General Advice

Matt13.
Matt13. Posts: 6
edited April 2013 in MTB buying advice
Hi guys,

I just want a bit of advice on which bike to go for.

I'm sure you get fed up with these threads, but we've all got to start somewhere.

I will be using the bike for a mixture of off road and pavements bridle ways etc.

There are a few bikes I have my eye on.

Carrera Fury - http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165499

I was drawn to this more so than the others in Halfords. The guy said in his opinion, its a slightly better bike than the Boardman Comp. It also has the Avid Elixer brakes, which he said is better than a lot of the normal ones.

Boardman Comp - http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165499

I've not got a lot to say about this really. It looks nice, but is there a lot more spec than the Fury?

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

I am aware this bike gets rave reviews for the price etc. Having seen the bike, I honestly don't like the looks. Although if the others I have mentioned are not worth the extra, then I may be able to overcome this.

Fuji Nevada 1.0 - http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fuj ... e-ec031300

Just a another one I spotted while browsing. Although not got very good reviews by bike radar.
_______________________________________

So, which has the best spec for the money?

Are there any other bikes I should consider around that price bracket?

Comments

  • spr wheelie
    spr wheelie Posts: 110
    i belive the epicon fork on the bordman is sligtly better than than the radons on the voodoo and fury and a lot better than the xcr on the nevada.

    and what ive been told is when buying a bike the things to make sure you get the best of is fork frame and wheels.
    however the forks are what makes or brakes a bike at this price point so it should be the bordman.

    however with my money id proberly go with voodoo. or if you want to go slightly more hardcore hardtail the voodoo bokor is the same price as the fury with a 140mm epicon fork.
    sight 3 se
  • wmorgs
    wmorgs Posts: 113
    Hi Matt, I got a 2012 fury and its a great bike mate.
    Decent spec with decent weight, still ride this 50/50 as well as zesty .
  • Matt13.
    Matt13. Posts: 6
    Thanks.

    What other bikes did you consider when you bought the Fury? Also, what made you decide on the Fury?
  • chrisw333
    chrisw333 Posts: 695
    Good choices.

    But if you can afford, it I'd go with the Boardman.
  • Clank
    Clank Posts: 2,323
    Just to throw another into the mix, have you considered the Rockrider 8.1 from Decathlon?

    rockrider-81-2012-mountain-bike-grey-id_8168918.html

    It's less travel than the Boardman (100mm) but a better overall spec (brakes and gears), a good fork and for less cash.
    How would I write my own epitaph? With a crayon - I'm not allowed anything I can sharpen to a sustainable point.

    Disclaimer: Opinions expressed herein are worth exactly what you paid for them.
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    The Boardman is the best bike of the ones you've linked to, the RR 8.1 is excellent, you loose the air spring in the fork, but gain better damping.....
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • chez_m356
    chez_m356 Posts: 1,893
    Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc 10- CANYON Nerve AM 6 2011
  • Matt13.
    Matt13. Posts: 6
    edited April 2013
    Hi guys, why do you say go for the boardman over the fury?

    What is better about it? It's only £50 difference so its not a problem on the extra.

    I do prefer the looks of the Fury over Boardman and the RR 8.1
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    The Boardman has the Epicon fork, a much better fork (and lighter) than the Raidon on the Fury, the frame is also lighter than the Fury's (which is the same frame under the paint as the £300 Centos or £250 Subway), Both have Elixir1 brakes, both have SRAMX5, both use the same Formula wheels (even if the Fury uses Carreras own branding) but the tyres are also better on the Boardman, other componets are similar.

    To get the Fury to match the Boardman on tyres and forks would cost a lot more than £50, and it would still be a bit heavier.
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • Matt13.
    Matt13. Posts: 6
    Great thanks for all that info. Much appreciated.

    So out of the ones I've linked to the Boardman Comp seems to be the best.

    If I were to say which one, Boardman, RR 8.1 or the Cube LTD in the link earlier, which would it be and why?

    Can't you tell I'm a complete newbie to MTB :)
  • Clank
    Clank Posts: 2,323
    Matt13. wrote:
    Great thanks for all that info. Much appreciated.

    So out of the ones I've linked to the Boardman Comp seems to be the best.

    If I were to say which one, Boardman, RR 8.1 or the Cube LTD in the link earlier, which would it be and why?

    Can't you tell I'm a complete newbie to MTB :)

    If by newbie, you mean 'person who asks sensible questions and considers the answers' then yes, you're a newbie. Not the typical newbie, I'll grant, but a newbie none the less! :lol: Don't worry about it!

    If it was my money, I would actually go for the Cube (I've got long legs so I'd need the XL size - if you need the medium, you're about knackered). Ordinarily, the RR can hold it's own against most bikes in the 700-800 bracket, but for 600 quid, the Cube is a bargain. I like the all-Shimano set up on the Cube drive train (purely personal - IME the Sram X7 is very nice, I just prefer the Shimano - other folk are different) especilly with the XT rear mech, its got a better (and lighter) fork, the Easton finshing kit is good stuff, and I would prefer the Formula brakes over the Avids. Nice wheels too.

    I'm lucky that I don't have to go far to try either bike for size and fit, which could be an issue (I would recommend actually getting to a store and sitting on any of the bikes you want to buy).
    How would I write my own epitaph? With a crayon - I'm not allowed anything I can sharpen to a sustainable point.

    Disclaimer: Opinions expressed herein are worth exactly what you paid for them.
  • chez_m356
    chez_m356 Posts: 1,893
    Matt13. wrote:
    Great thanks for all that info. Much appreciated.

    So out of the ones I've linked to the Boardman Comp seems to be the best.

    If I were to say which one, Boardman, RR 8.1 or the Cube LTD in the link earlier, which would it be and why?

    Can't you tell I'm a complete newbie to MTB :)
    the cube, same as "clank" said, basically every component is better, but if this is a cyclescheme purchase, just noticed this on the link
    DUE TO EXTREMELY LIMITED STOCK WE ARE UNABLE TO OFFER CYCLESCHEME PURCHASES ON THIS BIKE IN SIZES 16" 18" 20"
    and 18'' is no longer available
    Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc 10- CANYON Nerve AM 6 2011
  • Matt13.
    Matt13. Posts: 6
    Ok. This isn't a Cycle Scheme purchase so I'm ok there.

    The only trouble is, I don't have anywhere close to me that I could try the sizes out on the Cubes. You can bet your life I'd need the 18"

    Think I will be best sticking to the ones I've listed so far. However, I did originally want a Cube Acid 2012 in Black and White. Can't seem to find one though.