Some quick advice please?

Grae W

After my bike was nicked recently I've decided to get a new one. Its for a mixture of road (although a very rural route) and XC at weekends.

I've got a budget of œ300, and I've read a lot posts recommending Specialised Hardrock, GT Aggressor/Avalanche and Mongoose Tyax Elite. All of which seem decent options, although I tried out the Hardrock and wasn't overly impressed. Not had the op to try out the others yet.

I did however stumble on these two alternatives and wondered what people's opinions were, and for what reason I should or should not scrub them from the short list. Easily upgradeable components? And what are their weak points?

Giant Terrago FS1 (2004)
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 2p33&z=407

Viper TR 3.0
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=10845

All advice appreciated!

JinjaNinja

TBH I haven't heard of Viper before, but I like the looks of that quite a bit. The forks arn't too bad either. Although they are suntour, there should be no problems with a ride to work and some weekend action, plus you get pop lock on them!

For me it would be between the GT agressor and the Viper, although in fairness there all fairly similar and its close between all. See if you can get anymore test rides!

<hr noshade size="1"><font size="1"><font color="green"><center><i>Originally posted by John</i>

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keeko

For the money you`re spending either of those bikes look decent enough. No doubt someone will say different. I`ve dealt with both those companies and have great service from both. Good luck

Guess the frame in my picture!!!

cyclone

That Viper looks quite nice for the money.
Tektro V's let it down but are cheap to replace with something like Avids.

Check out Avid SD5 full set for œ21 from Pauls Cycles.
http://paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?p ... 47s101p449

I run these on my commuter and they are F'ing good for the money.


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I used to be undecided but now I'm not so sure!?
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<b>MB-HP</b>

gravityengine

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Grae W</i>

GT Aggressor/Avalanche and Mongoose Tyax Elite.

Giant Terrago FS1 (2004)
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 2p33&z=407<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
All of the above are worth testing.

The Tyax is the best of the bunch (damped forks) but is increasingly hard to get hold of due to it's popularity.

The GT's are both good (Aggressor is a little bit better specc'd), but both have undamped forks.

The Giant is a nice bike (a mate has one, but with Disc brakes), but again an undamped fork.

Damped forks are better as they will track the terrain better and not 'pogo' around as much.

Go forth & test, it's the only real way to find out which is best for you.

My Bikes howies© Orange Bikes

fozy

I would go for the GIANT myself but with disc's.

A few ideas

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... m1b4s2p722

http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDeta ... egoryID=69

There is also a couple of good claud butler bikes just over œ300 with hydro dics.

"Come on you Greens"