Went out on the MTB last Thursday night with my riding group and smashed quiet a few downhill's (managed 3 top 10 all time Stava times!)

 

I'm now thinking I may need a full sus if I am going to try and improve as I was hanging on for dear life with my hardtail!

 

I thought about second hand, but the abuse these bikes can get I think I would rather have a warranty, I've been looking at the Boardman Pro FS http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/boardman-mountain-bike-pro-full-suspension-27-5 which seems to have some good reviews, anyone got any good alternatives around the £1500 mark?

You really can't knock the spec of that Boardman for the price! Pikes, a monarch, 1x11 GX and Guide brakes for £1500 is incredible! It is missing a dropper post which imo is an essential bit of kit these days.

 

By the time you have added a dropper you will be getting perilously close to a Canyon Spectral AL 5.0 EX

 

https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/mtb/spectral/spectral-al-5-0-ex.html

 

Mail order bikes give you massive bang per buck, its similarly specced with the addition of a dropper, slightly more suspension travel and slightly better wheels.

 

The new YT Jeffsy 27 starts at a similar price and is an absolute ripper too

 

https://www.yt-industries.com/uk/detail/index/sArticle/1364/sCategory/508

 

If you are interested in the YT then they have a demo day at the Forest of Dean on the 13th May, just turn up and ride.

 

alternatively if you can hang on until the end of the summer then all the bike shops start looking to get rid of stock to make way for next years models, you can normally pick up some absolute bargains...

 

 

 

 

apparently Halfords often do a sale on them, and you can get an additional 10% if you are a British cycle club member, could potentially get one for just over £1k

That's a lot of bike for the money then! I'd see if you can get a test ride on one, even though it does get great reviews it is a lot of money to spend...

I bought last years model of the Cube Stereo HPA 120 Race, I love it & managed to get a deal in the sales.  

 

This years model looks much nicer 

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/cube-stereo-120-hpa-race-27-5-suspension-bike-2017/rp-prod154564, The only differences I can see are this years  model has dropped to SLX shifters / SLX cassette & running a double chainset instead of a triple.  

 

 

One thing you do need to decide on, is the type of MTB riding you intend to do, there are quite a few different types of MTB which are all designed for specific riding.  

 

 

Edited 5 April, 20179 yr by DarkPeakCycles

My mountain biking is all on the ridgeway, hitting some down hill sections. If I get a full suspension bike I'd be tempted to do bike park wales with some of the others. 

 

I find on my hardtail that im holding on for dear life whilst the lads on full suspension bikes are able to pedal. 

I've bought my last couple of bikes second hand off fleabay and the tree of gum. Year old at most and looking like they've only been round the park and back. Last one still had the tags on the cables, the guy said he'd done two rides but it wasn't for him. Paid less than half price, though you have to be patient for them to come up.

11 hours ago, tuono01 said:

I've bought my last couple of bikes second hand off fleabay and the tree of gum. Year old at most and looking like they've only been round the park and back. Last one still had the tags on the cables, the guy said he'd done two rides but it wasn't for him. Paid less than half price, though you have to be patient for them to come up.

 

I do keep an eye out for a second hand one. People seem to want £1k for a second hand boardman pro fs, I'm in no rush so happy to wait for the right deal

I was surprised that Evans price-matched the internet when I purchased my Scott Spark 40.

And I used their 0% finance. They checked the internet price whilst in store and agreed the extra discount.

 

Purchased at the right time of year reduced it from circa £1900 to £1450, and then matched to £1350.

 

I see Chain Reaction mentioned already, maybe Wiggle - although usually expensive, and some of the smaller places like Merlin cycles, have some great own-bikes on offer.

 

Nowt wrong with SLX kit..........best of both worlds imo, tough, yet still light.

If you do climb steep woody trails you may want a triple ring.

You can always upgrade the kit on it later if/when funds allow.

Edited 6 April, 20179 yr by Tilt