carrera vulcan ?

mcgann_77

hi all ive been looking for a while now at getting a mountain bike and did have things narrowed down to a voodoo bizango but my local store don't have an 18 inch frame one in stock so I can sit on etc and as it is a 29 er have been advised I really need to as with the bigger wheels that may be too big.i also noticed the Carrera Vulcan down there which looks a nice enough bike but what is it like....I like the look etc but wondered if it is decent and has decent running gear that isn't going to need constant fiddling about with.i will be riding mainly dirt tracks and little bit of road riding.unlikely to be hitting mountain bike specific trails much as my nearest that I know of is quite a way from me.i don't want to have to spend more than I need but understand that buying too cheap can be bad and as I know little about these bikes I thought id ask the people on here who do know what they are looking at.thanks.

kyle17290

I would stick with the bizango afterall it won mbr bike of the year, vulcan is a decent bike though. Just my two cents.

kevinscott

If you are looking at the Voodoo Bizango...for the same price you can get the Carrera Fury which is the top spec Carrera. Which is listed as pretty much the best beginner trail bike, and comes with 650b(27.5inch) wheels. I looked at one the other day, it looks pretty sweet to me.

The Rookie

Its the frame dimensions that fit you, nothing to do with wheel size.

Have you tried phoning around other nearby Halfords?

The Vulcan is nowhere near as good as the Bizango, as suggested look towards the Fury as the nearest option.

mcgann_77

thanks for the replies guys.it seems then that the bizango is probably the best bike mentioned? I have also been advised to look at a Carrera kraken....would you put the bizango on top out of these bikes ?
I haven't tried ringing other Halfords stores...I might ask them to get get an 18 " frame bizango so I can at least sit on it .

kevinscott

The way the Carrera brand is, from Bottom to top is
Valour £249
Vengeance £299
Vulcan £349 (I think)
Kraken £449
Fury £599

The Fury is the closest comparison....There is a reason why the Bizango won Hard Tail of the year. I had a 2013 Kraken and thought it was an amazing bike, wish I had used it more that twice. I dont think you would be disappoined with the Kraken, just the other two bikes are better.

dirkpitt74

Fury is a good bike - I have the previous 26" wheel version.
Bizango is also a cracking bike - couple of the guys I ride with have them.

mcgann_77

Thanks for replies all.I went to halfords again today to try bizango and fury for size but they didn't have any there in any size and said they can't get hold of the any bizango and only way to try fury was to order one online and then try it when it came in...bit of a hassle but may have to do that.they did have a careers sulcata there half price which was 329 but not noticed that pop up on here .had cable disc brakes instead of hydraulic.will try looking in other local bike stores Saturday and see what they have for similar price although I doubt they will have carrera there or bizango as I understand only halfords to voodoo? I know one has Gary Fisher bikes there no idea how much though

esa2

The sulcata was half price at £329? Lol, chancers. That bike has never been £658

mcgann_77

hi yeah it was ,I did wonder that myself as i'd not seen it come up anywhere when I've been looking around at that sort of price bracket

esa2

They're at it. Its not a £600+ bike so don't be fooled into thinking you're getting a great bargain. Its a basic low end MTB. if you want a halfway serious mountain bike that isn't it.

mcgann_77

had suspicions but never really knew so thanks for the heads up on that then

The Rookie

The fury is the same frame as the other hardtails, so if a certain size Kraken or Vulcan fits you so will the Fury.

Given the range of bikes plus sizes, they can't possibly stock them all, ring around and find a Halfords with the ones you want to try out for size.

esa2

You can check stock at other stores online. Have to say when I was shopping around I did check stock on the Bizango but there were none locally. Seen a few folk say the same in other parts of the country so I dunno if its being phased out or being replaced or what?

mcgann_77

yeah I will check with my next nearest store and see what they have before going there as its 80 mile round trip that I wont want to be doing for nothing.been told the other local bike store also stock trek,saracen,specialised,genesis,ridgeback and gary fisher so will see what they have to offer too.i never knew there were so many makes available to choose from :shock:

The Rookie

esa2 wrote:

You can check stock at other stores online. Have to say when I was shopping around I did check stock on the Bizango but there were none locally. Seen a few folk say the same in other parts of the country so I dunno if its being phased out or being replaced or what?

Its about due for a new model year, the usual way this happens is Halfords run down stock so they don't get left holding a lot of old stock when the new one comes out/

mcgann_77

that would make sense rookie.i spoke with local bike store today and they have deals on at mo and suggested I look at the specialized rock hopper or the specialized pitch.i think they said rock hopper was a 29er the other a 650 b ? anyone have any knowledge/opinions on these bikes and if they are any good.they seemed to point out they were better than Halfords offerings but I never mentioned the bizangos awards etc....I hope to go and view the bikes on weekend so any advice would be great....thanks