£350 all round xc bike

pooh

Currently have a GT Tequesta...ancient but want to buy new bike.....£350 ish. 5'4" woman....the samml tequesta is fine apart from the reaach could be greater.to feel more natural I tend to sit way back on the saddle.

Thinking of Avalanche 2.0, but what eklse is there.

preference is for a very light bike.

Thanks...I know these requests are a bit tiresome, but so useful to me!! I have searched but keep coming back to GT. What about weight though?

supersonic

Have a look at the Trek 4500, Mongoose Tyax Elite, Carrera Kraken and the GTs. Its important you see them and test them. More info on said bikes on this site.

Big n Daft

I know they do a ladies specific version of the Kraken.

Mrs BnD is going to be purchasing one shortly.

Same spec as the gents one as i saw it.

Nice grey colour with muted pastel pink decals.

Mrs BnD saw it and went....and i quote "oooooooooo"

pooh

The Trek looks good too. What about Giant....and any info or thoughts on weight? I need to lift it easily. My Tequesta is light.....what about the trek or the Avalanche?

supersonic

Weights at this price band are 29-34lbs, wont notice much difference lifting them, but will climbing. Trek is lighter at 29.8lbs, but has V brakes - saying that its spec is excellent elsewhere. GT is 31.5 lbs, Giant Terrago 32lbs, Mongoose 32lbs. Mongoose and GT aimed at the harder hitting rider.

pooh

I went into Evans and they were keen on a Pinnacle.....looked nicw, but I've never heard of them.

How do I find out what the feel of a make is.....ie what are the differences in ride between a Trek and a GT for example, I'd like to narrow the choice before I try some. The weight is pretty important too.

Thanks for thoughts so far

pooh

:roll:

Ok me again!

Tried a few....still like the GT, but sizing is a bit of a problem. The trek was only in 16" and was too big, the GT was 16" and was just OK standover height but great in reach. I suspect that any bike will be a compromise for me. What is the bit that is best to prioritise? My current GT is an XS and the stand-over height is perfect, but the reach is too short (even with a longer seat rail etc.) The 16" GT feels right, but there is little "clearance" above the top tube (about 3/4")

Many makes seem bigger again. I tried a Carrera, but was not impressed as it felt all wrong.

The Treks are larger, but the 13" may be too small if I can ever find one to try.

So is a small clearance OK, or should I look again??
:?

supersonic

Reach is just as important as clearance, but you can alter this wby moveing the saddle back and forth, and with different stems. Keep trying models! looking for 2inch clearance or so (men need a little more hehe!). As for 'feel', thats down to you, if it feels right is is right. Though I'd stay away from pinnacle, its evans own brand and they are a bit crap.

hednesfordxcer

don't touch bikes from Halfords, see thread on General page

supersonic

Unless its a good Halfords lol.

Lukeee

GT are releasing an Entire range of Womens Specific Avalanche's this year. From 3.0 to 1.0.

I'd hold out for these if you can as the Geometry is completely different.

pooh

Very interesting about the GT womens specific bikes. Is there a link to the womens versions anywhere? Trouble is, most have putrid styling and colours....eg the Trek 4300/4500 ...awful girlie stuff! I know it should not matter, but...!

pooh

Tried the treks today. My size was not available in the 4500, but really did not feel comfortable on the womens version. I tried a Spesh Rockhopper ( ther basic one) and it felt very good. The top tube slopes so allows more stanover room at the saddle end. It seems pretty light. There is no disc, but the rest of the spec is OK.The price is 440 for the 2007 model.
What are thoughts on that? Can't find a GT to try, but suspect that my current GT is rather small for me....Great in standover height, but the reach is just not long enough so I slide to the back of the saddle to give me more room.......I also sit on it like a road racing bike....all ar** in the air!!

So thoughts on the Rockhopper would be appreciated, please.

supersonic

Thats a very good price for a very good bike. Sure, has no discs, but excellent frame and fork, and good drivetrain. Disc ready too. Lighter than anything at this price as well.

pooh

I still want to try the GT....at that price the Avalanche 1.0 is in the frame (parden the pun!)
I notice that one review rates the GT higher than the Spesh.

Which is the better bike on specs? The Spesh felt good, but I have not tried the GT in the right size for me. The 15" rockhopper was right yet I am riding a 13" GT.

supersonic

They are very so slightly different machines. The GT is more of an allround package for trail riding, a little more relaxed in posture, while the hopper a little more 'XC' in style with the lower bottom bracker, lighter frame and v brakes. Both represent good value. The Hopper has the better frame and fork, the GT the better brakes. Sizes vary between brands.

chilled rider

Chain reaction cycles have some bargains of last years models, try out a GT i got a cracking deal on a 2006 avalanche 1 non disc version, or the avanlance 3 is a steal at a reduced price also. Shop around and see what is on offer.

Evans cycles offer good deals

wiggle

chain reaction cycles

Dales online in scotland also

pooh

Went to Paul's today. And another shop that had the treks. Verdict:
Trek 4300 felt all wrong
Trek 6000 was better, much lighter, but I seem to be between sizes and either was a compromise.

GT Avalanche 1.0 and 2.0 again the sizing did not feel just right. They were almost there with the small giving just about enough standover clearance, but the top tube length was a fraction short. Shame as the heart said GT buy, buy, buy! I could have fixed tthe riding position with changing some parts I expect.

Scott, all wrong for me don't know why.

Giant XTC 4.5 .....went for this in small. 2" clearance yet the reach was longer. Specs as goos as the Avalanche 1.0 and at the knock down price of £410. Nice muted silver with no garish bits, deore xt at the rear, hydraulic brakes (Giant own) and Rock Shock dart shocks. Well pleased! It sneaked up & stole my heart in the end!

In the end I could not decide which felt lighterso they are probably all pretty similar. Although the Terrago did feel heavier as did the Trek 4300. I suspect the Rockhopper is lighter, but it has no disc brake.That is not that important within reason as I then put a rack on so I can stash a bag with all sorts of rubbish in case I need to read a book, phone home, etc!

So the Giant it is, with the GT a close second/third
Hopefully it is a good bike and I'll get years of fun from it.

Thanks to you all for the help.

pooh

So any views? Have I made a good choice? I have only reserved the bike, and can change it if I prefer.