Specialised Rockhopper Disc 2008 Vs GT Avalanche 1.0 2008

HappySachs

Welcome (first post) and good afternoon/evening all

I have a few questions but first a bit of background.

I recently wore out my old mountain bike and have been researching getting a new one. So over the last month I've been trawling through the forum and managed to put together a short list of bikes to try (the pinned thead by SuperSonic was especially helpful). The list was;

Specialized Hardrock
Specialized Rockhopper
GT Avalanche 1.0
GT Avalanche 2.0
Carrera Fury

(actually the Specialized found their way onto my list as my LBS stocks only this one brand)

I'd decided before hand that it would be a good idea to try bikes from across a fairly wide price range so I could get a sense of where the money was going. Of course, without setting a budget before hand, I now find myself torn between the two most expensive bikes on that list (oops!). Specifically that's the:

GT Avalanche 1.0 2008 (£499) - Available from LBS at work
Specialised Rockhopper Disc 2008 (£599) - Availble from LBS at Home

To me the Specialised felt slightly better than the Avalanche (probably enough to justify the price difference).

Although its probably the case that 'feel' is the most important aspect when deciding on a bike, i'd really appreciate it if you could give me some idea of how the components compare accross the two bikes? As a newbie I'm absolutely clueless in this area and would like to know if the rockhopper really is a better equipped bike?

Links to the Specs:
Link to Rockhopper Specs
Link to Avalanche 1.0 Disc Specs (About the 9th Bike down on the left)

Thanks in advance

PS: Any particulary rubbish component I should consider swapping out before purchase (on either bike)?

omegas

Open the CRC site and find the parts that make up the 2 bikes and read the reviews from people that own the bits. This is also a good way of building a knowledge of what’s what rather than someone telling you his bike is the best because he owns one.

Takes a bit of time to do but worth it if you are stuck between two bikes or parts.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Default.aspx

xcracer

HappySachs wrote:

To me the Specialised felt slightly better than the Avalanche (probably enough to justify the price difference).

I think you answered your own question.

supersonic

That 100 quid extra is giving the bike an advantage in componentry terms. The Tora fork is a little better than on the Avalanche, and the M4 frame lighter. Both are great value.

HappySachs

Omegas

Many thanks for that link, I didn't know about that site and I'm sure it will prove useful in the future. That said, as useful as those reviews are I'd rather take advice on this forum where someone might be able to provide a direct comparison and I can also view their post history to see if they know what they are talking about. Still, you do make a lot of sense


Supersonic

Thanks for the reply and thanks for the stickied 'What Bike' thread

SPOODZILLA

Can I throw another bike into the ring? Merlin Malt 1.

I was looking at bikes in your price range - compared everything and tried as many as I could find. Was pretty much settled on a Rockhopper until I found the Merlin for £575.

2008 Rockshox Reba SL forks with poploc remote lockout
Full 2008 spec LX groupset
Wheels - Handbuilt with LX discs hubs and Mavic XC717 disc rims
Race Face Evolve XC bars, stem and seatpost
Panaracer fire XC tyres
WTB Rocket V saddle

The pic on the website is out of date, I can upload a few if you like. Show me a bike with that spec for the same money and I'll eat my hat. Awesome ride, I love it.

supersonic

Excellent componentry, esp fork and wheels, but let down by basic frame.

The Spiderman

If I were to go for a Malt,I reckon I'd stretch the budget to a Malt 2,or the 4.The frame after all is the most important bit!

tonyrees68

hi happy i was in the same situ as you spesh or gt
i went for an avalanche 1.0 because it suited me better its a great bike i love it to bits ive returned to mtb from a long time ago when i had a old rockhoper in 96 and the difference is amazing
really its personal prefrence both bikes are great pick the one you like and fits you best
regards tony

ACDCwmb

I have a 2007 Rockhopper and I love it, it's a great frame to upgrade later, very light and fast.

I have made a few changes since i got it, changed the stock tyres, Juicy 5 brakes ( I broke the front lever on the juicy 3's) XT shifters (wanted the two way release function and much sharper than the deore shifters), Thomson stem & Easton EA70 low rise bar (Change of riding position needed & lighter), ODI lock on grips, SDG Bell Air Saddle (rails bent on the spesh one). New XTR gear cables (stock ones got full of c**p), Shimano MX30 pedals. (soon to be replaced with XT SPD's)

The stock headset needs replacing and I will be fitting a Chris King headset when it arrives. I also plan to fit new Reba dual air forks in the New Year, nothing wrong with the tora's though, just prefer something lighter and plusher.

My cranks are looking a little worn, although not too bad, when I need too I will replace them with a set of LX cranks.

Overall It's great, if you're looking for something to upgrade in the future, I couldn't afford a high spec hardtail so I'm upgrading as parts wear/brake.

HappySachs

Spoodzilla
Thanks for the suggestion, during my search I tried a number of bikes but not one from Merlin, C'est la vie I've decided on the Rockhopper now (it's too close to Christmas and I wanna go riding!).


Tonyrees68
Having given both bikes a good ride around I found the geometry of the Rockhopper suited me more than the Avalanche, but it was a close decision! The Rockhopper was perfect where as the Avalanche was 'only' almost perfect.


ACDCWMB
Agreed, the bike felt very fast and light and in comparison to the avalanche it feels particularly maneuverable . All those replacements in under a year, I hope the parts on my bike last a bit longer!