which one of these 3 mtbs ?

[errbud]

Hello all,
I have £500 to spend from a shop, I'm a roadie and don't know much about mtb specs etc so some opinions/advice would be good, has to be one of the 3 following bikes .....

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/specialized-hardrock-sport-disc-14

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/cannondale-trail-6-14

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/marin-bolinas-ridge-disc-14

Also 2 of the bikes have a 29er option what's the difference? I'll be using the bike for trails nothing too mental!
Cheers

 

[Benotti69]

29 is the wheel size. 26 is standard or used to be.

Marin if i had to choose.

 

[winkybiker]

Anything but Specialized. They're *** and don't deserve your business.

 

[Master50]

I recently went from a 26 Full suspension to a 29er, also full suspension. The bike makes enough difference to improve your riding measurably. There is no reason for an XC bike with 26 wheels unless you are under 5" 6" and I am really saying that so my wife will ride the 26 I just gave her

 

[DirtyWorks]

Anything but Specialized. They're *** and don't deserve your business.

+10 to this. Don't reward their bad behaviour. Don't buy Merida either as they are Specialized's owners.

Buy the eerily similar bike with Giant stickers on it from another shop.

Don't get too caught up in wheel sizes and components and so on because they just don't matter that much.

 

[dsut4392]

Hello all,
I have £500 to spend from a shop, I'm a roadie and don't know much about mtb specs etc so some opinions/advice would be good, has to be one of the 3 following bikes .....

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/specialized-hardrock-sport-disc-14

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/cannondale-trail-6-14

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/marin-bolinas-ridge-disc-14

Also 2 of the bikes have a 29er option what's the difference? I'll be using the bike for trails nothing too mental!
Cheers

If it has to be one of those three, just ride them all and get the one you like best. Based solely on the specs, I would steer towards the Marin, probably in 29er (unless you're shorter than 170cm in which case the 26" is likely to fit better). Worth comparing the weight of the Marin to the Cannondale; it's not in the specs, but the Cannondale is a full kg lighter than the Specialized. Otherwise the running gear on the cannodale is lower spec 8-speed stuff.

If you're actually going to go MTBing, it's worth considering chipping in a few extra quid to get a bike with a better fork in particular. Talking to the shop couldn't hurt.

If it doesn't have to be one of those three, and doesn't have to be from that shop, there's likely to be better value in mail order.

 

[Bustedknuckle]

Hello all,
I have £500 to spend from a shop, I'm a roadie and don't know much about mtb specs etc so some opinions/advice would be good, has to be one of the 3 following bikes .....

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/specialized-hardrock-sport-disc-14

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/cannondale-trail-6-14

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/marin-bolinas-ridge-disc-14

Also 2 of the bikes have a 29er option what's the difference? I'll be using the bike for trails nothing too mental!
Cheers

How tall are you. If tall enough, get a 29er hardtail...AND try to ride each..ride the one that fits the best...

 

[Master50]

+10 to this. Don't reward their bad behaviour. Don't buy Merida either as they are Specialized's owners.

Buy the eerily similar bike with Giant stickers on it from another shop.

Don't get too caught up in wheel sizes and components and so on because they just don't matter that much.

I have to disagree the wheel size thing might be the most important decision you can make on an MTB. After 25 years on 26 inch wheels the change to 29 inch wheels increased my speed to and from the trails. Increased the height of obstacles I could cross. improved traction, improved my climbing in general. reduced the beat down from those technical downhills. 29ers do have some downsides and many of the local trails were built for 26 inch bike turning radius. My timing to go 29 was not so good as I just bought a used bike from a local pro and realized I was the first guy in our group to buy a 26 inch wheel bike in over 2 years. Like you I said the wheels cannot make that much difference but OH was I mistaken. Total game changer but not without some challenges. Weight, You likely need to spend a lot more $ to keep the mass down. My Superfly 100 is 26 pounds as was my 26" Fuji I gave my wife. Cost to keep that weight down was significant. She is happy to get my 26 as it is lighter than her pro flex by a lot and the suspension could really be set for her light weight. For her frame size is a big issue and 29ers are challenged to offer good geometry to small riders. The right kind of bike matters too and the choices are vast. not many choices for downhill bikes in 29er.
I know this debate gets a little evangelical but by personal experience it is profoundly different for the better. Wheel size makes a big difference and I think matters a lot.

 

[DirtyWorks]

I know this debate gets a little evangelical but by personal experience it is profoundly different for the better. Wheel size makes a big difference and I think matters a lot.

Yes, but you and I have years of experience to work from. OP probably does not.

For this bike, at the price points given it just doesn't matter. If the OP gets hooked, and hungry for that next more expensive bike, then OP will have some hours in the saddle to make an informed personal decision about his next wheel size.

As long as it's not those anticompetitive patent trolls at Merida/Specialized, any new bike that feels right to the OP is good.

 

[Master50]

Yes, but you and I have years of experience to work from. OP probably does not.

For this bike, at the price points given it just doesn't matter. If the OP gets hooked, and hungry for that next more expensive bike, then OP will have some hours in the saddle to make an informed personal decision about his next wheel size.

As long as it's not those anticompetitive patent trolls at Merida/Specialized, any new bike that feels right to the OP is good.

As you explain it I can see your point. But start with the right wheel size

 

[errbud]

Thanks for replies, I'm 6ft so from what I've read 29er might be a good idea. Also decided against the big s ! Probably go for the marin although the shop have their own (revolution) hardtail for £599 which looks to have better spec all round including forks, although as always with bikes you keep looking what a little more money gets you where do you stop. I have acquired vouchers for that shop and didn't want to spend too much, so I'm either getting the marin and as suggested either upgrade at a later date or pay an extra 100 and go for the revolution ...
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolution-flow-14?bct=browse/bicycles/mountain-bikes

 

[Master50]

Thanks for replies, I'm 6ft so from what I've read 29er might be a good idea. Also decided against the big s ! Probably go for the marin although the shop have their own (revolution) hardtail for £599 which looks to have better spec all round including forks, although as always with bikes you keep looking what a little more money gets you where do you stop. I have acquired vouchers for that shop and didn't want to spend too much, so I'm either getting the marin and as suggested either upgrade at a later date or pay an extra 100 and go for the revolution ...
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolution-flow-14?bct=browse/bicycles/mountain-bikes

A bike is upgradeable to the limits of the frame. If you have to chose between 2 bikes go for the bike with the best foundation. Components and wheels can be upgraded but the frame cannot. That said a pair of $2000 dollar wheels will make a cheap bike better but be a waste of upgrade dollars. In the $ range you are looking I think most of the bikes will be fairly equal in components and frame material and quality. Forks might be the biggest challenge and Full suspension is not a good choice in this price range. A good fork can cost most your bike budget. Good rear shocks can be 1/3 the cost of that bike so a FS bike in your budget will be little more than a spring with some poor dampers. Hardtail is probably the best bang for your POUND sterling
Good luck and happy MTBing

 

[avanti]

Thanks for replies, I'm 6ft so from what I've read 29er might be a good idea. .....................

I have heard that 29 is being replaced by 27.5". I'm not a MTB rider currently so maybe others can comment on this.
Also research on the web. Here is one article on the topic: http://www.bicycling.com/mountainbikecom/bikes-gear/reviewed-275-mountain-bikes-all-trails

 

[Bustedknuckle]

I have heard that 29 is being replaced by 27.5". I'm not a MTB rider currently so maybe others can comment on this.
Also research on the web. Here is one article on the topic: http://www.bicycling.com/mountainbikecom/bikes-gear/reviewed-275-mountain-bikes-all-trails

Not exactly. 27.5 is replacing 26 inch quickly but 29ers are around for the long haul.

 

[DirtyWorks]

Not exactly. 27.5 is replacing 26 inch quickly but 29ers are around for the long haul.

Agree with this. At 6ft tall, a 29er is probably the way to go.

Again, don't get too caught up with lots of details like 650b vs 29er. Pretty much any bike will be a great start.

 

[Bustedknuckle]

Agree with this. At 6ft tall, a 29er is probably the way to go.

Again, don't get too caught up with lots of details like 650b vs 29er. Pretty much any bike will be a great start.

Particularly since a big 27.5 and a kinda narrow 29er, tire are the same outside diameter.

 

[dsut4392]

A bike is upgradeable to the limits of the frame. If you have to chose between 2 bikes go for the bike with the best foundation. Components and wheels can be upgraded but the frame cannot. That said a pair of $2000 dollar wheels will make a cheap bike better but be a waste of upgrade dollars. In the $ range you are looking I think most of the bikes will be fairly equal in components and frame material and quality. Forks might be the biggest challenge and Full suspension is not a good choice in this price range. A good fork can cost most your bike budget. Good rear shocks can be 1/3 the cost of that bike so a FS bike in your budget will be little more than a spring with some poor dampers. Hardtail is probably the best bang for your POUND sterling
Good luck and happy MTBing

I agree in principle with the first part about upgradeability, but in practice it's probably cheaper to upgrade by buying a whole new bike. At this price point, I would go for the best components.
A better fork and better brakes will IMO make much more difference to the ride than a lighter 'better' frame (assuming geometry is the same). A flexy clunky fork, heavy wheels and mushy sloppy gears will ruin the ride of even the nicest frame.

 

[dsut4392]

Agree with this. At 6ft tall, a 29er is probably the way to go.

Again, don't get too caught up with lots of details like 650b vs 29er. Pretty much any bike will be a great start.

Agree with this. Even though in my previous reply I also suggested the 29er, I should add that it's not all about height; I'm 6'1" and happily rode 26" wheels for 20 years until December, when I got a 650b/27.5 bike.

 

[Master50]

I agree in principle with the first part about upgradeability, but in practice it's probably cheaper to upgrade by buying a whole new bike. At this price point, I would go for the best components.
A better fork and better brakes will IMO make much more difference to the ride than a lighter 'better' frame (assuming geometry is the same). A flexy clunky fork, heavy wheels and mushy sloppy gears will ruin the ride of even the nicest frame.

I can't disagree as the hardest bike to get right is an MTB. Road bikes are very frame quality dependant but MTBs demand so much more from its parts. Until your budget is pretty fat it is all about the best compromises. I might start with the frame with the best fork as I agree a good fork is very important. tuning it to your weight and riding style. Again a really good fork can be your full budget so every choice has trade offs.

I have already made my pitch for wheel size. 27.5s are for people that are conservative or spent 20 years on 26s and wonder if wheels can really change the whole experience. Never tried 27.5 and at 5"10 I tend to ride a small frame too. I ride a 17.5 over an 18 or 19. Put those big wheels on and the 17.5 looks bigger.

 

[Bustedknuckle]

I can't disagree as the hardest bike to get right is an MTB. Road bikes are very frame quality dependant but MTBs demand so much more from its parts. Until your budget is pretty fat it is all about the best compromises. I might start with the frame with the best fork as I agree a good fork is very important. tuning it to your weight and riding style. Again a really good fork can be your full budget so every choice has trade offs.

I have already made my pitch for wheel size. 27.5s are for people that are conservative or spent 20 years on 26s and wonder if wheels can really change the whole experience. Never tried 27.5 and at 5"10 I tend to ride a small frame too. I ride a 17.5 over an 18 or 19. Put those big wheels on and the 17.5 looks bigger.

No argument there..take 2 Moots, both 17inch..the 29er version looks HUGE next to the 26inch..long, high, BIG..

 

[King Boonen]

Hi,

I'm going to guess that you are in Edinburgh, although I know there are several CO-OP shops around the country. If you are I know at least some of the trails you are going to be riding, Glentress, Carron Valley etc. I would personally go with a 26"/27.5" wheel, 26" is what these trails were designed for and if you are just getting into mountain biking you may struggle on some of the tight switchbacks with a 29er. In fact, most of the UK trails were designed for 26" and that size still dominates, they are a bit different to the long trails you get in the US where mile munching can also come into play. Yes, 29ers will roll better over rock-gardens etc. but I personally think you'll have more up on a 26" wheel. I'm 6 foot and ride a large frame (19") on 26" wheel and it works very well. You'll also learn better skills on a hardtail 26" bike.

I don't want to push up your budget, as you'll also need to buy some decent pedals, shoes, probably some shorts at least and maybe some other things. I'll suggest you look at this:

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/genesis-core-10-14

Same as the Revolution price wise and the geometry will suit the kind of thing you will be riding, plus the 27.5 wheels are going to push 26" out of the market, 29" hasn't taken as big a hold in the UK as it has in the US, so you won't be changing wheel size on future bikes.

Any of those bikes will get you round UK trails though unless you point it down a downhill run at Fort William.

A quick word on upgrading. Yes, upgrading is a great route, it's what I've done, but bear in mind all of these frames are probably rated to 120mm travel forks at the most and are 1 1/8th steerer tube only, these kinds of forks are getting rarer and you are more likely to either upgrade to a new bike or a new frame, which is what I've just done along with the fork.

Main thing is don't over-think it, any of those bikes will get you round the trails fine, will last a good few years and can be upgraded if that's what you choose to do. I'd say go with your heart if your head is getting too fuzzy.

If you are around Edinburgh and want someone to show you round some of the trail centres give me a shout, the good weather we've had over the last weekend has been brilliant for mountain biking. I just built up a new frame with bits from my old bike, here it is on my shakedown ride at Carron:

Not a bad place to stop and tune up your gears...