New bike for a novice

[Matthew Nash]

Hi,

I am looking to purchase a bike to get fit and have some fun!

I hope to do most biking off road, including parks, trails, woodland, however will cover some road as well. I don't intend to spend a great deal to start with to see how I get on.

I've had a look around and found the following bike at Halfords, which is a little more than I intended of paying, but I like the look of;

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...uctId_840925_langId_-1_categoryId_165499#tab2

I would be grateful if one of your experienced bikers could take a look at it and let me know if it will suit my needs. Alternatively, is there anything better out there?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Matt

 

[Cubist]

Looks good. It may turn out to be a bit heavy, but for the money not a bad bike. The brakes will need adjusting regularly to get the best out of them, but they are well suited to the use you describe.

Alternative machines at Halfords for the money would be the Vengeance for the same price, with a 100mm XCM fork, but an upgraded drivetrain, or the Vulcan for £50 more with an upgrade to hydraulic brakes.

 

[Cubist]

A direct competitor would be the Rockrider 5.3 from Decathlon, very similar appearance but better gearset. Suntour XCM 100mm fork. http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-53-2011-id_8168118.html

 

[flying start]

Cubist don't cube do a entry level hard tail ? Might be a better speck for around £300!

 

[Cubist]

Cubist don't cube do a entry level hard tail ? Might be a better speck for around £300!

They start at about £390 for a V-brake hardtail the Aim. Halfords and Decathlon at this pricepoint, or poss EBC.