Newbie/Returnee looking for MTB bike advice!

[ClanMoffat]

Hi guys!

After a break from the saddle of around 20 years (and a few kilos) I'm looking at getting back on.

I'm about 6ft and in need of cutting down the weight at around 15 1/2 stone (98kg)...

I'm looking at getting a bike through work, and will be limited to Evans Cycles.

The main use will be off-road (due to lack of confidence - to begin with at least).
We live in Kirkintilloch, Scotland, near to a canal with gravel / packed tracks alongside...
On the other hand, work is near to the Whitlee windfarm - a huge area with around 200 huge wind turbines with a circuit of tracks that are suitable for 4x4s only with a mixture of gravel and sand tracks.
I can see that I'll keep to canal paths to build up some oomph before heading to the windfarm, but it looks a brilliant place to ride!

I am looking at a couple of 29ers and would like advice on the following:

1) GT Timberline 2.0 2013 - http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gt/timberline-20-2013-mountain-bike-ec042818 at 340 GBP.
2) GT Timberline 1.0 2013 - http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gt/timberline-10-2013-mountain-bike-ec042819 at 380 GBP.

The obvious difference is the breaks.

Can anyone advise as to whether or not I'd notice the difference as a newbie/returnee...?
Would the 2.0 be enough as a starter or should I push out the extra 40 to get the 1.0...?

Sadly my budget is limited and 380 is going to be the realistic limit - I doubt I could get the wonderful wife to agree to higher!

Any other suggestions welcome!
(Bear in mind my deal through work is limited to http://www.evanscycles.com/ .)

Cheers!
Ron

 

[alfeng]

As you have observed, the one model has disc brakes & the other has V-brakes ...

Whether the difference will be meaningful to YOU depends on the type of riding conditions which you anticipate encountering ...

• wet & sloppy more often than not -- choose the model with the disc brakes grit kills rims

[*] dry 90+ % of the time -- choose the model with the V-brakes

• post-ride/mid-ride maintenance in the way of checking the brake pads for embedded debris & removal of same limits the unnecessary scouring of the rim's braking surface

You can always retrofit disc brakes onto the version with the V-brakes, but NOT vice-versa because the slightly more expensive model lacks the necessary brake bosses ...

• retrofitting can be potentially pricey because you will also need different hubs + the brake rotors

For the foreseeable future, it will be easier to convert the frame which has V-brakes for use on paved roadways (e.g., Drop bars + Road levers) if you think THAT might be a future consideration ...

Consequently, the potential adaptability of the less expensive version is the reason that it is the one which 'I' would probably choose.