£400 hardtails

MikeB1986

Is it worth upgrading my £150 full suspension now, or waiting a couple of months and putting another couple of hundred in for something better

I've been looking at a GT Avalanche , is there much to gain going for a 2.0 over a 3.0 with hydraulic discs. Prices I've found a 2010 3.0 for £372 or 2011 2.0 for £420. I cant see much difference other than the price, both locking adjustable forks, hydraulic discs, 24 speed.

Other options Mongoose Tyax Elite and Landrover Experience both £385 for 2011 models, around £330 for last years model

Will I get much noticeable improvement for another £200, or should one of these last me a while and be upgrade-able somewhere down the line? I do about 80-100 miles a week about 50/50 road/trail

Also is there any real downside to buying last years models. Thanks

Greer_

links?

leaflite

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_518223_langId_-1_categoryId_165499#dtab

The Rookie

At that price point, a couple of hundred pounds makes a huge different to spec, £400 to £600 is after all 50% more!

Sub £600 - Carrera Fury and watch out for it being on offer!

Simon

Si1988

The extra £200 is definitely worth the spend if you can stretch it. You'll find parts on a £400 bike breaking not much less frequently than on a £200 bike. At that "entry level" pricepoint you often find all you're paying for is brand names, it's still below par kit, but with a nice badge on it. As youre doing quite alot of miles then I'd definitely spend the extra cash.

Moving up to the £600 mark you're free to pick from a variety of well-specced bikes that cater to different styles of riding, If picked carefully the bike wont even have a particularly weak department, which is often the fork at this price. I believe halfords have at least two bikes in their under-£600 range equipped with air forks, and a similarly up to scratch spec.

Last year's model is the way I went, and I'm very glad I did. At this price bracket, the Latest advancements in tech have rarely filtered down yet, You'd struggle to find tapered head tubes and 10-speed gearing on most 2011 bikes in this range. I found I got ALOT more kit for my money.

I'd say sit on the money youve got, and while you're saving up, get scouting around for the ideal bike. As mentioned before, the carrera fury at halfords is a great bike for the money, and is in it's end of line sale, if you check daily you may well see the price plummet, it went down to about £440 a few weeks back. Check out pauls cycles too, very good offers, often in limited sizes though but great prices.

leaflite

For up to £600:

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s2p1938
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s2p2231


and the carrera fury that others have mentioned

Indranil

I am in the same boat as you - sheer confusion from the plethora of choices out there. My budget is £500, absolute maximum, and these get my vote, though I am waiting for BR experts like Supersonic and Nick to comment on these:

1) Vitus Bikes Nucleus 0.2 2011 - £489
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=49194
2) Specialized Hardrock Pro - £499
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... e-ec023874

Supersonic will tell you to go for Rockrider 8.1 (£499) though. I have a halfords c2w voucher and can't get a Decathlon bike.

snowden_88

2010 GT 3.0 is £299 at Pauls Cycles

MikeB1986

Thanks for advice, not what I wanted to hear but I'd assumed I would. If I could scrape together another hundred would I be going up much? I'd rather get something soon so I can use it this summer.
Someone linked a Carrera Kraken 09, is that looking like a good buy? or am I still in that same entry level bracket?

That Decathlon 8.1 is looking nice too. And the Specialised Hardrock was one I looked at and put out because it was out of my budget. I'll definately keep an eye on that Carrera Fury since a few people have mentioned it, out of those 3 (assuming the Fury price drops to around £500) which is a better buy

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/hardrock-pro-disc-2011-mountain-bike-ec023874
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_518245_langId_-1_categoryId_165499
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/8-1-2011-172069577/

Thanks

leaflite

Out of those 3, the decathlon 8.1 has the best spec

Slamdunkin

If you add the promo code NUSAUG11 at the checkout even for reserve and collect, it will knock a further 10% off Halfords bikes...bringing in the Kraken at £314.99 and fury for £521.99.

You can also go through quidco for a further cashback of 3%

waby1234

I picked ny fury up for £495, fantastic bike, the fork alone is worth a significant amount

Indranil

I picked ny fury up for £495, fantastic bike, the fork alone is worth a significant amount

When did you buy your Fury?

waby1234

Indranil wrote:

I picked ny fury up for £495, fantastic bike, the fork alone is worth a significant amount

When did you buy your Fury?

In May, picked up a 10% discount voucher. Cheapest I've seen is £449 though (in June)

MikeB1986

thanks for that discount code

The 09 kraken is looking like a bargain at £315, but it would mean finding a ride to Sheffield (80 odd miles one way) to pick one up.
The fury has had £40 knocked off it today so its at £540 now, £486 with that discount code. That would be just an 80 mile round trip

Does anyone know what the Voodoo bikes are like from Halfords? I was looking at the Hoodoo in store the other day and they do look nice, read a few good reviews too . £499 so with a student discount it comes out at £450

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_786847_langId_-1_categoryId_165499#dtab

Indranil

VooDoo HooDoo is a very good bike too for the money. Just that its 1 kg heavier than the Hardrock pro and Fury.