Is this bike of reasonable quality?

Toblerone1

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... 65499#dtab

does this bike have an ok specification? Will it be able to live up to being a mountain bike? I was told it is quite low end of the market.

Here is another bike by comparison. Personally i think the specification is vague and that they simply priced it up to price it down to look like a bargain. What do you think?
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... 65499#dtab

Thanks!

andyturner28

The frame isn't bad, and the gears are ok as Sram stuff is usually prety reliable, but wheels, brakes and fork are all crap! I had a Carrera Kraken and i replaced everything on it within 6 months :shock: The wheel rims weigh a ton, hubs are unsealed cup and cone's, brakes are appalling and need adjusting every 5 minuets because they only have one piston, and the forks have no damping whatsoever! But i suppose it depends how you use it. My boss has one which he uses on-road only riding 12 miles a day commuting and he has had no problems, but i'd imagine off road in thick mud it could be another story.

cougie

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... n-07-27707

Gets a good write up if the spec is the same still ?

Mc Smiley

Carrera is good the other steer clear.
My dad has the male version of the carrera and it has been really good, yes the forks and wheels aren't great, but it is quite a good deal for what you do get.

You can upgrade the wheels, if you want at a later date, but is definetley fine for mountain biking.

Northwind

You have to keep it in perspective- the entire bike costs less than a set of good forks. The Vulcan's great value, IMO maybe the best entry level bike there is. Fairly upgradable frame- it's either the exact same as on the kraken, or very similiar. Bit heavy but strong and stiff. Oh, the wheels aren't actually as heavy as most people say, it's the tyres that make them seem so, factory XCs weigh over 1100 grams! Insane... They're still slightly overweight but not as bad as most assume. The fork's pretty nasty, but then the fork on everything under £300 is pretty nasty so no wonder.

All in all, you can't spend £250 and get a brilliant bike, but these things punch above their weight. If you can stretch your budget, then do, but don't think you can't get a worthwhile bike at this price.

The brakes are a shortcoming though, to be honest disc brakes at this price is a reach too far. They do work reasonably but they're a pain to live with. But then, nice easy upgrade should you choose, you can pick up a cheap set of calipers and levers for not a lot of money these days.

The Apollo is a dog, best kicked.

nicklouse

again!

http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopi ... =#15033936

supersonic

andyturner28 wrote:

The frame isn't bad, and the gears are ok as Sram stuff is usually prety reliable, but wheels, brakes and fork are all crap! I had a Carrera Kraken and i replaced everything on it within 6 months :shock: The wheel rims weigh a ton, hubs are unsealed cup and cone's, brakes are appalling and need adjusting every 5 minuets because they only have one piston, and the forks have no damping whatsoever! But i suppose it depends how you use it. My boss has one which he uses on-road only riding 12 miles a day commuting and he has had no problems, but i'd imagine off road in thick mud it could be another story.

An old Kraken then, as recent ones have twin piston hydro brakes and damped forks. Cup and cone doesn't mean 'unsealed'.

Spec wise, not much touches this for the money. But that means jack S if it doesn't fit/feels wrong.

Anonymous

i would not touch the apollo with a barge pole! the vulcan is ok, take a look at some of the bikes for sale in the classified reader ads their are some real bargains, try before you buy though!