what hardtail bike to get £500-£700 budget

AlecGee

Hi

I've been umming and ahhing about getting a bike for ages, but now due to moving to the countryside i've decided to do it!

I was originally going to get a Kona Blast, but i've decided to spend a bit more, and am looking at the Kona Caldera (both the '06 and '07 models, as they're cheaper!) and the Commencal.

I've had Konas in the past, and my brothter lends me his '07 Cinder Cone when we go out, (its both up and down hills, haha!) i like the way it feels, and the chunkiness, but i've not tried the Commencal. I was just wondering what other bikes I should be looking at for that sort of price range/what did other people buy for this money?

Anyways thanks in advance!

Andy B

Forget Kona, they're overpriced for the spec you get.

Loads of better specced bikes for £500-£700.

Merlin Malt, Orange G2/G3, Carrera Fury, Specialized Rockhopper... all worth a look

2Thumbs

Specialized Rockhopper
GT Avalanche
Giant XTC

Or for £50 under budget, Focus Fat Boy at Wiggle. Great components and frame for an excellent price IMO.

iiJonnyii

hey, check out gt avalanche 1.0 or 2.0 a friend of mine has one of them and there good. Check out the specialized hard rock, not sure on price of these but can really stand a beating, they have a good strong frame on them, just get down to your local bike shop and try and test ride as many as possible and see which one feels right.What terrain will you be riding?

AlecGee

I will be riding xc on all sorts of terrain, as my brother and his friends travel all over for riding...

I've noticed there are a fair few '07 bikes online for dirt cheap, so will probably go for a better last year model over an '08 model!

Why is the kona bad spec? Im not that clued up, but its rockint Shimano Xt etc...

tonyrees68

iam totally new to riding mtbs , i got the gt avalanche 1.0 over the rockhopper just because its was fitting me better and it was a bit lighter i love it and it looks different too not that that makes any difference
good luck tony

jontymo

I bought my 2008 GT Avalanche 2.0 disc for £370 and love it, just wish i had gone for the 1.0 now, only problem i have had is i have just wrecked my back wheel after going over the bars so its back to Leisuerlakes in Bury for a new tougher rim to cope with my 16 stone!!!!.

Jon

iiJonnyii

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s2p1263 pretty decent spec on that, you could always buy a bike maybe for 500 ish and put money towards other things like equipment or new, better parts for the bike, just a thought.

strodey

Specialized Rockhopper
GT Avalanche
Giant XTC 3.5


All well specced bikes, advantage of particularly the giant is that the frame is also used on more expensive models like the giant zero so you can do lots of up grading in the future without having to buy another bike or frame, sometimes this is just as important as the components that come with the frame! Try riding a few to see what suits you!

monkeysm8

I considered the Caldera but went for a Gary Fisher hookooekoo instead and I do not regret it one bit!! I have had Konas in the past and my Gary Fisher rides so much better.

artillerydave

you have got to look at the Merlin range at that pice bracket they will be better than anything else you could pick up.

mudslinger

Current trend is to knock Konas for being overpriced (which they are). I bought a Kona Cinder Cone in last years sales for just over £500. I'm no expert but I think at that price it is fairly good value compared to other bikes being mentioned. I like it even though I'm always looking for other new bikes!

janwal

AlecGee,have a look at the CUBE ACID.Well spec'd at just under £600.New 08 ones are out.You won't be dissapointed,brilliant bikes.