Buying advice for newbie, Kona Cinder Kone or Blast

Moodox
Moodox Posts: 6
edited October 2015 in MTB buying advice
Hi

I'm new to biking and have decided I like the Kona hardtack bikes. Budget is around £750.

I had decided on the 2016 Blast but have since seen the 2015 Cinder Kone for roughly the same money. Both look like great bikes but being new to all this, I really don't know the differences in specification.

Any advice welcome, what would everyone else choose given these two options and what are the pros/cons compared to each other?

Thanks in advance!

Comments

  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Its conventional to provide links to the bikes, it saves everyone who tries to help looking individually, also we know we are looking at the exact same bike.

    Kona are not particularly good value at that price point, I looked at a Blast and a CK at Halfords and they struggled to match a £500 own brand (Carrera, 13 or Boardman) bike.
    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.
  • Moodox
    Moodox Posts: 6
    Sorry, yes links would have been helpful!
    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/kona-cinder-cone-275-650b-2015/
    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/kona-blast-2016/

    I thought the spec of these bikes was fairly good for the money, happy for suggestions though :-)

    I tried a small Chris Boardman and it was too large. I'm only 5'4 but thought a 16" drame would fit. So that CB bikes rules out.
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    The Blast is out pointed quite comfortably by many options eslewhere, the CK is better but still not amazingly good.

    This knocks the socks off it
    http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rafal-740-mountain-bike-id_8314897.html#anchor_ComponentProductTechnicalInformation
    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.
  • Moodox
    Moodox Posts: 6
    Thanks very much for the suggestion, I'll see if my local bike stores have any of those in stock for me to try.
  • apreading
    apreading Posts: 4,535
    You will only find them at a Decathlon store as it is their own brand. Alternatively, look at Carrera and Voodoo at Halfords - again much better value than Kona.
  • Moodox
    Moodox Posts: 6
    I spoke to Decathlon and they seem to think I need a medium to large frame, I'm only 5.4 but they were adamant. I may pop up to their store and sit on a few, bit of a distance to go as it's over an hour away. I guess I really do need to sit on a bike before ordering though. This buying a bike lark is confusing when you're new to it!
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    5'4" would suggest a small to me!
    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.
  • Moodox
    Moodox Posts: 6
    I went and tested a Decathlon today and bought this https://www.decathlon.co.uk/rafal-740-ltd-edition-mountain-bike-blue-id_8314898.html

    Thanks for the advice, can't wait for delivery!

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