Which mountain bike ? £450 max budget

[Goobs]

I am looking for a mountain bike and the most I can spend it £450.

Having looked into it a little and going by others comments I am after something with lockout forks, preferably more than 100mm travel, hydraulic brakes and a decent groupset that will not need upgrading or replacing for the next year or two !

It will be used for leisure riding which will usually be a mix of road and off road fun.

So far I have looked at the Focus Killer Bee from Wiggle, a Carrera Fury (missed the 15% deal that would have made it £450) and a Giant Talon 2.5.

LBS was selling a Norco Kokanee for £400 but not much known about it.

Really only want new so Ebay is out.

Does anyone know of any offers or good buys they can recommend, especially as the sales are supposed to be on around now ?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Norm]

So far I have looked at the Focus Killer Bee from Wiggle, a Carrera Fury (missed the 15% deal that would have made it £450) and a Giant Talon 2.5.

I've got a Talon 3, with mechanical disks, and I'm loving it.

I've done about 800 miles over the past 12 months on all sorts of surfaces, including some pretty serious (for a 46 year old ) off road action in Swinley Forest to a day in the saddle riding 45 miles on canal paths and 20 on roads. I've adjusted the brake pads twice in that time, repacked the pedals after spending a couple of days riding through water, and that's about it as far as maintenance goes. It's been a great companion with some fantastic memories.

After the first few rides, I don't lock out the front any more as the front hardly moves from my pedalling action.

The only downside is that the stock tyres (Kendas?) were showing pretty significant wear in about 150 miles of road and Dartmoor action.

 

[battered]

Talking to a friend tonight whi has just ordered a Focus killer bee as per your list, the consensus amongst the rest of us is it's a bloody good deal.

 

[Goobs]

I've got a Talon 3, with mechanical disks, and I'm loving it.

I've done about 800 miles over the past 12 months on all sorts of surfaces, including some pretty serious (for a 46 year old ) off road action in Swinley Forest to a day in the saddle riding 45 miles on canal paths and 20 on roads. I've adjusted the brake pads twice in that time, repacked the pedals after spending a couple of days riding through water, and that's about it as far as maintenance goes. It's been a great companion with some fantastic memories.

After the first few rides, I don't lock out the front any more as the front hardly moves from my pedalling action.

The only downside is that the stock tyres (Kendas?) were showing pretty significant wear in about 150 miles of road and Dartmoor action.

Most new bikes seem to come with Hydraulic brakes at the price mark I have been looking at. The guy at my LBS indicated that these , lock out shocks with plenty of travel and not going for the lowest groupset where the best thing to do. Personally I am upgrading from a 15 year old £70 bike-shaped-object mountain bike that weighs about 17KG, has no suspension, side caliper rubber breaks and an old Shimano gearset that you have to plan ahead for if you want to change gear ! My friends £130 Apollo MTB looks like a Boardman bike compared to mine !

The one downside I am aware of with the hydraulics is that they could require bleeding every year but then I am not adverse to a bit of diy and used to service my old cars and push bikes anyway.

I will bear your comments in mind though and thankyou for replying.

 

[Goobs]

Talking to a friend tonight whi has just ordered a Focus killer bee as per your list, the consensus amongst the rest of us is it's a bloody good deal.

You're the third person to recommend the Focus.

I had some doubts about mail order as far as returns go but Wiggle do seem good.

I emailled them to confirm and you can return the bike within 30 days for whatever reason for a refund, return for repair after that and within the bikes warranty period (3 years for the Focus except 1 year for suspension forks) all at their expense.

Now 2 left in stock so have bitten the bullet!

Thanks again to everyone.