Budget Hardtail

snowden_88

Hi, following on from my last post. I've done no work all week because Ive been researching my 1st bike

My budget has gradually increased and I'v narrowed it down to 3. Have a look and let me know whats going to perform better and last longer. Thanks

http://www.sunsetmtb.co.uk/shop/index.p ... ory_id=121

http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/produc ... 20-%202011

http://www.sunsetmtb.co.uk/shop/index.p ... ory_id=146

I know alot of you will say "oh just spend that little bit extra and you can get x y z". I would, I really want a £900 bike but this is my 1st bike so got to stick to the £350ish. Not made of money. Got to stick to a budget really. Will use the bike for forest riding, dusty B roads but want something that can handle downhill modestly.

Sorry by the way for boring you all with another newbie thread.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks

cooldad

This is so much better value it's laughable.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165499

70s_kid

I had approx the same budget and can recommend the VooDoo Bantu from Halfords

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165499

It gets you air forks, and hydraulic brakes which are fantastic for the money.

Have a look at MBR June 2011 issue - Dirty Dozen. Six out of the 12 bikes have these brakes - and the highest rated bike in the £1000 category is a VooDoo!

snowden_88

Thanks for the recommendation cooldad, I did have a look at that but I'm not sure if Halfords do finance. I dont know what it is but theres just something about Halfords that I just dont trust?

Whatbike Mag doesn't rate the Kraken any higher than the GT Avalanche or the Hardrock to be fair though, I dont know if thats credible info though as I dont know what Im looking for really

If Halfords do finance then I will get that Anyone know if they do?

cooldad

I don't think they do, so get a credit card, buy the bike and tear up the card and pay it off.
At least one of the bikes you linked to was 7 speed with cheap V brakes and a dire fork. Don't do it.
And you are not buying Halfords, you are buying a really good bike at a silly price, that will actually do pretty much anyone could expect from a bike.

Do a search of the forum (use Google not the rubbishy forum search function) and see how owners here rate them.

tri-sexual

sorry mate, dont like any of your 3 choices
i would rather go with the voodo
if finances are tight why not look for a good second hand one for the same money, you will get a better bike with better components

rugah

I am in the same boar and just seen this is it too good to be true looks a baragin Hydraulic Discs, RockShox Dart1 only 24 gears though

appreciate any feedback

redmini2

The Gt Avalanche 3.0 you list at £339 is only £299 here http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b1s2p2461
Not a recommendation though no first hand experience.

rugah

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165499

Sorry never pasted the link earlier

snowden_88

That does look good. can anyone confirm?

supersonic

Yes. Some really good kit for the money: fork lets it down a bit.

Liam1611

Here you go get one of these and never look back.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2010-MONGOOSE-TYA ... 7dbc61f228

Regards

Liam

Slamdunkin

Try typing in this code for an extra 10% off the Carrera bikes MVCBIKES10

snowden_88

Does anyone know if the GT Avalanche 3.0 Disc can handle being pushed down hills. Mostly be doing light trails but I want something that can handle being pushed if needed.

Iv done some research and it seems the forks are pretty naff.

Iv got £350 to spend in Pauls Cycles. What does everyone recommend?

macky1

What about a Claud Butler Stone river for £350:

http://www.cheapelectricals.co.uk/acatalog/Claud_Butler_Stoneriver_XC_trail_for_more_demanding_Off_Road_riding.htmlhttp://www.cheapelectricals.co.uk/acatalog/Claud_Butler_Stoneriver_XC_trail_for_more_demanding_Off_Road_riding.html

Python isn't a brand I've heard of but £370 gets you 27-speed Deore (probably not full Deore though):

http://www.bikesandprams.co.uk/product.php?xProd=3166&xSec=1085

Both of the above have mechanical disks I'm afraid.

snowden_88

Narrowed it down to 2 now

GT Avalanche 3.0
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 1b1s2p2461

and

Voodoo Bantu
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165499

Now looking at the Voodoo because Halfords doing 10% off at the moment.

I like the GT but from what Iv read the forks are rubbish? I know the Bantu scored high in dirty dozen in 2009/10 but the prices are now £200 lower so must mean the spec has lowered too?

Is there much difference between the 2?

snowden_88

Narrowed it down to 2 now

GT Avalanche 3.0
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 1b1s2p2461

and

Voodoo Bantu
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165499

Now looking at the Voodoo because Halfords doing 10% off at the moment.

I like the GT but from what Iv read the forks are rubbish? I know the Bantu scored high in dirty dozen in 2009/10 but the prices are now £200 lower so must mean the spec has lowered too?

Is there much difference between the 2?

70s_kid

Ignore 2009 bantu, it's a different bike now at a lower budget, still a decent spec for the money though.