Sorry another newbie with silly questions!

MAXI2

As mentioned in subject title:-

1) What are the main feature differencies between the GT Avalanche 2.0 and
the GT Avalanche 3.0, I have seen both priced the same on a website?

2) Where is the cheapest place to buy either of the above?

3) Would it be a bad idea to buy a 'hard tail' if i were to suffer from a bad back?

thanks
max

Steve_b77

MAXI2 wrote:

As mentioned in subject title:-

1) What are the main feature differencies between the GT Avalanche 2.0 and
the GT Avalanche 3.0, I have seen both priced the same on a website?

2) Where is the cheapest place to buy either of the above?

3) Would it be a bad idea to buy a 'hard tail' if i were to suffer from a bad back?

thanks
max

I have a GT Aggressor 2.0 and my missus has a GT Aggressor 3.0 (Aggressor being Halford version of the Avalanche)

The 2.0 is the higher specced bike, the lower the number the higher the spec with GT's (maybe common to other bike don't know as I a newb too )

My 2.0 has Deore groupset, 27 gears, 2-way rapid release shifters, and Truvanti Cranks.

The 3.0 has Alvio groupset, 24 gears, shifters and brake levers in one unit, and suntour Cranks.

The 2.0 has a Rockshox Dart2, the 3.0 has a Dart1 (in this case higher number = better)

The 2.0 has a different seat post to the 3.0. and shot peened handles bars & Stem unlike the 3.0

I'd check out Halfords if you got one local to compare the Avalanche and Aggressor before you buy.

The 2.0 is £345 and the 3.0 is £269

supersonic

The Avalanche 2.0 has hydrauilc disc brakes and a suntour hydraulic fork. It is different from the Agressor XC2 - there aint an Aggressor 2.0 lol!

Whty buy from the net? If you are a newbie, you need to see the bike, try it for size, jhave it built, and take advantage of the aftersales care.

Panter

Just to be pedantic , the Aggressor isn't Halfords version of the avalanche, it's just a "lower" model to the Avalanche and stocked by most suppliers.

FWIW, I have a dodgy back and don't get any trouble from my Avalanche. Having said that though, obviously everyones different and it maybe worth checking with your GP to see if you should be thinking about off-road cycling?

Cheers

Chris

supersonic

To be extra pedantic, there are two lines of Aggressors - the XC series, solely stocked by Halfords, and the standard one, which is a budget 7spd model available from all GT dealers.

MAXI2

Thanks for all of your help.

Lots of good information here, just need to digest it.....probably leading to another set of questions!

Thanks again!

russ0228

MAXI2 wrote:

As mentioned in subject title:
2) Where is the cheapest place to buy either of the above?
thanks
max

happy you are joining in on all the fun.
just a we note for you. it's not always cheaper in the long run to just buy from the cheapest you can find. as your warranty is with whoever you bought it from. for example if you bought a gt from form billybobs.com and your fork falied within its warranty and you take it it to your local gt supplier thinking it wil be done for free. "it doesn't work like that"
if you buy a sony tv from dixons you don't take it back to currys just because they sell sony tv's. lol
your lbs will support you if you do the same.
anyways have fun which ever steed you buy

Panter

supersonic wrote:

To be extra pedantic, there are two lines of Aggressors - the XC series, solely stocked by Halfords, and the standard one, which is a budget 7spd model available from all GT dealers.

Fair play Sir, you've out-pedanticed me


I never knew tha about the GT's. Shows just how much buying power Halfords have got :shock:


Cheers

Chris

nicklouse

Sonic is the fountain of all knowledge about GT bikes.

pittpony

I wouldn't worry about a hardtail hurting your back. The most important thing is to get the right frame size. Obviously to do this you need to get the bike sized up at a good shop rather than from the web. I used to ride my girlfriend's old hardtail about 100 miles a week and it did my back no good at all My new hardtail is only slightly different in size but as it actually fits me it makes all the difference in the world! Having said that my girlfriend's new full sus is definitely a smoother ride than mine... It depends on your budget too as you need to spend a fair amount to get a full sus bike worth owning.

MAXI2

Thanks again for all your good info.

I'm still a little unsure which model, type and size of bike to get?

Having read a recent article, the Decathlon rockrider 6.3 seems a decent buy. I visited
my local store and was considering getting a 21" frame to accommodate my 6' 1" height.
But to compare I tried a 19" frame and there didn't seem to be much difference, i'm guessing the 19" frame would be better becuae I can adjust the saddle higher if need be.

Any opinions on the rockrider compared to my original thought - GT avalanche 2.0 - 2007?

Big n Daft

Decathlon bikes tend to get pretty decent reviews.

http://www.bikeradar.com/beginners/gear ... 3-07-20096

Always worth a look, but do you want a full sus?

21" frame though?

Might be a bit big for you.

I'm 6' 4" and ride a 20" frame.

Its all about standover height and in your case reach. Ideally you want a couple of inches clearance between top tube and nads with both feet on the floor. Otherwise pain could follow. Unless you have extremely long legs as in 34" +, I'd err towards a 19" frame, but again we are all different. To be perfectly honest, you can easily make a 2" difference via the seat post.

Your back is far more liable to pain you if your over reaching for the bars, in your case, top tube and stem length is liable to make far more difference. Buy the right frame and if your buying from a LBS, they 'should' set the bike up right for you, maybe even changing the stem if the fitted one doesn't suit.

There isn't much difference between the component sets for both bikes, the Rockrider is a hell of a bike for the money, but the GT is a proven frame design, solid components and in all likelyhood a few pounds lighter.

The choice is yours!

MAXI2

I think the question I need answered then is do I really want rear susspension?

My aim was to use it for off road riding (nothing competitvie) to ride around in epping forrest.

I was considering using the bike to ride to work on too. It would be about an eight mile journey.

Big n Daft

Unless your planning on taking some major terrain on, I'd say no.

Especially if your planning to commute on it, you'd be surprised how much that extra weight will take out of you.

Get a pair of slick mtb tyres and the GT will make a perfectly acceptable commuter bike, but with the added advantage of smoothing out any bumps you might come across. The fork also has lock out so you can in effect turn it into a rigid as you get used to it, all the better for road use.

Only my opinion, but I think your needs are best served by the GT.

Try before you buy though!

MAXI2

OK, that makes sense.

Thanks again