Im looking for a hard tail MTB for around £600 (As my initial spend was £500 I cant really go much higher, ok maybe £650!!)
It would be for general woods, hills, trails and a little road riding. I'll be giving it a bit of stick but nothing major (I like my nuts right where they are, and I'm scared of pain!!)
I'm 6.1" and about 100kg / 16 stone
So far I like: (follow links for spec)
Genisis Core 20 (but... no lock out on the forks, and I'm fairly heavy - been advised against coil springs?)
So, if you have an opinion or know of anything else I should look at I'd appreciate it. I'd rather buy form an local independent in the West Yorkshire area, but sorry to say price / value will tip the scales...
If you get the specialized ,I think it comes with a lifetimes guarentee on the frame. So that might help with your weight worrys (I.E. it dosent matter if you bend it ) But be sure and buy from a spesh dealer.
Theres usually a link posted on here to a shop called "Pauls cycles" and sometimes its like he,s giving stuff away (£500 off is not uncommon ) all last years models mind you but well worth a google.
Finally ( I dont think you,ll fancy this tho`) check out bikemagics very own used bikes page , the lads who sell em are website members and usually know their stuff , some quality bikes with decent upgrades .
With a bit of patience and googling you can get a grands worth of bike with your £600.
Have a look at www.pedalon.co.uk too - I've bought two bikes from them and got a great deal both times - have a look at what you can get with podium points from buying the bike too...
The Malt 2 is a great bike BTW, my club has one for lending out to people without their own bikes (It's a university club) and it's a great value hardtail (We got the hubs upgraded to XT on the one we ordered to cut servicing requirements but that's about it. If you're heavy you'll chew up Deore hub bearings in no time - I'm not far off that weight and killed Deore hubs (Bearings grindy, front axle snapped, rear freehub developed loads of play and broke) in 6 months).
As for coil vs. air, if you're heavy on the front of the bike with a coil fork you'll probably need to change out the springs for heavier ones which is a pain in the ass compared to an air fork where you can just pump in the pressure you want (The higher the pressure in the fork the quicker it will leak however, though this isn't really a big deal on air forks made in the last decade or so unless you're a lot heavier than 100kg or the fork is designed for XC racing skeletons)...
Wow, thanks everyone who gave their advice! I now know a load more about MTB having researched some of your recamndations.
I have just (this afternoon) got a Genisis 30 from Aire Valley Cycles - I got it for £600 - someone had purchased it who really wanted FS , rode it for a week and decided they were going to save the extra £ and brought it back. £150 off the RRP coz it was a week old!
Not sure about this forums view of plugging but I have to say the staff there knew thier stuff and went above what I'd expect form good service (spent ages helping me fit my new bike rack outside the shop even after I'd parted with my cash!). I went round a lot of shops looking for a bike and they were by far the best. I'd have no doubts in advising anyone to go pay them a visit.
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