œ600 Suspension Bike (Probably)
thedktor
Posts: 234
A close mate of mine has a strict œ600 limit for a new bike but is adamant he wants full suspension.
He already has an old Rockhopper and wants to, essentially, get something different, i.e. another hardtail isn't the thing, despite the obvious advantages of weight and spec improvements he could get.
I can see his point but am struggling to know what to advise. He has his mind set on a 2006 Kona Kikapu, which ticks the price and suspension boxes but the spec is rubbish! Well, the Deore gears are OK, but the Marzocchi MZ-3 forks I don't hear a lot of good things about, and mechanical discs, hmmm...
What would the collective experience advise? As one option, is the Kona worth 600-quid with a view to adding some better brakes and forks at a later date ? or what would be the best course of action?
Oh, useage is more kinda muckin' around, small jumps etc rather than XC.
Thanks....
TD
He already has an old Rockhopper and wants to, essentially, get something different, i.e. another hardtail isn't the thing, despite the obvious advantages of weight and spec improvements he could get.
I can see his point but am struggling to know what to advise. He has his mind set on a 2006 Kona Kikapu, which ticks the price and suspension boxes but the spec is rubbish! Well, the Deore gears are OK, but the Marzocchi MZ-3 forks I don't hear a lot of good things about, and mechanical discs, hmmm...
What would the collective experience advise? As one option, is the Kona worth 600-quid with a view to adding some better brakes and forks at a later date ? or what would be the best course of action?
Oh, useage is more kinda muckin' around, small jumps etc rather than XC.
Thanks....
TD
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Well apart from the fact that I wouldn't recommend any 'new' full suss under œ1k, then you are probably right in looking for sale models from last year. Pauls Cycles spring to mind where IIRC they have good reductions in that range on some of the Giant Trance & GT I drive bikes.
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http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... m1b0s1p452 i like this but would agree about going for a HT at this price level
Trek 6000 Disc - X9 Shifters and rear derailleur - Trvativ Firex Team 3.3 crank - what to buy next, mavic crossride wheelset or new forks!!
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/197/4755 ... be64_o.jpg
Trek 6000 Disc - X9 Shifters and rear derailleur - Trvativ Firex Team 3.3 crank - what to buy next, mavic crossride wheelset or new forks!!
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Try this
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... m1b4s1p436
Nice bike with frame which is used across the range.0 -
The cheapest full suss I'd recommend would be either a Giant Trance or GT I-Drive, both of which are over budget, unless you can get last seasons version.
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When i got my i-drive 5 I paid 550ish for the 2006 model down from 899 so shopping for last years model should do you fine.
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I drives good value from Pauls, but hard to test.
MZ3 are awful, avoid.
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carrera banshee x for 650 quid a well specced bike. Lot of people put off because it is a carrera.my son has one copes easily with anything he throws at it
banshee xbanshee x0 -
The Banshee is OK, but it's heavier than a Trance, the Banshee's more of a hardcore machine, whilst the Trance is an XC bike.
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37lbs all in is a lot to lug around an XC course, but may be ideal for shorter rides and gnarly stuff. Wouldn't like to do a 30 miler on one!
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I know its over budget but if your looking for an I-Drive
http://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/products. ... 1b0s1p1555
www.TritonCycles.co.uk
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<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by pebbles</i>
carrera banshee x for 650 quid a well specced bike. Lot of people put off because it is a carrera.my son has one copes easily with anything he throws at it
banshee x
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Sorry but if I had œ650 it would be a GT I drive or Giant Trance, the banshee isn't that well specced.
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The spec looks horribly poor on the Kona Kikapu. See below:
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... Suspension
If you have to have a full suss at this price I would definately look more towards the Giant Trance or GT i-Drives.
The spec is at least better. But at this budget I would get a hardtail and hone my skills, save up and treat yourself to the right bike in a couple of years.0 -
Yep, typical Kona - nice frame, dire parts.
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apcmtb seems to detest carrera bikes, the fury is a great bike for 500 quid, the banshee x also a good value machine, the cheaper i drives are no great shakes my sons friend has one no better ride than the xbanshee x0
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Have a look at the Leader bikes site - they can deliver to the uk - full sus prices aren't on there but from memory were very cheap - send em an email
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Thanks for the replies.
Yes I agree with the comments about "low" priced full-suspension bikes, but the situation is as it is and some compromises will have to be made.
My friend has now realised the Kona is not the right one due to the spec, so some progress!
Food for thought, thanks for the comments and links
TD0 -
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by apcmtb</i>
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by pebbles</i>
carrera banshee x for 650 quid a well specced bike. Lot of people put off because it is a carrera.my son has one copes easily with anything he throws at it
banshee x
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Sorry but if I had œ650 it would be a GT I drive or Giant Trance, the banshee isn't that well specced.
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first of all hi to every one, im new to this forum. .dont realy no how to start this reply so will just go wit it lol. I recently purchased a new carrera banshee x from my local halfords, this is a new outing for me as i have just gotten into the sport. To my surprise there were 12 customers in all placing orders for the bike, but knowing the staff i got mine first. When they started assembly of the bike i was informed of an interesting fact that the frame used for the bike was infact a kona coiler 04 frame and that the bike in 2004 would of had a price tag of 1500 quid. So for every one slatin the carrera did u actually know this fact. Although my carrera is no longer standard havin swapped gripps head stock carbon fiber riser bar free ride peddles and 2.3in spcialized chunder tires and e thiteen bash ring i rode this bike for many months in its standard form and found it a good take any where solid ride so for the money the banshee x is a supereb bike but thats my oppinion thanx.[:D]0
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Thats what its all about opinions, thats what makes the forum such an interesting place. Regardless of what they have told you, its still a heavier frame IMHO and poorly specced against a lighter and better specced HT for œ600 ish
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<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by pebbles</i>
apcmtb seems to detest carrera bikes, the fury is a great bike for 500 quid, the banshee x also a good value machine, the cheaper i drives are no great shakes my sons friend has one no better ride than the x
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Erm, on what do you base that, The carrera HT's are some of the better bikes in each of their ranges, a point which I have made many times before, if you had taken the time to look at other posts on this forum you would have noticed this. IMHO (and stated previously) full suss bikes under œ1k are underspecced something, whether it be more weight or poorer specced components and the banshee falls into this.
Put simply œ500 up for a hardtail and you are starting to see really good all round bikes, good frames good specs etc, it therefore makes sense that a FS at this price point isn't a match.
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Didnt think i would get a reply so fast lol. Right i understand the whole pound for pound when it comes to buyin bikes, in money sense and weight lol espcialy if u intend too use the bike for propper off road use, but for more than 12 people to order the bike in one shop and to have people commenting on the bike and the previous history of the frame, i still think the price off the bike is justified and u are gettin wot you pay for bike equipment has advanced in all areas since 2004 so wot specs the bike has now compared to then is exelent and thats when the bike would have cost double. Plus as far as the weight i concerned i personaly like a weighty bike to keep me on terraferma when decending down steeeep hills. The suspension supplied also holds up admirably and soaks up everything i throw at it but honestly i bought the bike because i thought it had pottential and from the get go i intended to spend money on it so its a good deal lighter now plus dont think weight is an issue if ur usin the gears correctly plus overall weight shiftin on the bike. thanx again lol[:D]0
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Hey if it feels right for you then thats all that matters, as I said thats just my opinion
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it obviously feels right for a fair few many people lol, as my local halfords has now sold all stock of the bike instore and are still taking orders for christmas. Just wonderin wot bike u own must be high end for oppinions lol.[8D]0
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Its all about the right bike for the right terrain. Do you really want to be hauling nearly 40lbs of bike and long suspension around normal trails? Its a great biek - for the right usage. For most people is too bloody heavy.
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Also its not the same as the 2004 Coiler. Similar - but the rear suss is a Horst link, not a faux bar as on the coiler, and the welding and front triangle config is different.
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<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by siddall</i>
it obviously feels right for a fair few many people lol, as my local halfords has now sold all stock of the bike instore and are still taking orders for christmas. Just wonderin wot bike u own must be high end for oppinions lol.[8D]
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Eh!! I own a Spesh HR sport, not the greatest but I do have experience over a number of bikes and do know what to look for, doesn't mean that cos I don't have an amazing bike that I don't know anything.[:(!]
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<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by supersonic</i>
Also its not the same as the 2004 Coiler. Similar - but the rear suss is a Horst link, not a faux bar as on the coiler, and the welding and front triangle config is different.
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Well thats Halfords for you, on the ball with their information
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Its selling well on its good spec. But an Idrive would blow it away on most trails.
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Hi there supes lol. Well i suppose that depends on ur overall fitness, the terrain near my home is very varried as i live in ashton underlyne so if u no the area ull no hearts head pike and the surrounding areas so if u are an unfit idevidual then yes i suppose 40lb would be a task but my bike weighs bout 32lbs now andsjust adds to the work out lol0
