Questions on GT Aggressor XC2 / Avalanche 2.0

thedktor

Questions on GT Aggressor XC2 / Avalanche 2.0

OK so essentially the same bike, one from Halfords the other standard GT, £400.

I want to upgrade from a GT Chucker to something with hydraulic brakes and damped forks, the Chucker I have is quite basic.

I don't need the extreme strength of the Chucker so am considering a lighter, more versatile "normal" mountain bike, in a small 16-inch, for larking around on, wheelies, small jumps, light trials stuff.

The Avalanche seems to be a good option having a good reputation for robustness, and I know the Tektro brakes work fine, so:

1/ would it be suitable - I ride lightly and am 11st.
2/ any idea of the weight?

My Chucker weighs somewhere around 34lbs and feels very harsh cross-country, not sure if its the weight or the completely solid frame!

Thanks for any feedback.

TD

supersonic

They are both around 31lbs, so a little weight to be lost. Longer frame, so better suited for longer rides and trails. Seems a good choice on the face of it, but wouldnt batter it it or jump too big. Try and have a test.

ramonzarate

last time i was in there they had the GT Aggressor XCR for £600 ish,good spec for the price if you can stretch to that.

thedktor

OK here's my thinking.

What puts me off getting something too "good" is the thin frame tubes making denting and damage more likely. This bike is not going to be used much for cross-country so doesn't need to be super light and zingy.

I had a small Fury for a while which could have fitted the bill but I was not comfortable using it for anything apart from cross-country as the fully-butted frame didn't feel that robust and I felt it wouldn't cope with any harder use (maybe I'm just over-cautious).

I am hoping the GT has a stiffer frame design and at least gives the impression of being stronger than say the Fury. Budget is already pushed at £400, and components not that critical as long as its got hydros and damped fork.

Haven't come across anything near it for the price - a non-butted frame would not matter but unlikely to come with hydros I think.

So I guess the question is whether there is anything else in this price range that has a strong but not overly heavy frame?

TD

chrisgidden

I have got an Avalance and my bro-in-law the agressor and they are pretty much idential, the agressor from halfords had slightly different derailleurs on tho from what i remember.

Been really good so far, we have worn them out using them for pretty tough trails though (and i weigh a fair bit more than you for what its worth).

See which you get the best deal on and get that one.

supersonic

The butting removes material where it is not needed (or adds it where it is) - this is only going to be a problem if you regularly drop the bike on the middle of the tubes!

thedktor

supersonic wrote:

The butting removes material where it is not needed (or adds it where it is) - this is only going to be a problem if you regularly drop the bike on the middle of the tubes!

Yes, exactly.

Its not that I do or will drop the bike a lot, its just that the predominant use of the bike will make dings more likely.

OK, so have arranged for 16" GT to be built up so I can have a quick go round the shop, will make a decision then!

TD

thedktor

Well, hope I've done the right thing - struck a deal for 50-quid more and have gone for an 2008 Avalanche 1.0 disc.

Top bike for the money, great reviews, and I would hope that this next-model-up will have that little bit stronger components (eg crank, wheels and so on) so should be better suited for what I need.

Most sizes of the 1.0 and 2.0 are on back order apparently - if you want one end of April is the date quoted...... :?

Sold the GT suspension bike to my mate for a price we were both happy with so everyone's a winner.

TD

thedktor

Meant to say that the small I have ordered is in stock