Help me chose an entry level bike. out of 7.

N4PALM

I'm in the market for a new bike at under £400, I'd push to 450 ish for something that lil bit special.

I've been out of the loop as far as cycling goes for years, kinda got to walking everywhere since I live in the city. And now I'm unfit and find myself craving a new ride and hobby.

I shall be using this bike for on road, cycle track, towpaths plus I wanna get into trail riding....... If it ever stops raining

I've searched and checked and doubled checked reviews and opinions, so far my shortlist has only gotten bigger.

Theyre all Hardtailed, front shocked and disc braked. Theyre all so similar, its damn near impossible to chose between them. The more reviews I read and bikes I discover, the more confused I become.

So wise forum warriors, pls help hack this list down to size, with critiscm, opinions and advice. The better forks, frame, weight and brakes. What makes each one good, what makes them bad etc...

Mongoose Tyax Super - Suntour XCR RL 100mm - Tektro Hydraulic = £399
Genesis Core 1.0 - Suntour XCR-DA 100mm - Hayes So1e Hydra = £449
Giant XTC 4.5 - Rock Shox Dart2 80mm - Giant MPH3 Hydra = £400
GT Avalanche 2.0 - Suntour XCR 100mm - Tektro Auriga Comp Hydra = £399
Gary Fisher Marlin Disc - Rock Shox Dart 2.5 100mm - Avid Sole XC Hydra = £470
Specialized Hardrock Pro 08 - SR SF7-XCM-HLO 100mm - Avid BB5 Mechanical = £399
Claud Butler Cape Wrath D7 - Suntour XCR-LO 100mm - Quad QHD-1 Hydraulic = £449

supersonic

A few of them have been commented on length on other threads. You are at that stage where you need to test them: all have their merits, are good value and have some great parts. (though the hardrock is heavy and has a poor fork).

N4PALM

Indeed, tho I cant seem to find any real comparisons.

I'm liking the Cape Wrath atm, tho they seem to be out of stock everywhere, so testing one might be out of the question for a few weeks at least. Most comments on the XTC are good. Many have a preference to the XTC over the CW it seems, but is that to do with Giant's reputation or is it genuinely better? The review of the CW on this site was clear that it is an awesome bike, and has given it more stars than any of the others that have been reviewed, including the xtc 3.5 which is the next model in the range with a better fork.

I'm not keen on the forks of any of these bikes, so I will want to upgrade at some point, and the CW already has the brakes that I would choose to upgrade to. So I think I'm leaning towards the CW now, tho I have this wonder about the XTC and wether it would be better.

If I like them both on test then I will still be at a loss as to which to chose.

supersonic

The XTC has the lightest and best frame here. The Carrera Fury has to be an option too, with its lightweight butted frame, Tora 318, and twin piston hydro discs.

russ0228

supersonic wrote:

A few of them have been commented on length on other threads. You are at that stage where you need to test them: all have their merits, are good value and have some great parts. (though the hardrock is heavy and has a poor fork).

please read other threads before you post new recycled ones.
btw please do not buy the giant as the mph brakes are rrrrruuubbbiiissshhh !!! every one of our mechanics sream blue murder when they are brought back to be sorted because the c clip has broken and the lever is flapping around like a flag in the wind.

N4PALM

I know this is kinda another new bike thread. But I havent found the answers I need, none of them are all too clear. Apart from a few posts by Supersonic and another post I read about the MPH brakes not being all that great. Most people are talking with biased opinion not objective breakdown and comparison, which is what I'm looking for here. Some even seem guarded to say too much.

I'll get on with whatever I sit on, I'm not fussy with things like geometry or 50 quid either way or whatever. I just want a good strong frame, thats not too heavy. Something that doent take all my effort just to keep rolling. And something that if I look after will last for as long as I wish.

I havent ridden in a couple of years and before that I had a heavy lump of jumk that I got from an ad in the local rag for £30 to get to work and back, til some scroat nicked it and I just took to walking everywhere.

Now I want something decent and the absolute best I can get for my money. I hate that feeling when u buy something and someone says "well that other one is acually a better bike for the same cash" I wanna get that out of the way first.

So I applogise for starting another thread.

I hope I'm not asking too much. I feel a little lost buying a new bike now. When I last bought a "new" bike Shimano SIS was king of the roost and v brakes didnt exist, let alone disc's.


I'd also like to know if the Giant frame is worth the fact it has brakes I might wanna replace, all these bikes have something that has to go, and thats the forks. Is the giant so good that its worth paying out for new brakes as well or is it so close between them all I can effectively rule it out?

HJ1976

N4PALM wrote:

Specialized Hardrock Pro 08 - SR SF7-XCM-HLO 100mm - Avid BB5 Mechanical = £399

Where have you seen this price from? Interested as I thought my budget wouldn't stretch as far as the pro, just the hyd disk hardrock.

N4PALM

http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDetails.asp?productID=11439&categoryID=60

supersonic

Not sure the 08 Hardrock is released yet, should be out shortly. One I'd recommend testing: doesn't look to hot when compared to the likes of the GT Avalanche 2.0 and Mongoose Tyax Elite, both which have better forks and hydraulic discs.

N4PALM

Well I'm actually quite surprised that the hardrock is so popular.

Its clearly down on spec and from all accounts heavier than the rest of the bunch. Perhaps it has that "fun factor" to make up for it, or is it that it has that specialized name on the downtube?

It looks like the '08 is available already, a couple of places claim to have stock of them, but maybe that's in anticipation of its imminent release.

Took a look at the Carrera Fury, and even tho it does seem to be a fine bike for the price, certainly the best fork for that price, I think I would feel rather dirty buying from Halfords. Definitely requires some thought tho.

I'm also surpsried that no one has put a vote in for the XTC or the Avalanche, seeing as they seem to be quite popular on this forum. Gonna try and have a goose at an LBS 2morro.

I never realised Claud Butler made bikes so spec'd, makes me wonder if there is something wrong with it, like maybe it weighs a tonne or something? If not then a simple fork upgrade would make the Cape Wrath one hell of a bike.

supersonic

I'm suprised its so popular too. OK its quite tough, but as en entry level trail bike its just not up to the standard of the opposition, and has a 3-4lb weight penalty. People buy it because it says Specialized on it!

The CBs are well equipped, and have decent frames and geometry. As always, pays to test of course.

patchb

Me and my dad both have XTCs and we both find them to be good bikes. I find the forks on my 05 model to be very good and dont need upgrading too soon. Personally i have had no problems with the brakes and they are better than the Hardrocks mechaical disks. You can get the 05 XTC SE for £384.95 from pauls cycles.

Coolnick

I'd def consider one of the new Genesis bikes, they have been well received and are british designed for uk conditions. Nice specs too for money.

tompsk73

Looky here: www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes/index.html?b=120 I think 699 euros is about 450quid. Deore xt, avid 3 hydros, manitou axel elite forks and a damn light and pretty 7005 multi butted tube set. I got one coz of the budget with a family and all, and its amazing. The only problem; and its a big one, is you cant try it first, as they sell from the factory: not in shops. And it takes a couple of months to get to you. Still, Im dead chuffed for the money.

HJ1976

Hello again-
OK i went to my LBS on the way home from Dalby to M'Bro today and avoided the sales men (who are obsessed with selling me a '07 Hardrock Hyd Sport disk) and had a look at the GT Avalanche 2.0.
Other than the frame design can any one tell me if they are any good as the sales person grudingly pointed out the Fork Lockoff, but told me several times that the GT only has warrently for 5 years, yet the Specalized which is lifetime......will this matter? :?

N4PALM

Well thanks for all the help guys... I've made my choice, payed a deposit and picking up tommorrow.. The Cape Wrath D27

The XTC 4.5 would of been my next choice. Let down somewhat by its brakes.

Oh and I had a goose at the mongoose tyax too! And fuuuuuuuuuuck thats got an ugly paintjob, brakes are alright tho. Anyway spec or no spec, I aint riding a bike that BLUE!! not just blue but BLUE!!!!!


One thing I have noticed... The more famous the brand, the lower spec the bike will be for the same price. Perhaps cos people will still buy them cos they are Specialized, Cannondale, GT, *insertotherbrandnameshere*.

Feeling a little patriotic and liking the Biritish bike, with British designed brakes.

So yeah, thanx for all the advice and stuff. I shall report back when I've done a few miles on it.

Now to chose a decent lock, and that aint exactly easy either.

supersonic

very good choice. GT are good value! Its the Spesh Hardrock that isnt in this group, astounded it got 10 votes lol, its the worst 400 quid bike I have ever seen.

N4PALM

Well I've had my Claud Butler Cape Wrath D27 2007 for a couple of weeks now. Overall I'm very impressed.

I said I'd report back after having done a few miles so here I am, I hope someone will find this usefull.


Frame:
Was not as light as I would of thought it to be when I first lifted it up, but actually its not heavy at all, I've picked it up and moved it around with ease, I live in an upstairs flat and have no troubles slugging it around on my shoulder.
Once moving it lightens up imensely and can be flung around and jumped over obstacles with ease.

Brakes:
Superb, incredible bite, plenty of modulation. These are my first disc brakes so I've nothing to compare with but I'm more than happy with the stopping power. I think they are probably still wearing in so I'm sure they can only get better. I can really leave braking to the last second and have all the feel needed to stop fast without locking up the wheels. I rode in the wet a couple of nights ago and didnt notice any difference in stopping power.

Forks:
Cant say I'm all that impressed, but I cant say I'm dissapoined. I suspected that they wouldnt be mind blowing, so they are about par for the course.
Lock off is excellent, tho they make a nasty knock when u go over a bump in the path locked off. Unlocked I cant really see the full 100mm travel, I suspect u need a serious bump to travel that far or simply the 100mm travel is innacurate. The adjuster on the left leg leaves me at a loss to its use, it seems to do nothing, must be for decorative purposes only :P !!
The forks smooth the ride a little, better than nothing. Oil does leak from them, but not as much as I have heard they leak, there is a greasy slime buildup on the stanchions.
They dont weigh the front of the bike down either, as I'm sure they arent light, they certainly arent heavy beasts.

Overall:
Nice std touring pedals, love the little features like crud catcher bosses. Cant fault the Deore gearset, Truvative cranks are nice. Bars feel great and look mean.
The front end is a little twitchy at times and can leave u feeling a bit uneasy cornering, but that may be to do with the dirt tyres on the road. They do have immense grip, just dont feel all that confident with the front leaned over on the tarmac. All in all its a comfortable ride, dirt tyres are a bit of a drag on the tarmac, but the superb bearings in the hub mean u roll and roll. I rekon with slicks or semi's it would be really fast for cycle track rides. I've not gone too far off road yet, but it definitely feels at home on the rough stuff, perhaps more comfortable than on the road. When I get the option of riding on the grass or on the path I find it much more fun and more comfortable to choose the grass.

The only complaint I have is that already there are chips of paint missing out of the chainstay, alot of them. I've just wrapped a motorcycle inner tube around it for protection. Generally I think the paint wont take being bashed around too much. I was quite shocked at just how much paint was chipped off by the chain in just a couple of weeks. So I guess, mudguards, chainstay protection and just looking after the bike will see to that but I'm a little dissapointed with the durability of the paint in that respect, from what is essentially a dirtbike.


I'm giving this bike an overall positive. Great components, great value, mean look, and at £450 its probably the best for the buck. My opinion is biased of course but I highly recommend.

yoshimi

CAPE WRATH ALL THE WAY!!!!

passout

Giant

TheNomad

Thanks N4PALM, I think you have just made my mind up.

I am in a very similar position to what you were in with regards to narrowing right down a choice of hardtails in the same price bracket as yourself, and the CW D27 was one of them that I was particularly swayed towards.

I think I will be the proud owner of one very soon as well now!