d27 vs avalanche 1.0?

rob08

Hi Guys

after doing lots of reseach and speaking with cycle dealers i still cant decide between a Cape wrath d27 and a GT avalanche 1.0, or the cheaper cape wrath xc

the bike radar review gave the d27 a great review but when it reviewed the avalanche it said it was way ahead of everything else in its class ( which i take to include the d27).

However when i speak to dealers they say there is nothing to seperate them. im gettting mixed advice also on the need for disk breaks.

essentially i'm newish to this and want a bike that i can take through forrest trails but also use on the road and tow paths ( i have to travel on roads/tow paths to get to the forrest trails) i estimate that my time will be split equally between the two.

its for fitness purposes and i intend to be out two or three timesa a week ( i currently have a very cheap and heavy bike but still enjoy it although its very slow on the road)

my second question would be what tyres would be best given that there is no option to change them between road and off road because both are involved in the dame ride.

hope you guys can shed a bit more light on this.

Ps avananche handle bars being longer - thats puiting me off a bit- should it?

handful

Hi rob08

I like you am new to this and had a similar dilemma but ended up whittling my choices down to the Avalanche 1 and a Cannondale F5. I took the advice from others on here and got the GT a couple of weeks ago and I have to say I love it. I have just come back in from cleaning it after a very muddy ride this morning and it is when you see it close up with a sponge when you can see what a quality bit of kit it is. I have kept the standard Kendas on it despite using it on the road quite a bit as well and tbh, it doesn't worry me as it would if I was used to riding road bikes on slicks. I have put a set of spds on it as the standard Wellgo pedals that Evans put on are cr@p. That has made it much easier to ride as well apart from having my first forgetful moment with them earlier :oops: :oops:
The bars are quite wide but I have got used to them already and if it did bother me I would move the grips in a bit and put bar ends on. I don't know much about the cape wrath but you wouldn't be disappointed with the GT I'm sure

supersonic

On paper the GT has the better spec - but try them out if you can.

I wouldn't put SPDs on until you are used to the bike.

rob08

thanks hanful, ive heard the pedals it comes with are a bit dodgy- its good to hear its fine on the road also.

cheers for the help

rob08

what peddals would you guys sugest for a begginer then?

supersonic

If you really don't get on with the caged flat pedals, buy a wellgo platform with replaceable pins like this:

http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/865.html

rob08

cheers SS, i'll see how i get on with the cf's first , then if not happy will look at these.

rob08

so the answer betwen cape wrath and avalanche?

specialised rockhopper disk 2008!

cheaper than cape wrath 2008 and better than the avalnache ( at least accorrding to other posts here and elswere)

I started this search for a fitness MB, a month ago hoping tp pay no more than 200. funny old game!

supersonic

And 100 quid more expensive ;-)

JackBenson59

I have recently got a Gt Avalanche 1.0 2008 and I have to say it is brilliant. I chose it based on the review in MBUK and I managed to get it for £429.99 from winstanleysbikes.co.uk as opposed to the rrp of £499.99. The downside is that I can't seem to find it any more on there.

As 'Handful' said, the pedals that came with them are undoubtbly pretty naff. I got some DMR V8's as replacements. I didn't find the bars much of a problem at all and the quality of the spec. is very high.

Verdict?

A nice, well made bike that will not disappoint.