[matthew]

Yep I'm a bike noob, I know nothing about this. I've ridden road bikes on and off (mainly off) for a little bit but want a XC bike, looking around 400-500quid (potentially more as the wife's uncle owns a bike store and I may be able to wangle a hefty discount).
What do people recommend? Is 2nd hand bad and dangerous? 
Considered this SPECIALIZED HARDROCK PRO DISC 2009...

Cheers knowledgeable people of the biking world.
 

[fatkid2000]

Have a look throught the 'Ask fatdoc' threads as he seems to have the answer for emptying your bank account for the purposes of bike pirchasing. There's also some advice in the Leg Shavers thread.

But don't let fatdoc take you to the shop - he's got a remarkable talent for spending other peoples money.

[matthew]

Cheers, I suppose a  smiley is probably appropriate....

[Norton Sharley]

SPECIALIZED HARDROCK PRO DISC 2009... will do the job as well as any other £500 hardtail.

[fatdoc]

 
 

wise choice IMO

[SA Chris]

Especially if you can blag a good deal through the wife's uncle. Might be worth looking around and seeing if there are any good deals left on 2008 bikes though.

[soapy]

2pence worth


i got a genesis last year and i like it

[Norton Sharley]

So come on then Mathew, what did you buy? 

And when can FD spend some of your cash for you?

[rothers]

Look for a decent frame as all other components are more easily upgradable. Companies that do lessons in MTB normally use good reasonably priced bikes. This is a good palce to start looking.

[Iesu]

have you considered an ON-ONE http://www.on-one-shop.co.uk/?

you appear to be able to build the bike up from a selection of components on their site - so you might get more of what you're after for the right money.

anyone got any opinions on these? considering an inbred for a single speed build up.

[fatboySlimfast]

have you considered an ON-ONE

I have an In Bred, pretty good, taken a battering from carrying my lardy arse. Not the most refined finish, you have to be prepared to give the frame some care before fitting all your bits to it as the paint tends to be a bit random, brake mounts and bttm bracket being case in point. BUT!!!!! at £150 for a brand new frame, shit you cant go wrong!

[Norton Sharley]

£150 for On One or Inbred = can't go wrong 

But I question the need for single speed? 

[matthew]

So come on then Mathew, what did you buy? 

Aaahhh I didn't I ended up penniless and engaged and moving city and needing a new job. So... when I actually get me some cash I will invest it wisely in an iron horse of joy.