. The Rockrider 520 hardtail MTB from b'Twin is a fantastic value for money mountain bike. With it's lifetime warranty 6061 alloy frame and excellent spec it really is built to last and will always put a smile on your face. The XCR lockout forks and Tektro AURIGA Comp 160 mm hydraulic disc brakes will keep you in control and added to the Shimano Acera 27 speed gears you can be confident that many miles of mountain biking on the trails will be fully rewarded.
Great spec for the Price, rare to get a lockout front suspension fork and hydraulic disc brakes (at this price usually Rim style or mechanical ie wire operated pads on disc)
Top comments
juux
8 Jan 168#5
I did a few thousand km of XC riding, including the odd Swinley/Aston Hill visit on a bike with similar specs to this so don't believe everything you hear about it being unsuitable for "off-road". That bike, a Specialized Hardrock Sport, had a very similar spec from new (Acera drivetrain, XCM fork, Tektro 160mm discs, similar weight) but cost nearly twice the price so I'd say this was a pretty good deal, especially if you've a Decathlon store nearby for after-sales support.
I would say it's only worth buying a mountain bike if you actually intend using it as such. If all you need is a bike to go on trails/towpaths then this is overkill and you'd be better off with a hybrid or touring setup.
Yes, there is the argument that if you're buying a bike to 'get fit' then the extra weight/rolling resistance is not a bad thing, but in general you'll put the same effort in regardless of the bike, you'll just be going further, faster on the lighter, smoother-rolling one.
fat-pudding
8 Jan 163#10
The discussion over capabilities of the group set are pretty dumb. Yeah it's entry level kit but if you're going for this bike as you're not sure if you'll get out and ride as a beginner it's ideal. If you ride it twice and leave it in the shed and then use it to get to and from the pub once a month, so what.
If you get the bug you'll want to upgrade and buy a better bike (or upgrade the group set and forks on this) and keep this as a spare. I don't think many people who ride miles and miles off road every week will be looking at this deal and if they are they know what they want!
As an entry level mountain bike it's awesome for the price and spec.
mattrixdesign2
8 Jan 163#6
The lower spec Shimano stuff is pretty damn durable, it wouldn't be my major concern (forks, brakes, wheels are more important IMO, and the forks/brakes on this seem good value).
My lad and his club mates have hauked Acera spec'ed MTBs up and down trail centres and forests single track.
It ain't light, but its durable and will hold up. I must admit I like my STX and XT (and a Deore FD) but then I am a bit of a weight weenie LOL
dt_matthews to whatyadoinsucka
8 Jan 163#3
If you arent going to take it off road, its just the wrong bike full stop - why carry round all that weight and rolling resistance on the tarmac?
All comments (26)
whatyadoinsucka
8 Jan 16#1
Not a bad bike but not really for off-road, you.ll need deore for that, but a cheap price for the lockout fork and hydraulic brakes
dt_matthews to whatyadoinsucka
8 Jan 163#3
If you arent going to take it off road, its just the wrong bike full stop - why carry round all that weight and rolling resistance on the tarmac?
ebble to whatyadoinsucka
8 Jan 16#11
It'd be OK for off-road riding. Acera is quite good quality. Not everyone is mad keen on mountain biking and eager to have XT for extra slick performance to save seconds in a race.
_g_ to whatyadoinsucka
8 Jan 161#14
[Edit - seems you consider 'off road' to be only the most extreme - I think most people looking at this bike wouldn't even really know about or be considering that.]
Depends what off road you are talking about.
I'm sure this would be absolutely fine for a lot of riding "off road" and if we're talking bridleways, forests and so on rather than a bike part, probably better than a lot of ]full suspension bikes.
Don't see why you'd "need" deore for that.
I'm still not convinced of needing Deore for more 'hardcore' stuff. Some of the cheaper stuff can be pretty sturdy, just not as light.
(For what it's worth I do prefer a better spec given the choice - my "off road" bikes are a a Scott Genius 10 and a Specialized Big Hit.)
Compared to a lot of other stuff out there at this price point, seems to be a good deal that'll also get you from A to B on road well enough too (Though I'd go for a road bike/hybrid with tall gearing and skinny tyres if I was going purely that way.)
amishamish
8 Jan 162#2
got a 5£ decathlon voucher that expires in a week. If anyone wants to buy this I can give the voucher for free
whatyadoinsucka
8 Jan 16#4
fitness, just because you are on a heavier bike with thicker tyres and going far slower than those streamlined mamils on 5kg racers doesnt mean you are not pushing it and getting fitter, look at the modern trend towards fatbikes and plus sized 650Bs,
this bike would be ideal for a bigger chap for example, or someone wanting the occasional ride in the park or canal towpath with the kids.
ps. by offroad i really meant true off road [were deore is really the workhorse minimum standard you should aspire], canal towpaths and some bridleways would be ideal terrain on claris and acera gearing.
round my way, you'd struggle many true off road rides [pennines, peak district, yorkshire]
juux
8 Jan 168#5
I did a few thousand km of XC riding, including the odd Swinley/Aston Hill visit on a bike with similar specs to this so don't believe everything you hear about it being unsuitable for "off-road". That bike, a Specialized Hardrock Sport, had a very similar spec from new (Acera drivetrain, XCM fork, Tektro 160mm discs, similar weight) but cost nearly twice the price so I'd say this was a pretty good deal, especially if you've a Decathlon store nearby for after-sales support.
I would say it's only worth buying a mountain bike if you actually intend using it as such. If all you need is a bike to go on trails/towpaths then this is overkill and you'd be better off with a hybrid or touring setup.
Yes, there is the argument that if you're buying a bike to 'get fit' then the extra weight/rolling resistance is not a bad thing, but in general you'll put the same effort in regardless of the bike, you'll just be going further, faster on the lighter, smoother-rolling one.
mattrixdesign2
8 Jan 163#6
The lower spec Shimano stuff is pretty damn durable, it wouldn't be my major concern (forks, brakes, wheels are more important IMO, and the forks/brakes on this seem good value).
My lad and his club mates have hauked Acera spec'ed MTBs up and down trail centres and forests single track.
It ain't light, but its durable and will hold up. I must admit I like my STX and XT (and a Deore FD) but then I am a bit of a weight weenie LOL
whatyadoinsucka
8 Jan 16#7
some good comments, agree it all depends on use, i ride with 3 or 4 mates and we are all on deore, slx, xt. except one mate with a cheaper norco with the lower spec components, our bikes are all riding well but the norco really has left its better days behind, its been serviced a few times and it struggles to cope, poor fork, gearing isnt too smooth.
but we ride punishing routes
mattrixdesign2
8 Jan 161#8
They will get battered, no doubt the dearer stuff is "better", that's the thing with mountain bikes, things fall off and break, need servicing, road bikes go on and on and on.
mr-mixalot
8 Jan 16#9
Heat
Still waiting for my CTW voucher from work so I can get my new ride
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Opening post
Great spec for the Price, rare to get a lockout front suspension fork and hydraulic disc brakes (at this price usually Rim style or mechanical ie wire operated pads on disc)
Top comments
I would say it's only worth buying a mountain bike if you actually intend using it as such. If all you need is a bike to go on trails/towpaths then this is overkill and you'd be better off with a hybrid or touring setup.
Yes, there is the argument that if you're buying a bike to 'get fit' then the extra weight/rolling resistance is not a bad thing, but in general you'll put the same effort in regardless of the bike, you'll just be going further, faster on the lighter, smoother-rolling one.
If you get the bug you'll want to upgrade and buy a better bike (or upgrade the group set and forks on this) and keep this as a spare. I don't think many people who ride miles and miles off road every week will be looking at this deal and if they are they know what they want!
As an entry level mountain bike it's awesome for the price and spec.
My lad and his club mates have hauked Acera spec'ed MTBs up and down trail centres and forests single track.
It ain't light, but its durable and will hold up. I must admit I like my STX and XT (and a Deore FD) but then I am a bit of a weight weenie LOL
All comments (26)
Depends what off road you are talking about.
I'm sure this would be absolutely fine for a lot of riding "off road" and if we're talking bridleways, forests and so on rather than a bike part, probably better than a lot of ]full suspension bikes.
Don't see why you'd "need" deore for that.
I'm still not convinced of needing Deore for more 'hardcore' stuff. Some of the cheaper stuff can be pretty sturdy, just not as light.
(For what it's worth I do prefer a better spec given the choice - my "off road" bikes are a a Scott Genius 10 and a Specialized Big Hit.)
Compared to a lot of other stuff out there at this price point, seems to be a good deal that'll also get you from A to B on road well enough too (Though I'd go for a road bike/hybrid with tall gearing and skinny tyres if I was going purely that way.)
this bike would be ideal for a bigger chap for example, or someone wanting the occasional ride in the park or canal towpath with the kids.
ps. by offroad i really meant true off road [were deore is really the workhorse minimum standard you should aspire], canal towpaths and some bridleways would be ideal terrain on claris and acera gearing.
round my way, you'd struggle many true off road rides [pennines, peak district, yorkshire]
I would say it's only worth buying a mountain bike if you actually intend using it as such. If all you need is a bike to go on trails/towpaths then this is overkill and you'd be better off with a hybrid or touring setup.
Yes, there is the argument that if you're buying a bike to 'get fit' then the extra weight/rolling resistance is not a bad thing, but in general you'll put the same effort in regardless of the bike, you'll just be going further, faster on the lighter, smoother-rolling one.
My lad and his club mates have hauked Acera spec'ed MTBs up and down trail centres and forests single track.
It ain't light, but its durable and will hold up. I must admit I like my STX and XT (and a Deore FD) but then I am a bit of a weight weenie LOL
but we ride punishing routes
Still waiting for my CTW voucher from work so I can get my new ride