Avalanche 1.0 or 2.0?

Duggie50
Duggie50 Posts: 16
edited December 2007 in MTB buying advice
First of all, sorry for what could be an idiot question but I'm new to biking.

As part of quitting smoking a few months ago I've started to take my bike round my local woods (Cannock Chase) for a bit of exercise. I'm really enjoying it and can see a vast improvement in my fitness already.
I'm going to reward myself for staying off the fags by replacing my old £150 bike with something better.
This is where I need help.
After reading around it seems that the GT Avalanche bike are a good 'bang for your buck choice'. I have compared the spec of the 1.0 and 2.0 models and am totally stuck as to which to choose.
I suspect I already know the answer, but is it worth shelling out the extra £100 on the Avalanche 1.0?
Or should I get the Avalanche 2.0 and spend the difference on a decent windproof jacket?
Sorry for the long question :)
Thanks

Comments

  • GT Destroyer
    GT Destroyer Posts: 1,719
    You'll end up buying the 1.0 AND the windproof jacket - If you are really enjoying the riding you will probably get hooked on it - you'll start to think about how you can save money in order to buy new stuff etc...

    The Avalanche 1.0 is a great bike to start you off on - It would definately be my choice, I have one and its great, mine has been on double black boulder trail runs at Stainburn, and 24 mile XC adventures at Dalby, its a good bike to get you started.
    500 Miles in 5 days
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    The 1.0 just won best of test in a recent magazine, saying it was the best 500 quid bike they had ever ridden with a superb frame. Test first of course - but personally I do feel its worth the extra to get the better componentry.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • dirtbiker100
    dirtbiker100 Posts: 1,997
    1.0 and the jacket :wink:
  • Duggie50
    Duggie50 Posts: 16
    Thanks for the comments.
    I've just realised that it's my birthday next week so that's the jacket sorted.
    1.0 model it is then :lol:

    Will nip over to my LBS and try one out at the weekend.

    One supplementary question though (sorry), are prices pretty much standard or is it worth shopping around for a bike?

    Thanks again.
  • Steve_F
    Steve_F Posts: 682
    Always worth shopping around for everything. Try some of the on-line bike shops (wiggle/chain reaction cycles) there is a post on the forum somewhere about the good ones.

    Also try asking you LBS what their best price is, there seems to be a lot of people getting decent discounts by doing that or maybe they'll throw in a jacket for you! :D
    Current steed is a '07 Carrera Banshee X
    + cheap road/commuting bike
  • Duggie50
    Duggie50 Posts: 16
    Gah! I should've stopped looking when I'd decided on the Avalanche 1.0.
    Just spotted the Carrera Fury on the Halfords site for £439.99
    I really dont know which one to go for now :(

    The specs seem similar apart from the forks.
    How do you guys think they compare?
    For XC riding (mainly over Cannock Chase), would the additional 30mm of travel on the Fury be of much benefit.

    I'm a bit wary of buying from Halfords as I'm told their after sales support isn't up to much, but dont have any experience of them myself. But then if I go for the Avalanche from www.leisurelakesbikes.com store in Wolves they might not be that great either.

    Sorry for the long post again but I really could do with some expert opinions.
  • dirtbiker100
    dirtbiker100 Posts: 1,997
    If you were to do that decision making with computers you'd never buy one. my local bike shop has an avalanche 1 proudly on display so pop along to your local and ask if they can get one in for you.
    http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/cate ... /fury-9876
    tora 318 u-turn? crazy. maybe get that one then ha ha.

    hard choice. bikeradar haven't given it as many marks as the gt but still its a great bike. good luck with this one...
  • clanton
    clanton Posts: 1,289
    If you can tets ride them both! For the money both are very good buys.
  • Dan.hkr
    Dan.hkr Posts: 68
    as a Fury owner, id say its a amazing bike! the tora fork is amazing! i got mine for £380!!! there were a few offers on the website, im pretty sure you can still get it for £414 with the xmas £25 off offer plus at the moment you get a free £20 voucher. id definatley reccomend it! im sure all the reviews on the avalanche must meen its a good bike, i just dont like the gt triple triangle thing and a suntour fork was a bit of a offput as well!

    either way i think its a win win, with the Fury being better spec and cheaper id go fr that one. (maybe im just biased)

    hope this helps
    Thanks
    Enjoy the simple things in life
  • Lump
    Lump Posts: 10
    I was lucky enough to get a brand new(ridden twice) gt 1.0 on ebay for just over 300. But checkout http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/index ... 7&brandID=

    They got a stack of other bikes on there cheap and for any of the avalanches there the cheapest by far!!!
  • dirtbiker100
    dirtbiker100 Posts: 1,997
    hang on is that winstanleys different from the other winstanleys? one ends in bikes and the other bmx...

    yeah but if you get it from winstanleys just check that they have it in stock and they are going to deliver it correctly. if you want to order from them i suggest ringing them up first and checking. in the past they haven't been the most reliable. supposedly things have changed over there but its certainly best to be safe, you don't want to wait 3 months for a bike and then have it arrive bashed up :?
  • Duggie50
    Duggie50 Posts: 16
    Thanks for the advice everyone.

    I'll try and get a test of an avalanche from my lbs. Think they charge £50 to test the bike for a day which gets knocked off the price if I want the bike.
    Dont know if halfords do anything similar so I can test a Fury out but I'll see.

    Cant wait to get either bike tbh. I'm so excited, it's like when I was 6 and got my raleigh burner :)

    Thanks again guys.
  • dirtbiker100
    dirtbiker100 Posts: 1,997
    just a bit of a warning...


    it'll be hard to out do the raleigh burner :wink:
  • Duggie50
    Duggie50 Posts: 16
    After what seems like an eternity of 'uhm'ing and 'ahh'ing I've finally gone for the Fury.

    Went to try out the Avalanche and really liked it. But LBS wouldn't give any discount on it at all. With xmas around the corner I decided to get the Fury and save money with the Halfords 10% off deal.
    Got it for £395.99 and £20 worth of accessories free. Bargain!
    Just in time too, as the 10% off and £20 of accessories offers ended the day after I ordered it.

    I'm picking it up tonight and will be taking it for a session over Cannock Chase tomorrow if the weather is ok :D
    Will let you know how I get on.

    Thanks everyone for all of your advice. I really appreciate it.

    Expect loads of random stupid questions from me in the future.
  • Duggie50
    Duggie50 Posts: 16
    I took my new Fury over to Cannock Chase yesterday for a couple of laps of the Follow the Dog trail. Had so much fun, I’ve still got a stupid grin on my face. I love this bike!
    I was in so much of a rush to get out on it, I forgot to take the bell off it. Did I care? Did I hell. DING DING! :D

    Only a few niggles with the brakes (squeaking in the wet and a 'gritty' rubbing sound) which I’m sure will sort themselves out once they’re bedded in. Fingers crossed.

    It's making my day sat in the office really drag though. I just want to be out riding :(
  • GT Destroyer
    GT Destroyer Posts: 1,719
    Glad to hear you are enjoying it Duggie. Do you go out on your own or with mates?
    500 Miles in 5 days
  • Duggie50
    Duggie50 Posts: 16
    My girlfriend and my brother normally go with me.
    We all went on Sunday. Was a great laugh.

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