Advice on the buy

woody92

Hey everyone I'm new to mountain biking, did a bit of BMXing when I was younger etc but never really dabbled into anything past that. I'm looking for a bike that would be suitable for road and off road rides so I can shift a few pounds and also get fit.

I've been looking at a few bikes and I've been down halfords tonight and I've seen the Carrera Centos and I've also been looking around online and I seen the Rockrider 5.3 2011 & Rockrider 5.3 2012.

Here are the links below to each bike

Rockrider 5.3 2011 ( With a £80 discount )

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-53 ... 68118.html

Rockrider 5.3 2012

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-53 ... 06682.html

Carrera Centos limited edition 2012

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... 65499#tab2


I'm looking for the bike that would be the best for road and off road ( across country and stuff like that ) so if you guys could please give me some information and help me on my choice that would be fantastic, thanks!

I've got a price range of around £300 so anything around that would be great.

Thanks in advance!

Clank

Just found this in our own for sale ads:
viewtopic.php?f=40089&t=12867932

It might not be the right size for you, but gives you an idea of what can be had for your budget second hand.

I can't say much on the bikes you've chosen, accpet that in these parts the Rockriders are definately a favourite. If you can get yourself to a Decathlon store - swing a leg over one and see if it fits (whihc can be as important as the spec!)

Hope that helps! If only a little!

chez_m356

get the RR5.3 2011 and save the £80, no point paying the extra for the 2012, same bike different colour scheme

woody92

Even though that bike looks very nice I like the idea of buying a brand spanking new bike rather than a second hand. Another problem I have is that I can't get to a Decathlon store to try the bike out as the closest store to me is in Scotland and I'm Newcastle. I think the 20 frame should be fine from what I've been trying in halfords today and many bikes.

Also what sets the 5.3 2011 apart from the carrera centos?

70\ʹspenguin

I dont think there is much between the RR or the Carrera. RR has slightly better drivetrain. Carrera has heavier fork, but both bikes are fairly equal.

Personally id get the RR 2011 and use the money you could have spent on the carrera for a helmet and pump etc!

woody92

Thanks for the advice, I would go for the RR 5.3 2011 but with no store arond my area I'll not be able to see if the big 'fits' me.

I've also been looking around and I've found http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... e-ec030131 would this compete with the other bikes that I have listed above?

thanks

cooldad

Terrible. Rubbish fork, mediocre components, right down to steel handlebars.
And heavy.

woody92

Ok from what I've read so far from you guys and elsewhere, the RR 5.3 2011 is the bike that I would go for, but as I can't get to a decathlon store It seems risky to order a 20 size RR 5.3 even though the Centos 20 fits me perfectly.

After having a think and look about I've came to the decision that I might be able to stretch the cash out in order to get the Carrera Vulcan? Would this be a decent move?

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

What do you guys think?

cheers

70\ʹspenguin

Both the Halfords bikes are good starters. For an extra £50 you get an upgrade to hydraulic brakes. The gear upgrade seems too marginal to mean anything. For £50 you could perhaps get some better brakes and fit them yourself?

Which ever you chose they will be decent.