Norco Charger 650b or Boardman Pro Team 29er ? Born again Mtb needs help.

[SteCenturion]

I have a yearning to do a bit of Mtb but at heart I am a roadie.

Having done precisely zero Mtb for about 20 years I just don't have the knowledge most of you will have.

I plan to use the cycle to work scheme once my road bike C2W has ended & will be looking at a 2015 model around September time.

Sorry, I can't do links on this phone I am posting from but would love to get the opinions of you hardened Mtb'ers.

 

[Pale Rider]

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/norco/charger-71-2015-mountain-bike-ec073455

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/boardman-mountain-bike-pro-hardtail-29er

 

[SteCenturion]

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/norco/charger-71-2015-mountain-bike-ec073455

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/boardman-mountain-bike-pro-hardtail-29er

Cheers for that mate.

 

[Motozulu]

What 'kind' of off roading though? fire road, light XC or more technical, singletrack type stuff?

Actually, forget it - just get one of these. Thank me later. (I've got one - it's a fecking fantastic hardtail)

http://shop.birdmtb.com/zero/zero-3-439.html

 

[SteCenturion]

What 'kind' of off roading though? fire road, light XC or more technical, singletrack type stuff?

Actually, forget it - just get one of these. Thank me later. (I've got one - it's a fecking fantastic hardtail)

http://shop.birdmtb.com/zero/zero-3-439.html

Cheers, read about these in v jock thread & they look & sound to be a real nice bike.
Not sure they do C2W though & as I have no savings this would rule it out.

As for type of riding, mainly forest trail, natural trail & farm track with occasional smaller drop offs & root jumping *still a big kid*, plus we have a 4 yr old who when a little older can come on short woodland rides, Miss SC senior has a Mtb I bought her & my road bike is not obviously suitable.

 

[Pale Rider]

Cheers, read about these in v jock thread & they look & sound to be a real nice bike.
Not sure they do C2W though & as I have no savings this would rule it out.

As for type of riding, mainly forest trail, natural trail & farm track with occasional smaller drop offs & route jumping *still a big kid*, plus we have a 4 yr old who when a little older can come on short woodland rides, Miss SC senior has a Mtb I bought her & my road bike is not obviously suitable.

The Bird is a heavy duty hard tail, so not really required for 'forest trail, nature trail and farm track'.

'Occasional smaller drop offs' is a harder ask, but either of the two bikes in your OP ought to be able to handle those.

The Bird would be more future proof, handy if your interest in 'proper' mountain biking develops.

My Cannondale is a 29er, and like so many mountain bikes, is only used where a hybrid would do just as well.

The 29er tyres do roll nicely in those circumstances.

 

[Motozulu]

Can I just add though, for a 'heavy duty' HT it pedals and climbs like a dream - and despite what the Bird site says..it actually weighs in at less than 12kg!

For under a grand this bike is a no brainer - it'll do the lighter XC stuff at a breeze but if you ever get more into techie stuff well it absolutely eats up drops and jumps. Why limit yourself to an XC bike when you can get one that does both equally as well?

Oh, I got mine on the C2W scheme too...

 

[mrbikerboy73]

I'd go with the Norco myself. No other reason than the wheel size and the fact that I nearly bought one. I'm sure they are both good bikes though and it really comes down to buyer preference. See if you can get a test ride on both and make a comparison. I think they will feel quite different but only you know which one is for you.

 

[SteCenturion]

I have been to Evans at The Chill Factor today & sat upon a Norco Charger 18.5" which felt fine but shop dude said looked small & maybe I need a 20", I am 6ft tall.
Having read the reviews on Evans site there are others my size & larger who have this size.

Anyway, I also sat on the 2015 Norco Fluid 7.1 which is full suss but more than twice the price, granted it had a higher spec too, this was a Large & again the guy says I am on the cusp of sizes Large to XL, again a reviewer of 6ft 2" bought the large & claims it to be perfect.

Now I am left slightly confused & uncertain of which way to go.

 

[Levo-Lon]

Im with motzulu too that is a tasty bird..you will love that @SteCenturion ..
on one might be worth a look too..45650 b

 

[Levo-Lon]

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOO45650BX9/on-one-45650b-sram-x9-mountain-bike

 

[SteCenturion]

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOO45650BX9/on-one-45650b-sram-x9-mountain-bike

Nearly bought an On One XC carbon frame for a self build about a year ago but ummed & arrghed too long.
It was gorgeous & cheap too.

 

[Levo-Lon]

I built up a 26' 456 carbon and run it with the forks at 120mm..superb bike @SteCenturion

the wippet is the xc weapon tho

 

[Motozulu]

What meta says. if you are looking for the best bike (C2W friendly HT) then either the Bird Zero or the On One 456 are your kiddies. You seem to be muddying the waters a bit though now, as your original criteria has changed?

Again, I can only say (even if you are looking at a Full suss) get on the phone to Bird and arrange a test ride, the Aeris, their full suss bike is also getting rave reviews.

 

[Drago]

Whatever you do, go ride yourself before buying. We wouldn't pay 100 sheets for a car without a test drive, so why many times that for a bike without cocking a leg over?

Don't get too excited about "rave reviews." Most of these are from people who've bought them - half couldn't tell a bad bike from an air conditioner, and the other half were riding an Apollo as their previous bike so itd be pretty difficult to be worse than that which they were riding previously.

Go see for yourself.