Cube or Specialized?

fallingoff
fallingoff Posts: 332
edited April 2014 in MTB buying advice
I'm looking at a 29er via the bike to work scheme and am looking at the Cube Analogue or the Spec' Hardrock Disc sport.
£100ish more for the Cube but it does look better specced,any advice regarding these 2 appreciated?
I've always Spec' before,main uses will be canal/towpath but some road.
Thanks.
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Comments

  • Antm81
    Antm81 Posts: 1,406
    Any links?
    Trance 27.5 Hoodoo Her Scott Contessa Daughter's Vulcan
  • rockmonkeysc
    rockmonkeysc Posts: 14,774
    Anything other than a Hardrock, they are terrible for the price. The Cube is good.
    Transition Patrol - viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=13070235
  • stuartglover82
    stuartglover82 Posts: 35
    I picked up my Cube Sting 2 weeks ago and I'm mightily impressed with it. The build quality is great and the spec is decent.
    That said I have had a Spec' Rockhopper for the last 4 years and that is brilliant too, I've never had any serious problems with it.
    Only thing I could suggest is to get to your LBS and try them out.
    Cube Sting 140 Pro 29er 2014
    Specialized Hockhopper SL comp 2011
    Carrera Vulcan 2009 - retired
  • chrisw333
    chrisw333 Posts: 695
    Not the Hardrock.
  • kajjal
    kajjal Posts: 3,380
    Where are you buying from, we can take a look and make sone suggestions ?

    I will be honest and go by whether I like the look of the bike first, no point riding a bike you can't stand the look of ;)

    Then it is how it rides and finally to make the final decision price / spec. If it is bad value for money there is no point buying it.
  • rockmonkeysc
    rockmonkeysc Posts: 14,774
    I can't understand why people worry about what their bike looks like.
    You can't see it when you're riding it and when they're muddy all bikes look the same. The rest of the time it's in the garage so it doesn't matter then either.
    Transition Patrol - viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=13070235
  • marcus'73
    marcus'73 Posts: 41
    I got a Rockhopper Expert on Cycle to work a couple of years ago and my girlfriend bought a Cube about six months later. The Cube was the cheaper bike at list price but it had a better spec and the bearings etc are still going strong where as for example the Specialized could do with a second replacement set in the rear hub -I retired it from trail riding after a year or so when the bug bit and I up graded and only commute on it now, so the Cube has been exposed to much worse conditions on muddy winter trails and I've been impressed with the quality for the price.
  • fallingoff
    fallingoff Posts: 332
    Buying from Stows..Specialized
    Cube :D
  • chrisw333
    chrisw333 Posts: 695
    fallingoff wrote:
    Buying from Stows..Specialized
    Cube :D

    Of of those two, the Cube. The specialized is a disgrace.

    But if you really want a 29er, buy this instead
    http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165499

    or 650B this
    http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165499
  • Antm81
    Antm81 Posts: 1,406
    As above the cube is much better but the voodoo bizango from halfords in the link is better again.
    Trance 27.5 Hoodoo Her Scott Contessa Daughter's Vulcan
  • fallingoff
    fallingoff Posts: 332
    Chrisw333 both links are the same for me?
    Antm81 why is it better?.......A bike from Halfrauds?Thanks for the advice all... :D
  • rockmonkeysc
    rockmonkeysc Posts: 14,774
    Better components for the money on an equally good frame.
    At this sort of budget Halfords have some of the best bikes.
    Nothing wrong with Halfords, no worse than Evans or any other big chain. They have good shops and bad ones.
    Transition Patrol - viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=13070235
  • chrisw333
    chrisw333 Posts: 695
    Before you knock it look at the reviews on the Voodoo Bizango and Boardman 650b comp. Which were the two bikes that should have been linked. Both DRAMATICALLY better that the specialized and somewhat better than the Cube.
  • fallingoff
    fallingoff Posts: 332
    chrisw333 wrote:
    Before you knock it look at the reviews on the Voodoo Bizango and Boardman 650b comp. Which were the two bikes that should have been linked. Both DRAMATICALLY better that the specialized and somewhat better than the Cube.
    Not knocking them,I came on here for advice and you have given it,I just wanted some clarity and I appreciate time taken to reply.
    Again thank you. :D
  • fallingoff
    fallingoff Posts: 332
    The Boardman is unfortunately more than I budgeted to spend,I'll go to my local Half' tommorrow and have a look in the flesh.
    I did consider Boardman originally but I couldn't understand why cable disc's on the one I saw?Sort of negated them for the same money.
  • Antm81
    Antm81 Posts: 1,406
    RockmonkeySC wrote:
    Better components for the money on an equally good frame.
    At this sort of budget Halfords have some of the best bikes.
    Nothing wrong with Halfords, no worse than Evans or any other big chain. They have good shops and bad ones.


    As Rockmonkey said, I know a guy who used to work there, some of them are good but get fed up of the cheap apollos etc, he said it was like Christmas when they built the voodoos and boardmans along with the top end bikes that they will order in if asked. I have seen some bad builds from there but nothing that can't be put right yourself, I find the maintenance side of things part of the fun.
    Trance 27.5 Hoodoo Her Scott Contessa Daughter's Vulcan
  • fallingoff
    fallingoff Posts: 332
    When I was originally looking and considering my budget the Boardman range was the first I looked at but all the bikes they had (Maidenhead)in there looked like seconds,chipped paintwork and bits missing,rotors,levers,etc,and I do mean all the Boardmans pushed into a corner,I didn't ask why I just left.I then visited my LBS to look at the Specialized and was swerved towards the Cube.
    Sorry but my attitude towards Halfr's comes from here....Thanks...
  • rockmonkeysc
    rockmonkeysc Posts: 14,774
    Thats a bad Halfords. The shop I got my Boardman from was excellent. They were very helpful with sizing and spent time with me adjusting bars and saddle etc to make it feel right before I ordered one. They set it up spot on and made sure everything was right. After the six week service it felt like new. They replaced the freehub (Formula hub) under warranty after three months.
    Much better than my independent local shop which is not too good.
    Transition Patrol - viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=13070235
  • chrisw333
    chrisw333 Posts: 695
    In terms of Halfords and budget, there are usually a number of discounts for Halfords that can bring the price dowwn. Certainly Britsh Cycling membership is 10% (costs a tenner to join I thin?). There are often others on the interweb.

    This is the Boardman I was intending to link to:
    Boardman Mountain Bike Comp HT 650B 2014
    http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165499
    It has hydrailic brakes.

    But the Voodoo Bizabgo is very well regarded to.
  • fallingoff
    fallingoff Posts: 332
    chrisw333 wrote:
    In terms of Halfords and budget, there are usually a number of discounts for Halfords that can bring the price dowwn. Certainly Britsh Cycling membership is 10% (costs a tenner to join I thin?). There are often others on the interweb.

    This is the Boardman I was intending to link to:
    Boardman Mountain Bike Comp HT 650B 2014
    http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165499
    It has hydrailic brakes.

    But the Voodoo Bizabgo is very well regarded to.
    Like other shops I don't think they allow use of mutiple discounts,If that was possible I'd get it almost free :D
    I will visit them today and see what i can wangle off of them...cheers,That is a nice cycle BTW...just realised it's not a 29er...
  • chrisw333
    chrisw333 Posts: 695
    some people on here have got away with multiple discounts. Not sure how - depends on the shop I think.
  • muddpuppy
    muddpuppy Posts: 87
    There's a link somewhere explaining how to get 20% or more off the rrp on anything brought from halfords something I plan to do to get the fs pro for roughly £300 less than the stated price
  • fallingoff
    fallingoff Posts: 332
    Went to Hal's today they seem a bit hit and miss regarding stock,I must say I'm not impressed with the Boardman offered within my budget...cable disc brakes.....?
  • chrisw333
    chrisw333 Posts: 695
    edited April 2014
    it hasn't got cable disc brakes.

    How many times do you want me to post the link?
  • chrisw333
    chrisw333 Posts: 695
    Neither has the Voodoo Bizango. And as you don't seem to be able to be arsed to look up the review, here it is:

    http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/categ ... -13-47282/

    but go and buy the specialized. It's got a nice name and paint job.
  • Antm81
    Antm81 Posts: 1,406
    fallingoff wrote:
    The Boardman is unfortunately more than I budgeted to spend,I'll go to my local Half' tommorrow and have a look in the flesh.
    I did consider Boardman originally but I couldn't understand why cable disc's on the one I saw?Sort of negated them for the same money.


    Chris the one you put a link to doesn't but as fallingoff said that's out of his budget, the one in his budget does have mechanical discs.

    Your reaction does seem a little harsh too.
    Trance 27.5 Hoodoo Her Scott Contessa Daughter's Vulcan
  • chrisw333
    chrisw333 Posts: 695
    Antm81 wrote:
    fallingoff wrote:
    The Boardman is unfortunately more than I budgeted to spend,I'll go to my local Half' tommorrow and have a look in the flesh.
    I did consider Boardman originally but I couldn't understand why cable disc's on the one I saw?Sort of negated them for the same money.


    Chris the one you put a link to doesn't but as fallingoff said that's out of his budget, the one in his budget does have mechanical discs.

    Your reaction does seem a little harsh too.

    The Cube in his first link is £600. The Boardman RRP is £650. It's been said on here (and numerous places eleswhere on this forum) that discounts are available from Halfords. Most commonly the British Cycling discount which alone would bring it down to the price of the Cube.

    Is that clearer?
  • fallingoff
    fallingoff Posts: 332
    chrisw333 wrote:
    Neither has the Voodoo Bizango. And as you don't seem to be able to be arsed to look up the review, here it is:

    http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/categ ... -13-47282/

    but go and buy the specialized. It's got a nice name and paint job.
    That's poor..I did read the reviews thank you for posting,back to the Boardman,2 things it's not a 29er and it is above my budget,they will not give a discount coupled with the C2W because they get charged 20% for each voucher used..okay.
    There were no Voodoo Bizango's at the store so I can't comment.
    I came for advice and I read all given,I looked at £600 cycles and never considered above that for the reason as stated above,now much discount would you expect?
    Thanks Antm81 and ALL posters taking the time to post..
    :D
  • chrisw333
    chrisw333 Posts: 695
    I missed that you were on Bike to work. Can you even use Halfords?

    If you can then the Bizango is a good option. Get them to get one in and take a look.

    If not, then the Cube is pretty good option too. A friend has one and likes it a lot, but he's not into technical riding so not the best authority.

    Avoid the Specialized.
  • fallingoff
    fallingoff Posts: 332
    No worries as I said I was grateful for all the input..I'm by no means a technical rider,usually canal and towpaths I'm too old for nadgerry(?) trails.
    I can get 10% via work at Halfords,then 10 % via British cycling then paying -30 % via C2W or some calculation around there added together they'd owe me money.I tried getting work discount on a reduced roadie that's when they stated the single discount to me,always worth a try...I've yet to see the Bizango ,Slough didn't have one so I'll pop into Maidenhead tommorrow and ask them to get one if they haven't got one...but they all seem pretty disorganised lately.
    The C2W vouchers are distributed until later this month anyway so no real rush,cheers.

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