Mountain Bikes
Changed cycling forever...

History
The arrival of mass-produced mountain bikes in the late 1980s revolutionised cycling. We have the mountain bike to thank for dramatic technological innovation and for making all forms of cycling fashionable once more. Such has been the success of this machine that now it is universally recognised as effectively the generic bicycle. Despite this new found iconic status the mountain bike (MTB) itself has proliferated into many different specialist designs reflecting its maturity as a product and the many different disciplines that have emerged in competition. You will find the different types described as well as prices of what we sell outlined below. For full specification on a particular model - visit the manufacturer's website.

You Get What you Pay For
The mountain bike has perhaps become too successful, for the market is now saturated with brands that seem to offer everything at all prices. It is vitally important to grasp that you get what you pay for, which is why at Cycle Heaven we offer only high quality and reputable brands and give realistic advice as to the capabilities of a particular machine. This is an important part of our philosophy, so you will not find any pretenders in our shop. We define pretenders as products that embody the pose, but not the performance - such as very cheap full supension bikes (ie for less £500).

We only sell high quality adult full suspension bikes with servicable pivots.

What we sell

Recreational Mountain Style Bikes
Although we do not recommend such bikes for true off road riding, they have many features in common with mountain bikes proper - such as low and wide ratio gears, as well as fat tyred 26" wheels - which makes them suitable for light recreational use. They will also be fine for gentle, dry condition, off road use. Such bikes may well be accused of falling into the pose over performance trap that we outline above! However, they do feature good quality branded parts that are fit for their appropriate purpose. If you are interested in such machines it is also worth checking out the sporting and trekking hybrid sections also. The biggest difference is in the wheel size. Fat tyred 26" wheels are more robust and will give you a more cushioned, but a slower ride. All of the bikes listed below except the Ridgeback MXK are styled like modern sporty mountain bikes with a forward riding position. The MXK features a more upright 'comfort' oriented riding position.

Ridgeback MX2 Great value at £199.99

Urban Mountain Bikes
Urban MTBs such as the Cannondale Bad Boy or the Ridgeback Switch series are aimed at those who seek a rugged machine that will cope with the knocks of the urban day to day. Featuring stiff and sporty frames they will accelerate fast. Semi-slick tyres give less rolling resistance making them faster on the road, yet are still wide enough for comfort on tracks and bridleways. They're great if you're after a fast, robust, but simple machine for tearing around the city. Good for the urban day to day and short distance leisure rides - both on and off road. You can find out more about them in our City bikes section.

Bestseller: Scott Voltage YZ35 £299.99

Cross Country Hardtails
Mountain biking starts here. These lightweight machines are designed to offer a balance between fun and all round performance. Riser handlebars give ergonomic comfort and a slightly more upright riding position, but also allow for better control on descents and technical trails. These bikes can be ridden hard and fast, although the capabilities of those at the top of this range will far exceed those at the bottom. Foe most UK trail conditions we recommend the Genesis range.

Bestseller: Scott Aspect45 £399.99

Scott Sportswomen Series
The Scott Sportswomen Geometry has been designed especially for the needs of women. Women have longer legs and a shorter backs than men and therefore require bikes with a shorter reach. The Sportswomen Geometry features a shorter top tube and because women are generally shorter, smaller frames with a lower standover height. They also look great!

Women's geometry XC
Scott Contessa 30: £449.99

Racing Hardtails
The Scott Scale series are racing hardtails good for for full on XC racing or hardcore trail riding. They come with flatbars as standard equipment. Racing hardtails are designed to be light and fast. The riding position is low, forward and stretched out. Good for fast climbing, standing on the pedals, and riding flat out on wide-open trails. Pure racing MTBs are less suited to tricky technical terrain, but can easily be converted to hardcore trail bikes with a few judicious changes (talk to us about this).

Scott carbon technology sets new standards in frame building. Their carbon hardtail frame is an astonishing 970g. For the whole bike, the equisite carbon Scale starts from only £1599.99 (30, 20,10 & Ltd).

Cross Country Full Suspension

Scott Reflex FX25: £1049.99

Very light, very fast and bouncy. Happy climbing and descending. Short to medium travel suspension will considerably increase traction when the rider stays in the saddle. Spend all day in the saddle!

Cross Country Race Full Suspension
Scott SparkSeries
XC Racing and Marathon riding

All carbon, super light fully sussed racing from Scott. Fetauring the lightest full suspension frame ever built!

The Scott Spark 30 '07 30 £2,399.99 £1899.99

'Freeride' Full Suspension Bikes
These machines feature long travel front and rear suspension designed to take really big hits. They are designed for serious offroad madness. Best on descents, but unlike downhill specific bikes they will climb capably. For those who want a bike you can push to extremes and not necessarily cover long distances

Downhill Mountain Bikes
Super long travel specialist rigs designed purely for big hits, and competition downhill racing. We don't stock these but can supply them to order. Our workshop staff are fully Cytech qualified to deal with anything technical on Downhill rigs, including Hydraulic Disc Brakes and Suspension Forks (all manufacturers). We can even get your rear shocks serviced for you.

But if you want something more suitable for the road...