Hardtail for around £500

absv

Sorry to repeat a familiar question but I've spent most of today reading reviews and forum posts and I'm still no further ahead than I wa this morning

This will be my first proper bike and I intend to use it to do some trails/footpaths with my wife and maybe get onto some more difficult stuff when I'm a bit fitter and I'll be able to keep up.

When I was younger I really wanted a Specialized so I'm drawn towards the Hardrock Pro or the Hardrock Sport disc. I've read excellent reviews about the Carrera Fury and the GT Aggressor XC2 seems to have a good name for its self too. The guy at Halfords said to seriously consider the Boardman MTB sport as he thinks it's better than the Fury.

Thanks,
Andy

mintsauce5

have alook in the classifieds , theres a 2010 rockhopper in there for £525 not mine btw

supersonic

The Fury, Boardman Sport or Aggressor are great choices - I place the Fury above the Boardman.

See what feels and fits best.

absv

Do you not rate the Hardrock then??? Will go and take a look in the classifieds.

largephil

Merlin Malt 1? They have their Ltd edition available at the moment at £499. Usually a £750 bike!

pixi

My vote goes to the Fury

Excellent bike in my opinion . Picked mine up last Sept , first bike Ive rode in 15+ years and I love it .

drobeu0

I own a hardrock sport and it has been great, it has good brakes and the suspension does the job well, it is however quite heavy compared to its competitors but it rides really well and is solidly built. I imagine there is not uch of a difference bewteen all bikes at the bottom end of the spectrum, so personel preference should win out! Go and ride some.

bails87

Carerra Fury. Better wheels, better drivetrain and better forks than the Hardrocks.

supersonic

The Hardrock Pro is ok for the money, the Sport is pretty poor in my opinion - no doubt the Fury has a much better spec than either.

Big Shoes

Carrera Fury, you wont do better for the money

SpeedWeasel

+1 for the Fury

Yes, I'm biased but I'm an experienced MTBer getting back into the sport and the Fury is more than capable and clearly better specced then bikes with similar price tags.

Mine is here...
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12681812&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

absv

Thanks for the ideas and advice.I went to a few bike shops yesterday to try a few, my thoughts as follows:

Fury - Just didn't feel right, don't know why but it didn't feel right which is annoying as you guys recommend it and I really like the look of it

Hardrock Pro - Felt really nice and immediately at home on it, only downside is that I really like white bikes and they only do it in silver, yeah I know it's stupid

Cannondale - SL5 (Only one they had in one shop in my price range etc), felt much like the Hardrock and it's white but the shop didn't inspire me with confidence (guy kept saying I haven't worked here long and I'm not sure if it's good or not!!!) and I'm not sure what Spinner 300 forks are like?

Marin Bobcat Trail - Didn't feel right and it's slightly over budget.

So it looks like it's between the Hardrock Pro, Cannondale SL5 or I've seen the Kona Cindercone 09 on the internet which I really like the look of, any comments on it or differences between these three????

Northwind

largephil wrote:

Merlin Malt 1? They have their Ltd edition available at the moment at £499. Usually a £750 bike!

Some nice bits on that but a £500 bike with an XCR fork? Just Say No, Malts are nice but the fork will always hold it back and that'll end up making it a £650 bike.

dr.a

I'd say the Fury. It was the best bike going for the money, and I got mine for only £350 instead of £550, due to a sale which had a duration of about 24 hours lol. Got there just in time!

If it doesn't feel right now, it's probably not the bike for you.

crankface

how about this?

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 1b7s2p1938