Which bike? Air or coil forks?

rcolliee

Hi,

I am new to mountain biking and I want to buy myself a new bike as my 8 year old Carerra is a little out of date. My question is what bike shall I get? My budget is £600 - £650 and I have nailed it down to 3 hard tails.

Carrera Fury
Saracen Mantra Pro
Boardman Comp HT 650B

I like the Saracen Mantra Pro the best but I am not sure the specs are as good as the other 2, especially the forks as the Mantra has coil forks and the other 2 have air forks. Which brings me onto the next question, air forks or coil forks? Which are better? I mostly ride cross country/trail with the odd jump.

P.S I am open to different bike suggestions other than the 3 I have listed.

Thanks

poah

check out decathlon and avoid anything with coil forks at that price

rcolliee

So you are recommending the rockrider bikes? Air forks are the way to go then?

rockmonkeysc

High end coil forks are good but at this price range get air if you can.

rcolliee

Okay so that puts the Saracen Mantra Pro out of the question. Iv'e been looking at the Rockrider bikes from Decathlon and they have got hydraulic forks? Also the Rockrider 520 S is a full suspension well with in my budget but is it any good?

rockmonkeysc

The hardtails are better

The Rookie

Hydraulic refers to the damping, air/coil the spring medium....

felix.london

Don't know the spec's of the bikes you've listed but I'm guessing this Radon is worth a look too;

http://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/radon-zr-team-27.5-7.0-237404/wg_id-8505

cubedean

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-56 ... 93151.html

This would be my choice, gives you a bit spare for some kit as well.

rcolliee

Okay let's make this easier, here are the specs for bikes I am looking at, which one is the best?

Carerra Fury

Wheel size - 27.5
Chainset - SRAM X5 GXP
Forks - Suntour Raidon XC LO R Air 120mm
Brakes - Avid DB1 Hydraulic Disc 180mm
Front Mec - SRAM X5
Rear Mec - SRAM X5
Gear Shifters - SRAM X5
Gears - 20

Saracen Mantra Pro

Wheel size - 27.5
Chainset - Shimano FCM 4000 Octalink
Forks - Suntour XCR 32 LO Coil 120mm
Brakes - Shimano M396 Hydraulic 160mm
Front Mec - Shimano Alivio M4000
Rear Mec - Shimano Alivio M4000
Gear Shifters - Shimano Alivio M4000
Gears - 27

Rockrider 560

Wheel size - 27.5
Chainset - Shimano Deore
Forks - Rockshox XC32 TK Solo Air 100mm
Brakes - Avid DB1 Hydraulic 160mm
Front Mec - Shimano Deore
Rear Mec - Shimano Deore
Gear Shifters - Shimano Deore
Gears - 27

The Rookie

The fork is the most important single component, the Fury and RR560 have forks that are pretty much on a par, have the same brakes, for me the Deore drivetrain just (only just) shades the X5 so would go for the RR, but really there is almost nothing in it between them, so it depends to an extent on price and convenience as well, not to mention which you like the look/feel of better.

dirkpitt74

RR and Fury are both good bikes.

Isn't the RR 26" wheel? (nothing wrong with 26" - I have the previous Fury).

Depend if you want 2x10 or 3x10.

I would say that the forks are pretty similar - again depend if you want 100mm (RR) or 120mm (Fury) travel.

Devyhead

Sorry to throw another bike into the mix, but how about the Voodoo Bizango? It's a 29er (take one for a test ride first), the spec's faIrly similar and it's had rave reviews. You'll have to be the right size though, as it's only in 18" and 20" frames
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/m ... in-bike-18