Need help picking out a mountain bike (noob)

[vmantomecca]

Hey there, I am a student from the UK who is very new to mountain biking, I am looking to get a decent mountain bike, my maximum budget is £400. I would like to use the bike for getting to school and go out with my mates to the woods or some trails.

*I don't have the money yet but will have £400 around Christmas time also Ill be getting the bike somewhere between January and February*
I have looked at these two bikes, but I am just so unsure on what to get.
1. I heard somewhere that the specialized bikes are fantastic, so I saw this which looks good??? Also this doesnt come out till 2017 sometime in January but it may come in at a later stage, so I mite have to sack it of.

http://www.sigmasport.co.uk/item/Specialized/Hardrock-650b-Mountain-Bike-2017/DVHD

2. This carrera bike looks really nice, it's the same brand of half of my mates bikes, but I read somewhere you shouldn't buy bikes from halfords.

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/carrera-vulcan-mens-mountain-bike

Those are the two bikes I found which seem good??? hahaha. I am looking for a bike which will last a long time which I could upgrade if I need to. I also would be using it in the rain seen as where I live its rain city, I dunno if the rain will damage anything lol.
So like I said I am very new to this and looking forward to learning about bikes and all that, so if you have the time please recommend something.

Cheers.

 

[vickster]

The rockrider range from Decathlon offers good value for money compared to the big brands like Specialized

Carrera bikes are solid too, halfords can be a bit hit and miss. Say where you live and someone will pipe up on local branches

I'm guessing you aren't in Kingston where Sigma as its not overly rainy in SW London compared to say the NW or Western Scotland!

 

[DRM]

The Carrera is the better spec of the two, if you join British Cycling(£35) you will get 10% off everything at Halfords.

 

[vickster]

Decathlon's offer

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-540-mountain-bike-275-grey-id_8350454.html

 

[NorthernDave]

If you don't need the front suspension (and in all reality you probably don't) , look at the Carrera Subway One at Halfords.
Similar spec but on offer at £250 at the moment -they are a very good bike for the money and will easily cope with the type of riding you've said.

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/carrera-subway-1-mens-hybrid-bike

British Cycling members get another 10% off everything at Halfords too.

 

[vmantomecca]

Thank you everyone, I will be taking everything in consideration

The rockrider range from Decathlon offers good value for money compared to the big brands like Specialized

Carrera bikes are solid too, halfords can be a bit hit and miss. Say where you live and someone will pipe up on local branches

I'm guessing you aren't in Kingston where Sigma as its not overly rainy in SW London compared to say the NW or Western Scotland!

I live in Exeter which does become quite rainy, what do you think of this
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Specialized-Pitch-27-5-Mountain-Bike-2017-Hardtail-MTB_95258.htm

In fact that's the same model that one of my mates was looking into getting.

Cheers for the great support.

The Carrera is the better spec of the two, if you join British Cycling(£35) you will get 10% off everything at Halfords.

Cheers for the support going to look into it

If you don't need the front suspension (and in all reality you probably don't) , look at the Carrera Subway One at Halfords.
Similar spec but on offer at £250 at the moment -they are a very good bike for the money and will easily cope with the type of riding you've said.

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/carrera-subway-1-mens-hybrid-bike

British Cycling members get another 10% off everything at Halfords too.

Looks really good and cheap, would save some money for other stuff. Gonna put that down on my list Cheers.

 

[Cycleops]

Hello and welcome. First thing to say is I'm not a MTB expert. There are a array of models available which can be confusing. The Hardrock you mentioned comes with 650 (smaller) wheels. I don't know the significance of that but there is now a proliferation of wheel sizes in mountain bikes so perhaps someone could explain this for us.

If you're going to ride in all weathers you need to make sure guards can be fitted. Another point to mention is that a mountain bike is hard work on the road with its weight and thick tyres, so if your commute is more than a few miles it might be worth considering a hybrid. It will still be able to handle tracks and trails but will feel faster on the road. Halfords Carrera Subway has good press on here. Just something to think about.

 

[LonesomeWanderer]

I've got a Carrera Subway and a Carrera Vulcan. Although the Subway is based on an MTB-style frame the geometry (and riding position) feels very different, with the Vulcan being much more upright and suited for off-roading. As mentioned above, the weight of the Vulcan plus the knobbly tyres means it takes a lot more effort to ride on road than the Subway does, but it is fantastic if you want to disappear deep into a forest for a while :-)

The best thing to do is to make sure you go and actually sit on and try to test ride as many bikes as possible to make sure you'll get on OK with the geometry/position - it's a very personal thing.

And if you end up going to Halford's look at Quidco for cashback in addition to the BC discount mentioned above....

 

[DRM]

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/voodoo-bantu-mountain-bike
Have a look at this, again a better spec than the Specialized you linked to, and 10% off with British Cycling, and I believe you can get further cash back from Quidco, which some people here have done.

 

[Drago]

Halfords usually have some substantial price reductions in the January sales. A higher spec Carrera or a nice Voodoo may well drop into your budget.

 

[vickster]

I'm not sure if quidco works if under 18?
If you do, make sure you get an order number and email record from halfords. Annoyingly, I missed out on £16 recently as I hadn't kept the order email (just the receipt) and halfords have no record of the order, just the actual purchase which isn't sufficient for quidco as far as I can tell

 

[Salar]

Hi and welcome.
Pauls Cycles www.Paulscycles.co.uk used to sell previous years models off at discounted prices, think they still do.

I picked up a very nice Kona mtb off them a few years ago, saved £200 as it was a last seasons bike.

Also as @NorthernDave says you might get away without suspension. I never used it in the 80's and 90's.

 

[MiK1138]

If you are gonna go Halfords, thier Boxing Day sale is always good, last bike i got from there was ordered on Xmas Night, and I saved £100 and it was ready to collect 2nd January(like anyone in Scotland is picking up a bike on 2nd Jan HA), good range of both Carreras and Boardmans at Halfords

 

[vmantomecca]

Hello and welcome. First thing to say is I'm not a MTB expert. There are a array of models available which can be confusing. The Hardrock you mentioned comes with 650 (smaller) wheels. I don't know the significance of that but there is now a proliferation of wheel sizes in mountain bikes so perhaps someone could explain this for us.

If you're going to ride in all weathers you need to make sure guards can be fitted. Another point to mention is that a mountain bike is hard work on the road with its weight and thick tyres, so if your commute is more than a few miles it might be worth considering a hybrid. It will still be able to handle tracks and trails but will feel faster on the road. Halfords Carrera Subway has good press on here. Just something to think about.

Yeah tbh I do live pretty close to my school and the woods is close ish, from what I've heard from my mates is that they find it a tad bit tiring riding on the road, so I will look into it
Thanks.

I've got a Carrera Subway and a Carrera Vulcan. Although the Subway is based on an MTB-style frame the geometry (and riding position) feels very different, with the Vulcan being much more upright and suited for off-roading. As mentioned above, the weight of the Vulcan plus the knobbly tyres means it takes a lot more effort to ride on road than the Subway does, but it is fantastic if you want to disappear deep into a forest for a while :-)

The best thing to do is to make sure you go and actually sit on and try to test ride as many bikes as possible to make sure you'll get on OK with the geometry/position - it's a very personal thing.

And if you end up going to Halford's look at Quidco for cashback in addition to the BC discount mentioned above....

Yeah I'm going to test out all of my mates bikes and see whats comfy and what isn't
Cheers.

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/voodoo-bantu-mountain-bike
Have a look at this, again a better spec than the Specialized you linked to, and 10% off with British Cycling, and I believe you can get further cash back from Quidco, which some people here have done.

Yeah seems like all the other brands have got way better specs then the big brands.
Thank you.

Halfords usually have some substantial price reductions in the January sales. A higher spec Carrera or a nice Voodoo may well drop into your budget.

Yeah gonna look into see if I can up my budget some how. What do you think of this http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...goryId=165499&productId=1246693&storeId=10001
Cheers.

I'm not sure if quidco works if under 18?
If you do, make sure you get an order number and email record from halfords. Annoyingly, I missed out on £16 recently as I hadn't kept the order email (just the receipt) and halfords have no record of the order, just the actual purchase which isn't sufficient for quidco as far as I can tell

Cheers for the heads up.

Hi and welcome.
Pauls Cycles www.Paulscycles.co.uk used to sell previous years models off at discounted prices, think they still do.

I picked up a very nice Kona mtb off them a few years ago, saved £200 as it was a last seasons bike.

Also as @NorthernDave says you might get away without suspension. I never used it in the 80's and 90's.

I'll see if there's any good bikes.
Thanks.

If you are gonna go Halfords, thier Boxing Day sale is always good, last bike i got from there was ordered on Xmas Night, and I saved £100 and it was ready to collect 2nd January(like anyone in Scotland is picking up a bike on 2nd Jan HA), good range of both Carreras and Boardmans at Halfords

Great savings then I guess. Just depends if I do get the money before boxig day haha we will see.

 

[Andrew1971]

Hi All
I have a cerrera subway one i find it a very nice ride. But it has 27.5 inch tyre's
not as many choice's as 26 inch yet. She does handle well i nearly filled me pant's a few time's
around some corner's. Let me know if you want more info.
Andrew