Single Speed MTB

[INDENT] I've been invited to do some offroad riding with some local chaps each weekend. I've no idea exactly what the terrain is like, but we live on the edge of the south downs, and I hear it's pretty lumpy.

I don't have a suitable bike - certainly nothing with front suspension. I've also got some friends doing a coast-to-coast in Scotland later in the year. They recommend that if I come along, I get something more rugged than my road bike.

Budget is not going to be high - let's say 500 max. This looks to be the kind of thing available off the peg:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/marlin-29-ss-2012-mountain-bike-ec030310

Does this look good to you guys?

What would be involved in sourcing a frame, forks, brakes, wheels etc myself? Would 500 quid very quickly vanish?

BTW I'm assuming single speed is preferred off road rather than fixed, but happy to hear experiences - I've never ridden off road in my life :)
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pop over to the lets off road thread you'll have more joy there.

if you can stretch your budget there are some great bargains with on one

gears are great for offroad, though there is a ss fraternity

fixed off road is a very niche activity

offroad thread

http://www.lfgss.com/thread2639.html

Have a look here https://www.lfgss.com/thread2639.html

Coast to coast in scotland I'd get gears. I'd also look at buying second hand.

Have a look here https://www.lfgss.com/thread2639.html

Coast to coast in scotland I'd get gears. I'd also look at buying second hand.

good advice re 2nd hand - much more bang for your buck

but given advances in mtb technology, ideally try to find something less than 3 years old

I wouldn't worry about the 3 yrs thing, I'd happily ride a 15 year old MTB off road. If you've not ridden a decent MTB before, a 6 year old bike would be a revelation, and you might not fully appreciate the subtle improvements of more modern bikes if you're mainly ploughing into trees.

I'd be more concerned about it not needing any expensive work on any hydraulics. At £500 avoid full suspension - extra weight, extra complexity, extra cost.

Although, that said, if you could stretch to £550: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2009-marin-wolf-ridge-/170750645985?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item27c18816e1#ht_500wt_1202

More realistically, you can get something very decent for a few hundred: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kona-Kula-/220914745817?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item336f8b81d9#ht_1242wt_1185

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Specialized-stumpjumper-m4-chrome-moutain-bike-/260919487721?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item3cc0036ce9#ht_500wt_1202

Also look for ex demo bikes. What size are you looking for.
Goodtime to be looking.

Thanks. I'm a smallish person, maybe 5"7, so would probably be fine on a small frame.

Buying second hand always feels a bit alarming, especially in a field in which I am ignorant. I know my way around road bikes and components but have no idea about MTB kit.

For example, the last time I saw any Suntour equipment it was on my 80s vintage Dawes Galaxy. I havent a clue if they make good forks!

How would I know that I was looking at a 1000 mtb from 10 yrs ago? And what should I look out for?

My instinct is to buy a new frame, and populate with 2nd hand components once I learn which ones are good... but that's probably just the geek in me :)

Orange P7? There are SS frames out there, its steel and pretty bombproof, and all made in the UK, which is nice.

MTBs depreciate massively very quickly, so you can get seriously decent kit second hand, and its usually built very durable, so you'll get plenty of life out of it.

Also On One Inbred, a classic steel SS MTB frame