MK5 Golf GTI
General => Random Chat => Topic started by: andrewparker on January 31, 2013, 12:36:53 pm
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Hi guys, I'm looking to replace my ageing Orange E2 mountain bike and have a budget of £500 - £600.
I'm looking at 3 bikes at the moment -
SPECIALIZED HARDROCK SPORT DISC 29ER
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Specialized-Hardrock-Sport-Disc-29er-Mountain-Bike-2013-Hardtail-Race-MTB_54994.htm
CANNONDALE TRAIL 29ER 5
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cannondale-Trail-29er-5-Mountain-Bike-2013-Hardtail-MTB_56481.htm
GT AVALANCHE 2.0
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.GT-Avalanche-2-0-Mountain-Bike-2013-Hardtail-Race-MTB_56180.htm
I'm totally out of the loop where bikes are concerned, so have chosen them purely on brand and looks. I am only buying it to ride trails with my young son, so it won't get any hard use.
Does anyone have any opinions on the bikes I've listed or can recommend any others? I won't consider buying secondhand, has to be new.
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Oh, and has to be a hard tail, not a fan of full suspension, especially not with my budget.
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Have a look at the Cube range Andrew.
http://www.cultracing.com/cube.html
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Have a look at the Cube range Andrew.
http://www.cultracing.com/cube.html
Ah yes, I was looking at this one:
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cube-Analog-26-Mountain-Bike-2013-Hardtail-MTB_55738.htm
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I had a Cube Analog last year best spec for the price. And the year before that a cube ltd team.
Highly rate them.
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I had a Cube Analog last year best spec for the price. And the year before that a cube ltd team.
Highly rate them.
Cool, swaying towards the Analog. Detailing looks amazing for the price.
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I had a Cube Analog last year best spec for the price. And the year before that a cube ltd team.
Highly rate them.
Cool, swaying towards the Analog. Detailing looks amazing for the price.
I was going to go for a Cube Ltd Pro this year:
http://www.formbycycles.co.uk/product/12334/Cube_LTD_Pro_Mountain_Bike
But i have opted out of C2W this year to save as much cash as possible towards the house on a monthly basis. I will still get one i think when i have £950 kicking about one month.
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I'm on a 29er, Trek Superlfy, and love it. Go for it
I would consider second hand or last years model to get a better bike.
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I'm on a 29er, Trek Superlfy, and love it. Go for it
I would consider second hand or last years model to get a better bike.
I've got a Specialized stumpjumper 29er, great bike. Trek or Specialized would be my preferred way forward. Last years model would be the shrewd solution. Most decent sized shops will carry a bit of older stock . With the new 2013 ranges coming out towards the back end of last year 2012 stuff is selling on cheaper at the moment while stocks last. Get in there quick, good time to buy.
Where abouts in the country are you Andrew, my in laws own a big bike shop ?
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I'm on a 29er, Trek Superlfy, and love it. Go for it
Would you recommend a 29er over a 26er? Seems that opinion is pretty split on the benefits...
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Where abouts in the country are you Andrew, my in laws own a big bike shop ?
I'm in West Yorkshire. If I go for a Cube (which looks very likely) I intend to buy it from my local indy bike shop, Velocity Cycles in Lindley.
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Where abouts in the country are you Andrew, my in laws own a big bike shop ?
I'm in West Yorkshire. If I go for a Cube (which looks very likely) I intend to buy it from my local indy bike shop, Velocity Cycles in Lindley.
Ahh..... miles away, if they'll let you test ride one or two it's well worth it just to get a feel for what's most comfortable for you. A decent bike shop should let you do this. :happy2:
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Have a look at the Cube range Andrew.
http://www.cultracing.com/cube.html
Ah yes, I was looking at this one:
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cube-Analog-26-Mountain-Bike-2013-Hardtail-MTB_55738.htm
I like that! :notworthy:
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Have a look at the Cube range Andrew.
http://www.cultracing.com/cube.html
Ah yes, I was looking at this one:
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cube-Analog-26-Mountain-Bike-2013-Hardtail-MTB_55738.htm
I like that! :notworthy:
Going to see if my local shop has one and have a look. Can't decide whether I like the grey or the blue one :drool:
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I'm on a 29er, Trek Superlfy, and love it. Go for it
Would you recommend a 29er over a 26er? Seems that opinion is pretty split on the benefits...
Soon you wont be able to get 26" MTB's. InAmerica 26 is special order. There is a new size coming as well, 27.5!
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26ers are more chuckable imo. Im a shortarse anyway, so a tiny frame on massive wheels looks silly.
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Chaps, I'm thinking I'll use this bike to do a commute one day a week. Presumably all I'll need is a second set of rims with road tyres on? I don't really want to buy a hybrid bike.
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See if you can get away with just swapping the tyres out... new wheels tend to be quite pricey for anything decent.
On my commuter I've used Kenda semi- slicks which are ok, but not very good in low temps and leaning, came off a couple of times... now have winter tyres on them!! haha
Also tried Continental rubber, these are better as you can get more PSI in them and have a bit more sidewall grip.
To answer your immediate question, no you don't need any drivetrain alterations. :happy2:
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Winter tyres? Second set of wheels? I see a pattern developing here!
Please tell me cycling doesn't have a slippery slope too!
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To answer your immediate question, no you don't need any drivetrain alterations. :happy2:
Forgive my ignorance, but how does swapping wheels work with disk brakes?
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Winter tyres? Second set of wheels? I see a pattern developing here!
Please tell me cycling doesn't have a slippery slope too!
Haha! not as bad as the motor mate, for me at least.
Got a mate who does a lot of donwhilling and swears by Ellsworth bikes (a tad pricey for me) :confused:
http://www.freeborn.co.uk/ellsworth-moment-evo-bike-2013
RE: Disc brakes, discs are attached to the wheel / wheel hub, you can remove them to fit onto your new wheel. But if your needing the new wheel for skinny tyres it's worth getting new discs for it too.
Otherwise you may as well just change over the tyres each time you need to; much quicker than swapping out the discs.
Doesn't take long with 2 tyre levers (2 being much more preferable over 1, with high pressure tyre removal!)
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Ah, so in reality having a second set of wheels entails rims, disks and tyres. Could be expensive!
I'll probably do what you suggest and buy some tyres and inner tubes and swap over as and when I need to.
Cheers for your help :happy2:
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Definitely mate... as the weather is getting better, grab some skinny Kendas (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-Kenda-K193-Kwest-Slick-MTB-Bike-Tyres-26-x-1-5-/271082054256?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item3f1dbfe270), great value and performance as long as your not out in 1*C and turning into a hard corner at ~18-20mph :evilgrin:
Can ramp those babies up to 60+PSI which is good enough for an MTB bike and Schrader (https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=schrader+valve&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=ZvwLUZe3H8W70QWF3ICADw&biw=1920&bih=949&sei=aPwLUYjFJMeP0AWanoDwCw) (car tyre type) inner tubes. If your feeling fancy you can grab the Presta (https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=schrader+valve&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=ZvwLUZe3H8W70QWF3ICADw&biw=1920&bih=949&sei=aPwLUYjFJMeP0AWanoDwCw#um=1&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&tbo=d&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB%3Aofficial&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=Presta+valve&oq=Presta+valve&gs_l=img.3...25857.25857.0.26153.1.1.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0...0.0...1c.1.2.img.xbf6jz3ByhU&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&bvm=bv.41867550,d.d2k&fp=5b2791c88f422b82&biw=1920&bih=949) (high pressue valve) inner tubes.
I've got the latter but with an adapter (https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=schrader+valve&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=ZvwLUZe3H8W70QWF3ICADw&biw=1920&bih=949&sei=aPwLUYjFJMeP0AWanoDwCw#um=1&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&tbo=d&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB%3Aofficial&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=Presta+to+schrader+adapter&oq=Presta+to+schrader+adapter&gs_l=img.3..0j0i24l2.2176.3639.4.3919.7.3.0.4.4.0.117.296.2j1.3.0...0.0...1c.1.2.img.lGoQpk9DEi0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&bvm=bv.41867550,d.d2k&fp=5b2791c88f422b82&biw=1920&bih=949) that enables you to use a normal pump or petrol station machine to pump up. Happy days :happy2:
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29" is great for certain things, but for jumps downhill and free ride they just don't cut the mustard IMO
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Chaps, I'm thinking I'll use this bike to do a commute one day a week. Presumably all I'll need is a second set of rims with road tyres on? I don't really want to buy a hybrid bike.
Unless you're commuting a long distance, I'd stick with one set of rims. On the occasions I've ridden my 11mile commute on my 26er hardtail (running Maxxis High Rollers or Nobby Nics tyres) in lieu of my hybrid (Durano Plus tyres), my average speed has dropped from 19-20 mph to 15.5-16.5mph. I believe the time difference doesn't warrant the cost / effort / time to change rims / tyres, especially if you run tubeless on the MTB.
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As said already if your commuting in the week then you just need a decent set of semi slicks then all you do is swap over to your off road tires for the weekend if you're hitting the trails
Best of both worlds and will only set you back a set of inner tubes and tires :happy2:
Dave
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Good work fellas, all your advice is much appreciated :happy2:
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That's what I've got aswell I've got my trail bike with 2 sets of wheels, one with thin slippery road tyres for commuting and one with trail tyres on them........... Then I've got my DH rig with some highroller supertackys !
If you are looking for a bike for general commuting and some cross country the 29" rims will help you out, but if you are looking at progressing and hanging of the sides of the bike, jumping it and drifting on hard pack / chucking the bike about 26" is the way to go. Obviously frame choice will dictate the ability to that kind of thing aswell, Saying that though if you do progress you will probably be looking at upgrading the bike anyway.
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It would be worth speaking to your work and see if they can offer you an cycle to work scheme.
You dont actually have to cycle to work but you might be able to get about 40% off a bike..
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It would be worth speaking to your work and see if they can offer you an cycle to work scheme.
You dont actually have to cycle to work but you might be able to get about 40% off a bike..
Yeah, I looked into it but to be honest I can't be arsed doing the salary sacrifice thing. I already do that for childcare vouchers and I have the money for the bike so may as well spend it.
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So, I checked out a few Cube bikes today. Looks like I'm going to go for a two-niner, this one in particular:
http://www.cube.eu/en/hard/cross-country/analog-29-blue/
In terms of rim size, the advice I've been given and read suggest they'll be better suited to how I'll use the bike. Still think they look kinda funny though!
I just want to check out the GT Avalanche but otherwise it's a done deal.
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Now that is a nice bike! Not the colour I would initially think of going for but works really well! :happy2:
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I'm still not a fan of 29ers, but for your use I can see the appeal. I prefer chucking a 26er down a trail.
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Now that is a nice bike! Not the colour I would initially think of going for but works really well! :happy2:
Yeah, the other colourway is black and white, but I think it looks a bit boring.
http://www.cube.eu/en/hard/cross-country/analog-29-black/
We'll see, I'll probably have changed my mind a dozen times by the time I buy it!
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I'm still not a fan of 29ers, but for your use I can see the appeal. I prefer chucking a 26er down a trail.
I've got to be honest, I just don't have the experience to really know which is better, so I'm making an informed decision based on what advice I've been given. I only rode the bikes on tarmac and the 29er felt noticeably better, but I can see how it might be different on very technical trails. Just don't think I'll be getting involved in that.
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Have a look on here if you haven't already. It's the bike version of pistonheads.
http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/list/?region=5&countryid=193&category=2
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That's a mistake everyone makes with 29erz they always do feel like you are making better progress and are noticeably better at making progress but they do hinder on the tetchy stuff, although by the sounds of it I think a 29er would be the right choice for you :happy2: