davew Posted June 10, 2007 Posted June 10, 2007 Looking to replace 15 yr old mountain bike. Currently interested in Mongoose Mongoose Tyax Elite or Decathlon Rockhopper 6.3. Any advice? Looking to spend around £300. Quote
langy Posted June 11, 2007 Posted June 11, 2007 I've just replaced my old MTB which is a similar vintage to yours. I opted for a GT Avalabnche 1.0 2007,, front suspension hydraulic disc brakes and gets 10/10 from a lot of the magazines. It is slightly over your £300 budget at £500 (+£50 of accessories), but you get what you pay for. HTH, Sean Quote
ibakes Posted June 11, 2007 Posted June 11, 2007 Just brought this Univega from Wiggle which rides rather nice, me last one did the southdowns way 6 times before it got nicked Quote
Bazzer Posted June 11, 2007 Posted June 11, 2007 Like Langy I was going to sugest a GT Avalanche. Some of the guys I ride with had them and really liked them. Also if you are going to push the budget the Specialized Rockhopper is always worth a look. Bazzer Quote
JAG Posted June 11, 2007 Posted June 11, 2007 Mountain Bike Rider (MBR) magazine recently tested 12 £300 bikes - see if you can get a back copy or check their website. I think a Kona hardtail was their top choice. Otherwise; I bought a Giant XTC last year and I'm really chuffed with it. It's around £500 but has all the right bits and handles brillliantly. Quote
stu.graham Posted June 11, 2007 Posted June 11, 2007 Dave I have just purchased a full sus bike, so I have a Marin Palisade 2006 possibly going up for sale. It has 100mm travel front forks, Hayes sole discs etc etc, great XC bike. Let me know if you would be interested Regards Stu Quote
The Great Fandango Posted June 11, 2007 Posted June 11, 2007 I agree with Jag... Spending that little bit extra over the £300 bracket gets you some serious kit when it comes to suspension, brakes, chainset etc. I got my Giant XTC for £480 from a private shop near Leeds. The 2005-2006 Giant XTC is one amazing piece of kit for the price... Seen it for as little as £450 in some shops but your have to search hard and drive a bargain (as they're all being sold as old stock). Whilst we're on the subject of Giant, I've had several makes before and I'm far happier witha Giant than my old Trek and GT. Just doing a quick search gave me this link : - Giant XTC Quote
Neil Purdie Posted June 11, 2007 Posted June 11, 2007 I've just replaced my old MTB which is a similar vintage to yours. I opted for a GT Avalabnche 1.0 2007,, front suspension hydraulic disc brakes and gets 10/10 from a lot of the magazines. It is slightly over your £300 budget at £500 (+£50 of accessories), but you get what you pay for. HTH, Sean 2006 GT Avalanche 1.0 with V brakes from Chain reaction barely breaks the budget Also the 2007 version with discs is slightly cheaper than wiggle, but without the free stuff and different disc brakes (EU spec) I have used Chain Reaction lots and never had any problems with them, unlike wiggle who have disapointed me a few times in the past Or Stu's bike may well be a very good call depending on the frame size but id be quick before he changes his mind Blowing the budget, id recomend one of these. On-One inbred as ive just rebuilt my 7.6Kg single speed bike with one of these frames maybe im slightly biased Quote
stewart pickles Posted June 11, 2007 Posted June 11, 2007 i'd push the boat out and buy a new honda fireblade Quote
stu.graham Posted June 11, 2007 Posted June 11, 2007 Or Stu's bike may well be a very good call depending on the frame size but id be quick before he changes his mind The frame size is 17'' A mate has bought a Decathalon bike, very impressed with the kit and quality for the price. Upgraded to an Orange 5 pro, absolutely cracking bike, downhill is just fantastic, very sure footed. Climbing is also very good with the rear pro peddle to stop the bobbing. Quote
scott beeland Posted June 11, 2007 Posted June 11, 2007 Stu....How much do you want for the Marin? Quote
joff69 Posted June 11, 2007 Posted June 11, 2007 To be honest, I'd wait, if you can, until around Ocober/November time. Thats when most shops will be bringing in their new 2008 stock, and should have some really good deals on 2007 stock they need to get rid of. Ebay just lately have had several specialized Rockhoppers all going for around the £300-£400 mark. Ok so they are secondhand, but are really good bikes. Of course you could Really blow the budget and get a bike on the never-never with interst free credit over 12 months!! Just beware when comparing prices from different websites that the spec is identical. I was looking at a Marin Rocky Ridge with a price difference of £150. looked good until the spec was completely different. Way better forks on one website but the front and rear mech where Shimano Olivio. ( Not what I'd expect or want on a bike worth £800) Quote
davew Posted June 16, 2007 Author Posted June 16, 2007 Thanks all Now bought the GT Avalanche 1.0. Service from local bike shop fantasic, got me one in to try and I loved it so just couldn't resist. Quote
Scottish Westy Posted June 16, 2007 Posted June 16, 2007 Has anyone thought about using the 'Bike to Work' scheme for getting a £500 bike for £300ish? Just bought my bike before this scheme became available so haven't dug too deeply but appears you get your Company to set it all up through HR, they buy the bike for you, take a sum off your salary every month then sell it to you after 12 months. Some of the savings are supposedly very good. Interested to hear from anyone that has looked into this a bit more than myself. Quote
neilwillis Posted June 16, 2007 Posted June 16, 2007 Just brought this Univega from Wiggle which rides rather nice, me last one did the southdowns way 6 times before it got nicked Some thieving ratbag has stolen the South Downs Way? Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.