Mountain Bikes > V Brakes Mountain Bikes

Advantages: Gorgeous piece of kit
Disadvantages: Needs to be looked after to avoid rust

...bikes. Wrong. The Orange P7 is a rare thing these days. A mass produced, fairly posh steel bike. In fact, I've just got rid of an aluminium bike in order to get hold of this one, and I love it dearly. I've never loved a bike the way that I love my P7. The company aren't one of the really big boys. Based in Halifax, they are largely unheard of in many countries. Many Orange bikes are made in the UK, but this tends to be their full suspension bikes, ...
...available with either a rigid Orange fork or a Manitou suspension fork. These four options will take you from £600 for a rigid Deore P7 to £1000 for a hardtail (front suspension) XT P7. So, that's four options. What's the fifth? Well, £320 will buy you a frame with nothing hanging off it. Just a lump of steel. Popping into the pub for a quick bite after picking the frame up encouraged loads of comments like "Someone nicked your wheels, mate?". I ... Read review

Advantages: Only £329 and you get a race proven frame
Disadvantages: none

...bottom of the range. But Kona give you a frame that is easy to upgrade. That is one of the differences between a good bike company and a run off the mill bike company. I would recommend this bike to anyone, any age as the technology that has gone into their top of the range frames filters down to the lower priced bikes. ... Read review

Advantages: Nimble, durable, versatile
Disadvantages: Gearing too low for speed on downhills

I purchased a Gary Fisher Nirvana as a deeply discounted "clearance" item in the late 1990s, and have used it for short commuting and longer weekend rides ever since. The cro-moly frame and fork have worked smoothly and held up well, the wheels have taken a pounding without distorting, and the gears are still functioning without flaw. The small frame accepted fenders, luggage rack, and other unstylish but useful add-ons. This hybrid bike has been ...
...and off road use. Gary Fisher sold his company to Trek in the early 1990s, and I suspect that some of the models have been "decontented" by Trek as Fisher's personal involvement in the product faded. A bike enthusiast that I know told me that this was a carry over of one of the last genuine Gary Fisher products. I have not ridden later versions of this model. That may be the source of the intense dissatisfaction of the reviewer who found the Nirvana ... Read review

Advantages: good brakes fork and frame better than its competitors
Disadvantages: long stem

I bought a GT avalanche over a year and a half ago and I can easily say it is a great bike I do a lot of cross country mountian biking and the bike is great for the up hills and downhills. The frame is light and strong and is great value for money. The brakes are hydrolic so there is a lot of stopping power and for a bike at this price it is a bargin. The gears work great there are 27 in total and the shimano deore is a great rear mech. The rock ... Read review

Advantages: Nice to ride, Comfortale, affordable, easy to maintain and built like a tank.
Disadvantages: Rusts quickley and is Very Heavy.

I have a 1989 Apollo Mayhem MKI which is the original, they made them up until 2002. If you want a hardcore off road bike the this is not for you, as it would shake it's self to pieces. However as a 21 speed road bike it is good. It has a smooth ride, a nice driving position, a nice set of gears (shimano 21 speed grip shifts) which seem to change with out a problem. The Promax V style brakes can stop a bus, They are very good brakes and they do stop ...
...basic bike to maintain. You can pick up a second hand Apollo Mayhem form £3 to £25. Depending on the condition and age. For a basic bike it is good value for money and won't break easily. It is built like a tank. And rides like a Ford Granada. ... Read review