choices choices arrrggghh i'm so confused

Felix-da-house-mouse

i've post about 3 topics on here asking for help but i've got another problem, i'm coming across so many options for my money around £500-£600 maybe slightly higher. I was considering the gt avalanche 1.0 2008 disc option but i also see theres so many decent bikes out there and obviously i want the best. I was considering this as well. and as a total newbie i dont have a clue so hopefully you guys can help even make a recommendation cheers.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... 5360032163

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... 0-08-24827

BlackSpur

My reccomendation would be that as this is your first mountain bike purchase (I presume), you ahould pay a visit to your LBS and try bikes for size and fit.
Both of the bikes you have listed are very good, but you may find that neither suit your body shape or prefered riding position - something you will not know untill you try the bike out. Plus buying from the shop adds security if you have any problems - it is much easier to take your bike back to a shop that e-mail and online retailer with a problem. The LBS will also build and setup your bike for you, a big plus seeing as some components can be difficult to set up e.g. hydraulic brakes.

supersonic

I'd have the Avalanche, for its frame and fork (try and test though!). Dont get too hung up on overall spec - try a few out. Make sure it has a good damped and adjustable fork.

BlackSpur

And I would say hydros too in this price range. Fit is more important than spec, however.

TheBoyBilly

I notice the GT comes with a Suntour fork. I've heard though that there can be quite a difference in sets of the same model, so that one bike can have a much poorer performing fork than a seemingly identical bike. Do you think it may be a better idea to go for a bike with another brand of fork? Or am I completely getting it wrong (quite likely, lol)

supersonic

This is a higher end Suntour - its the XCM that tends to vary.

doobie919

I'm not sure if there's anyway to get Ironhorse bikes in the UK, but i've got an ironhorse maverick se from 2005 that I bought for around 600 USD.

I'll be moving to Cambridge soon so maybe you can stop by and check out the frame if your ever in the area around the 12th or so. Their decent bikes.

The maverick 4.5 is good. Also remember that you can get the same bikes for basically half the price if you go on an american site. like Jensonusa.com or pricepoint.com or performancebike.com because of the exchange rate shipping will be about 50-60 pounds bike if ya get enough stuff ya save money.

cunning-stunt

supersonic wrote:

This is a higher end Suntour - its the XCM that tends to vary.

Call me a pessimist,but I thought all SR were,er,'variable' and 'questionable'?
Off the top of my head I can't recall one good SR review.
I'd go without food for a week to fund a better fork rather than buy one of those..

supersonic

The comments in MBUK were a bit off the mark - yes, production runs can vary, but the main thing in the reviews they did were that the bikes had different models and versions of fork. There are two main budget platforms, the XCM and XCR, the latter having a bettr structure and seals. Then there are sub versions of each (like tora 302, 318 etc), one just an elastomer and coil, another with a mechanical lockout, a further one with a hydro lock out and a fourth with a hydro rebound adjuster. So its not suprising they vary!

The X-100 has got very favourable reviews on the GT Avalanche 1.0, as has the XCM DA (damping adjust) on the 2007 Mongoose tyax Elite, being cited as the best fork to ever appear on a 300 quid bike.