Vitus are great bikes, however im a Specialized fan and have to say the Rockhopper is a great bike.

Great for the new rider, and also very upgradeable for when your skills out do the standard parts.

If you want a safe bet I agree with Saint Viper, Specialized Rockhopper is a cracking bike to start with.

Looking at building myself a bargain, custom hardtail with bargains I can find on the internet.

First: Frame.

I've set myself a budget of no more than £50 for any parts and i'll have to be shrewd and very patient.

Anyone know of any good second hand frames for sale?

Apologies for coming in late, but at 650 quid, the Boardman HT Pro is an incredibly well specced bike.

Great shout.

My brothers got a Boardman Full Suspension and it's superb.

In your price range then the Spesh or the boardman are quality bikes. I have a sub for What mountain bike and they rate the Carrera Fury as the number one starter mtb bike for your price range And also the voodoo Hoodoo (£500) is rated higher than the spesh.

I also wouldn't rule out this from Canyon [urlhttp://www.canyon.com/_uk/mountainbikes/bike.html?b=2537[/url
Or if you could stretch the budget a bit this from Planet x [urlhttp://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FBOOINX529/on_one_inbred_x5_29er_bike[/url

I'd also look at this Giant which has a great spec on it [urlhttp://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/giant-revel-ltd-0-12[/url

So £50 for the frame as well?


EDIT - just looked on ebay bloody loadsa kona, spesh, Giant frames for less that £50!!!!!!!!

I know, i've got a huge thing that I hate the fittings for pads being on the frame, I want a disc only bike!

Got my frame.

Boardman HT Pro.

£70!

Bingo!

So if anyone has any parts for sale let me know!

Picked up my Core 26.3 yesterday. Any good places to ride, where you don't have to queue? ie; not Delamnere

Llandeglla, cannock, ladybower, cutgate, hayfield cloverleaf. Lee quarry.

Why discs?

Heavier and more of a pain to maintain, i have a hybrid i bought it in 2007, it came with discs, and i switched to V's in 2008 the difference is minimal, i had a couple of years off the bike due to injury and people will tell you about the superior benefits of discs but personally i just don't see it.

I've just switched to road brakes(calipers) recently as my off roading love has gone and it's less faffing around when i take my wheels off.



love these

There's no way a traditional brake caliper will stop you as quickly as a hydraulic disc brake. Especially off road once your rims get caked in mud , grit and wet. Plus you have more working parts to get worn within the caliper itself.
Plus discs brakes allow 1/2 finger braking . Something you wouldn't be able to do efficiently with brake calipers .
Your also using a 105 road caliper. That wouldn't last long . There's a reason why off road calipers are different to road ones. Though if your only on roads now I can understand why you would use it to an extent.

Llandegla is a great place, if you dont mind the drive then try Whinlatter - Superb place.

Good rides can be had a Rivington as well, let me know and we can meet up on a sunday morning sometime.

We could organise a day at llandeglla if anyone's up for it?

Sounds good, most sundays are good for me

Let check my off duty and we can sort out a Sunday.

I'm in!

I'm doing a charity ride, so if anyone's kind enough to donate a little, the details are below, thanks: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundra ... onationFor FundraiserDisplay.action?fundraiserActivityId=221725 I've organised it through work, where I chose a local charity 'When You Wish Upon A Star' to raise monies for. They provide terminally ill children with a special day out to remember for them and their family, from visiting Lapland at Christmas to Skydiving from a plane. They have a really good website if you fancy a look. If anyone's kind enough to donate, my name's Jonny Hindley on the donation link. Cheers

I'm doing a charity ride, so if anyone's kind enough to donate a little, the details are below, thanks: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundra ... onationFor FundraiserDisplay.action?fundraiserActivityId=221725 I've organised it through work, where I chose a local charity 'When You Wish Upon A Star' to raise monies for. They provide terminally ill children with a special day out to remember for them and their family, from visiting Lapland at Christmas to Skydiving from a plane. They have a really good website if you fancy a look. If anyone's kind enough to donate, my name's Jonny Hindley on the donation link. Cheers

Heading up to Rivington on sunday morning for a 9am ride off if anybody is interested.

Taking in the following (If people recognise the names) Pike Slabs, Belmont Descent, Dog Kennels, "Japanese" Gardens, then over to Healy Nab for some extra milage (Probably not do Healy though as its a bit poo).

All in all between 18-20 miles.

Gutted!

Working Sunday morning or i'd definately have joined you.

I'd be up for a trip to Llandegla on a sunday, only problem is i have no car at the moment so would have to try and bum a lift from somebody! Bloody missed out on the dele newbie ride over on woolybacks because i haven't been online for a while! Gonna have to invest in the forum app for my galaxy!

The Voodoo Hoodoo is a great bike, its what I have at the minute, due to our c2w scheme being limited to £500.
It's lighter than my roadie (which was only a starter bike, no trick bits) so i like that

I could be available for a Llandegla ride next sunday if anyone fancies it?

as i said above, i would be well up for it, but i'm not bloody riding there! ha ha