C2RL R
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Registered: 28th Mar 02
Location: Redcliffe, QLD
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need help here off the cs bike crew. i'm going to buy myself a mountain bike this weekend hopefully but i need help making a choice as there are so many.
http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/ - that is the shop i plan on going to.
the bike is primarily to get me to work but will also be used for some off road fun. i'm thinking i need a hardtail XC (i've researched this a little so i may be wrong) so i think £500 should get me a quality bike.
I just can't decide what make and model to go for as there are so many. i know its down to my personal choice really but any reccomendations you guys can offer would be appreciated. i dont want the guy in the shop to sell me something that is a bag of shite. but i also dont want something that is ott considering the riding i will be doing. i'm not into the dirt jump scene or downhill crazyness.
thanks in advance!
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deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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Base spec Specialized Rockhopper or high spec Hardrock.
I did hear they are completely out of stock now though.
I always recommend Specialized because they are such good value.
Make sure it's hard tail, don't go for any full suspension at that price bracket.
Also, try http://www.evanscycles.com
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Doug
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Registered: 8th Oct 03
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Specialized Hardrock Pro Disc.
I think they are £350 now down from £500.
Will be more than adequate as I do a fair bit of off road riding and havnt broken anything on it yet Brilliant bike for the money!
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Superlite Ltd.
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Registered: 9th Jan 07
User status: Offline
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TREK 4300
[Edited on 12-06-2008 by Superlite Ltd.]
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jacko198
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Registered: 1st Mar 07
Location: Buckinghamshire
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^ Yep, thats the one i would go for.
The rockhopper only has standard v brakes which is a big let down
Or have a look at a giant xtc 4.5
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deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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imho, if it has got mechanical discs, don't bother. Hydraulic discs, by all means go for it. V-brakes over mechanical discs any day.
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jacko198
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Registered: 1st Mar 07
Location: Buckinghamshire
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^ Yeah, i agree to degree. Just depends how hard youre riding tho
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deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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The main thing with mech ones is that they are heavier than V, for not a lot of gain.
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Superlite Ltd.
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Registered: 9th Jan 07
User status: Offline
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quote: Originally posted by deano87
imho, if it has got mechanical discs, don't bother. Hydraulic discs, by all means go for it. V-brakes over mechanical discs any day.
trek use deore hydro disc 
Its a mint hardtail for £500
even has a canegeek headset
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C2RL R
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Registered: 28th Mar 02
Location: Redcliffe, QLD
User status: Offline
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trek have a lifetime guarantee (sp) on their frames dont they? how much is that one in the pic? thought treks were a little out of my price bracket.
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Superlite Ltd.
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Registered: 9th Jan 07
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Think retail is exactly £500 on that one
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jacko198
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Registered: 1st Mar 07
Location: Buckinghamshire
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^ That one up there is £350
There is a trek 6000 for £500
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C2RL R
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Registered: 28th Mar 02
Location: Redcliffe, QLD
User status: Offline
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what have you got mate?
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jacko198
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Registered: 1st Mar 07
Location: Buckinghamshire
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Me or him?
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C2RL R
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Registered: 28th Mar 02
Location: Redcliffe, QLD
User status: Offline
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sorry meant ed mate. you replied at the same time as me. you work in a bike shop dont ya?
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Superlite Ltd.
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Registered: 9th Jan 07
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can i also suggest the Giant Terrago

for brakes they are now using hayes strokers 
but the wheels and bearings are of a lesser quality to the Trek. Saying that the giant is like £325 iirc
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Superlite Ltd.
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Registered: 9th Jan 07
User status: Offline
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quote: Originally posted by C2RL R
sorry meant ed mate. you replied at the same time as me. you work in a bike shop dont ya?

saracen, but only the frame is original. I've spent the last 5 month re-building it up to a good spec
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jacko198
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Registered: 1st Mar 07
Location: Buckinghamshire
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Yeah i do matey
Giant xtc 4.5 is a good bike aswell
I would say, spend whatever you have got to spend, dont spend any less, because bikes change alot with price
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Superlite Ltd.
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Registered: 9th Jan 07
User status: Offline
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quote: Originally posted by jacko198
Yeah i do matey
Giant xtc 4.5 is a good bike aswell
I would say, spend whatever you have got to spend, dont spend any less, because bikes change alot with price
Yup, and an extra £50 spent on the bike won't buy you the same extra £50 worth of kit later on
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jacko198
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Registered: 1st Mar 07
Location: Buckinghamshire
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^ Too true, too true
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C2RL R
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Registered: 28th Mar 02
Location: Redcliffe, QLD
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so am i better off spending my money on a lower range trek?
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jacko198
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Registered: 1st Mar 07
Location: Buckinghamshire
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Nope, if you have got £500, spend the whole £500
The difference in forks, mech's, brakes etc, between a 400£ and a £500 bike are massive, and as the guy up there said.
If you wanted to buy the extra gear that the £500 bike has, it would cost you hundreds.
If you get me 
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C2RL R
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Registered: 28th Mar 02
Location: Redcliffe, QLD
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yeah i understand that. so are all the £500 bikes of a similar spec or do you just pay extra for the name with some of them?
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Superlite Ltd.
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Registered: 9th Jan 07
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quote: Originally posted by C2RL R
yeah i understand that. so are all the £500 bikes of a similar spec or do you just pay extra for the name with some of them?
I find a £500 Marin has a lesser spec to a £500 Trek, Giant or Spesh tbh
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C2RL R
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Registered: 28th Mar 02
Location: Redcliffe, QLD
User status: Offline
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so trek, giant and specialized are gonna be pretty similar quality at the £500 mark? if thats the case then i can just see which one feels most comfortable and go for that.
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