Beginner/commuter mountain bike. Which to buy?

[hm.ouse]

I've been looking through Facebook marketplace and am trying to figure out which bike would be the best bet for an easy experience that I could potentially put some love into and restore down the line. All between £50-£80. Any thoughts, and estimated dates?

GT talera:


Specialized Rockhopper


GT Outpost

Raleigh Atlanta

 

[eric_james]

I dislike the look of ladies frames

 

[Magpiegifts]

Hi,
Personally if I was choosing out of that line up then it would be the Specialized all day long. They are actually decent bikes.
Hope this helps

 

[CassidyAce]

I've been looking through Facebook marketplace and am trying to figure out which bike would be the best bet for an easy experience that I could potentially put some love into and restore down the line. All between £50-£80. Any thoughts, and estimated dates?

GT talera:
View attachment 694150

Specialized Rockhopper
View attachment 694151

GT Outpost
View attachment 694152
Raleigh Atlanta
View attachment 694153

I'd go for the RockHopper too. Good ride quality and decent components for the price. My only reservation would be the suspension fork: if you don't need it, it just adds weight and an extra level of complexity, which means more maintenance. On balance, though, it's still the bike I'd choose. Forget the Raleigh: basically junk.

 

[PeterPerfect]

Up your budget a little and go for a steel Kona with original forks.

Specialized are also very good but are fetching an unjust premium atm imho.

 

[Mod-Master]

Rockhopper all the way. If it’s under £80 then I might be having that though it looks like it’s had a replacement rd

But increase your budget by around 40 and you can find yourself a very nice bike to have fun on. Also don’t limit your bike searches to fb, no matter how many good deals there are on there. EBay, gumtree, and countless other specialised bike selling online shops are available on demand. Or you could pop down to your local bike shop and maybe pick something up of interest.

 

[br0qn]

Save a few bucks for a saddle!

 

[M-Power]

Agree with advice above. Early 90s bikes from Kona, Marin and Specialized which retailed for around £5-600 + had decent geometry, frame tubing and handling. Just check for terminal rust and frame alignment damage. Their original wheels and component groups are built to last. Lots of these can be picked up for ~ £80/100 and make great commuters. I was at a recycling centre a few times this week and saw more than a few stacked up so tightly but the staff are wise to it and resell the the better ones.

 

[hm.ouse]

I'd go for the RockHopper too. Good ride quality and decent components for the price. My only reservation would be the suspension fork: if you don't need it, it just adds weight and an extra level of complexity, which means more maintenance. On balance, though, it's still the bike I'd choose. Forget the Raleigh: basically junk.

I did wonder about that fork. I asume not original. I guess it could be replaced though. Thanks for the insight!

 

[hm.ouse]

Up your budget a little and go for a steel Kona with original forks.

Specialized are also very good but are fetching an unjust premium atm imho.

Interesting! I've only seen Konas near me for around £200 but will expand my search. Thank you