<£550 Hardtail advice
craigatkinson
Posts: 38
I'm looking for a hardtail [probably 16"] for around £500. Can go to £600 if it's a steal. My last MTB was in the 90s and a Claud Butler with AccuTrax! So I've been out for a while. There's so many differing opinions, and I know I need to test ride, but some advice would be great.
Specialized Hardrock Pro Disc 2010 has been suggested, as has the Carrera Fury [no 16" and almost sold out]. There is a newer Carrera in Halfords but not read any reviews on that.
Help please!!
Specialized Hardrock Pro Disc 2010 has been suggested, as has the Carrera Fury [no 16" and almost sold out]. There is a newer Carrera in Halfords but not read any reviews on that.
Help please!!
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Yes I looked at that, though from what I've heard and read Cubes aren't as good value as Specialized / Carrera - that's just what I've heard though, no experience.0
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my mate has the GT avalanche 3. it's a good little bike for the money
http://www.sunsetmtb.co.uk/shop/index.p ... ory_id=121
just seen the avalanche 2 for £540
http://www.sunsetmtb.co.uk/shop/index.p ... ory_id=1210 -
Just been looking at Specialized Hardrock Pro Disc 2011 and Specialized Rockhopper 2011, any advice on these in comparison to others in the price range?0
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The Cube is about on par with the Hardrock, it does have a slightly cheaper fork, but you get a Shimano Shadow rear mech and Hayes discs instead of the budget Shimano ones on the Specialized. Plus it's £50 cheaper.
I think the Rockhoppers offer poor value for 2011. Again it seems that Cube are offering a winner when it comes to bike specs with the Acid. 10 speed drivetrain with XT rear mech, Rock Shox forks (even though it's a Dart) and a hollowtech crank.
Or you could even look at something like the Voodoo Bokor
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... 65499#dtab0 -
argh, too many choices!
Carrera Fury
Rockrider 8.2
Boardman FS
Kona Five0 2009
Lapierre Tecnic 400 2010
Gary Fisher Pirhana disc 2010
Boardman MTB Comp
!!!0 -
IMO i'd avoid the boardm,an FS for that money.
a mate of mine does have a boardman hardtail and it's a really well specced bike. he loves it 0 -
The Fury's still a phenomenal buy, just landed one of the big awards in the WMB review of the year, and won every single £500 bike test it was entered in this year, and even one £750 bike test. It's more capable than most because of the longer fork etc but somehow it's still not heavier than most of the 100mm competition. Unless you can find something on a major discount it'll be hard to beat, assuming it fits you.Uncompromising extremist0
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If you can afford 599 quid, I would recommend the Spesh Hardrock Disc Pro 2011. I bought this bike and I am really pleased with it. It is pretty light (my old bike is 10 years old), it has good quality brakes, the forks work a treat, etc.
The only thing about it is the pedals and I have changed the pedals to M520 and will also get some lockon grips. All in all a quality bike.0 -
imo, your best bet would be either the cube or spesh, they are both stunning and well specced bikes. i would also always reccomend building your own if you can. CRC has plenty cheap and top quality parts0
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For me, the Fury would top my list. Nothing else at this price has a 200 quid fork, and it really makes a difference.0
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Right, I went to Halfords on the way home!
They have this Fury - http://www.thebikelist.co.uk/imagecache ... ike-08.jpg
for £400. I don't know whether it's the 08 or 09 but its a 16" and fits. Not too keen on the grey but it's ok. A couple of slight scrapes to the paint but it's the last one / shop model. Rides well.
they also have the Boardman Comp HT for £630
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165499
and sport for £475.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165499
Then there are these
http://www.coventrycyclecentre.co.uk/pr ... 1118&rs=gb
And this
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gar ... gn=froogle
And this
http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... _Bike_2009
and this!
http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/product- ... -59284.jpg
That Fury is tempting me, think its the 08 model but I can't find an 09 model, just the current 10 white one.
Someone just tell me what to do before I just buy a car instead!!0 -
It's old stock, but
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 1b7s2p1539
has to be one of the best bargains out there at the moment for a 16" ht, awesome spec, lightweight, and boasting a better spec than the 09+10, mostly due to the quality brakes fitted on the 08.0 -
What about the five-0? http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Kona_ ... 360039325/0
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The 08 fury at that price is a steal! And it fits - no brainer to me. Great fork too the Tora 318.0
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That Kona kula is good deal - really nice bike
The only thing I can offer is this:
http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... _Bike_2006
Better than an aggressor or any GT you'll find in halfords at that price.Kinesis xc 130:
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=127563620 -
I was recommended this bike Diamondback Apex - in the 09 model
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... b38s2p1886
Bargain at 499.99 + 15 delivery. Down from 850. A bigger can be seen at evanscycles http://www.evanscycles.com/products/dia ... e-ec019008
Its scheduled to come here some time today...can't wait
From reading/advice seem to get a lot of bike for the money - air forks, decent brakes, etc and looks great.0 -
I'm with SS, the Fury at that price is a no brainer, you just won't get anywhere near the VFM, and even if it was £550 it would be among the best of the bunch, and with £150 in your pocket any upgrades can be easily justified!
SimonCurrently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.0 -
I've owned one of those fury's (they are an 08 model that continued into 09, the white ones are the '10 model) and it's a great bike, good fork, decent bits. At that money I wouldn't hesitate, it's spot on for what you need
only thing worth upgrading are the saddle (saddles are very personal things anyway) as the halfords ones are nasty and the tyres are bobbins (heavy and only any good in bone dry conditions)
other than that, get out and ride it"I get paid to make other people suffer on my wheel, how good is that"
--Jens Voight0 -
also take a look at the gt aggressor xc2 which i bought 12 months ago and i,m still riding it i ride it to work everyday which is 10 miles a day and it seems a very tough bike i have hit it so hard on bumps even jumped off steps and its still rideable
a few lads at work like my gt xc2 it also has a comfy seat too they are on sale at halfords for £424 which they normally retail at £499 they are 27 speed hydraulic brakes its never let me down in the 12 months i had it0 -
Personally i'd go for the kona kula - awesome hardtail, forget that its two years old you wont find anything better.
But the Fury is a good bike and I am yet to read about someone who isn't happy with it.
But if it were me and I could get away with a 16 inch frame (at 6 foot 3 it aint going to happen!) I'd take the kula.
Either way, enjoy, neither will leave you thinking you've made a mistake 0 -
So, the two final choices are:
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 1b7s2p1539 - Kona Kula 2008
And
http://www.thebikelist.co.uk/carrera/fu ... 2008/specs
Carrera Fury 2008
The Kona is £200 more expensive. Bearing in mind I know very little / nothing[!] can anyone with some knowledge tell me which is best and why. I think the forks on the Kona are better?0 -
The Kula is a racier, lighter bike, the Fury a bit more laid bike. Both are good value.0
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This thread confirms my current opinions with regards to circa £500 bikes... There's bloody millions of them! Loads of choice.
If it helps I'm looking at the following:
Carrera Fury
Diamond Back Apex 2009
Boardman Comp (£629 atm but looks worth the extra)
Saracen Mantra X27
I'll be buying in the new year though, so it'll probably all have changed by then.0 -
If you'r enot sure then perhaps it is best to get the cheaper bike, see how you get on and in 18 months look at getting something else.
Could you have a test of the Fury? If so have a go, see how it feels. If you like, get it, if you don't consider the Kula.0 -
yeah, that throws another spanner in. The Kula is £600 and the Boardman Comp is £629, so which is best of the two?
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 1b7s2p1539
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... 65499#dtab
My guess is the boardman?
I had a quick ride around the shop[!] on the Fury. I'm used to road bikes, so the Fury felt a little like a dirt bike to me and the stock tyres are about a foot wide! The Kula and Boardman seem to be racier / roadier as supersonic said. Obviously I need the option of riding on the road but I like to ride off road / steps / walls etc too as well as the woods and beach, so really no idea which will be best for that!0 -
the boardmans are great bikes 0
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A tip from the other thread
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Felt_ ... 360045878/
got to beat the boardman / fury?0 -
Midnight Tboy wrote:I was recommended this bike Diamondback Apex - in the 09 model
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... b38s2p1886
That's not bad at all. Shows what people mean about the Fury though, this DB has a couple of points that are better, a couple of points that are worse, and is maybe on balance slightly less good than a Fury but at least in the same ballpark- but it needs a huge discount to get there.
I'm sure you'll be very pleased with it 8)Uncompromising extremist0 -
so to those who know, is the Felt worth £200 more than a demo Fury 08?0
