Down to the final 3 choices... your opinions!

Panhandling Prince

Hi there

I am looking at getting a new hardtail for manily XC and some hill climbing on the South Downs, with a view to some XC competitions. I am looking to spend between £300 - £450 initially but would like something which I could upgrade over time.

I have nailed my final selection down to 3 choices:

1> Giant Terrago Disc 07
2> Mongoose Tyax Super 07
3> GT Avalanche 2.0 07

Can you let me know your thoughts on which is best for my requirments. I have test ridden the all but need some input before finally putting my money down.

Also still temped by the Fury... so the list has 4 bikes on it?

Cheers

Prince

Crispy5449

Had exactly the same choice to make myself. Tried all three today and bought the Tyax Super 07 @ £350, but TBH I think all three are good bikes and it's just which one "feels" best for you.

Panhandling Prince

Yeah, all three are ace.

Whats made the Moongoose stand out for you?

supersonic

Plenty of comments already on these bikes, try a search of the threads. The Fury is the best bike, though do go and try them out.

Crispy5449

Panhandling Prince wrote:

Whats made the Moongoose stand out for you?

Just "felt" better to me - very subjective, and you may feel different IMO at £350 it's great value, but if your budget will stretch to £450 I'd be taking a serious look at the fury - very well regarded on all the forums and looks like a great deal.

Panhandling Prince

Thanks Crispy

I guess I am a little bit of a name snob with regards to the Fury. I have tested in and its swanky, but the whole Halfords things puts me right off.

The Trek 4900 Disc is also in the mix.

Its soo hard to decided. :?

I guess I will get there eventually.


lol

Panhandling Prince

Crispy

Out of interest what frame size did you get on the mongoose?

Also where to did you get it for £350?

pRINCE

Crispy5449

Got it in large - I'm 6'3" and assumed I would need an XL but it felt too stretched out, so tried the L and it was spot on.

Got it from bikesport in Darlington - www.bikesportltd.co.uk (so not exactly local for you!)

Panhandling Prince

Cool

I went out and tried the Gaint XTC 4.5 today and I love it. Sexy bike.

Might have to stretch the budget to £500.

What do you reckon?

lol

Big n Daft

Fury.

I was looking at the XTC.....i have heard some things about the MPH brakes though.

Fury has a better fork and for £449 is a serious bit of kit.

Be honest....why should the name matter? Surely the best bike for your riding and the one that fits best is what's important?

BnD

Panhandling Prince

Cheers BND

I have looked at the Fury as well, just dont like it as much. Might need another ride.

What have your heard on the MPH brakes on the XTC 4.5?

supersonic

MPH brakes are great when they are set up and working, but can be a pain to service and bleed, and they seem prone to developing minor niggles. They are a closed system too - that means easy pad adjustment but prone to fade and pump on long descents. I'd rather have them than Hayes Sole though. Its based on the old Hope C2, they liscensed the design off them. Its not bad by any means.

Panhandling Prince

Cheers

Are thebrakes on the Fury better?

supersonic

I would say so, twin piston open brakes, good performer.

Panhandling Prince

The only thing that really put me off with the Fury is the comments about reoccuring punctures?

I guess you take the rough with the smooth when buying any bike..?

supersonic

I wouldn't say that was a problem as such, more bad luck. However there are reports of sharp edges inside the rim but that is a 2 minute fix.

Big n Daft

As SS says,

It seems there is a tendency towards sharp edges on the spoke countersinks, it is literally a 10 minute job to fix, drop the wheels out, tyres off, 2 laps with decent electrical tape, job done.

I had one puncture first time out, did that...never had a problem since. It's been off and on road with no hint of any more problem.

Again, SS has said exactly what i heard about MPH brakes, but you pays your money

BnD

Panhandling Prince

Fair enough..

These two bikes are at the top of my list if I can push to £500.

Can you recommend anything else I should seriously consider at this price?

I am doing a 4 trek of the entire South Downs Way at the end of August and am looking at doing some XC races also.

supersonic

Decathlon have a Tora equipped bike at 500, but I know little of it. The Rockhopper is a classic at 550 (or less in the sales), V brakes, but great base to upgrade and superb M4 frame.

Big n Daft

Right now the Fury is at the top end of your price range, its £449.

Fury, XTC, are probably the best bikes for the cash,

Decathlon is worth a look,

I wouldnt go for a Spesh Hardrock if your planning to race....bit more weight although they say the frames a bombproof.

Cheaper....Mong tyax definitely.

BnD

Panhandling Prince

Cheers guys

Thanks for your help.

I will have to make a decision somehow.

So many to choose from..

mudslinger

I'm in a similar position & its a nightmare choosing but there are some really helpful people on here with incredible knowledge.

I bought a box of Cornflakes on Friday for the 10% off token - brings the Fury down to £405!!!

Panhandling Prince

Cool

If you buy the Fury online you get it for £409, thats without the token.

Magic. I will get some cornflakes tomo.

The Spiderman

If you are interested in the Giant take a look at the deals on www.paulscycles.co.uk
The XTC is a very good frame for future upgrading as is the Rockhopper.Ultimately the frames on these 2 are lighter and better than the others.
The Fury is probably the best all rounder,and has the best spec out of the box though.

The Decathlon bikes look phenomenal value for money,spec wise but have no idea how they ride.

Panhandling Prince

What brakes would one recomend if upgrading a Giant xtc 4.5 later on?

supersonic

Probably Avid juicy or the venerable Deore. Deore are way under estimated, a fantastic brake.

The Spiderman

Some very good deals to be had on XT brakes at the moment too.Excellent brakes.
Shimano are great for ease of servicing,and availibility of spares and pads..

Panhandling Prince

Thanks Spiderman

This all helps to give me and idea of what I can get and what I do later on.

The Giant XTC 4.5 although weaker brakes than the Fury and the down grade on the forks, is just much nicer, even if the Fury is a bargin at the price etc etc.

All the help I can get the better.

The Spiderman

Click on the website link below for some ideas of what you can do with an XTC.
Forks and tyres,made the biggest improvement,but as with all upgrading,there is a point where it would have been cheaper to buy a better bike to begin with!
( Fortunately,I got quite a few bits for free,saved money by buying bits on ebay and funded some new bits by selling old bits.)

Panhandling Prince

Hi Spiderman

There is no link on your post and you do it again please?

Thanks

thedktor

Panhandling Prince wrote:

Cool

If you buy the Fury online you get it for £409, thats without the token.
.

Where do you get that info from? Do you have a link?

Thanks

TD