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b4s2p1265
As Al was advised try and get a test ride if you can to get sizing or try a few mates bikes for size...
Check out Chain reaction cycles for some great deals. As for hardtail or full sus,go for a hardtail with sus forks. It's what the pro's
use and they know best. A good group set and disk brakes is more important. As for a manufacture there is not much in them. They all
have similar speck for a similar amount of money.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/
Been looking at the full suspension specialized at a shop today. Too much money though. I think will go for a better hardtail to save some dollar. Anyone rate the giants? I had a Giant CFR2 Road Race bike once which was mint!
Giant make a top frame and they make the frames for Specialized.
After riding my full suss for 10 mths now, you wouldnt catch me on a hardtail (even if they are the pros. frame of choice. My bike is
as light as many HT's and suspension locks front and rear for climbing. Buy the best your budget will allow or you'll buy twice.
This is a greaty offer
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b4s1p1291
But if I had the funds available, my first choice would be the Secialised Enduro Pro Carbon 2008....mmmm....bikeporn
What to do. Was looking at the Giant hardtail, but now you've thrown a spanner in the works! Although the Trance won't blow the bank.
I'm with Jon on this one. Rode hardtails for 2 years before I got into full-sus. Still got my last hardtail, and tho its lighter and
climbs better on some terrain and on some gradients than my susser, a day or more in the saddle is unthinkable now. Buy the best frame
you can afford - you can upgrade the groupset at a later date. That Trance is a good example - hell of a lot of bike for £600.
Jon - gotta do Coedy sat, been planned for weeks, tempted by a nite in Dovey and a trundle up Cader sunday, but can't decide yet,
depends if the posty brings some bits for the van on Friday - mite be working on that sunday.
Man..I know that there are plenty a people that swear by HT's but unless you are going cross country racing, do yourself a favour and
get the right bit of kit first time round. Full sus..no compromise..lol..will probably get slated now... bring on the next
controversy
quote:
Originally posted by Spooker
I'm with Jon on this one. Rode hardtails for 2 years before I got into full-sus. Still got my last hardtail, and tho its lighter and climbs better on some terrain and on some gradients than my susser, a day or more in the saddle is unthinkable now. Buy the best frame you can afford - you can upgrade the groupset at a later date. That Trance is a good example - hell of a lot of bike for £600.
Jon - gotta do Coedy sat, been planned for weeks, tempted by a nite in Dovey and a trundle up Cader sunday, but can't decide yet, depends if the posty brings some bits for the van on Friday - mite be working on that sunday.
They're quicker than me going up the hills (which doesn't say much actually), but one's bringing his son, so it won't be mad. No idea which routes - decide on the day.
Am tempted to tag allong. Would be good to be pushed on the climbs. spk to you closer to the weekend
The Stance looks like a good buy. As jon d hat says, buy the best you can.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=14978
I feel your stress dan, it took me 2 months to decide on a bike before I got my Giant. Well stoked with it though. I ride it with the rear locked out 80 percent of the time, cos it just saps up hill climbing having it on, but then for down hill I wouldnt be without it.
I've managed to secure a specialized enduro for the weekend. It's a test bike and they have an enduro expert sl in the shop with 350
off. See how i get on at the weekend with it. Any plans yet? Just looked at the forecast and it's more SE now and no guts. Spooker,
your bimble just that or is it more tounge in cheek? 
Nice mate, let me know where your going.
Dan,
don't know what routes we're doing, but there's nowt much in Coedy thats too gnarly - easy meat for an enduro - if you can pick up one
of the new Experts cheap - go for it you'll love it! I've got the Enduro pro and its a great piece of kit.
I think Jon d Hat is considering Coedy too, weather looking good - it'll be fun
sounds good. Where abouts do you meet up and when you going over?
The cafe on the Mallwyd roundabout at 09:00 for a hearty, greasy brekky, then Coedy visitor centre 10ish
c u there
I may join you as well if thats ok, never cycled at Coed Y brenin, so be good to get shown round.
Dan..get on that Enduro and put your savings at risk of a seriouse raid
Awsome bike. They have demo and hire bikes at Coedy anyway, think it's £30 a day and they have enduros and stumpjumpers..er.I
think.
OK that settles it..Coed y Brenin it is, somethin for everyone there. See you all in the carpark for 10.00
Game on, see you there
Hhmmm what to do. me and Al are thinking of riding pendam sunday, but do fancy a spin tommorow. Is it actually start riding at 10 o clock, havnt got enough browny points to hang around all day!
Shem - missed a gud-un in Coedy - glorious day with 7 of us out! Parked up in Dyvi now ready for a couple of beers.....
Nice spooks, Im just to lazy to drive anywhere, had a fun one at the cglimachx anyway, just a shame about dans puncture! Was out till 3.30am last nite so sadly wont be joining you for beers. Kiting or biking tommorow then, Id like to do both but itd probably lead to divorce!
Well if it helps your marital harmony - there's bugger all wind at the moment. Jon's talking about Nant Yr Arian - we'll see!
Where are you Spooks? Its about 15 knots in the estuary at the mo.... Chilly though! (minus 8 with the wind chill!)
Al.
Thanks to everyone for their input on this thread, full sus all the way