What a waste of time. Basic bikes, even the photos were shot in a way not to show details.

Hmm, why is it that the most expensive model is the only one with the cables run *underneath* the top tube?

cool bikes! the reflectors make them look wikid, as do the big chairing pant-guards!

good point about the photos not showing details - because these bikes are not about details, it's lifestyle. But tell me, how do I identify with 3 fat blobby blokes in ugly kit with have-a-go-Henry riding positions? Why no can's of White Lightening 8% cider?

give me Missy Giove!

think they missed an opertunety to get Laura Croft out with them :-o !

Hmmm... No, I think I'll pass.

Hmm..me too. No.

Is it just me, or are the bars on all the bikes really narrow? Doesn't look comfortable at all! I'll stick with what I have thanks.

They might be alright for beginners I guess....

you're missing the point, these bikes will look great leaning against the window of the local coffee shop. they really aren't meant to ride, that's why there are no detail shots. the only thing that matters to the people they are marketing to is that they say LAND ROVER on them. who cares how they ride. they are sick!!!!!

Jeez,

You lot all moaning (again), I guess that because a UK outfit has turned out reasonable bikes for a reasonable price, it's not good enough.

But then you probably spent a grand on padded shorts. Some of us only have a couple of hundred quid tyo spend on a BIKE!

Try the bikes before you moan (again)

would rather gnaw my left arm off

try them? why? I can see from 50 paces they are sheit. i do not need to waste my precious free time riding sheit. if i wanted sheit i'd get a Carerra or Claude Butler.

pleeeeez stop with the sanctimonious, self-righteous, left-wing "give them a chance". Tell that to Robert Parker about Baby Duck or to Gordon Ramsay about deep fried pizza. It's ok to be discerning. It's good. It's efficient use of time. It stops people from voting schmaltz as Christmas no.1 in favour of real music like RATM! :-)

Go ahead and start gnawinging. I'm far from left wing and hardly sanctimonious - fortunately I'm new to this sport so can't have much of an opinion through a lack of knowledge - yes, I'll admit to that.

As I said the bikes are cheap. My Giant was £220, I suppose that's shite too, so you wouldn't want to waste your time on that either.

OK so I'm a propper bike snob, but these are just 'first step on the ladder bikes' Standard fayre..... But the bottom line for me is, I'd much rather meet a two wheeled Landrover out on my beloved Peak District trails than any of the Arseholes in four wheel Landrovers!

Floss

Shop I work at sells these bikes. Good, sturdy and well equipped for the money. Virtually impossible to see because they say Land Rover on them. Would have been better off branded Discovery or Range or anything but Land Rover.

what would Ned Overend say?

Surely it's not a bad thing if a car company (read polluter) is making an effort to branch out into bikes, it may just be a money spinner, but at least they're acknowledging that they ave to do something to survive climate change.

SR suntour YIPPIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEE :|

"..... it may just be a money spinner" - you honestly think by making a few thousand bikes, that'll make a dent in their balance sheets. That's almost as ludicrous as saying....

" but at least they're acknowledging that they ave to do something to survive climate change"

You haven't been taken in by that old chestnut, surely

Iwingstein

"Jeez,

You lot all moaning (again), I guess that because a UK outfit has turned out reasonable bikes for a reasonable price, it's not good enough. "

true its not good enough. in the uk it swinged from one extreme (a Bicycle Shaped Object) to the other (exclusive bike for the sickeningly rich). obviously you know more than the anyone else?

But then you probably spent a grand on padded shorts. Some of us only have a couple of hundred quid tyo spend on a BIKE!

some of us do like to wear assos as well as endura.

Giant have my respect, even for their £220 entry level mtb, because it's well designed and good value for money. A bike designed and built by Giant, a commited bicycle company.

Land Rover on the other hand, is just a branding exersise - which sucks. As a cyclist, the last thing I'd want is a motor-branded bicycle. They're so-so me-too Taiwan parts book bikes.

If that makes me a bike snob, then so be it!

FransJaques.

These are new bikes set up "as for sale". It is the law to fit reflectors and `pants guards`to the chainset. Maybe you did not know this. You also maybe did not know that one of the `flat blobby blokes` looking like a have a go Henry is editor of one of the best mountrain bike Magazines you can get. He has ridden hundreds of the very best bikes both in the course of his work and for fun. He has been competing succesfully in Mountain bike races since the very dawn of the sport and is a very competent all round cyclist. He is well respected in the industry and a true bike expert..... O.K the other two may have had a cider or two

Guys - these Land Rover bikes are good kit. My mate just got the 09 Mezzana. The frane is made by Dawes, compentry is Shimano XT, brakes shimano m486 hydros and front forks are Marzzochi 33 LO. We ride hard XC and DH and he loves it!!

Hi Yukon Boy, I can honestly say that the frame isnt made by Dawes!!! Dawes are a brand owned by Tandem group. Land Rover bikes are distributed and designed by a company called 2x2 with no link to Dawes at all. The Mezzana frame is made from 7005 alloy. It is designed in the UK. Its designed uniquely for Land Rover brand and is U.K specific in many of its features, like integrated crud guard bosses, long rear gear cable outer to reduce dirt ingress and top route cables.The Mezzana is an XC trail bias bike, it has XT rear mech, seperate pod shifters, hollowtech II cranks and external BB. WTB rims, Conti MK tyres, WTB saddle, and good alloy, branded finishing kit. Its will be a handfull downhill!!! It has no freeride/DH pretensions, however if your friend can even sort of keep up downhill or on big hit stuff he is doing really well becasue it will be really twitchy!! It will be most rewarding on faster single track and smoother trails. It is specced, and has the geometry to at least keep up with any bike of a similar price point in this area. Like the majority of bikes for sale in the U.K it is made in the far east (and I mean the majority). However unlike many, it is totaly designed and specced here in the U.K.

Maybe in the future your mate will buy more expensive specialists bikes that will do some things a great deal better but it good to hear that he is enjoying the bike allround, as it was intended .:)

Tim, Thanks for a thoughtful and thorough response!

Interesting about Dawes not making the frame. It's just that what I was told at the shop my mate bought it from but I'm more inclined to believe you!

Most of the riding we do is trail centre red runs so it will be a lot of smooth flowy single track. At this stage we're not too fussed about massive drop offs! He did get a good deal on his Mezzana - £550 and as I said he's very happy!

Incidentally I'm riding an upgraded Giant Yukon trail 07 hardtail, Avid elixir R brakes, reba race fork, SLX gearing, highroller upfront and a larsen tt on the rear. What are your thoughts on my set up? I just need to sort my wheels out next!

Cheers!

Hi Yukon,

Your bike sounds to have a good spec using good parts. It is important how your bike fits you and it suits the your riding style. Light nimble riders may want or enjoy short travel light XC forks to dodge around on the trail. Heavier or aggressive riders may prefer all mountain type of forks and spec with long travel and strength to blast through the trails. I would not be able to say anything useful about your bike or the spec unless we were out riding together and I saw how you rode and you told me how you wanted to progress in your style of riding. I personaly like light fast hartails, a good friend who has ridden a bike all his life likes long travel machines and hard riding. He is ... fair to say...robust in build, plays rugby and races DH. I totaly respect what he does and the thrill he gets, We can have meaningfull discussion about his bike spec as I know what he wants it to do. The fact that I like light XC bikes does not mean I am recomending hims SIDS.

You know what you are doing as you are upgrading your wheels. This will have the most marked effect on your bike perfomance. There are hundreds of wheels to choose from, so ask around and get advice about what works well for the riding you want to do. The only advice I can give is buy the wheels that suit the riding you aspire to do.

Cheers

Tim

Tim,

Thanks for that info. Yes I am not a heavy or particularly aggressive rider. I like to duck weave and dodge on a quick hardtail. Whilst my Yukon isn't the lightest, I feel I can gain good speed and maintain nice control. I cycle XC mainly at Dalby and Gisburn and there are some lovely fast sections!

I would like to try some more aggressive DH but I feel I would need a stronger full sus with alot more than 100mm (although my reba's can be adjusted to 120mm). I'll put a santa cruz on my christmas list in about another ten years!!!

Thanks for the advice!