Let's offroad / mountain bike / mtb / ride dirt

Can't give a definitive answer but I generally don't buy something second-hand if I can't see the condition of the important bits.

As a rule that would rule out droppers in my book.

Like I said though, I can't give a definitive answer so maybe someone else here can help out.

Your judgement is appreciated. Although that is clouded by your taste in music and lack of sensible winter clothing.

(we overdue for dinner BTW)

Can't see it being any worse than shimming a solid 30.9 post which while I've never done myself, is pretty commonplace.

Anyone own a genesis core?

This looks like a good deal for an xs
https://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/80134/Genesis_Core_20_275Inch_2016_Bike

Decided I wanted to hit the trails more after spending almost a week trekking on a mountain bike in bali...but i don't want to spend too much just in case I don't end up taking to it as much over here.

I've just clicked "buy".

so it begins!

what did you purchase?

Scott Scale 29er.

Lots of internal debate over the last few weeks over whether to go for full suspension or hardtail. I guess the roadie in me won the day and I went for a hard tail with big wheels.

Nice. I'm having lots of internal debates about what to purchase.

There's the Genesis Core but there's also a On One 650b (~600) on Ebay.

I want something cheap for UK trails, hardtail, 27.5 wheels. I'm a short female and usually do road riding so want to ease into the trail thing.

any recs?

It's pretty much all brand new to me - I got lent a Scott 29er in Wales and I loved it, so that kind of coloured my choice.

27.5 would make sense for a smaller frame. Alu frame, disc brakes, 9 speed drive train, should be fine?

you can search evans clearance items by size:

xs:

https://www.evanscycles.com/bmc-sportelite-slx-2016-mountain-bike-EV233472

s - not on sale, hydraulic discs:

https://www.evanscycles.com/gt-avalanche-elite-2017-mountain-bike-EV281696

I like the idea of a 1x11 setup.

Not sure how steel vs alu works on trails? I'm a steel frame road rider myself.

http://www.on-one.co.uk/c/q/bikes/mountain-bikes/45650b

The impression I have (and to be clear - this is from one afternoon in Machynlleth so don't take my word for it), is that frame material makes less of a difference with mtb compared to road. Tyres, tyre pressure, suspension, bar width, all made more of a difference.

I wouldn't chose an alu road frame but was quite happy on the alu Scott with great big tubeless tyres.

Yeah tbh the bike I rode in Bali was an alu Giant and was a piece of shit and I still loved it.

But I do love steel...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/172605363918?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Go with what your heart says.

Seems to work with bikes, usually.

Elsewhere, results are more variable in my experience.

this also gets good reviews:
https://www.evanscycles.com/saracen-mantra-trail-2017-womens-mountain-bike-EV289690

Capable full-sus trail bike with a good spec and £100 change from £1,000? Why not.

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/calibre-bossnut-ladies-mountain-bike-p383862

That saddle has to die though

I don't want to spend that much unfortunately. And hoping to stick to a hardtail.

am pretty sold on this: ebay.co.uk/itm/172605363918?_­trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=S­TRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

winstanleys does the genesis core 2016 for £499

Any other recs?

I don't want to spend that much unfortunately. And hoping to stick to a hardtail.

Fair enough - you can have a lot of fun on a hardtail :)

Only other recommendation I'd make is that it's worth getting a bit of shop support with MTBs.

Can't really recommend anything - most of the MTB stuff I've bought recently has been pretty wallet crushing - you are basically looking for a full bike for what I might pay for a fork :/

I know! but to be fair I think I won't be out on it enough. Just some weekend trips here and there. I live in Cambridgeshire.....it's flat for miles here :) and I've got my trusty road/cx for that....

But also getting something used means I might score a good deal.

Anyone have experience with that On One? retail value is £999.

Nothing wrong with On-One stuff - bit agricultural and I doubt you'd break it.

Offer 'em £500 for it.

I offered £500. He said that the bike is practically new bought it for his gf who decided she didn't like cycling. It's only been used like 4 times and there is absolutely no wear to the drivetrain etc etc. And this would be obvious when I saw it. So absolutely lowest he would go is £500.

What do you reckon?

Perfect. Do it. Gives you a bit of spare change for a service and a dropper seat post...

Assuming you are confident it fits

I'm gonna go have a look at it this week. Annoyingly, I don't have a car until Thursday. There's also an inbred that is 16", what do you think about the spec? There's more detail in this one...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/182510737105?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

edit: ps. i'm terrified of tubeless!

I think you are further in to the sketchy world of used MTB stuff with that inbred

how intriguing!