Typical newbie...

MasterYoda

...seeking advice.

I'm looking to get back into cycling, which I used to do a lot. Previously, it was mostly trails, whearas now it also has to be capable of short road journeys too. I'm looking at this as a way to train and get my fitness back after a long period on the sidelines - I'm still unable to run, but cycling is ok.

So, what should I go for? I like the Vulcan, but would a hard tail MTB be a wise choice for what will essentially be hybrid-type use (mix of trails/paths and roads for commuting)? I know it's a bit heavy. £350 is the maximum I can put into this just now (for the bike).

I also like the Carrera Subway, but it just seems like a lot less value for money than the Vulcan, despite being a proper hybrid and perhaps being better suited to a mixed use situation.

I'm a bit out of touch with other brands, but have also considered going cow the Triban 3 route, though that would limit my off-road usage. Basically, I'm looking for something that will fit my needs, hold a bit of value with good care and come into my price range.

One thing I noticed about the Vulcan - on the web, it doesn't seem to come in any colour options, yet my local store had the one with green detailing, and another with blue detailing. Any ideas what's going on there?

I'm 5ft 10".

Thanks in advance!

The Rookie

Vulcan is a good buy, consider also the Voodoo Bantu.

Rockrider 5.3 from Decathlon is another good one in that price range.

You could look at the Voodoo Marasa, its a Hybrid with wider tyres for off road use but they are the larger 700c/29er rim size so roll much faster. The bike is a bit heavier (wheels and tyres mostly) but it does roll much better, the nephew has one and is loving it's all round useablity.

montyburns56

I'd recommend the Voodoo Marasa as well, as it is more suited to the road than the Vulcan plus the brakes are Shimano hydraulics which are much better than the Clarks on the Vulcan. There's also the Carrera Crossfire range to consider if you want a hybrid.

MasterYoda

Thanks guys. I hadn't really considered the Marasa, but it looks like a good buy. Is it the general consensus that this would be a better purchase for my needs than the Vulcan? Will the lack of shocks limit the use off-road? I'm not talking mountain terrains, but still.

Thanks for the help! Looking to buy quite soon. Is the £359 acceptable for the Marasa? I suppose it's not the right time to be looking for deals!

MasterYoda

Also, regarding the Marasa, I'm 5' 10", so guessing the 20" is the best size?

How does it compare to this: http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/product ... tAodBRoA3g ?

supersonic

How far is your commute?

MasterYoda

10-20 miles.

The Rookie

Each way?

For over 10 miles each way no way would I ride a proper MTB, the Marasa or even a skinny wheeled hybrid (Carrera Gryphon) or road bike.

The Marasa will cope fine with gravel tracks, I take my Gryphon on gravel tracks without issue.

MasterYoda

No, I meant 10-20 miles all in. Most days, it would be just under 10 miles total (5 each way), but if I felt like the extra ride, I could skip one section of the journey (normally go via train) and take it to a 20 mile journey in total.

The way your post is worded, it sounds like you wouldn't recommend even the Marasa or Subway for that long a journey? Correct ?

supersonic

Is a hard one to call - personally I'd get an MTB as will perform better off road - you'll lose a little on the roads, but 5 miles is not too far at all, and easy if you are fit.

danlikesbikes

I ride about 5 miles out and the same back to get to our local trails & my MTB does me fine. Can't imagine it would cause you any issues if doing that distance as a commute & once you get your fitness up can easily see doubling the distance being within your grasp

MasterYoda

So, should I ditch the Marasa and go for the Vulcan (despite the better breaks on the Marasa)? Obviously I'll get the shocks benefit on the Vulcan. Just can't decide what to do!

supersonic

I'd look at this:

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

MasterYoda

I've considered that decathlon, but thought I'd be better off with the Voodoo/Carrera due to the hydraulic brakes.

supersonic

They cost more though - and the Clark are not that good anyway. At least you can see if you get on with the cable brakes, upgrading will not be costly and you'd have a good bike with a better gearset and fork (compared the Vulcan). The Bantu is worth it if you can stetch to it.

MasterYoda

After past experience with cable brakes, I'd rather go for the lower maintenance hydraulics.

I guess I'm just trying to decide between better brakes (Marasa) v front shocks (Vulcan, or at a stretch the Bantu). I don't think I can go to £400 though - unless someone has a discount code for Halfords!

Argh, decisions!!!

supersonic

I'd still get the Rockrider. A pair of Alivio hydro brakes can be had for 60 quid - this takes it to the same price as the Vulcan, but you'd have a better fork and parts.

MasterYoda

Interesting, given it's cheaper than the others. It doesn't seem to get as much praise or even just reviews as the Carrera/Voodoo. I've never fitted hydraulic brakes, so that's another deterrent I guess. Any other suggestions in the price range I've not considered. Specialized, GT etc?

Thanks for your help.

MasterYoda

Hoping to make a decision today, but still struggling!

Here are my options:

1. Rockrider 5.1 (XCR 100mm lockout fork by SR Suntour, SRAM X-5 shifters; Shimano C050 front derailleur; SRAM X-5 rear derailleur SRAM PC951 chain, HAYES MX5 cable disc brakes)

Personal cons: don't love the white design - would really like hydraulic brakes. £299.99

2. Carrera Gryphon (Tektro Lyra mechanical disc brake, Front Mech: Shimano FD-R440, Gear Shifters: Shimano SL-R440 trigger shifters, Pedals: Wellgo Alloy pedals with toe clips, Rear Brake: Tektro Lyra mechanical disc brake, Rear Mech: Shimano RD-2300)

Personal Cons: Unsure of the fork, would prefer hydraulic brakes. £315 after discount.

3. Carrera Vulcan (SRAM S200 3.0 chainset, Fork travel: 120mm, Forks: Suntour XCM-V3 hydraulic damping and lockout, Front Brake: Clarks SX hydraulic disc brake, Front Mech: Shimano FD-M190, Gear Shifters: SRAM X4 trigger shifters, Pedals: Wellgo alloy platform with toe clips, Rear Brake: Clarks SX hydraulic disc brake, Rear Mech: SRAM X4 rear mech)

Personal cons: none, but advised here that the forks aren't the best. £315 after discount.

4. Carrera Crossfire 2 (Chainset: Suntour CW-XCC, Forks: Suntour NVX 700c Suspension fork with 75mm of travel, Front Brake: Tektro IO Mechanical disc brake, Front Mech: Shimano FD-TX51, Gear Shifters: Shimano ST-EF51-7 trigger shifters, Pedals: Wellgo Alloy pedals, Rear Brake: Tektro IO Mechanical disc brake, Rear Mech: Shimano RD-M310)

Personal Cons: Again, non hydraulic brakes. £270 after discount.

5. Carrera Subway (Suntour CW-XCT V2, Forks: Straight blade steel fork, Front Brake: Tektro IO Mechanical disc brake, Front Mech: Shimano FD-M191, Gear Shifters: Shimano ST-EF51-7 EZ Fire trigger shifters, Pedals: Wellgo Alloy pedals, Rear Brake: Tektro IO Mechanical disc brake, Rear Mech: Shimano RD-M310)

Personal cons: non hydraulic brakes, forks not as good. £250 after discount.

6. Voodoo Marasa (Shimano FC-M311, Forks: Alloy with chromoly steerer, Front Brake: Shimano BR-M445 hydraulic disc with 160mm rotor, Front Mech: Shimano FD-M310, Gear Shifters: Shimano Acera SL-M360 24spd, Hubs: Formula 32 hole Q/R disc hub, Pedals: Wellgo LU313 alloy black, Rear Brake: Shimano BR-M445 Hydraulic disc 160mm rotor, Rear Mech: Shimano Acera RD-M360, Rims: Double wall black 32 hole disc rim, Tyres: Innova 700X45C tyres)

Personal cons: none, but advised that the forks aren't great again. £315 after discount.

7. Voodoo Bantu (Shimano FC-M311, Forks: 120mm Suntour Raidon air suspension fork with lockout, Front Brake: Shimano BR-M445 Hydraulic disc 180mm rotor, Front Mech: Shimano FD-M310, Gear Shifters: Shimano Acera SL-M360 24spd, Hubs: Formula 36 hole Q/R disc hub, Pedals: Wellgo LU313 alloy black, Rear Brake: Shimano BR-M445 Hydraulic disc 160mm rotor, Rear Mech: Shimano Acera RD-M360, Rims: Double wall alloy black 36 hole disc rim, Tyres: Innova 26 x 2.1 tyres)

Personal cons: more than I want to pay. £360 after discount.

So, these are the options I can see, unless there is something I'm missing. I'm not immediately clued up on the chain sets, gears etc. That said, the difference in quality and the price I subsequently pay has to be relative to the journeys I'm going to do on the bike. It won't be used for racing or competitions, just for me to go ride and get my fitness up, with the occasional commute as outlined above.

I do care about how it looks, and like the greys/silvers in some of the bikes. Sad to say I'm really put off the RockRider as I don't like the white. Not the most important, but when you're paying this money, you do want to like the product you buy!

When I came into this, the one thing I was after was hydraulic brakes for better stopping and less maintenance. That said, I'm not sure whether to sacrifice better forks/gearing for that - it all has to be relative to what I'm going to use it for.

Help!

supersonic

Bantu for me. Best fork.

MasterYoda

I had a feeing you would say that. 2nd and 3rd place? It is more than I want to pay just now. Is the improvement of the fork over the others going to make a huge difference to my type of riding (above)? Same for the chain sets/gearing etc...?

Is there anything the RR 5.3 has over the Bantu?

Cheers for your continued patience. I promise pics of the winning beast in action and me on my road to recovery haha.

MasterYoda

Sorry to post again, but I came across this Claud Butler bike (http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Claud-Butler-Sh ... _52057.htm) and it seems like a great buy to me at the price.

For the minute the options are:

1. Voodoo Bantu £360
2. Rockrider 5.3 (if only the 8.1 was cheaper...) £299
3. Claud Butler Shamen £319

I am buying tonight, I promise!

roverthehill

Bantu is grand for an extra 60 quid. Hydraulics are a gd job. Depends if ur going to do any off-road. You could look for 2nd hand stuff but you need to be real careful and know what to look for. Bargains to be had but you can also pick up a piece of Crap. Buy the bantu and stay off the beer for a couple of weeks.

MasterYoda

Stay off the beer? Haha.

I've found someone offering this for £329. To my untrained eye, it seems like a great deal - but is it too good to be true?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brand-New-201 ... 2328730110

I'm not sure what's the better brakes/fork.

supersonic

It's still the Bantu that is leaps ahead of the others. Then the Rockrider.

MasterYoda

supersonic wrote:

It's still the Bantu that is leaps ahead of the others. Then the Rockrider.

It just seems a bit on the heavy side. Would you mind telling me why it's so much better?

supersonic

Air suspension fork - is lighter, highly adjustable - a long way above the units found on all but the Rockrider (which is competant, but coil). The forks on the others are poor at best. Add in the good drivetrain, and hydros as standard, then it can be seen is the best value, best performing bike here for little extra.

MasterYoda

I see. Thanks for the info - much appreciated. By knowing what's better, I can limit the search.

Would you say I'd be hard pushed to find a better bike at that price then? Should I be concerned about the weight?

supersonic

It's about the same weight as the others in reality. Is the best bike at its price.

MasterYoda

Thanks. How do I tell the difference between the Suntour forks? For example, if a bike has "Suntour XCM RL forks with remote lock out", it appears very generic and you're unable to find much specific on the actual fork.

supersonic

The range goes: XCC, XCT, XCM, XCR, Raidon, Epicon.

XCC and XCT are absolutely dire. XCM and XCR without the hydraulic version of the lockout are also crap. But even then they can vary a bit, but the XCR is generally the better made and smoother fork.

The Raidon is a nice step up. Adjustable hydraulic rebound damping makes it controlled, and of course have the air spring and lockout.