Vitus are great bikes, however im a Specialized fan and have to say the Rockhopper is a great bike.



Great for the new rider, and also very upgradeable for when your skills out do the standard parts.

If you want a safe bet I agree with Saint Viper, Specialized Rockhopper is a cracking bike to start with.

Looking at building myself a bargain, custom hardtail with bargains I can find on the internet.



First: Frame.



I've set myself a budget of no more than £50 for any parts and i'll have to be shrewd and very patient.



Anyone know of any good second hand frames for sale?

Apologies for coming in late, but at 650 quid, the Boardman HT Pro is an incredibly well specced bike.

Great shout.



My brothers got a Boardman Full Suspension and it's superb.

In your price range then the Spesh or the boardman are quality bikes. I have a sub for What mountain bike and they rate the Carrera Fury as the number one starter mtb bike for your price range And also the voodoo Hoodoo (£500) is rated higher than the spesh.



I also wouldn't rule out this from Canyon [urlhttp://www.canyon.com/_uk/mountainbikes/bike.html?b=2537[/url

Or if you could stretch the budget a bit this from Planet x [urlhttp://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FBOOINX529/on_one_inbred_x5_29er_bike[/url



I'd also look at this Giant which has a great spec on it [urlhttp://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/giant-revel-ltd-0-12[/url

So £50 for the frame as well?





EDIT - just looked on ebay bloody loadsa kona, spesh, Giant frames for less that £50!!!!!!!!

I know, i've got a huge thing that I hate the fittings for pads being on the frame, I want a disc only bike!

Got my frame.



Boardman HT Pro.



£70!



Bingo!



So if anyone has any parts for sale let me know!

Picked up my Core 26.3 yesterday. Any good places to ride, where you don't have to queue? ie; not Delamnere

Llandeglla, cannock, ladybower, cutgate, hayfield cloverleaf. Lee quarry.

Why discs?



Heavier and more of a pain to maintain, i have a hybrid i bought it in 2007, it came with discs, and i switched to V's in 2008 the difference is minimal, i had a couple of years off the bike due to injury and people will tell you about the superior benefits of discs but personally i just don't see it.



I've just switched to road brakes(calipers) recently as my off roading love has gone and it's less faffing around when i take my wheels off.







love these

There's no way a traditional brake caliper will stop you as quickly as a hydraulic disc brake. Especially off road once your rims get caked in mud , grit and wet. Plus you have more working parts to get worn within the caliper itself.

Plus discs brakes allow 1/2 finger braking . Something you wouldn't be able to do efficiently with brake calipers .

Your also using a 105 road caliper. That wouldn't last long . There's a reason why off road calipers are different to road ones. Though if your only on roads now I can understand why you would use it to an extent.

Llandegla is a great place, if you dont mind the drive then try Whinlatter - Superb place.



Good rides can be had a Rivington as well, let me know and we can meet up on a sunday morning sometime.