Mountain Bikes

Well I've decided that I'd better get stuck into some MTB action, as I'm told it's much more fun when you get dirty...

1) I'm on a budget, so what should I be on the lookout for? Good entry level bike recommendations, second hand bargains, or general advice would be useful!

2) I'm in (West) London. Best places to go and get stuck in??

3) Anybody want to come and hold my hand/play in the mud?!

Sure FB will be along in a minute, he was very helpful. But I'll guess hardtail at that money. Something like a Specialized Hardrock?

Been over the Lookout in Bracknell with cat5 before a couple of times. Good fun but I am more of a firetrack man than all those scary downy bits and berms etc. You should come and laugh too.

FWIW, don't buy a bike with those springy back ends like you get in sports direct.They are, well, shit.  

DB - Am I right in thinking Cyclezone has a MTB shop too?

Yeah, cyclezone has big MTB section. Got mine there Cube AMS 100 Comp. Has bum soaker. Luvly. Lord H bought the hardtail version from there, he luvs it. But my arse arrives in better nick! 

Felt looks OK E. My littlun has one. Nice machine. Cheap model there, but if you want winter training for road bike, no bad thing.

They have the 720 as well which looks to be full Deore. I might have to go for that...

In my opinion...

- a good gearset is worth investing in, so that it actually does shift when you are suddenly wheel-bound or trying to get up a hill that's come as a bit of a surprise
- if you're not spending 4 figures, then forget about rear suspension
- only consider disc brakes (which, by the way, you need to "bed in" - when you first get it, you'll go over a bump and the brakes will rub a bit, but just leave them be and they settle down)
- buy as light a frame as you can
- buy a disgusting colour if at all possible (mine is electric snot green!)
- any spare budget, invest in some tires, as they will make a big difference in dry vs wet and slick vs wet and claggy conditions
- have fun!

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gt-zaskar-sport-2012

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-q720-2012/

Hmmmm.....

The GT is really ugly. The Felt is nicer - but it would be better to go and sit on one and ride it around a bit, than buy one blind. Fit is strange for a MTB, and until you sit on it, you dont really know if the reach will be comfy or the crossbar too high.

Electric snot green, brilliant. E, listen to fly, well handy on the rough stuff kit.

TheEngineer wrote (see)

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-q620-2012/

Any good?

Bought mine back in August, no problems with it. Rides really well, but dont know how it compares to others. Rode it in anger for trhe first time at an MTB race yesterday, bike performed eally well (it was the rider that was the problem. Pretty extreme muddy slippery downhills, lot heavier than a road bike but they all are at this price range. Even though its white it cleans up nicely after each ride - biggest downside of MTBing.

I only raced MTB once, as part of a duathlon. Last by a massive margin. LOL.

Okay well I plumped for the Q720!

Now who wants my cherry?

That Felt has hydraulic brakes too. They are well wicked.

Engineer ... if your cherry is on offer then bring it along to the Ridgeway Christmas ride on 30th December  and we can all have a bite