Budget Bike Opinions

red17racing
red17racing Posts: 25
edited October 2014 in MTB buying advice
Looking to pick up a mountain bike to play with over the winter (currently no experience with them) and planning on playing on bridlepaths and the like, so likely to be muddy / rutted but not to hard core at this stage. I've got a hybrid for commuting so looking for a basic hardtail to start with

Bikes I'm looking at are the Carrera Vulcan

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/m ... um-18#tab2

Voodoo Bantu

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/m ... 13-2014-18

or Cannondale Trail 7

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/can ... e-ec053948

as they are all about the same price range at the moment - any views on which is the better option

Comments

  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    The Vulcan is an OK bike, but not as good as the Bantu, the Cannondale is dreadful with a fork that has no place on something calling itself a mountain bike, it's a cynical marketing ploy using the 'dale name to sell something that should have a Apollo badge!
    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.
  • red17racing
    red17racing Posts: 25
    edited October 2014
    Had a look at the Bantu last night and looks the favourite - although they also had the Voodoo Hoodoo at £80 more which I could stretch to (I can get the BC 10% discount on these prices)

    Bantu £ 287

    http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/m ... 13-2014-18

    Hoodoo £359

    http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/m ... in-bike-18

    is it worth spending the extra on the Hoodoo?
  • rapid_donkey
    rapid_donkey Posts: 448
    Get the Bantu and save £80, then buy yourself a cheap Rockshox air fork off ebay, or even a new Raidon air fork.
  • red17racing
    red17racing Posts: 25
    Sounds like the way to go. Think the Bantu makes more sense at that price and can always upgrade sometime in the future.
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    To bring the Bantu up to on a par with the Hoodoo it needs decent tyre and better forks, even then the drivetrain will be not quite as good. If you are prepared to spend that then get the Bantu, otherwise get the Hoodoo.

    If you are going to change them, do it strait away so you can sell the takeoff parts 'as new'.
    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.
  • red17racing
    red17racing Posts: 25
    All sorted - went in to buy the Bantu and walked out having ordered the Hoodoo :?

    Looking forward to first ride now.

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