r/mountainbikes

Hey, I’m looking to buy a mountain bike through a work scheme. These are two bikes that are available through the scheme.

The bike will be used mainly on trails, but I’m able to use the London Olympic bike park locally so will also use it there. I’ll be fitting a Kids Ride shotgun combo seat additionally.

If you could advise me between the two bikes.

- Merida One-Sixty 500 2026

- Trek Fuel 5 29er 2026

Will the mullet set up be weird to adjust to on the Merida? Are parts easily available at local bike shops for either?

It’s my first mountain bike in a while and the market has changed since my hardtail. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Budget is around the £2200 mark.

Hi everyone. I’m fairly new to biking and don’t know much. I got this hand-me-down bike a few years ago and it’s been sitting since.

I’ve been hoping to get back into biking lately and am not sure where to start with the process of fixing this thing.

I attached a photo so you can kinda get an idea of what i’m working with.

1st. The derailer will only shift between two spokes and not smoothly at that.

2nd. the rear shock bottoms out as soon as I get on the bike.

3rd. I’m sure I need to somehow adjust the front fork shocks since they are really soft.

I’ve been trying to look stuff up on the specific parts on this bike and haven’t found much. The frame is a Brodie Derelict which I can’t find much about. The front fork is a Marzocchi Bomber 55R, the rear shock is a Monarch 3.1 Rock Shox and the derailer is Shimano.

I love the idea of having a project bike and putting some work into it. But is it too far gone to try to fix? Any advice or tips would be appreciated!!