'07 Kona Blast as first MTB for my girlfriend? £400 to spen

elcani

Hi

Me and my GF are both getting MTBs from Evans (through Ride2Work). She's a beginner and will be using the bike on the road (with slicks) and off-road.

The '07 Kona Blast for £400 looks a good buy, but if anyone can suggest anything they think is better from Evans in the £350-400 range, I'd be very grateful. She was a bit suprised by how heavy the Blast was, but I'm not sure if there is anything siginificantly lighter for that kind of money. Any ideas?

Many thanks in advance.

Andy B

http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=86633

Mongoose Super Tyax, well worth a look.

zero303

Kona Blast rarely crops on many to buy lists...

What about Women's Specific GT Avalanche 2.0?

http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=86673

The Spiderman

The Kona Blast has a great frame,and was the winner of MBRs dirty dozen,annual review of £500 starter bikes,last year.

It would be a good starting point,if you intend to upgrade,but personally,I think the fork and mechanical discs ,are a bit poor for the money.I would be looking at a Giant XTC 4.5 or Carrera Fury 2007 sale bike for similar money.

If it is going to bre used mainly for road riding,maybe she could do without discs,and look at a sale Rockhopper,which might be a bit lighter too?

Have a look at this:http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=14681709

Chaka Ping

Have a look at the Merlin Cycles website, they have some sale bikes in the £400 region which are generally specced better than most rival manufacturers.

You should be able to buy from any manufacturer. My employer signed up to the scheme with Halfords and I got them to order me in a Merlin last year.

elcani

Thanks for the replies.

Do others agree that the '08 GT Avalanche 2.0 Disc Womens is a better bet than the '07 Kona Blast?

Is it particularly beneficial to get a women's specific frame?

Thanks again for everybody's time.

BlackSpur

Whether it will be better for her is all a matter of her body shape. You could really do with taking her to a bike shop and getting her to try a few out.
One advantage of having a women's soecific bike is that it will come with a women's saddle which is vital, so you will probably save upwards of £20.

Anonymous

Try the marin bear valley. made for the uk rather that the foreign ones without enough bb clearance, especially in the winter. lovely and lightweight,Nice shocking pink too.

http://www.ukbikesdepot.com/products.php?plid=m1b0s24p93