Anybody got any advice / words of wisdom on these???

deffler

Hi Guys,
Never posted before, looking to buy a new one and have narrowed it down to these fella's but struggling to choose 'the one'.

Kona cindercone 08
kona cindercone 09
kona blast deluxe 09
focus fatboy
giant xtc 4
genesis core 20 09

get set, ready, go ...............................

supersonic

Can you try them out for sizing?

deffler

possibley but not certain mate

supersonic

All are decent bikes, the Giant being a bit lower and racier than the others. Whatever feels best will be the best choice!

keirtristan

As Supersonic says, gotta try them out!

Is there a reason they're the only ones left on the list? Have you ruled others out or is this to do with the what is stocked locally.

I narrowed my list down based upon what was stocked at the bike shops near me (really fancied trying out a Cube but couldn't demo one anywhere near me). I am now left with the Genesis Core 20 (almost certainly going to buy this weekend) and the Spec Rockhopper.

Having one last demo of the Genesis on Sunday and will probably buy. Great bike and spec for the price. I also really like the colour!

deffler

ok, as a newbie i havent got the eye for em yet but thought these looked good so pleased you agree. to be honest the giant is in last place. the cindercones or genesis are my favourites

do you know if theres much difference between the cindercones? just the 08's are selling cheap plus i get good discounts at evans/halfords who have em instock but i prefer the colour of the 09.

which would you say would have best spec from the list?

cheers

deffler

keirtristan wrote:

As Supersonic says, gotta try them out!

Is there a reason they're the only ones left on the list? Have you ruled others out or is this to do with the what is stocked locally.

I narrowed my list down based upon what was stocked at the bike shops near me (really fancied trying out a Cube but couldn't demo one anywhere near me). I am now left with the Genesis Core 20 (almost certainly going to buy this weekend) and the Spec Rockhopper.

Having one last demo of the Genesis on Sunday and will probably buy. Great bike and spec for the price. I also really like the colour!

love the colour of the genesis. halfords are my works cycle to work scheme and i get discount through evans thru work, both are local to me so im going on there stock although im not fancying halfords cos they hopeless even tho i get ctw there

deffler

Having had a good look at the Evans website my list that I cant decide on is now.........
Specialized rockhopper 09 £560
Kona cindercone 08 £475
Kona blast deluxe 09 £585
GT Avalance 1.0 09 £585
Genesis core 20 £570
Gary Fisher Marlin disc 09 £525
Felt q720 £593
Commencal combi disc09 £525
I will definitley be going to test em however would like to cut my list down by say half.
If anybody has any of these bikes please let me know whats great and whats not about the bike.
If anybody has any opinions of any of these i shouldnt touch with a barge pole please let me know or if theres a standout bike here thats a must.
Ive included prices including the 5% discount i get.
do you guys recommend evans cyles or are they worse than halfords?
im all ears.
thanks

squiggoth

i have the giant xtc 4 and it feels light and fast, the fork is what you'd expect for the price but works well, drivetrain works well and with the 09 getting an slx rear derauiler should be even better.
it has more of an XC speedy feel to it on the flats and the climbs and personally i think the frame looks very nice, the root brakes have adaquete stopping power even on long steep decents i dont notice any fade in them, but it has good control on the downhill's too. i tried the rockhopper before i chose the giant and it was quite similar, as was the avalanche, albeit slightly mroe relaxed rising positions, but cant comment on the others.
there is a few good deals on 09 giants arround an about, i found an xtc 4 for £450 brand new somewhere, ill try and find the site again.

as many have said its more personal preferance and trying the ride out, even if the components are near enough identical the bikes still feel quite different.

keirtristan

deffler wrote:

keirtristan wrote:

As Supersonic says, gotta try them out!

Is there a reason they're the only ones left on the list? Have you ruled others out or is this to do with the what is stocked locally.

I narrowed my list down based upon what was stocked at the bike shops near me (really fancied trying out a Cube but couldn't demo one anywhere near me). I am now left with the Genesis Core 20 (almost certainly going to buy this weekend) and the Spec Rockhopper.

Having one last demo of the Genesis on Sunday and will probably buy. Great bike and spec for the price. I also really like the colour!

love the colour of the genesis. halfords are my works cycle to work scheme and i get discount through evans thru work, both are local to me so im going on there stock although im not fancying halfords cos they hopeless even tho i get ctw there

From what I've read on here Halfords is a bit hit and miss but there seem to be a lot of questions over their ability to build a bike. I've aslo read Halfrods can source more bikes than they stock on the CTW scheme.

Many people would advise, if you were going to buy a bike from Halfords, to then get it checked out by your LBS.

So far, and this is without buying anything yet, Evans have been very attentive and given great advice.

I guess it's your call. BTW Evans price match, Square Wheels are doing the Core 20 at £550 + £15 postage. I will be using this to my advantage tomorrow.

deffler

Does the mean your purchasing the genesis core 20 for yourself? If so whats mae you choose it?

I purchased my current bike from Halfords (before i realised they did my works CTW), just a cheapy to see how I got on commuting to work and wasnt happy with their set up of back disc brake at all, plus there service when you ring em is just a joke and they never have anything ready when they say they will.

keirtristan

I am almost certainly going to get it.

I sat on it a couple of weeks ago but didn't have time to take it for a demo as my girlfriend and crying baby daughter were waiting in the car.

In the mean time I have test rode a Trek 6000, Commencal Combi and Specialized Rockhopper. I ruled both the Trek and Commencal out as they didn't quite feel right to me. The Specialized felt pretty good but I still felt like the Genesis felt a tiny bit better.

That coupled with the better forks (Toras over Dart 3) (unless I spend £85 above my budget for the Rockhopper Comp) and the fact I think the Rockhopper looks a little dull I have it set in my mind that that Genesis is the right choice for me.

The only thing that's going to stop me getting it is if for some reason I am dissapointed on my demo ride tomorrow. In which case I will go for the Rockhopper (and maybe find the extra £85 for the Comp).

I will certainly keep you posted after tomorrow.

PS Bad luck today. Really didn't want Man Utd to take the title. Just need to invest in a decent striker and get some good cover for Gerrard and next year could be yours.

Airienteer

I had the 08 Cinder Cone and have now converted it to Single Speed. It was a great starter bike. I'd go for the 08 over the 09 as they're very simllair specs and the 08 will probs be about 150 cheaper.

deffler

Yeah let me know how the Genesis test ride goes as its sitting top of my list at the mo due to its awesome paintwork, im hoping to get over next weekend to give it a test along with the rockhopper

As for the Kona, the cindercone 09 is off the list as its over my price range Ive decided so will have a look at the 08 however im not a fan of the blue paintjob.

As Ive said before Ive little clue about specs, Ive chosen my list from whats in my price range and what looks good. lol. Thats why im open to advice.

Airienteer

Seriously?? You're not going to buy a bike becasue you don't like the paintwork. And anyway...the Cinder Cone looks a lot better in the flesh than it does in the generic shots. Have a look at my sig for a better idea

deffler

HaHa,
Great pic on your sig of the Kona, it does look good however Ive got a phobia of all things blue (except movies).

keirtristan

Right, I took the plunge on the Genesis Core 20. I took it for a very quick ride and it just felt right. Can't really say why but it just did/

It also looks even better in front of you then it does online.

I have had a quick look at your list and the one thing that stands out to me is that all the 09 bikes you have listed have Rockshox Dart forks where as the Genesis has the better Toras. I haven't spent much time reviewing the other specs but the forks alone are def better on the Core.

Also, I got a price match from Evans as Square Wheels are doing this bike for £550 + £15 postage. Even though they say the price match should include postage he still just did it for £550. Absolute bargain when you consider that the Core 00 got a good review in Mountain Biking UK last month at £500.

Added to the price match on the Shimano shoes I got knocking £15 off the price, the reduced Scott Karma helmet (£39 from £69) I think I got an absolute steel today.

I will update you again once I get a few rides under my belt but to me this should be your odds on favourite.

Also Evans, despite being very busy were fantastic.

deffler

Thanks for letting me know, Im all excited for you. When I go in I will remember the pricematch if I plump for the Genesis.

Im assuming they had it instock for you? Were you able to take it with you or how long till you can collect?

keirtristan

They had a bike in store a few weeks ago when I went in on a Saturday. Didn;t have time to test ride so said I'd ring and arrange something. I then rang Wedsnesday and the bike had been sold.

They checked and advised they had a few in the warehouse and they could get it in by Tuesday but I would have to pay a fully refundable deposit of £50. This didn't make sense to me but as it was fully refundable I said OK.

I got a call Tuesday to say the bike had arrived and they could get in built and ready to roll in a couple of days. Due to a busy Friday/Saturday I asked if it could be ready for Sunday. Got a call Saturday to say it's ready.

If I were you I would ring the store and ask if they have any in the store. If they haven;t ask about getting one shipped to store. The £50 deposit is a bit daft but you lose nothing and as I am getting this on 12 months interest free credit then that was reatined as my deposit anyway.

You can also check stock levels online and if their system states in stock, they have them in the warehouse, if it's 5-7 days it means they have them in a store somewhere.

deffler

They must be decent on customer service if the 'deposit' is fully refundable, good sign.

Ive a few further questions if you dont mind???

Whats the seat like? It looks from the picture very uncomfy?

Whats the deal with the 0% finance? How quick was it to arrange? What id did you have to provide?

Cheers

keirtristan

Don't mind at all. Got some good advice here so is my duty to pay that back.

The saddle is as comfy/uncomfy as the others I've tried. I'm sure you can get much comfier saddles but doubt there will be much difference in the stock saddles you get on most bikes. Just buy some padded shorts!!

As for 0% Finance, it is for 12 months with 10% deposit (although they were happy to keep my £50 only). Unfortunately though I didn't take the ID I needed, completely meant to but my Mum visited just before I was et to go and then had to get a 6 month old ready to go out so completely slipped my mind),

Going back Wednesday to collect the bike and sort the finance out. I need to take proof of ID (Passport, drivers license, credit card etc )and proof of address (Utility bill or drivers license).

Can take a little while to set up apperently and the finance is arra nged through Blackhorse.

deffler

Good stuff.

What size frame did you decide on and how tall are you?

I work for Lloydstsb who own Blackhorse so that be ok for me.

keirtristan

I'm 5' 10" and went for the 17.5" frame. Perfect for me.

deffler

Im 5ft 11" and was thinking of 19"?
I have short arms for my height (I know this as I play golf and when I get custom fitted for irons this is always pointed out to me) at the min im using a 20" frame but struggle with reaching the bars when i like to sit upright so going to make sure everythings perfect before purchasing.

As you've seen the bike in the flesh and have a decent knowledge of spec, when you get the bike will you use it as it is or are you planning any upgrades? The reason Im asking is Im after a bike that doesnt needs any parts changing due to the cash involved. (credit crunch and all that)