Buying choice -Marin Rocky Ridge vs Kona Kula

fred22

Hi. I would welcome some comments on my choice of potential new bikes. This bike will be acquired via the cycle2work scheme and so I am limited a little in selection. I am willing to spend up to a grand. I can choose Specialised, Marin, Orange or Scott from one shop (which I will have to drive to) or Kona from another which I can walk to.
I knock about on a Decathlon Rockrider at the moment and like doing a bit of everything on a bike. I am not yet good enough to say what aspect I prefer the most so I ride trails, jump, try everything really. I am about 6' 2" and skinny if that is important. I doubt that I can afford a decent full sus and am not sure that I want one. NOt particularly competent at repairs although I understand that I will need to become so.

Current choice is between marin rocky ridge http://www.leisurewheels.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s2p3608 (not from that supplier I should add) and kona kula http://www.konabikes.co.uk/2008/kula/kula.php

As I say, kona would be from very LBS which may be an advantage.

Could anyone help sway me or maybe make further suggestions for a shortlist? Rocky Ridge gets good write ups (heavy though?) whilst Kona keeps winking at me. Many thanks

ride_whenever

Rocky ridge, it'll do more of what you are currently doing and you'll find it more fun.

BlackSpur

Rocky Ridge is more of an all-rounder, I think you'll have more fun on it.

fred22

Thanks for the advice. However I cannot seem to get a rocky ridge for my size for love nor money and I have tried both this afternoon. Would anyone recommend the Marin Eldridge Grade for me as this is exactly same price as rocky ridge?

Thanks.

PS Sorry I guess this should have been in the MTB buying advice forum

ride_whenever

The eldridge grade is equally lovely, but not as tough, it is more of an xc bike than an all-mountain and I'd not be too happy jumping on it (even though it'd probably be fine)

Or just to throw you a curveball, merlin malt 4 with the sexual '08 xt!

They do C2W...

Alternatively, you might be able to get yourself a cracker from their stock of '07 bikes, go and ask if they have anything really nice kicking around that you could take for a grand!

My LBS offered me a cf scott with a rolhoff hub and fox forks for a grand, mainly because they knew my loan had just come in :twisted:

Felix-da-house-mouse

Fred,

I've just bought a rocky and its awesome, after much deliberation i went for it and i'm chuffed to bits with it. what size you needing? i got a med, i know the small and larges are all sold out and there was only 5 or so of the med, try phoning behind bars in glasgow tel 0141 632 7441 thats where i got mine 10/10 for help so far.

delcol

rocky ridge won the big bloke bike test in what mtb the other month if that helps..

hold on for a large rr.. you know you want to..

fred22

Thanks v much for all suggestions. I dont know if I qualify as a big bloke -I'm tall but thin. I do want one though.
Anyhow Heres the plan. I believe I have located a large Rocky Ridge and am taking tomorrow afternoon off work to go and sit astride this and see whether it does anything for me. If it is very lovely then thats that. If it is very lovely but too large then I also think I can find a medium at another shop. If it isnt quite as lovely as I imagine then I am going to stop and rethink my shortlist all over again, mainly because I dont live too far from Merlins works and that Malt4 is nice too (thanks ride_whenever for mixing me up!) .It seems to have gone up in price as it is over 1000 with the nice bits on and I'm sure I have read about it being sub £1k.
I will let you know tomorrow what is to be done. Thanks again

god1406

I've got a Rocky Ridge and an Eldridge Grade sat in the garage! yey.

The bb height is too low on the Eldridge, but it accelerates like a beast and is damn quick.

The Rocky Ridge is lovely all round. end of

btw, i'm 6ft and a medium 'Ridge fits me ok.

Felix-da-house-mouse

OH BTW ITS NOT JUST FOR HEAVY FOLKS I'M ONLY 10 STONE AND IT WORKS A TREAT

god1406

Felix are you the guy who was posting about learning to manual?

I recently bought a Rocky Ridge and am also learning to manual...

snap

fred22

Well the deal is sealed; deposit down and one Rocky Ridge reserved for me waiting for my cyclescheme voucher. Thanks again to all who advised -much appreciated

JamesDaniels

Pick the Rocky ridge :twisted:

WillyM

You won't be disappointed with the Rocky ridge. Absolutely fantastic bike!