Help needed to choose 400-500 m-bike

scott21071982

I've seen 3 which from posts on this forum seem to be good for the money but can't decide between them. I'm a total beginner and will be using the bike to bomb around the city mostly but would also like it to handle a little of the rough stuff should I fancy giving it a try.

The 3 I'm currently considering are-

Giant Terrago http://www.nationalcycles.co.uk/giant-terrago-2008.html

GT Avalanche 1.0 http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/13366/GT_Avalanche_10_Disc_Mens_Bike_2008

Revolution Triad 3.0 http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?f_ProductID=9471&f_FullProductVersion=1&f_SupersetQRY=C106&f_SortOrderID=1&f_bct=c003155c002909

If there are any better options for the money I'm all ears!

Thanks for your help.

xtreem

I would say the GT or the Revolution, because the Giant has the worst fork from those three bikes, probably and brakes too.

scott21071982

Ok, the Terrago's out. Now onto choosing 1 of the 2 remaining options.

From my admittedly limited knowledge it looks as if the Triad has a better fork and breaks and the Avalanche has a better gear settup due to most of it being Deore.

Also the Avalanche is £430, saving me a not insignificant 50 quid over the Triad, so taking the price into account is there a clear winner?

Also, as you can see from the links the Avalanche is being sold online, are there any pitfalls in not buying from a shop that I should take into consideration?

Again, any help would be appreciated, oh and also any alterntive deals which are better value!

Thanks

bullcross

if u can stretch to £500 then this is a good buy
but u cant test ride it if u buy a bike online so thats th only downside of buying online
some say try it first

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/rockrider-8-1-34963132/

beski

Testing for size/feel is very important, best to try in a shop first. Also if you buy from a LBS then they will set the bike up for you and you'll get the first service free, being able to go back to them if you've got any problems is always worth while for peace of mind aswell

scott21071982

Ok, I'm just waiting for the HR dept im my work to ok the Cycle to Work plan then I'm ready to make the plunge. I'm still not 100% on which bike I'm gonna go for.

I've now tracked down the Avalanche 1.0 for 400 quid http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=25896 meaning it's now £80 cheaper than the Triad. The only thing stopping me going the cheaper route is the difference in forks. I've heard only good things about the Tora but nothing really on the GT's SR X-100. Are they in different leagues or could I easily get away with either of them?

Again, any help is appreciated, also any sites which are offering the GT at an even bigger steal would be good!

xtreem

I think the SR X-100 are good forks, maybe not that good as the Tora but still close enough. It's like they are between the Dart 3 and the Tora.

scott21071982

Ok, and what about the brakes, are the Tektros near enough the Juicy 3s?

scott21071982

Stumbled across this Specialized Rockhopper http://www.dalescycles.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=SPECROCDSC08 for £500, it seems to offer everything the Triad does plus better derailleurs etc.

Think I'm in a good position as all 3 seem to be excellent value, dependable rigs but choosing could be a headache.

Are '08' models due to go down in price anytime soon?

grumsta

Get the rockhopper imo

BlackSpur

scott21071982 wrote:

Ok, and what about the brakes, are the Tektros near enough the Juicy 3s?

Very similar. People are put off the Tektros because of the name, but they are in fact decent brakes. I prefer them to the Juicys because they have a longer, fatter lever.

grumsta

My gf has tektro v brakes on her bike and they are pretty poor - dunno about the disks. I have juicy 3 SLs and I think they are excellent.

xtreem

You can't compare V's with hydro.
Even my BB5 are better than my mate's Avid V's.

bullcross

get the decathlon rockrider its a nice bike
best spec for the money i think looks nice too seen it in the flesh today
have a look here

http://www.bikemagic.com/news/article.asp?UAN=6433&v=1

scott21071982

The Decathlon looks pretty good, is it only distributed through the Decathlon website?

bullcross

yeah its decathlons own brand bike
i went to there shop in stockport yesterday to have a look
its a very nice bike nothing comes near it for £499
if i was looking id deffo buy it
i had a carrera fury last year and the decathlon is better imo
better specced and better looking

i bought some of the rockrider gear it was that good

where bouts u from?

scott21071982

Edinburgh

bullcross

bit far for u to go have a look then lol

scott21071982

Doh, didn't realise they were exclusive to down South. Oh well, thanks anyway.

bullcross

no probs mate
a few hours round trip
the nearest to u would be in sheffield