£400ish hardtail

holymooside
holymooside Posts: 19
edited February 2008 in MTB buying advice
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.

Comments

  • Steve_b77
    Steve_b77 Posts: 1,680
    The Focus Fat boy just got a cracking review in MBUK, if not that go for the Avalanche 1.0 Disc
  • Andy B
    Andy B Posts: 8,115
    Out of your list theses are the ones I would test ride.

    2007 GT Avalanche 1.0 Disc £400
    2007 Specialised Rockhopper Disc £500
    2007 GT Avalanche Expert £550
    2385861000_d125abe796_m.jpg
  • holymooside
    holymooside Posts: 19
    Cheers. Will look at both. Very helpful indeed.

    Any other comments from anyone?
  • OllyUK
    OllyUK Posts: 230
    If you dare visit halfords their Carrera Furys (07 models) are reduced down from £520 to £380 atm...worth having a look at.
  • holymooside
    holymooside Posts: 19
    Cheers to everyone again. Really useful to have some feedback on these. Keep 'em coming!
  • zero303
    zero303 Posts: 1,162
    Gary Fisher Wahoo with v-brakes got a cracking review in What Mountain Bike, you can get a disc version for £379
  • The Spiderman
    The Spiderman Posts: 5,625
    Have a look at this:http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b4s2p1266
    2006 Giant XTC
    2010 Giant Defy Advanced
    2016 Boardman Pro 29er
    2016 Pinnacle Lithium 4
    2017 Canondale Supersix Evo
  • holymooside
    holymooside Posts: 19
    Cheers for all the tips.
    Will look into the others suggested. Have seen Giant XTC 4.5 2007 at £430 -local to me so could perhaps get reduction for pick up?

    Some of the special offers I was looking at are disappearing now, but can still get a Rockhopper (no disc) at £390 and the GT Avalanche 1.0 (no disc) at £299.

    Can't see the 07 disc versions of these any longer at a bargain price.Can always add discs to either at a later stage perhaps. I'm used to v-brakes, so I'm sure they'll do for now.

    Several of you and the reviews are recommending the Avalanche, but is it just good for the price? I can go as far as £400 for the Rockhopper but is it £100 better? I suppose I want a good reliable bike - is the Avalanche just as good, just cheaper? Or are the XTC or Rockhopper going to serve me better?

    Cheers,
    John
  • tonyrees68
    tonyrees68 Posts: 69
    get disc brakes you will be annoyed if you dont changing to discs after you bought a bike will be more expensive in the long run just a thought on the gt avalanche 1.o disk for 400 bucks i just got one and its great
    tony
  • hastings
    hastings Posts: 206
    i just got a scott aspect 45 which is the business
  • joe boy
    joe boy Posts: 53
    Check out your local free adds. there is alot of unwanted x-mas prezzies out there at this time of year.
    Last year I got a brand new condition specialized comp disc for £300.
  • The Spiderman
    The Spiderman Posts: 5,625
    Very little to choose between the Avalanche the XTC and Rockhopper in terms of spec or performance.
    The important thing is that they all very good frames,so as bits wear out you can upgrade them,and make them lighter.
    I have an XTC,used to have a Rockhopper and very nearly bought an Avalanche.In the end the deal I got an an XTC swung it for me.
    Base your decision on what feels the best to you,and what back up/confidence you get from the shop.
    2006 Giant XTC
    2010 Giant Defy Advanced
    2016 Boardman Pro 29er
    2016 Pinnacle Lithium 4
    2017 Canondale Supersix Evo
  • holymooside
    holymooside Posts: 19
    For all those that helped with their advice, thanks.
    Final purchase was a surprise one, as I saw a brand new, delivery notes and all, Specialized FSR XC Comp (2008) in a local paper (Ad Trader), so thanks to the guy that recommended that route.

    £380 so I was pretty chuffed. Wouldn't have expected to have got that much bike with my cash. More importantly, I'm out on the hills again! Cheers

    John.

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