Which has best Spec for money?

vedderman

Hi all, I have been looking for a new hardtail and have narrowed it down to these choices, I will be buying one this week:-

mongoose amasa comp 2008 £367 + £10 postage
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 1b2s2p1491

mongoose amasa comp 2009 £502 + FREE postage (just to compare spec with 2008 model)
http://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/products. ... 0s196p4506

mongoose tyax super 2009 £351 + FREE postage
http://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/products. ... 0s196p4503

Claud Butler Cape Wrath D27 - 2008 £340 + £12.95 postage
http://www.bikeoutlet.co.uk/products/Cl ... 92-11.html

DIAMONDBACK RESPONSE SPORT 2008 £350 + £10 postage
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... b38s2p1887

Mongoose Tyax Super 2008 £299 + free postage
http://www.discountcyclesdirect.co.uk/p ... ts_id=7424

What I dont know much about is the quality of the components on each bike in relation to the cost.
Can anyone tell me which bike has the best spec for the price, and also any personal experience with any of the bikes?
If anyone has another bike they consider to be equal to or better value on sale now, please post this also.
I am 5-11 and will need a 20" frame or Large, and I want hydo brakes,

cheers everyone, you are a very knowledgable bunch!!

supersonic

Hi and welcome.

First off sizing and geometry varies a lot - trying a few out for size would be beneficial, it is impossible to say you will be large or 20 inch in all of them. Also, if you are unsure about bikes, it would be good to buy off a local dealer and have it set up, with a free service.

All th above seem good value, the Amasas having the better forks. The DB has a very poor fork abnd will spoil the ride. The Tyax is the lesser brother of the Amasa.

deadliest

Yeah dont automatically assume that your height determines the frame size I am also 5'11'' but have a 17'' Cannondale and feel much more comfortable when riding the trails.

Like Super says get to a shop and sit on a couple of bikes and get a feel of them before spending your hard earned cash.

jam1e

I'd be surprised if you need a 20inch frame mate, I'm 6'3 and ride a 19inch which fits perfectly.

As mentioned above, you really need to try a couple for size - you might spend a bit more in your LBS but at least there you can try different bikes and sizes and change anything you need to fine tune the fit.

vedderman

Thanks guys. I have tried various bikes in Halford and the 20" frame seems to be closest fit on all of them. Non of the bikes above can be tried in my town or anywhere close, so I am going to make an educated guesss (dont shout!).

Do any of you know which one of these bike has the best frame, upgradeability, and the weight of each (approx).

My current bike is around 30lbs, and I intend to 'convert' it to a touring/road bike with narrow tyres and probably a new set of gears.

Any advice about this will be great as well.

Thanks.

blister pus

Just to re-emphasise frame sizing being pretty arbitrary and unique to manufacturers I'm 6' and went with a 21" Giant frame, a different model in the same range is different sizing again and I would have had to have gone for a 19".

Did you check the Carrera Krakens out for £330 in Halfords?

vedderman

no I didnt, do they have a good rep and similar spec?
I will look.

hmmm I hear what you are saying, and my current bike (sacacen) is a 22" frame. :?
I wish I could try one of the bikes above for size. I am only going on reviews and sale prices atm.

cheers

blister pus

For the price and ride, pretty highly regarded, I've checked them out at halfords and they'd be up there on my budget list. Get back down to halfords and try one i reckon.

OwenB

If youre interested I've got an 08 Avalanche for sale. It's got a decent base spec and it's been upgraded since then.
It's advertised in the classified part of the forum.

vedderman

have pm'd you owen

vedderman

am going to check out the kracken this lunch time. thanks for the heads up blisterplus

Stuey01

I would be amazed if a 20" was not way too big for you at 5'11". And you currently have a 22" :shock:

How are you determining fit?

My mate is 6'3" and has a 21" specialized and has decided it is too big and he'd be better on a 19".

I'm 5'10 and ride a medium SC Chameleon and a medium Pace RC405, these both work out at around 16.5 - 17" frames.

vedderman

it just feels comfortable for reach to the bars

I just tried an 18" Kracken and it felt good. nice bike, but is it better than the ones above spec wise?

it was £350 btw not £330.

A 20" gt agressor felt good as well. would that mean a 20" gt avalanche would be right? :?:

Does anyone knoiw the weights of the bikes above and which has the best frame and brakes?

How do they compare to the kracken?

cheers

vedderman

I tried a 2nd hand 17.5" kona blast a while back and the bars were way too close to me. the whole thing felt too small.

supersonic

As can be seen, the seat tube measurement is just one of many - angles, top tube length etc make a difference too.

OwenB

If I'm right the Aggressor and the Avalanche share the same frame. And also I think all the bikes have the same brakes fitted.
I can't comment on the Kraken frame though