Cape Wrath or Dawes XC 2.4

poddy

Hi, I've been looking to replace my v.cheap Halfords MTB with something a bit better. Currently have full sus. but as I said it's a really cheap one and now I'm really into my biking I want to upgrade.

My max budget though is about £500, could go a bit higher but have narrowed down my search to a Claude Butler Cape Wrath D27 (2007 model) or a Dawes XC 2.4. Both were about the same price and similar spec but I've just seen the Dawes at £380 delivered.

Are these bikes good? Can't find any reviews at all on the Dawes, is there a reason for that? On paper looks like a great bike for what I need. I will use the bike almost 100% for Coed Llandegla as I live just a few miles away and have a proper road bike but I don't think I can stretch to as decent full sus as they all seem to start from about £700, have decided anyway that hard-tail is the way to go for me as I don't really intend doing massive jumps etc (getting too old for that!).

Any advice/alternatives apporeciated.

Big n Daft

Cape wrath very well thought of by it's owners.

Not too much experience of Dawes tbh.

Others to look at,

Carrera Fury at its new low price. (yes it's Halfords, but it's a lot of bike at £500 never mind £400)

Spesh Rockhopper, probably an 07 model will bring the best value for money.

Giant XTC series.

Merlin are worth a look, they have a sale of last years models on at the mo.

Decathlon is worth a good long look, they do bikes that although not well known are very very well thought of whenever they get a review. (both full suss and HT)

I'm sure they'll be others but there's some to be getting on with.

As usual, whatever you decide, try b4 you buy!

Andy B

Cape Wrath D27 is the bike to have out of those two.

I have ridden a C.W. and it is very good value for money, the fork's ok, but on a par with most bikes in this price range, but the rest of the spec is superb, if it still had Quad Hydraulic brakes they are very good. It's a great ride too, I was surprised how good it felt when I swapped rides with my mate @ Dalby Forest.

The forks (Marzocchi MZ's) on the Dawes are well below par and worth avoiding (I sell Dawes bikes & have had a car park test & it rides ok not as good as the D27)

Possibly the best is the Carrera Fury, but not having ridden one I can only go on the spec's & the user's reviews, which all seem to be very good, the spec level for the money is very, very good, superb forks, great spec. If your local Halfords is one of the better stores that knows about bikes & how to build them properly, then go try one, if not try one anyway. If you do buy it, then go over every nut & bolt & check it, or get your LBS to do it if you can't.

bullcross

go for a fury £395 right now bargin
better forks that the butler etc

poddy

bullcross wrote:

go for a fury £395 right now bargin
better forks that the butler etc

Thanks, glad I asked, will take a look at the Fury, thanks for advice all.

bullcross

no probs