Calibre Two.Two v Kona Fire Mountain - Help Out A Newbie

ChTian

Hi all

Having mountain biked a fair amount between the ages of 12 and 18 I'm now looking to get back into it and back on the bike at the age of 24.

At least to start with I won't be going for anything too hardcore so I'm looking for something entry level. Rightly or wrongly I'm looking for a hardtail, as light as possible with disc brakes and Rockshox sus (am I right to single out Rockshox? I haven't heard too many great things about Suntour which seem to be standard on entry level bikes?). My budget for this is at most £500, though I'd rather spend closer to the £400 level.

Having looked around endlessly the two bikes that are top contenders are:

Kona Fire Mountain 2013
http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/kona-fir ... 73461.html

OR

Calibre Two.Two
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/calibre-two ... ke-p275612


The Calibre is obviously a lot cheaper and is a less reputable name but has had some great reviews from what I've seen. They both appear to have the same suspension so not being familiar with the differences in the rest of the bikes spec would anyone be able to help out a newbie?

Also, an additional question - I'm 6'1+ and the Calibre only comes in 20'' and 23'' frame, while the Kona is only available in a 22'' frame. I know it's all about the fit when you ride it but any idea which of these would suit me better?

Thanks for any help

Cqc

Mbuk said that the calibre was the best sub £500 bike they have ever tested so...

Cookeh

Calibre is very well reviewed and has a marginally better drivetrain - forks on both, arguably the most important thing at this budget, are the same however and are both pretty mediocre. Suntour do make some decent budget forks, but I would take the XC28 over them.

cooldad

£500
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... 65499#tab2

£400
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165499

Martin19681968

Last years voodoo hoodoo had a air fork,although some people prefer the X3 Raidon. Also a few on ebay if you want to save a few ££££££'s

midgehulluk

Id get yourself down to gooutdoors if possible and have a look at the two two, i doubt you Will find a better spec unless you go second hand. Which ever bike you choose make sure its the right size for you mate.

kerbbumper

Best advice,

get the two.two, but apply for the go outdoors card £4 for the year and you can buy the bike for £339.00

Incredible stuff

I went to get it myself but only go as low as an 18" frame so rules me out for so many good bikes. The voodoo range at halfords is also superb, the bizango is a top choice if you sneak up to 600 or the rockrider 8.1 £535.

buddy_club

The website for the Kona says they have 18" and 16" as well?

Had a go on one of the Calibre's that a mates got and was pleasantly surprised at how plush it was.

Vigzey

Hello, newbie here to! I bought the Calibre two-two a couple of weeks ago following mtb's 5 star review. I wanted an affordable entry level bike that would get me out at the weekend to escape the stresses of running my own business etc. After tackling one of my local trails last weekend I was left feeling pretty impressed with my purchase. Ok, so it may not do much for my cred with the more serious riders out on the trail, but for £339 the Calibre offers plenty more than it should do for the price! At 6ft tall I opted for the 20" frame which felt spot on. Can't wait for the morning to arrive now so I can get out on it again!

mahesket

Same here, bought the two.two just before Christmas used it in anger the first time last weekend at Sherwood pines and it performed faultlessly.

Really impressed for the money, although I can see this isn't going to be a cheap hobby, probably spent another £200+ easily on kit, tools, pump, lock, lights, helmet, spares (pads, tubes) etc. But still cheap for all that and a bike, less than £600.

Bike cost £324 with discounts

zulu12

I have a 16"Fire Mountain, standard spec is not bad for entry level and a tight budget.Its enough to get you going but as your ability improves, you will start breaking things and wanting to upgrade.

I have succeeded in destroying the factory fitted drivetrain and changed the standard FSA cranks for XTR Hollowtechs, with a 1 X 10 and Shimano Zee rear mech & shifter. On the controls side, I changed the standard FSA 660mm bars for a pair of 760mm Bontrager Rythms with a Thompson X4 50mm stem and I now have a trail weapon that keeps up with most big hitters 5 times the price. Frame is good but change the rest as you go.

My missus doesn't know its upgrade by stealth.

The Two Two also had good write-ups.

Its a tough call, there is a lot out there and I think all who have responded on this have mentioned the usual suspects Decathlon, Go Outdoors and Halfrauds, good luck.

Contented

Vigzey wrote:

Hello, newbie here to! I bought the Calibre two-two a couple of weeks ago following mtb's 5 star review. I wanted an affordable entry level bike that would get me out at the weekend to escape the stresses of running my own business etc. After tackling one of my local trails last weekend I was left feeling pretty impressed with my purchase. Ok, so it may not do much for my cred with the more serious riders out on the trail, but for £339 the Calibre offers plenty more than it should do for the price! At 6ft tall I opted for the 20" frame which felt spot on. Can't wait for the morning to arrive now so I can get out on it again!

Thanks to our friends at Go Outdoors for this helpful infomercial.
Good bike though, I'd been looking at roughly this price point for a bike for my nephew and the Two Two looked to be the best until we experienced their customer service over the terrible Compass brand bike he bought there previously.
I've gone right off that place, but would still begrudgingly throw my 2cents in and add another vote for the Calibre for the money.

Prepare for staff that make even the most unenthusiastic Halfords workers look like customer champions and bag yourself a decent bike. Just pray it doesn't need to go back. We're not taking the risk and are going for the £359 Voodoo that Cooldad has linked to.