Now I can... where to start...

danbt

Hi everyone.

Im Dan and yes this is my first post so please bear with me.

I've always enjoyed riding, but living in a city have found that im not getting full potential out of a bike I ride. So now I have a car, im able to drive to places where I can do this.

So to cut a long story short, I'm asking that age old question.... What shall I get? And it gets better, i have a budget of around £300. But I do have some ideas.

First off I currently own a Rhino, full suspension bike that cost me a whopping £150 from Toys R Us when I was about 10. Oh and it weights, alot! Seriously...

Anyway, my Dad has got a Carrera and it has always done him proud. A great bike, lasting many many years. So Im looking in that direction too.

Ive been Looking at the Carrera Vulcan 20' Disc Spec 09. £250, and it looks pretty good, But ill let you decide.

The other bike im looking at is a Specialized Hardrock Disc 2010 for £349.99.

Now, what do you guys think? One of these, is the specilized worth the extra money over the Carrera? Or is there something else sub £350 that would do me wonders?

Thanks alot, Dan

supersonic

Hi and welcome.

Have you read any of the guides in this section and the Buying forum?

danbt

Yes mate, ive been looking for a few hours, but I thought it would be best to get an answer from experienced users.

Dan

Daz555

What hardtail sticky in Buying Advice has some good suggestions for a hardtail.

dave27

Do you not mena the Specialize Hardrock Sport, rather than disc. I think the disc is the next version up and around £750.

I have just bought the Hardrock Sport and haven no complaints, however I would recommend the 2009 model as it is cheaper with slightly better spec. Mainly 24 gears as opposed to 21. I paid £293 for the 2009.

danbt

Ok. Ive had a look through. Yet Im still thinking of the two bikes i started with.

Could anyone shed some light on what they think of either bikes and which I would be best going for.

Thanks

Dan

scarbs85

Ive just recently bought a Specialized Hardrock, the sport version which set me back £293, same as mentioned above. So far, I love it. I'm regretting not getting discs a little, not that I've had problems so far, but visions of mud blocking up in the Vbrakes haunts me already. Other than that Im happy, but Im not exactly experience and dont have much/anything to compare the bike too as its my first real bike for years.

compo

ive got a carrera vulcan disc and it sure takes a battering but no mechanicals in nearly a year
easily does gisburns red trails (perhaps better than me )

gnarly-ass-rider

for that budget, go second hand. also if you want to buy from halfords, have a look at the boardman range. Have a look in the classifieds.....

skullthaw

frame on the specialised is better / more up to date the carreras use older frame designs and tweak them

skullthaw

that being said when i worked at halfords i got a vulcn frame for very very cheap and it has been brill got the 16" great as a singlespeed offroader!!

dad has the 20" but i not fit and hated the standard 2.3" tyres so i changed them for hima and now he loves it a bought another for when he is away during the week

RockyRaccoon

I bought the same bike you are looking at, the Specialized Hardrock Disc 2010 about a month ago.

I am very happy with it. I have been to Glentress and Carron Valley with it since and it has performed well. I'm obviously not as well informed as other folk on here, but for the money I'm very pleased with it's performance.

I love the looks too.....................

danbt

Thanks for all the replys guys.

Theres a guy who lives near me who is advising me on what to get, hes got a Scott Ranson... nice bike.

Hes saying i should spend at least £450 on a bike to start with, but im not so sure.

Im leanign toward the Specialized, the one that RockyRacoon has, and I think ill be happy with that.

Ive borrowed someones GT Aggressor and im off to Cannock Chase to do Follow the dog tommorow.

Wish me luck... :? :roll:
Dan

jamazin

good luck but if your thinking of a hardrock try and find a 2008 one. My mate and his brother both have this bike and their dad has the 2009 one. (they love spech)

The 2008 is a much better looking frame in my opinion and if you get it in the grafiti special edition it looks great. Oh and if you want to go a bit dearer look at a Norco.

Any way i have been searching for you and found this giant. It has a bit better spec for a similar or lesser price.http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/12075/Giant_Terrago_Disc_Mens_Bike_Spring_2007

Northwind

The vulcan is a good honest bike, but if you can, push it a wee bit further to the Kraken, it's just barely more expensive than the spesh but is a better option IMO. I have one, it's the bike that got me back riding and it's amazingly good considering the budget- with a better fork in, a £100 Tora or similiar, it really excelled but as standard it's solid too.