Advice on hardtail purchase please!

holymooside

Hi!
have been riding a rigid (!) Specialized Rockhopper since early 90s I think regualrly over rough XC routes. Time for a new bike, but money is limited. What do you think of these:

2007 GT Avalanche 1.0 Disc £400
2007 GT Avalanche 1.0 (no disc) £300
2007 Specialized Rockhopper (no disc) £400
2007 Kona Blast £400

2007 Kona Cinder Cone £479
2007 Specialised Rockhopper Disc £500
2007 Kona Caldera £530
2007 GT Avalanche Expert £550

Should really stick to the £400 or below bikes, but am open to strong opinions otherwise.
Alternatives are 2nd hand. Would a few hundred be good for a Giant AC1 (don't know year, but has Rock Shox Psylo & Pro deluxe at rear). Also a Kona Caldera 2nd hand 2007, but great condition only ridden on roads - worth a bid up to how much do you think?

Cheers. Won't need it for jumps really, just some rocky cross country. Don't fancy a heavy bike if that's any help.
Thanks for any help you can offer... I won't be able to afford another one for many years after this!

John.

teacherman

Tumbleweed

The '06 Caldera that i have weighed 29lbs stock. That's heavy-ish and some of the spec is ropey esp. the forks. '07 spec is a different fork but i think it's still a budget Marzocchi.

Bought mine from Paul's on the web. You can now get the '06 model for under £500 i think.

Caldera is a brilliant ride and a great base for upgrading - starting with the fork and that should shave at least 1/2 pound off the weight!

All i can say is i love mine.

Hope that helps buddy

clanton

Test ride as many of your choices as you can. Buy the best you can afford or you will regret it (well if you're like me anyway). Of your shortlist I'd go for the Gt Avalanche 1.0 disc but the Spesh is good value too. Don't know the Kona's very well, sorry.

Johnclimber

If your not doing big hills and drop offs then you can't go wrong with an On One Steel rigid Single Speed

http://www.on-one.co.uk/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=217

Light(ish), flexible, upgradable, steel and great to ride

teacherman

Yeah should have posted test ride 'em all, or as many as you can. I test rode a Caldera and a Rockhopper disc before i bought mine. Just felt happier on the Kona but it is so much a personal thing. Test ride should take care of manufacturers' recommendations for frame size as well I'm 6' but ride a 17" - short arms (no jokes about deep pockets)

Happy hunting.

dave.spencer

i have a stumpjumper ht .superb spec on the bike , and very light (24.2 lb) i would agree that buying the best you can afford is a good way to go.
best of luck

gregsd

Just to confuse matters further how about either of these 2:

Genesis Altitude 00 - £570

Giant XTC 3.5 - £479.

If you can stretch the extra money then it'll be worth spending a bit more over the £400 mark. The Giant gets good reviews in the mags and the Genesis has a decent steel frame and 100mm RS Tora forks, which might be worth having if you ride rocky trails.

Lhance

see http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/ for a great deal.
hardtail xc is cycling at its purist
v brakes with koolstop pads won't leave you wanting :!:

pittpony

How about the Carrera Fury for £440 at Halfords. Don't be put off by the shop - they are supposed to be a top bike. Or the Focus Fat Boy at £450 won a recent MBUK head to head.

tmg

What about this
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=70637

gregsd

Don't fancy a heavy bike if that's any help.

That Iron Horse weighs in at 36lbs!

nonnac85

£450 - a frined of mine has one and thinks its a decent bike for the money
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=70796
not as light as some but ok kit on the bike and you will find it cheaper than evans elsewhere on the net

Sikora

holymooside wrote:

2007 GT Avalanche 1.0 Disc £400
2007 GT Avalanche 1.0 (no disc) £300
2007 Specialized Rockhopper (no disc) £400
2007 Kona Blast £400

2007 Kona Cinder Cone £479
2007 Specialised Rockhopper Disc £500
2007 Kona Caldera £530
2007 GT Avalanche Expert £550


John.

Depending on your size, you may struggle to find a few of these '07 bikes. I wanted an '07 Rockhopper Disc, but cant find one in a "17 frame

KonaMike

pittpony wrote:

How about the Carrera Fury for £440 at Halfords. Don't be put off by the shop - they are supposed to be a top bike. Or the Focus Fat Boy at £450 won a recent MBUK head to head.

I can vouch for the quality of the Fury,Ive had my 07 model for 3 months and its had a battering,so far no problems and the fork is great for the price as are the brakes once bedded in a bit.Most halfords stores still have the 2007 model for about £400.

jeffers696

rockhopper is top class bike you wont go wrong with it

strodey

Better fork than most with giant xtc 3.5, plus very upgradable, for that price don't settle for anything with less than a Tora fork if its rockshox

LingfieldXC

I just got the 08 GT 1.0 Avalanche - solid as you like - Got a 9/10 rating from MTBUK, I love it, lockable forks too, I know it is £499 but worth every penny. I want to change the saddle and get clips tho. But if you go to the right place they will throw in loads of stuff for cheaper. Try and find the review from MTBUK,

z000m

i used to own a Kona Cinder Cone many years ago so im biased towards it. it was a very good ride back then not sure how they are now. still get my attention whenever i see one.

mat-d

I actually haven't been disappointed with the 2007 GT Avalanche 1.0 Disc or the ..... I hate to say it.. ... the 2008 Rockrider 8.2... both are great for singletrack. - Especially around Sheffied and the Peak District trails.