£400ish confused :s

mmmcheese
mmmcheese Posts: 52
edited May 2013 in MTB buying advice
Hi everybody

I'm looking for a new bike around £400 as mine was stollen recently. I've read the sticky and also been to my local shop and asked but it didnt really help much. There's so much around at this price it's very confusing.

I'm looking for something I can ride around town 25+ miles a week and the occasional 20-30 miles and weekends. Mostly its just bumpy roads and light off-roading but I ride pretty aggressively and want somthing thats not going to fall apart, preferable low matenance too. I'm not worried about lots of gears as i dont use them anyway. I've linked a couple of bikes below that I like the look of but really dont know what im looking at :s
Any help and suggestions would be appriciated, Thanks.

Carrera Vulcan Mountain Bike 2011/2012 -
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... 65499#tab1

GT Avalanche 4 2013
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=96191

Comments

  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    The Carrera.
    The GT has a nasty clunky fork.
    I don't do smileys.

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  • mmmcheese
    mmmcheese Posts: 52
    thanks for the reply is the carrera decent for the money? or is there somthing else i should be looking at?
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Voodoo Bantu at that price point, air fork and proper 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.
  • mmmcheese
    mmmcheese Posts: 52
    I found the comparision but it doesnt really mean alot to me.. i saw the carrera has hydraulic damping and read that was a good thing in the sticky thread? clarkes brakes v Shimano?

    http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... CompareCmd
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Vulcan is good; Bantu is better.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

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  • mmmcheese
    mmmcheese Posts: 52
    looking more into the bantu and saw the 2013 hoodoo is only £90 more and looking at reveiws is worth the upgrade.. unless im missing somthing..
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    If you have the money, spend it, the Hoodoo is another good step up.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Apart from weight (about an extra kilo), the bantu rides pretty much like most bikes costing twice as much, new tyres will shed a chunk of that weight anyway!
    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.
  • mmmcheese
    mmmcheese Posts: 52
    hi guys thanks for the replys so far..

    I just have the letter thorugh for the insurance and they have sent me a cheque rather that vouchers that they said they would. This means I could get something 2nd hand.

    Am I going to be able to get alot more for my money 2nd hand?
    And if so what should i be looking for?
  • mmmcheese
    mmmcheese Posts: 52
    just seen this bike for £500

    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pin ... e-ec035897

    how does it compare with the hodoo for 459.99?

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