Buying Help

adampv

Hi Folks, the Cycle 2 Work scheme starts on Monday next week and I've decided it's far too good a deal to pass up. I have to buy through Halfords, the usual situation.

My short list, if you could call it that is as follows:

Voodoo Bantu
Boardman Mountain Bike Sport
Carrera Fury
GT Aggressor X2
GT Aggressor X1
Scott Aspect 45
Trek 4500
Scott Aspect 35
Trek 4900
Specialized Hardrock Pro
Cannondale Trail SL4
Kona Bolt
Kona Blast Deluxe
Specialized Rockhopper Pro

All should be under 650, if there's a bike that stands out in this lot which would it be? Any which I should rule out?

Going to go sit on the Specialized, Trek, and possibly the Kona's tomorrow.

Cheers in advance!

Ad

supersonic

There are many threads on this price point, and these bikes, so a forum search should bring up more comment.

As far as I am aware Halfords have stopped getting in bikes that they do not stock. Which is no big deal as the Halfords ones are the best specced by a long way.

For general trail riding I'd look at the Fury, Boardman and GTs.

DJC013

Have a look at the Carrera Fury 2010 model, just got mine !! Regards Damian.

Oxygen Thief

Shortlist???

Slamdunkin

Is the 2010 fury out yet?

I've had a look on the halfords site and can still only see the 09 model.

supersonic

They don't really do years as such - release about every 18 months.

baba123

the fury, boardmam and voodoo are stand out for value

The Northern Monkey

Dads fury is cracking..... very capable bike.

adampv

Thanks for the replies, spoke to a guy in Halfords yesterday who confirmed they still can order almost any bike. He suggested looking at Merlin who would build a malt 1 to my spec.

My problem is this; being 5 ft 7 and having short legs means I need a 15-16 inch frame. Every store I visit to throw a leg over one of these bikes I find don't have the right sized frame. The only bikes I've managed to sit on so far that fits is a Rockhopper in Liesure Lakes, from which I cannot buy, and the RRP is far more that I've budgeted for.

I really want a look at the boardman and voodoo bikes, but halfords don't have the sizes for me to get a realistic idea for erganomics.

supersonic

It doesn't mean you need that sized frame as the sizing varies. Try some out, you may well be a 18 in some.

adampv

Tried a Trek 4900, a Scott Aspect 45, and a Carrera Fury in 16 inch sizes. All were too big for me, giving me no space to dismount without catching the family jewels.

My Orange Gringo and the Rockhopper I tried in the 15 inch frame are perfect.

eebygum

If you have the time then Merlin is based in Leyland, which isn't too far up the M6 from Warrington. Maybe give them a bell and see if you can pop up and test ride a Malt?