Hi all,
Need some advise on mountain bikes, used to ride alot of trails and crosscountry a few years ago and had a Planet X Jackflash, sold that to fund a car so now im looking at getting another bike.
Problem being cos ive been away from the scene a good few years i have no idea whats decent anymore.

Budget is about £800 possibly abit more if its a bloody good deal, bike will be used for cross country riding but also hoping to get back into trail jumping again so needs to be a decent spec.

Let me know your recommendations.

 

Anyone?

 

To be honest xc and trail jumping bikes are so different you need two bikes IMO

TBH if you split the budget in half you'd still get two decent bikes depending on how 'into' it you're going to get

 

You won't get a decent bike for XC riding for 400 quid IMO, esp if its going to see regular use!
Have a look on the likes of singletrackworld.com for something second hand if you want to go down that route.. Won't go far wrong with something from Specialized or the like!

 

Speak to Chris from our mob tomorrow cheif (silver Audi estate), he will be in just after 8,
He is well into his bikes.

 

PM Boxxer, he can often sort out a deal, i've sent quite a few friends to him.
i have a specialised rockhopper, got it a couple of years ago, changed the tyres & fitted a hope 4 pot brake on he front, its been awesome

 

Ive just got back into playing out on the bikes again after 9 years away so Im in your boat too really. I started riding again between xmas and new year, just local road rides to start with. Then I jumped straight in at the deep end and went to Hamsterly Forest for a very hard 20 miler, I nearly cried.

I had a pretty standard 2nd hand basic GT Avalanche Expert just to see how into it I got. I then changed the stem for a Raceface 120mm item, upgraded the crankset, mechs, chain and casette for XT items. Next was a set of Fox Float RL 32 forks. Then Panaracer Fire XC tyres. Hayes Stroker Ryde brakes and Azonic 28" bars. I have rode around like this for a while and am loving it so I ordered myself a new frame. On One Scandal 26. On my last ride I got some serious clicking and creaking coming from the back end and fast cornering felt floaty and vague, when I got home I checked the wheel and found a couple of snapped spokes and discovered all the nipples are seized. So to go with my new frame I have ordered some new hoops and a Kane Creek headset.

I forgot how bloody addictive it is mate, Im loving it. Its as bad as the cars, always wanting better go faster/upgraded bits.

Have a look on
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/
http://www.woollyhatshop.com/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk
http://www.bikeradar.com/
http://www.cycleworldshop.co.uk/ (these guys are local to me and I know them well, spot on lads always up for helping you out)

 

I got my Rockhopper of that shandy drinkin tart too