Carrera Fury vs GT Avalance vs Boardman Comp vs Kona Caldera

mudslinger

I've recently got back into mountain biking & am looking to change my 11 year old Marin Hawkhill. I am 6ft & 14 st (ish!!) & generally ride my local bridleways but would like to get back into riding the South Downs. I also want to use it to commute to work (8 miles) although this is not a priority. I want a bike that does everything.

I want to spend around £500 (but would go up to & was originally looking at the Carrera Fury & GT Avalance 1.0. When I went to Halfords to look at the Fury I saw the Boardman bikes which looked very good quality. Since then the Fury has come down to £450 which seems very good value. I've also seem that Evans have recently started a sale with some good reductions. The ones I'm interested in are the Kona Caldera (£599) & the Pinnacle Evolution 1 (£549). The Kona looks a nice bike but I'm not up to date with all the latest components.

So at the moment (it could change at any moment) it comes down to Carrera Fury, GT Avalance 1.0, Boardman Comp, Kona Caldera Pinnacle Evolution 2. Before trying out some of these bikes does anyone have any views or experience of these bikes. Or any other bikes?

Thanks!

supersonic

The Fury is a test winning bike, with superb frame, forks and components for a bike of this price. The Caldera has a great frame, but the components let it down, and same goes for the Pinancle. The Boardman stuff is very new, but comments so far are good, while the GT is a classic trail bike at this price. None of them are bad: it will simply be a csase of trying them and seeing what suits you best.

frogbad

Seems that there are a few bike sales on at the moment for 2007 models. You can get:-

GT 1.0 for £400
Kona Blast for £430
Specialized Hardrock Pro for £480

Any of these may also be worth a look?

supersonic

Certainly worth looking at, the Blast is more tempting at that price: at 550 it was a joke. The Hardrock pro is heavy at 34lbs, and with an undamped fork puts it behind the opposition.

mudslinger

Thanks for the advice. Where did you see those prices at Frogbad?

frogbad

GT 1.0 and Kona Blast are available at those prices from Winstanleys Bikes (01942 707646)

The prices are not advertised on their website, but if you phone and ask - you will get them ;-)

Can't remember where the Specialised Hardrock Pro was available at that price, Winstanleys do not stock them, it might have been Evans when I spoke to them. I did a lot of ringing round yesterday :-)

Out of the three I think the Kona and the GT are the main runners. I opted for the Kona Blast as the discount was very good, it got a great review in the MBR dirty dozen test and I have always wanted to own a Kona!

WillGTJumper

winstanles are supposed to be bad

dcp1975

Mudslinger, i can recommend the Fury for £450 i bought one yesterday and its quality throughout for the price, the riding style of the fury is better for me and less pain in my lower back than my Rockhopper was, price means nothing if the bike doesnt feel right, so try them out but if you can get a GT Avalanche 1.0 for £400 its then a toss up between the Fury as well, but do try them out.

hednesfordxcer

ive got the fury, only advice i'd give is take it bike mechanic who knows what they're doing, halfords are notoriuosly hit and miss, but a great bike, the lockout forks win it for me, lot of hills on cannock chase

mudslinger

Armed with my 10% off voucher I can get the Fury for £405 or the Boardman Comp for £540. I've got the day off tomorrow to go shopping!!!