Confused with options

TheNomad

Here goes.

Relatively new biker here, looking for unbiased advice (if possible!).

I have been riding a cheap 'Apollo' dual suss "MTB" for the past year and never been happy with the 'V' brakes fitted to it (can never get them right so no rubbing takes place regardless of adjustment & even an experienced biker friend has looked at them and failed also), so I have decided to take the plunge and buy a new bike.

I am not looking at spending a fortune as I simply cannot afford to nor justify spending extreme amounts of cash on something to get around on and the occassional off-road/trail session at the local country park or over fields on the way to see friends fishing on lakes in the relative local area.

I have budgeted approximately £600, but I don't know what sort of bike would suit my needs best!!!!!

I have been to the local LBS's and got conflicting information from them all (even though they are all owned by the same people just in different towns with different staff). I have also done the obligatory trip to Halfords and spoken to a couple of the guys in there that know their bikes (had this confirmed by a couple of guys I know that are members of local MTB clubs) yet again been given conflicting information on what would be right for me.

I would say that the split would be 60/40 towards road/path use with the lower amount being off-road.

The only problem is that I have a genetic bone degeneration problem with regards to my neck and spine, so weight of the bike along with riding comfort is paramount.

I was thinking along the lines of a full twin suss bike with lock out rear shock function for smooth road use but do not want to spend the money if it is not going to be the right bike for me personally. I have had a ride of a couple around the stores and the one that I felt comfortable on in the car park was the Carrera Banshee from Halfords (believe it or not). I did try the Kona that they had made up and in all honesty the £100 difference in price on the Kona didn't feel any different than the Banshee with locked out shock.

Are the Carrera Banshee MTB's any good at all as I don't want to spend money and then find it needs replacing after a year of light use (under 1000 miles per year). The spec of the Banshee seems to be good with SRAM gears, Suntour lock out forks, etc, but finding info on the Carrera bikes is like mission impossible online.

Are there any other bikes out there that may suit me better which I should be looking at? If I can spend less, the better, but I have now submitted to the fact that I am looking at £500 give or take a few quid to get a semi-resonable MTB.

Any advice would be welcome.

supersonic

The Banshee is definitely not designed for roads or paths, its an out an out big hit trail bike and very heavy with it. If you are a new biker, don't buy online, buy from a good shop that can help you with your needs and offer you better aftersales care. You may find a lighter weight hardtail with a suspension seatpost is a better option.

impished

I think the Carrera Fury would be ideal...
If you find the ass too harsh, you've still got enough in the budget for a sus-seat post.

TheNomad

Thanks for the replies.

So I would be better off with front suss only rather than twin?

The only reason I thought rear suspension would be better is that vibrations through a hardtail could aggravate my neck (I have no discs left between the first 3 vertabrae in my neck and any vibrations are amplified greatly into them, and some of the other disc's are degenerating as well - awaiting surgery to stop the problem from getting worse). Have I got this wrong and it may make things worse or am I barking up the wrong tree?

Would having a rear shock with full lock out not make it easier for road usage?

The Banshee is a hell of a lot lighter than what I already have though and felt relatively light to me!!! Maybe having the heavy bike already is making other bikes feel a lot lighter than they already are?

As you can see I am not totally up with regards to specs and reasons behind them.

supersonic

Rear suss may be better, its hard to tell, you may need a qualified sports physician to tell you the best way. However full suss at this price is usually compromised - poor shocks, heavy and downdgraded parts.

TheNomad

I believe the Banshee is fitted with Suntour Epicon 140mm front shock forks. I was told by a few people that Suntour make some good suspesnion forks for the money and was another reason that the Banshee looked to be a better option, but with all the info I have been given by the different stores today, I am just as confused as I was before I went into them!

I was recommended by my Physiotherapist not to ride a bike at all, yet the Consultant at the hospital told me not to drive but riding a bike is fine, so I get conflicting information everywhere I turn regarding cycling!!!!

I think you can now see why I am confused about things.

If it was fishing tackle or PC's then I would be in my element!!!! LOL

supersonic

The Epicon is OK, the rear shock is not too hot and its simply too much bike for your needs. You dont need all that travel and associated weight. A hardtail will be lighter, more efficieint, easier to ride for most of your terrain. The Mongoose Otero elite is not a nad full suser.

Stxsas

\What about the Banshee X with some of the upgraded components?
It is £650 but with the infamous Kellogs 10% off voucher it puts the price down to £550ish
I have heard that also the Kona and Carrera are made in the same factory in China. But this could be a myth? If it is not then you might have similarities in the general workmanship.

I think that a Banshee would do you ok, yeah the rear shock is not the best in the market, but with expensive shocks comes expensive servicing, starting from £60 plus. (Halfords)
What matters the most is comfort to you the rider and also safety too. It would not be a good thing if you took a dive and hurt your neck proper.

I would wait a few days to see what other suggestions other members give you. You might find a comfier and more reasonable priced bike.

My 2 cents..

supersonic

The main reason why I dismissed this bike as weight was a factor in his original post - this is 38lbs of bike compared to sub 30 for hardtails of this price. Also dont need 6 inch of travel for the riding specified - a shorter travel full susser or hartail a much better bet.

think180

Price is going to be the restricting factor here, a decent FS for 600 quid is going to de fifficult I think. Perhaps if you looked at some older models like thisfrom Pauls Cycles, a decent hard tail looking at the weight factor.

TheNomad

Thanks for all the replies.

Looks as if the concensus is to go with a hardtail rather than full suss.

Just got to make up my mind now to which one I go for!!!

Carrera Fury is looking favourite at the moment, but still open for other options.

*EDIT*

What about the lower end Kona's such as the Fire Mountain or Blast?

Just had a quick look at the specs of them and they look pretty reasonable for the money (although I could be completely wrong). I did have a quick scoot about on a Shred yesterday and did think it was ok whilst dodging Chinese kids in the local Halfords store during a run down the aisles, but obviously without taking it over any rougher terrain it is difficult to tell if it is going to be the bike for me or not.

I felt confortable & confident on the Carrera Banshee (probably due to the weight of it in not being overly light), but after reading some of the suggestions I am starting to wonder now.

If I uprated the shock from spring to a decent one on the Banshee, the servicing wouldn't be a problem as I have a friend that could do that for me (he rides a couple of custom bikes himself & is experienced as a rider and a bike machanic, but will not recommend any off the shelf bikes due to if it is not right for me at the end of the day he doesn't want to fall out over it!).

Oh I hate making decisions!!!!! :?