advice needed on which bicycle to buy???



trzmiel

New Member
Jan 30, 2011
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Hi All
I'm absolutely new to CC/MTB biking and about to buy my first wheels. I know there are milions of bikes out there and so many opinions about which one is best. I've done some research and below are the options I've come up with (taking that my budget is £500). Considering everything, i.e. price, spec etc, which bike would you advise to go for? Or you think there are better ones in this range of price?

[SIZE= 18px]- Trek 4500 Mountain Bike 2010[/SIZE] [SIZE= 18px]- £499.00[/SIZE]
FrameAlpha Black Aluminum w/semi-integrated head tube, formed down tube w/integrated gusset, formed top tube, monostay seatstay, forged dropouts w/rack and fender mounts, replaceable derailleur hanger
Fork Suntour SF10-XCM-PM-HLO w/coil spring, preload, lockout, 100mm
WheelsShimano M65 hubs; Bontrager Ranger rims
Tyres Bontrager Jones XR, 26x2.25" front, 26x2.20" rear
Shifters Shimano M410, 8 speed
Front Derailleur Shimano M310
Rear Derailleur Shimano Deore
Crank Shimano M361 42/32/22
Cassettte SRAM PG830 11-32, 8 speed
Pedals Wellgo alloy platform
Saddle Bontrager Race Lux
Seatpost Bontrager SSR, 31.6mm, 20mm offset
Handlebars Bontrager SSR, 25mm rise, 6 degree bend
Stem Bontrager SSR, 10 degree
Headset VP-A42E, 1-1/8" semi-integrated, sealed
Brakeset Shimano M486, hydraulic disc

[SIZE= 18px]- GT Avalanche 2.0 Disc Mountain Bike 2010 - £399.00[/SIZE]
Frame GT NEW Triple Triangle design 6061 aluminum with Hydro formed top and downtube, zero stack headtube. Disc compatible with removeable der. hanger
Fork Suntour XCR-LO hydraulic fork with cr-mo 30 mm stanchions, magnesium lowers, preload adjust, 100 mm of travel and lock out
Chainwheel Shimano FC-M311 42/32/22
Bottom Bracket Shimano Cartridge Sealed
Pedals ATB Aluminum body, Steel cage, toe clip compatible
CassetteShimano Eight Speed, 11-32 ratio
Front Derailleur Shimano M-330
Rear Derailleur Shimano Deore Shadow
ShiftersShimano 8 speed rapidfire shifters
Chain HG 40 Shimano 8 speed Chain
Rims Jalco AX-430 Alloy double wall ATB
Tyres Kenda Nevegal, 26 x 2.1
Front Hub Alloy QR Disc
Rear Hub Alloy QR sealed mechanism 8 speed cassette for Disc
Spokes 14G SS
Front Brake Tektro Auriga comp, hydraulic, dual piston, cold forged
Rear Brake Tektro Auriga comp, hydraulic, dual piston, cold forged
Brake LeversTektro
Handlebar GT Mtn Riser, 15 mm rise, 6061 heat treated, 31.8 mm clamp
StemGT ATB, threadless 25 degree rise with four bolt alum CNC face plate for 31.8mm
Grips GT Lockdown dual density with allen key fixing bolts
Headset Tange Seiki system for 1 1/8"
Saddle WTB Pure V, with stitched cover and protective corners
Seat post Alloy Micro adjust 31.6 mm
Seat Clamp GT Forged Alum QR

[SIZE= 18px]- GT AGGRESSOR XC2 - £399.00[/SIZE]
  • Frame Material: Aluminium
  • Frame Size: 19-20
  • Gender: Mens
  • Suspension: Front
  • Alloy Rims: Yes
  • Brake Type: Hydraulic Disc
  • Chainset: Truvativ Isoflow chainset with sealed Bearing BB
  • Exact Frame Size: 20"
  • Forks: Suntour XCR fork, 120mm travel, rebound damping & lock-out
  • Frame Colour: Black and White
  • Frame-: Lightweight hydro-formed aluminium Triple Triangle frame
  • Front Brake: Tektro Auriga Comp hydraulic disc brakes, 180rotors
  • Front Mech: Shimano Deore
  • Gear Shifters: Shimano Deore Rapid Fire
  • Handle Bars: GT oversize
  • Headset: GT Alloy
  • Hubs: Formula DC 20
  • Number of Gears: 27
  • Pedals: Classic Cage with Toe Clips
  • Quick Release Wheels: Yes
  • Rear Brake: Tektro Auriga Comp hydraulic disc brakes, 160rotors
  • Rear Mech: Shimano Deore
  • Rear Shock: NA
  • Rims: Alex ASD-1 disc rims
  • Saddle: SDG Bel Air saddle
  • Seatpost: Alloy Black
  • Stem: GT Oversized
  • Tyre size: 2.3"
  • Tyres: Maxxis Ignitor
  • Wheel size: 26"
  • Approximate Weight (KG): 12.7
 
Start at the beginning and get a fitting, then test ride these bikes and get the one that feels the best to you. These bikes are all pretty good for their prices and are decent to start out on. But the "best bike" for you is one that fits properly and is enjoyable for you to ride. Fit is the first and most important thing to consider when shopping for a bike. If you are pretty good with measuring, you can get a good idea of your fit using a free online fit calculator like this one:http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO or you can go to your local bike shop (LBS) and pay them to fit you.
 
I have a Softride and I love it. Very smooth ride and it's easy on my back. Definitely the best road bike I've owned.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ silver water