Help me pick a mountain bike (I havnt a clue)

ant_j · 29-07-2009, 11:03 AM

I know nothing about mountain bikes, other than I want to buy one
thru the cycle2work scheme.
It'll be used mainly for work (aprox 6 miles per day) on raod, and maybe
every other weekend for a few hours on/off road.

Looking for a hardtail and the 3 candidates so far are:

Giant Talon 0
Trek 6500
Specialized Rockhopper Expert Disc

All are around a similar price and i'm reluctant to pay much more.

Any views or experience greatly appreciated or any other
makes/ models information will be good too

Ta in advance

nheather · 29-07-2009, 11:11 AM

Based on the fact that my family have owned several Specialized and we have been pleased with all of them I'd vote for

Specialized Rockhopper Expert Disc

But please bear in mind that this is slightly biased as I have no first hand experience of the other two.

However, I would add that bikes are a very personal thing - sure you can do point scoring on the levels of equipment but you really need to ride each of the around and go for the one that you like the best. The spec of manufacturers bikes is all pretty much similar for a given price point - so it's more important what feels best to you - even which colour scheme you like the best.

The geometry - angles, reaches etc. play a huge part - and what is right for one person is not so good for another and there is no way to judge that by looking at catalogues.

Also are you sure a Mountain Bike is right for you - have you looked at hybrids?

Cheers,

Nigel

ant_j · 29-07-2009, 11:32 AM

Thanks for the input Nigel.

Am willing to listen any comments, even if it is slightly bias.

Hadn't considered hybrid - will certainly have a look.

blackrod · 29-07-2009, 11:36 AM

I have the Rockhopper Sport Disc, bought it a few weeks ago. It is a really nice bike and I love the colour scheme which is a bonus. As the others have said though, go and have quick ride on them at the shop to decide as they all ride differently.

**Iccz** · 29-07-2009, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nheather

I'd vote for

Specialized Rockhopper Expert Disc

+1 here, solid build, good value for money, easily adequate for any "average" on and off-road usage, as long as you're not going to be throwing yourself around rough dirt tracks and bouncing off rocks it'll be more than enough.

y2k · 29-07-2009, 11:53 AM

Diamondback make good quality mountain bikes and they don't cost that much.

nheather · 29-07-2009, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Hadn't considered hybrid - will certainly have a look.

Mountain bikes are harder work on road - although at 6 miles (3 miles each way I assume) it shouldn't make that difference.

Best is to go for something you like. A hybrid will be easier for road use, but if you prefer the look of a mountain bike, go for a mountain bike.

My son and I have Rockhoppers (the equivalent of the Rockhopper disc but with V-Brakes) and we both love them.

Cheers,

Nigel

mattrixdesign2 · 29-07-2009, 11:54 AM

I like the Specialized Rockhopper (I have an older model).

Try some of the bike forums for reviews and tips.

**Iccz** · 29-07-2009, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by y2k

Diamondback make good quality mountain bikes and they don't cost that much.

Also the likes of the Carrera Vulcan from Halfords are surprisingly good quality for the price, and are often overlooked.

bazonix · 29-07-2009, 12:17 PM

hi

out of the three, and if commuting was the main reason for the purchase, id also chose the rockhopper... it shares the same fork as the trek (also one id def try as well) which enables lock out for efficient road riding..... it has excellent brakes and the frame is tried and tested.... and the tyres are more suited to road (than the other 2 bikes, but i would consider asking the shop to swap them out for 'hybrid' tires).... i always love the 'standard' kit that comes with specialized bikes... real class

the giant is a very new bike but the angles wouldnt allow for a nice long ride.... its specific to slalom and trials..... not suited for what u want.... although id love to have a go....

diamond back (like klein) suffered terribly a few years ago with bankruptcy, the name still lives on albeit with chinese made frames.... not 'what they used to be' sort of thing.....

nice one

captainff · 29-07-2009, 12:23 PM

Another vote for the Rockhopper too.

Specialized are like the BMW of bike manufacturers .. .. loads of people have them and they do the job well, they're well built and usually silver or black!

If you go to a local bike shop and ask for help with tyre selection you can easily buy a good quality tyre for riding your MTB on road (and keep the knobblies for off roading)

ant_j · 29-07-2009, 12:38 PM

Thank you guys for all the information!

TBH, i do prefer the rockhopper over the other 2.

Now to go and get sized up and try one out.

Out of intrest, again know nothing about bikes,
how often should they be serviced, what do they do and roughlt whats
the cost?

Thanks

y2k · 29-07-2009, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bazonix

diamond back (like klein) suffered terribly a few years ago with bankruptcy, the name still lives on albeit with chinese made frames.... not 'what they used to be' sort of thing.....

nice one

I own a 2007 diamondback MTB and it says on the frame made in the U.S.A.

, when did they start making the frames in China? I have seen some lately and they still look and fell like quality to me.

nheather · 29-07-2009, 1:35 PM

Quote:

Now to go and get sized up and try one out.

Bear in mind that sizing tends to be different for road and off road - you usually go for a smaller frame off road with more seat post showing.

For example my Rockhopper is 19" - if I were to go for a road bike I would go for 21" at least.

Cheers,

Nigel

bazonix · 29-07-2009, 1:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by y2k

I own a 2007 diamondback MTB .

sorry, im really old school on this but what model is it... i was going by memory but im sure if its 'easton' aluminium, yes the material is made in the USA but the actual frame is built in China....

mossym · 29-07-2009, 1:57 PM

i'm 6ft'1 and bought a 19" rockhopper disc about 6 weeks or so ago...then again i've been throwing it down the side of any mountain i can find/cycle up since i got it...highly recommended

ant_j · 29-07-2009, 2:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nheather

Bear in mind that sizing tends to be different for road and off road - you usually go for a smaller frame off road with more seat post showing.

For example my Rockhopper is 19" - if I were to go for a road bike I would go for 21" at least.

Cheers,

Nigel

Ta for the info Nigel,
If you don't mind me asking, how tall are you?

nheather · 29-07-2009, 2:35 PM

I'm 6'1".

My son is 15yo and just a tad shorter than me so when he got a Rockhopper this spring he went for a 19" aswell. Not sure we did the best thing though as he was 1" shorter then so still groing and we have since found out that whilst we are the same height his legs are 2" longer than mine. Perhaps I should have got him a 21" frame.

Cheers,

Nigel

ant_j · 29-07-2009, 2:39 PM

Ta Nigel,

Im 5.10 so think the 19" should be good for me.
Although I found the best deal on the bike via mail order,
I think i'll pop to a local shop to find the best fit

captainff · 29-07-2009, 2:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ant_j

I think i'll pop to a local shop to find the best fit

Always a wise thing to do.

You could even arrange a test ride to see if you like the feel of it in action? The difference in feel of two bikes can be quite pronounced and you'll be using this every day .. .. .. make sure it feels right.

nheather · 29-07-2009, 2:59 PM

Quote:

I think i'll pop to a local shop to find the best fit

And tell them about the price you have found online - they may be prepared to price match or at least move towards it.

Also if it is a decent shop they will put it together and make sure that the gears are indexing properly and the brakes are adjusted correctly. If you buy online, you have to do that.

A store may also allow you to change parts. Say you don't like the Specialized saddle. The shops I use will let you try out different saddles and if price is comparable make no charge.

Many allow you to bring it back after a month for a free brake\gear adjustment - cables can stretch with initial use which may put the gear indexing out.

My local shop offers free brake\gear adjustment for life.

Cheers,

Nigel

y2k · 29-07-2009, 6:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bazonix

sorry, im really old school on this but what model is it... i was going by memory but im sure if its 'easton' aluminium, yes the material is made in the USA but the actual frame is built in China....

Not 100% sure but will have to look at it tomorrow, just know its a 2007 model because thats why it was cheapish when I bought it last year.

BISHI · 29-07-2009, 7:16 PM

I've always had these -

KONAWORLD.COM

Excellent bikes.....

nheather · 29-07-2009, 7:41 PM

Quote:

KONAWORLD.COM

When I got my first proper bike, a Specialized RockHopper, I almost bought a Kona.

At the time I'd never heard of Specialized and had been looking at Giant's and GT's but the cool brand was Kona.

And they had a really nice bike at the price I wanted to pay - so why didn't I get it?

It was called a Kona NuNu

And having a young son at the time I was very aware that NuNu was the name of the naughty vacuum cleaner in the Teletubbies. I couldn't live with a bike called that.

Of course Teletubbies hadn't made it across the Atlantic at the time so our US friends were unaware - but not so long after it did reach their shores Kona dropped the NuNu.

Cheers,

Nigel

ant_j · 30-07-2009, 11:18 AM

Thanks for all the info guys..
Pretty much decided on the Rockhopper.

Will pop to local shops today/tomorrow to try out and order

y2k · 31-07-2009, 1:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bazonix

sorry, im really old school on this but what model is it... i was going by memory but im sure if its 'easton' aluminium, yes the material is made in the USA but the actual frame is built in China....

Looked at it this morning and its a DBX, you might be right about the frame being made somewhere else but I didn't look close enough as its at the back of the shed, it says on the frame designed in the U.K. born in America.