GT Avalanche Disc 1.0 '08 vs Kona Cinder Cone '07 - Which?

elcani

Hi

I'm getting a bike for the first time in years and have narrowed it down to these two. I'll be using it to get back into mountain biking, so nothing too extreme, but I want a decent machine.

I need to buy from Evans Cycles because it's through Ride2Work.

Any opinions as to whether one is a better all-round package than the other?

Many thanks in advance.

stayhigh65

Hi

I dont know much about the GT's but have a Kona Cinder Cone which has served me well for 3 years now. I was the bike I started out on much like yourself after not riding for a while.

Its a good solid fun bike that handles the trails well and has not failed me yet. The spec is good for the price, Deore is functional and the Hayes brakes while not the most fashionable are good performers.

All in all not a bad way to get back in the saddle

tonyrees68

are you going to use it for going to work as well, and also are you going to ride a bit .

elcani

I'll be doing some riding on the streets and will get some road tires.

I should have said in the original post - the '07 Cinder Cone costs £529 and the GT is £500. How do the specs compare, value-wise?

Thanks.

supersonic

Value wise, I'd say the GT shades it - I'd put the SR X100 fork over the Dart2 (these vay drastically!) and the twin piston brakes of the GT are a step ahead of the Hayes on the Kona. Drivetrain is similar, but the GT has better cranks. Not that much in it: the GT won best on test in a recent mag review - test them out.

mudslinger

The Cinder Cone 07 has Marzocchi MZ Comp forks. A lot of adverts show the fork as Dart2 but the spec got switched at some point. I don't know whether this is better or worse than a Dart? Over to you Sonic!

I've got one & am pleased with it although there is so much choice its a very difficult decision to make.

supersonic

Oh dear, they are worse! I had a pair once - like pogo sticks! No damping at all.

mudslinger

Thought you might have said something along those lines! I find the damping OK certainly a lot better than my old fully rigid Marin.

The new Avalanche looks a very nice bike for the money.

elcani

Thanks for all the replies so far. I'm now leaning toward the GT. Is there anything else that Evans sells around £500 that I should seriously consider? Actually, there is a 2006 Trek 6500 available for £350, which seems good (to me). It doesn't have discs, but having never used them, I don't really know how big a loss that is.

I'm 6'5, so getting sale bikes in my size can be a problem, but any further suggestions would be much appreciated.

My girlfriend is also getting a bike (from Evans). She's thinking of a '07 Kona Blast for £400. Is that a decent choice for a beginner?

Thanks again.