The Rockrider 6.3 and recommended hardtails for around £400

GQsmX

Hello all,

I am looking to buy a bike, having been out of it since the 90's.
I will be using it for exploring off road in the peak district, trails, local woods and messing about (possibly some city centre terrain). Don't care for flat/road riding one bit.

Won't be on it all the time, it is for occasional use but I wasn't a pansy rider with my old bike and it saw a bit of hammer.

Budget around £400ish.
Not at all bothered about brand stigma and liked what I read about the Rockrider 6.3 on the "WHAT full suspension 2009" thread and reviews. Also saw the GT AVALANCHE 1.0 2008 mentioned on the "WHAT bike 2008" thread and noticed it's £400 on paulscycles.co.uk so was thinking that was an option. Then I read the "WHAT hardtail 2009" thread and checked out some of the models on there. I'm not sure how to break the options down now.

I guess main 3 questions are

1) Anyone got any friendly advice on how my requirments affect the choices I have seen on the threads mentioned?

2) Anyone seen any specific good deals (2008 models fine) on suitable bikes for me (I'm 6'3 so imagine only the biggest frame will do). Sheffield based if that's relevent.

3) If I did go for the Rockrider 6.3, how much would it be to dump the cable brakes and go up to budget hydraulic?

Many thanks.

Slow Downcp

The '08 Rockrider 8.1 is up for £450 at Decathlon - I bought one yesterday, no expert in these things but seems good VFM. Sram X7 and Avid Juicy 3's.

Northwind

I'd still say Carrera Fury, it's similiar spec to the Decathlon but with a better fork, £400 just now. Very hard to argue with unless you want a pure XC bike- it does sound like a better choice for what you're describing, with its strong build and 130mm fork.

adamski-b

I bought a 6.3 for my wife... she managed the Kitchener trail at Sherwood Pines on it today and did fine! (red run btw)

brilliant value for money and very robust... they crash well and take some real abuse!

GQsmX

After some thought and a lot of reading I have ruled out the 6.3 full susser and decided it has to be a hardtail.

Northwind - Carrera Fury appears to be £500 on Halfords website, is there some offer I am missing?

Others in the running are
Mongoose Amasa Elite 2008 - paulscycles.co.uk - £420
Mongoose Amasa Comp 2008 - paulscycles.co.uk - £366
Mongoose Tyax Super 2009 - evanscycles.co.uk - £390
GT Avanche 1.0 Disc 2008 - paulscycles.co.uk - £400

The thing that is sticking out for me is the Fury and Amasa Elite shocks are 85-130mm travel with external preload and rebound adjust.

Someone mentioned that the Fury and the Amasa were heavy, if that's correct is there anything lighter with similar shocks? Otherwise is there a suitable compromise for a lighter bike?

Thanks for the help so far.

blister pus

20% off is what you're missing. Those deals come round pretty often at Halfords, I'd keep regular tabs on your local stores for weekend offers and do a regular check online. It'd be worth holding out for if you have the time.

Northwind

Oh, that's too bad, the 20% off ended. Sorry mate!

What you'll find is that all other things being equal almost any bike with a longer travel fork is going to be heavier. The fork itself will usually weigh more, and the frame has to be stronger to deal with the increased stress, but also if you're making a long-ish travel HT, it makes sense to build the entire thing a bit burlier. It's one of those "choose 2 of 3" situations- you can have light, strong and cheap, but not all three.

GQsmX

Northwind - so looking at the revised list I posted do you still think that the Carrera Fury would be your choice if you were in my position, even if I have to pay £500 for it?

Northwind

Don't know. It's not so easy.

Slow Downcp

The Carrera offer will be back again soon - it was on two or three weeks ago, and came back again last week. maybe try May Dat bank holiday - or just ask in store if they will give you the 20% off.

I did look at the Fury at £399 at the weekend, but went for the Decathlon for £450.