New to biking, buying a bike advise needed .Which hard tail?

Clarkii

Hi all, I am new to the forum and am looking to buy my first bike and would like some help from you guys as I am a complete novice and didnt realise buying a bike was so involved until I started looking in to it.

I am intending to buy a bike to ride to work which is actually only a short trip or 2 and a half miles. I have been walking the distance for a few weeks and have found some nice off road routes. I want to buy a bike which I can ride on the road mainly on the way to work in the morning and then take a longer route home partly on road and some off road over a mixture of terrains from dirt, gravel tracks to grassy/muddy fields.

I had a GT bike, not sure of the model many years ago and would like to buy another if one fits the bill for my needs. I have read reviews on the GT Aggressor which Halfords are supplying and the general UK model, Avalanche. My budget is around the £300 mark but may stretch to a little more if the next model is close to it and worth the extra money. Halfords have a 20% reduction on the bikes at the moment I noticed but after reading the reviews of both bikes I am not sure which is more favourable for what I need and of cause the budget I have limits to just a few models.

I am not shy of tinkering in the future to upgrade parts of the bike as and when money is available. I dont intend this to be fad but the beginning of a new hobby which I would like to donate the time and money needed over the year/s.

I know from reading some of the buyers guide I will have to physically test the bike to get the size I need but would be interested to hear how people of similar size to me who have a GT bike have set the bike up and what size bike you have. I have a 36" inside leg and am around 6'2"/3" tall.

Is there any other information which would help with the advise on which bike to buy ?

I am obviously open to other suggestions for bike make and models and see there are many others available. I see 08 models bikes are also still available, is the really much change from last years models which warrant such a price increase in some manufactures. I saw a nice 08 Avalanche 1.0 Disc for £449, anyway as I said I am a complete novice so needing your advise.

Thanks for any help you can give me and it is much appreciated.

quentin_miller

If you can stretch your budget to £400 you can get the Carrera Fury (from Halfords) - when it comes on offer again (and it will very soon with the new 2009 version coming out.)

The avalanche 1.0 you mention, if you can afford that is great for the price too. Make sure you read the buyer advice *what hardtail thread* section, and the sticky in the beginners section for advice first.

You should try them out for size before you buy, as an estimate you would probably be suited to a 20" or (L) frame size, but you will find out by trying them out.

Clarkii

Thank you. I would like a GT just because I had one once upon a time and loved it. I have looked at a some of the stickies and will take a look in the beginners section, thanks.

blister pus

You do need to get a test ride on both at a Halfords, the Fury has the better fork which would clinch it most times though.

Clarkii

They dont have any GT Avalanche models at Halfords unfortunately, looking they only have the Aggressor.

So the toss up of the GT Avalanche 1.0 2008 and the 2009 Carrera Fury you would lean to the Fury ?

blister pus

The Fury, with discount, at £400 is a steal with that fork but you have to work out what type of riding you'll be doing, Fury is more suited to more robust riding where you'll feel the benefit of 120mm fork travel. The Avalanche is also a popular bike choice and similar in lots of ways but has 100mm of fork travel and is probably more racey. Both bikes you need to go and sit on. But for me the Fury still has it over either the Aggressor or Avalanche.

Clarkii

I can not find the fury for that price. Are you looking at the 08 or 09 model and where are you seeing it for £400?

I am very new to this and will be using it for commuting to work via road mainly and then the long way home dirt tracks etc and hope to start going for long multi terraine rides with friends at the weekends.

Thanks for your continued help here guys.

Scottland

Clarkii wrote:

I can not find the fury for that price. Are you looking at the 08 or 09 model and where are you seeing it for £400?

I am very new to this and will be using it for commuting to work via road mainly and then the long way home dirt tracks etc and hope to start going for long multi terraine rides with friends at the weekends.

Thanks for your continued help here guys.

Halfords have been running 20% off discounts recently, they seem to be alternating which makes they apply it to. This week for instance the 20% off is for GT bikes, but a few weeks ago it was on Carrera bikes and it'll probably come around again soon; maybe this weekend coming.

blister pus

Yeh, Halfords do regular 20% off deals across the Carerra range (and other brands) which often brings the Fury down to 400. Either bike would suit you to be honest it's just a case of trying them out to see which one you prefer the feel of.

Clarkii

Thanks guys.. again :-)


I have looked through the site but cant find much about the aggressor....what is this like compared to the avalanche ?

I will as you have suggested go and give them a look and test ride but would like to know if I prefer the feel of the aggressor how this compares to the Fury or even the avalanche which Halford dont supply.

I guess the test ride is pretty limited as I will be mainly around the carpark. road and not cross country but I guess if its comfortable its comfortable :-)

blister pus

Obviously similar bikes, similar spec Aggressor has Marzocchi fork which if you read around the forums suffer from reliability problems at this present time. Again, the Fury is the better buy from a spec pov. And even just sitting on them and going up and down an isle or two will give you a feel as to whether you like, and suit, a bikes geometry or not, some have longer top tubes, you may or may not suit. Certainly better than not sitting on them at all.

Northwind

The Fury is a great bike, the spec's off the page really- not just good headline parts like the fork, but decent allround kit, usually at this price point you get obvious cost cuts on bars, etc. But... Well, it and the aggressor are both big tough bikes, and what you're describing is classic XC or hybrid bike terrain. Both bikes will manage it just fine but the burly builds add up to fairly hefty bikes- strength always adds a weight penalty. If you're thinking of building up to bigger stuff, trail centres etc, then the Fury is really hard to fault but it's not the best choice for lighter stuff.

Having said all that, the quality of the spec does bring the weight down a little, you can easily find 100mm XC bikes in this price range which on paper should be lighter and more suitable, but which actually weigh more because despite having a lighter weight design, they're built cheaper and with heavier bits.

Clarkii

ok ok so the Fury looks set to stay at £500 this bank holiday with only selected bikes in the carrera range having a reduction. My original £300 budget had already been upped to £400 and this is about my limit....but... I see there are still GT ( yes I know GT ) Avalanche 1.0 Disc 2008's around for around £435. ( yes even more on the bike budget )

I had hoped to get the fury but as the cost seems set and I would love to get my hands on a bike as I dont have one and I am itching to get one and get out there is the Avalanche 1.0 08 bike worth the money ? I know the folks are some what questionable but the other specs look quite good in my untrained eyes but how good for the cash in comparison to others on offer.

For the £500 I would have to spend upfront for the fury I could potentially get the GT and accessories, helmet, pump, lights etc. I could then look at upgrading the folks later on. I guess the question comes down to the quality of the frame firstly and then components secondly.

Sorry to back track some but the fury not being reduced I am not sure when or if it will be on the cards anytime soon and I would like to get a bike asap.

Thanks as usual for all your continued help, great forum and I greatly appreciate your comments

Big Newbie
Ali
Clarkii

upinsmoke

I'd go for the bike you want first.

It's summer, you won't need lights for a while. Get a cheap helmet from Tesco and get the bike that makes you happiest.

Clarkii

Well I am going to have a good look round this weekend but its not down to just happiness.

The GT would probably make me happy but I am not sure how short lived that would be with the Suntour SR X100 folks it comes with. It doesn't seem to be great reading where they are concerned. I am 161/2 stone and 6ft3, I dont know how long they would last, probibly not as long as it took me to lose a couple stone, well a stone and a half with my frame I think would be about right

Lights may be a factor at midnight on the way home from work.

I thought buying a new mountain bike was a quick easy process... lol... way to much to think about now.

Northwind

The XCMs are fine but you need to stay bang on top of the maintenance. Luckily, that's very easy, but the cheaper Suntours don't have good seals, so mud soon gets into the forks and wears away at the seals and bushings, and soon you have a nasty grindy notchy fork. It's not really neglect, they need more loving than most modern forks, oiling and cleaning after every ride without fail (wipe with fork oil, bounce fork, clean off mud, repeat til no mud comes out) and benefit from regular servicing (which luckily, is incredibly easy) They're not hard to live with but if you don't do all of this, they'll soon wear, and once they're worn they're done- you can replace the parts but it makes no financial sense.

With £500 you can get various bikes with Toras though, which would be my choice. It's a tricky price range, a small amount of cash can get a lot more bike.

vinnn

Why are buying a mountain bike for riding to work? (on roads I assume).

Do yourself a favour and buy a bike made for tarmac. A mountain bike will be slower and more tiring to ride (even if you replaced the tires with slicks) due to the less aerodynamic position on a generally heavier bike with smaller wheels and shorter gears.

Clarkii

Read my previous posts. It will be a short trip , a couple of miles to work and then lots of off roading on the way home, evenings, days off and weekends.


Thanks Northwind.

Its a hard choice for me as I have only ever really had and used GT bikes ( some years ago I might add ) so have this sort of imprint in my mind about them and am leaning towards them perhaps for some kind of comforting appeal :-) I would like to not go to the £500 if I can help it hence why I cant being my self to go for the fury. I would snap one up tomorrow and I am even going to try and see if I can get the manager at the local Halfords to let one go for £400 at the weekend but if not I think I may go for the GT 08.

Being a newbie you will have to please accept my apologies here,

The XCM's you mention.... similar to SRX in design, I presume XCM's are also suntour ?

upinsmoke

Yes, another model of SR Suntour fork. See here

Northwind, any experience of the Epicons? I've just ordered a pair of those.

vinnn

Apologies, totally glossed over your second paragraph for some reason.

Northwind

Nope, none, sorry... Just the XCM and XCR on my old carrera and my mate's.

If you really want the GT, I doubt you'd regret it too much, even if it's not neccesarily the best choice it's certainly not a bad one. Oh, usually buying a bike with plans to upgrade is insane but with bikes like this, it's not too mad to get it with the intention to upgrade the fork- the rest of the spec looks more than adequate and the frame is good, so dropping £130 or so on a Tora in 6 months time would not be a waste.

Clarkii

But...... :-)

Not being the best choice with the same £439 what would you also look at. Is the Fury at £500 still work the wait to save more cash ?

I would prefer to buy right now and not have to upgrade in 6 months as you say but when I start to think about moving to a £500 price mark what other bikes around this level would then become a possible choice. Its hard as every 100 you get to a little more would get you a lot more in some cases, its hard to draw a line and stick to it.


I appreciate your help Northwind, I know I am probably becoming a pain right now but the more I look and the more I learn the more confused I am about making a choice. I hope to learn more but I am very much on the first step of a very long ladder and do thank you for all you help.

Northwind

Clarkii wrote:

Not being the best choice with the same £439 what would you also look at. Is the Fury at £500 still work the wait to save more cash ?

If I had £500 and wanted a bike, right now, I'd buy a Fury. I doubt I'd even have to think about it. But that's mainly because it's not just a great bike and a great buy, but it suits my riding very well, for me the 130mm hardtail with a u-turn is is the default bike. It's just a bang-on trails bike. I'd maybe be tempted to wait a little in hope of further discounts but there's no guarantees.

(Oh, if you know anyone who works for Halifax/Bank of Scotland, they can get 10% off Halfords vouchers So there's always a discount there.)

But, for you I'm really not sure that the Fury's the best bike, like I said earlier it's a bit of a big thumper. Your description of your riding basically says "100mm XC bike" to me. And though the Fury's not heavy for what it is, it ought to be heavier than its 100mm competition.

Just to mess with your head, Genesis Core 10? I don't know the bike at all, never rode one, not sure I've even seen one but the spec reads well and it's a well liked brand.

So it's a bit complicated, no really simple answer I'm afraid.

Oh, and ask away, it's a big decision! No need to worry, if you get boring people will just start ignoring the questions Just don't take any one person's word as gospel!

Clarkii

lol .. this just gets easier.

Thanks again... I think... no seriously thanks for your time with this.

Its a shame there isn't a concise list of parts and models of parts to determine the quality or at least the perceived quality from the manufacturers in regards to gear shifts, chains, forks and other parts. There is just to many letters and number variations from the same manufactures to know which is better than which.

I wont be really going round to much real rough terrain, especially not for a long while so if I understand this correctly the larger folk movement would be wasted really, hence why you commented on the 100mm folks?

Ok I will go on another look see tomorrow and see what I can find and hopefully have a go on.

supersonic

So many combos of parts available, literally thousands, and they can be confusing.

From a value point of view, Shimano, SRAM, Rockshox do have a 'hierarchy'. Even then, specs can be up and down or average across the board.

But the best spec in the world will be no good if the bike does not fit or you do not like the ride. Testing is essential, and feel is more important than fancy parts.

Saying that, I would recommend an adjustable and hydraulically damped suspension fork.

mats

Evans are doing the 2008 Kona Blast for under £400, got to be worth a look

Clarkii

Ok ... I have decided to go for the 2008 GT Avalanche 1.0 Disc if possible for under the £400 mark if unable to get the fury.

I went to Halfords as these guys are the only people with GT's locally. I want to get the deal online so I thought I would test the GT XC 1 for size hoping that they are the same frame size throughout the GT range for this year and last year or there abouts.

I thought while I was there I would try the Fury as well as if I can get them to go down to £399 I would take one.

I tried the 20" GT, Felt ok but to be honest it has been so long since I have ridden a bike it felt a little alien, I know they say its like riding a bike and you never forget but the feel of sitting on a bike just felt unfamiliar. I dont know if its because I have been looking for the bike I want and not thought about how it would feel getting back on a bike or something else. The seat was quite low and the position felt ok, I stood just forward of the seat so the end of the seat was on my bum and had about a fist clearance between my crotch and the bar. I thought I better check this :-) after a motorcycle accident some years back and cracking my nuts on the petrol tank I have bad memories :-)


when I used to ride my old mountain bike many years ago I had the saddle really high, more of a fashion thing back then then anything else so I thought I would try the 18" GT to see how it compares with the saddle up as I know some people actually prefer the ride this way. I got the guy to put the saddle up, this also felt ok, more clearance and the bike did seem a little more manoeuvrable but was not able to go any distance, wasnt allowed to take them for a little run ! Agghhh. He advised if its more XC kind of stuff then the 20" would be preferable and harder stuff with a bit of jumping etc he would say the 18" as would be better and a bit more nibble. This correct ?

Between the two frames the saddle was either quite down on the 20" or quite high on the18"which meant I was more leant forward. The Fury was pretty much the same.

To be honest I was quite surprised the 18" felt so nice and expected even the 20" to feel small with nearly a 36" inside leg before I sitting on them both. I liked both positions but with a short distance wouldn't know what a hour out in the woods or cross country would feel like as I suspect it is only then you really feel where the pressure is on the body. I am still very confused and am going in again tomorrow to speak to someone who apparently is more experienced and can advise better and hope to try and take one of the bikes out. The thing that concerned me the most is that I will begin with longer distances with a mix of on road and basic xc and hope once I have lost a few pounds throw in some more rougher stuff, jumping perhaps but dont envisage me getting the weight down for 6 months so wonder should I opt for the larger frame.

Thanks for reading the long post above and any help, suggestions you can give me for when I go back to the shop tomorrow. If the fury wont be budging for a while I am opting for the 2008 GT as I mentioned so if you can also give me your thoughts on whether basing my sizing on the GT Aggressor will give me the right sizing for the Avalanche.

Appreciate all your amazing help even if you dont agree with my choices.

Thanks

Clarkii

anyone ?
Well I found the specs for the 08 and 09 GT's and it seems the geometry is pretty much the same so thats sorted. Just need to see which one I prefer to ride now. :-)