New MTB - Budget around £500 - any advice?

[Snoop Doug]

Hi folks - any pointers for someone with around £500 to splash on a new mtb?

Cheers - Snoop

[ceejay]

Mountain Biking UK has just done a group test at that price point and the Diamondback Response comes out top.

[url]http://raleighuk.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!E8E501048BA3971C!682.entry[/url]

[Jamie AP]

A Genesis Core 10 may be worth a look too; http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/mou ... /overview/

[Dombo]

I would look at hardtails from Trek, Specialized and Kona also. Their top end bikes are upwards of five grand and they have strong presence on the pro circuit so there is good "trickle down" of tech to their lower priced models. I have also owned mtbs from all three so can vouch for their quality. Big stores like Evans are good as they will be clearing old stock now so your budget may get you a bike whose RRP is significantly higher:

http://www.evanscycles.com/categories/s ... =&sort=asc

Check reviews on www.mtbr.com and www.bikeradar.com as they are often more informative than the mags. You could also do worse than post your question in the mtb section of bikeradar.

[Andrew G]

Apart from your Boardman / Evans big purchasing power etc, look at an "old" one that a shop wants rid of for one with different stickers . Mine was £500 which was reduced from £650 or £700 as it was the last one in the shop and they didn't want "old" models in there. It was 12months old . Try Cycle Surgery (big one in Spitalfield) as they have a reasonable range.

The Focus ones at wiggle looked like reasonable deals when I was looking but you can't try for size first which may be an issue. It is for me. Depending on your size/proportions then buying blind(online) can be very problematic. I looked at a specialized but when I sat on it in the shop in a small frame the geometry was very odd indeed, the Giant I got was spot on. Similar spec bikes and the same price but the Specialized just wasn't right for a short bloke, it felt like a BMX with an easy-rider fork.

[Jon H]

I got my MTB from Decathlon. Good spec for the money, and you're not paying for a brand-name.

[Sylv]

"someone"

[Andrew G]

It's "a friend".

[Snoop Doug]

well it ain't me - I've got my stealth tank Specialized rockhopper and that's it

[Dominic]

[quote="Jon Hemming"]I got my MTB from Decathlon. Good spec for the money, and you're not paying for a brand-name.

[Dan_K]

Decathlon are looking to open up an outlet on the Purley Way by Fiveways, either on the existing development or as one of 5-6 units when/if the site gets redeveloped.
That would be fantastic!

[quote="Dominic"][quote="Jon Hemming"]I got my MTB from Decathlon. Good spec for the money, and you're not paying for a brand-name.

[Sylv]

[quote="Jon Hemming"]I got my MTB from Decathlon. Good spec for the money, and you're not paying for a brand-name.

[Dombo]

[quote="Jon Hemming"]I got my MTB from Decathlon. Good spec for the money, and you're not paying for a brand-name.

[Dombo]

[quote="Jon Hemming"]I got my MTB from Decathlon. Good spec for the money, and you're not paying for a brand-name.