Ill give you a brief history of what I have had and what I have now.
My first proper mountain bike was a Saracen X-ray 2006.
The above image is not my bike just a image I pulled off the web.
At the time I was not a fan of suspension so I kept the rigid forks, apart from that I changed almost everything due to reoccurring problems.
Unfortunately it was stolen while locked up outside my apartment, kids cut through a £45 motorbike lock.
Although this bike probably cost about £900 in the long run it was probably my favourite bike iv had.
Next I got a cheap Reebok Lazer 2009 to get me to work and back. £100 (retail £250) brand new unwanted prize a colleague won.
Did not change much with it before it was stolen from work again they cut through a £50 motorbike lock.
Was an ok ride bit soft on the suspension on the back end took some time to get used to it did not do much off road due to the shit wheels.
When that was stolen the guy from my local bike shop give me a Saracen ruftrax2 for £60 because he felt bad for me it had some stock shitty suspension that I didnt trust at all. I asked him if he had any used decent suspension in the back of the shop he could sell me, he goes away and comes back 5 minutes later with a set of rock shock 2009 u-turns. he said I can have them for £45 I jumped at it I asked him to fit it and I would return the next day to collect it and pay.
I come back the next day as agreed and he explains that he made a mistake and they should have been around £100 used but as he'd agreed to the price he would give me it.
I then upgraded the pedals added new rims and some 3.25" tyres for those muddy days we love, new rear break pads and re-cabled it.
A few weeks ago reminded me he was looking to sell his Mongoose Elite Pro.
Again I didnt do much with this one as it was in almost full working order, realigned the de railer and mechs adjusted the breaks and suspension and it was good to go.
Personally I did not like the seating position but my g/f enjoyed it over her shitty bike.
Her brother come on a ride with me a few weeks ago and offered to buy it. I accepted as I had seen a bike on offer in work,
The new bike...
So today I went and picked up my new(to me) GT XC2 £550 new with £450 worth of suspension. I got it for £195 bargain.
GT Aggressor XC2 Mountain Bike for Sale - Great bike which has the spec to take proper mountain bike trails across the UK!!
20'' 6061 Aluminium Frame (Black & White paintwork)
Deore Shifters, Front & Rear mec
Tektro Augura Hydraulic Disc Brakes
Mavic All Mountain front wheel (upgrade costing 80)
Alexis rear wheel
Marzocchi 500 ETA front suspension (upgrade costing 250)
6061 Seat Post (Upgrade costing 30)
Maxxis Ignitor Tyres
So needless to say i'm a happy boy I say good bye to my mongoose but say hello to my XC2 and look forward to many hours of fun playing in the rain snow and mud.
Feel free to share your off roading experiences and pictures of your bikes.
