GT avalanche, but which one?

GibboGT

Hello, following another thread on here my GT avalanche 1.0 was stolen last week.

Now to get the replacement my company are signing up to evans cycles ride2work scheme (if you don't know it it means I pay out of my paycheck before tax and so save money for cycling to work rather than driving). Now I was just planning on going for the new GT avalanche 1.0 as it looks good spec wise and gets some great reviews.


But with the scheme for an extra £10 a month (so £120 in total) I could upgrade to the GT avalanche expert. Is it worth it? spec wise it seems to be, but its difficult to find reviews, and where reviews are it doesn't seem to do so well and the 1.0?

HELP?

I want it for commuting, (with some slick tyres) but also for so general offroad, singletrack, uphill downhill stuff.

Also anything else really stand out at the £700 mark? I only really know GT.

Any help is much appreciateed.

BlackSpur

It depends if you can afford it. If you can afford a £700 bike then go for it!
Have you considered a budget for all the other bits and pieces you need - helmet, shorts, base layers, jacket, gloves etc etc? It's great having a better bike, but if you are going to be riding it in jeans ans a t shirt then I would say go for the 1.0 and spend the rest on some decent kit!

GibboGT

Cheers for the response.

Already got a helmet, had figured on getting a jacket, gloves, some semi slick tyres, and a new lock with the bike, hadn't in all honesty thought about any other clothes.

beski

A couple of years back i was looking at the same two bikes, after test riding them i went for the '06 Expert. It felt sturdier (better fork with adjustable travel) and all the componentry was better. I'm not dissapointed with my choice it's a great bike 8)

BlackSpur

I think I'd possibly go for this at £700
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&productId=1108&categoryId=129

OR
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&productId=42&categoryId=39

£50 over budget but GREAT bike
alternatively

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&productId=50&categoryId=39

Also check out the Focus bikes at this price point.

GibboGT

Cheers for the response, the combi deluxe looks nice! unfortunately I have to buy it through the scheme at evans as it saves me 43%, couldn't justify the cost otherwise. Don't think evans stock commencal.

Cheers anyways.

BlackSpur

Whoops, didn't see that it had to be Evans!

GibboGT

Cheers for the advice anyways,

spent about 45 mins in evans yesterday chatting to two of the shop staff, good laugh about general bike stuff. but also one of them said something that made sense as I started asking about the rockhopper etc bike in the 5-700 price range, he said he really likes the GT frame and the ride position, and if I enjoyed my previous avalanche then i'm not going to be disappointed with another one.

kinda made sense.

looked at the avalanche 1.0 really nice, but can't stop thinking about how little it would cost to go to the expert and all the extras that brings with it so got them to order one in so I could see it, should be built for monday so I can look at it then, will see how it goes. Still looking around but just have no idea as there are so many bikes in that range.