New <£500 Bike!

Lewis A

Hi all,

My Giant has finally drifted beyond repair as I have wrecked my second pair of forks since october (this time they actually split in half) and have decided to buy a new bike rather than spending £40 on a new pair that will break just like the others. I now need a new bike. The price range i am looking at is sub-£500 bikes, for this money i would like at least hydraulic discs and a half decent frame worth upgrading over its life span. the budget depends on prices i get for ebay auctions. £500 is if i do well to be honest.

I have so far found 3 bikes that i am interested in.

Sunn Seasons S1

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=58992

Sunn Seasons S2

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=58991

Sunn Travis

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=58984

Obviously the S1 is the ideal bike at the moment but the price may not be achievable. the S2 is looking most likely currently and the travis is incase all else fails.

There are obviously weak points in all of the bikes specs ( S1 front derralieur, S2 front mech, brakes etc) but some parts may be upgradeable in the future. is there really much difference in quality between the seasons?

Please do help by giving suggestions and telling me where bikes go wrong.

Thanks in advance, Lewis

The Rookie

Carrera Kraken? http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... 65499#dtab

Better brakes, similar drivetrain and £150 left for upgrades......such as the Fork which isn't quite as good.

Simon

supersonic

Fury if gets reduced, Kraken or Rockrider 8.1.

Lewis A

The Beginner wrote:

Carrera Kraken? http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... 65499#dtab

Better brakes, similar drivetrain and £150 left for upgrades......such as the Fork which isn't quite as good.

Simon

Thanks ill take a look!

Lewis A

6 hours to the nearest decathlon store in glasgow may be a problem! are the bikes i had down any good?

supersonic

Not too bad: but mail order means you can't try anyway.

The Rookie

They are good, but if you wait for a Carrera Fury when it's next reduced, its better value for money.

Simon

Lewis A

supersonic wrote:

Not too bad: but mail order means you can't try anyway.

I tried a travis the other day at a skills course ( my village has a bike rental placey) after skills we went for a 4 mile ride and i was quite impressed, the front shifting wasnt very good and the fork was to tightly sprung but if i had air forks it wouldnt matter.

Lewis A

fury doesnt come in 16" and i need (want) a bike soon! how about a vengence or vulcan?

supersonic

Have you tried the Fury in 18?

The Vulcan and Vengeance are ok, but if you have 500 quid I would spend it.

Lewis A

supersonic wrote:

Have you tried the Fury in 18?

The Vulcan and Vengeance are ok, but if you have 500 quid I would spend it.

im 1 metre 62 so 18 inch prob would be too big. ill try one out though next time in inverness just in case i could afford it ( i have no idea how high these Ebay auctions will go but i do know what price to start on). I'm seriously considering the decathlon wether i will have enough for a 2011 or 2010 with 2011 kit i don't know.

y0.o!

What about the VooDoo Hoodoo?
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... 65499#dtab

EDIT: 100 pounds over your budget but worth a look at anyway - Genesis Core 10?
http://www.irvinecycles.co.uk/acatalog/genesismtb.html

Lewis A

y0.o! wrote:

What about the VooDoo Hoodoo?
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... 65499#dtab

EDIT: 100 pounds over your budget but worth a look at anyway - Genesis Core 10?
http://www.irvinecycles.co.uk/acatalog/genesismtb.html

or i could get a full suss with better forks and drivetrain for the same price and weight?
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 1b0s1p1748

my lbs stocks the genesis though it is too pricey yukon good?

or a ramones, heavy but upgradable
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop ... CM5102.htm

nozzac

£500 for that Yukon spec looks pretty good value for money. Bit heavy but no doubt you'd be able to knock a few pounds off if that proved to be a problem. Depends what sort of bike you want really doesn't it,

Lewis A

yeah but ill settle for anything thats xc/trail or am no preference over hardtail/full-suss but the yukon seems to have the best spec, be a similar price, and be a full suss, which isn't THAT heavy either. i think ive made my mind up that ill get the yukon if i can afford it.

supersonic

It weighs nigh on 35lbs with pedals. 7lbs more than some 500 quid hardtails.

Lewis A

supersonic wrote:

It weighs nigh on 35lbs with pedals. 7lbs more than some 500 quid hardtails.

yeah but the forks amd drivetrain are better than most and its a full-suss its also lighter than my current bike. it also seems like a solid frame to upgrade.

nozzac

Lewis A wrote:

supersonic wrote:

It weighs nigh on 35lbs with pedals. 7lbs more than some 500 quid hardtails.

yeah but the forks amd drivetrain are better than most and its a full-suss its also lighter than my current bike. it also seems like a solid frame to upgrade.

What enjoyment do you get out a drivetrain? Very little. Just buying better components doesn't necessarily make much difference to how suitable and enjoyable a bike is. Getting the best value for money at price point X likewise.

I don't see how you can buy a bike if you don't even have a preference over HT or FS since that difference is significant. A HT at the same price would be a very difference ride. Some people are more bothered by weight that others, typically XC riders who race. Some people are not bothered and benefit from the FS experience. Both valid points of view but you need to decide what you want out of the bike.

If you don't care how the bike rides at all, then you might as well go out and buy anything.

Lewis A

NozzaC wrote:

Lewis A wrote:

supersonic wrote:

It weighs nigh on 35lbs with pedals. 7lbs more than some 500 quid hardtails.

yeah but the forks amd drivetrain are better than most and its a full-suss its also lighter than my current bike. it also seems like a solid frame to upgrade.

What enjoyment do you get out a drivetrain? Very little. Just buying better components doesn't necessarily make much difference to how suitable and enjoyable a bike is. Getting the best value for money at price point X likewise.

I don't see how you can buy a bike if you don't even have a preference over HT or FS since that difference is significant. A HT at the same price would be a very difference ride. Some people are more bothered by weight that others, typically XC riders who race. Some people are not bothered and benefit from the FS experience. Both valid points of view but you need to decide what you want out of the bike.

If you don't care how the bike rides at all, then you might as well go out and buy anything.

yes but i am looking at slowly upgrading the bike. for now im not bothered to much about weight. it is still better to have a better drivetrain isn't it? i have no preference over ht or fs as i haven't ridden a fs since my 24" giant many years ago. this is only a bike i could go for if i have enough money i might also go for this if money is shorter:
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 1b4s2p2287

Lewis A

NozzaC wrote:

Lewis A wrote:

supersonic wrote:

It weighs nigh on 35lbs with pedals. 7lbs more than some 500 quid hardtails.

yeah but the forks amd drivetrain are better than most and its a full-suss its also lighter than my current bike. it also seems like a solid frame to upgrade.

What enjoyment do you get out a drivetrain? Very little. Just buying better components doesn't necessarily make much difference to how suitable and enjoyable a bike is. Getting the best value for money at price point X likewise.

I don't see how you can buy a bike if you don't even have a preference over HT or FS since that difference is significant. A HT at the same price would be a very difference ride. Some people are more bothered by weight that others, typically XC riders who race. Some people are not bothered and benefit from the FS experience. Both valid points of view but you need to decide what you want out of the bike.

If you don't care how the bike rides at all, then you might as well go out and buy anything.

yes but i am looking at slowly upgrading the bike. for now im not bothered to much about weight. it is still better to have a better drivetrain isn't it? i have no preference over ht or fs as i haven't ridden a fs since my 24" giant many years ago. this is only a bike i could go for if i have enough money i might also go for this if money is shorter:
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 1b4s2p2287

supersonic

Drivetrain is always last on my considerations, unless is a 7 speed freewheel.

Both Giant's are excellent value, but is a big difference in weight, and you'll feel it.

Also look at this for a lightweight XC bike:

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... Suspension

Lewis A

is the fork on the cannondale any good? how much does it actually weigh? i realy do like the look of the yukon. what is the culprit for the weight on the yukon? im not to bothered about weight but if im going to upgrade the bike later i would target parts that could be lighter. are there any other bikes around i could look at? im guessing a self build isn't realy possible when price is such an issue.

supersonic

The Cannodale is about 28lbs, and the fork is good.

The weight of the Yukon is in the frame.

Lewis A

supersonic wrote:

The Cannodale is about 28lbs, and the fork is good.

The weight of the Yukon is in the frame.

so no matter how much i upgrade the bike will still be reasonably heavy? is the frame on the giant actually worth upgrading despite being heavy? i was wondering if any of these bikes would take a bigger fork? just wondering. though if i wanted more travel surely the ramones or hoodoo would be better? the ramones looks like a nice (but heavy) bike. I'm guessing that would be sortable though as higher models aren't as heavy but have the same frame (excluding the crmo?) does anybody recommend it? it would be nice to have a bike that would let me progress into more adventurous riding (really enjoyed the balblair black trail). thanks for the feedback so far it has been really useful. i just read the description of the sunn (which i have ruled out) and it said it was an am bike! what rubbish!

97th choice

The Yukon fx1 is an great bike for the money, as already mentioned it is a bit heavy at 14.5kg or so, but having ridden one i would say that you don't notice it that much.

Components are decent and it's riding position is good, quite stable going downhill as well.

Only think I don't like about them is that the seat post won't drop that far.

Lewis A

97th choice wrote:

The Yukon fx1 is an great bike for the money, as already mentioned it is a bit heavy at 14.5kg or so, but having ridden one i would say that you don't notice it that much.

Components are decent and it's riding position is good, quite stable going downhill as well.

Only think I don't like about them is that the seat post won't drop that far.

so a good bike? im just waiting for someones opinion on the ramones before i make a decision

Lewis A

have just been offered a 2012 cube anolog (not yet released) for £550 at the end of august, i imagine that the spec is much the same as 2011, any good?

The Rookie

No 2011 analog on the official webby, so hard to say!

Merlin have excellent prices of Merida Matts right now £395 for the Pro is very good value.
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop ... S-PROD.htm

Simon

Lewis A

only 18" to big! i realy do want some advice on the ramones 3!

supersonic

What do you actually want from the bike? It is a heavy, hard hitting machine.

Previously it sounded like you wanted more of an XC/trail machine.

Lewis A

earlier i didnt think an am bike was available at this price the ramones would probably suit my kind of riding best. other riders in the area have things like evil sovereigns and the like. i do want to venture into some more aggressive riding. but if the ramones isn't a good bike ill make do for something like the cannondale or cube. ive decided the yukon is a bit heavy for a xc bike. the ramones is more of a respectable weight as its a hardcore ht and if the weight proved a problem i could always invest more money later (would probably be by the new year). im hoping to go to more trail centres like laggan and kyle of sutherland. is it any good?