Another newb mtb advice please, budget of up to 400.

JaiRo
JaiRo Posts: 64
edited May 2009 in MTB buying advice
Hey all, its another newbie here.

Im going to buy a hard tail mtb, budget max of up to 400 with hydrualic disc, 350ish with v brake.

The purchase will be made through the C2W scheme, its my first bike and I will be riding more off road than road (thats the plan!).

I need to get the bike from a brick and mortar store, so Ive looked at evans and have found the following.
Also, I do not want to buy the carrera range at all, even though lots of good reviews, I just dont want to purchase it. Ive seen the specialised hard rock and I just dont like the look of it, even if it too, has a lot of great reviews (of course, its not just looks Im after but a budget bike that will last me a while before thinking of upgrading and the like).

Which of these would you get, or, can you recommend me any from a shop thats in south east london?

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gt/ ... e-ec016370

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/com ... e-ec017309

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gar ... e-ec017163

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fel ... e-ec017059

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/sco ... e-ec016285

As soon as I get some responses, Ill go get a quote and hopefully purchase it next weekend, meet up with some people off here and have a go at riding.

Thanks all for you help.

Jai.
Scott Aspect 40 2011
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Comments

  • Ellio
    Ellio Posts: 100
    I know its a little over your budget but his could be worth a look.

    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gen ... ry=genesis
  • JaiRo
    JaiRo Posts: 64
    Hei Ellio,

    yes, it is over budget, 400 is pretty much my max.

    tbh, the reason is because itll be my first bike, Ive only ridden off road about 6 times before, (7th on bank hol monday :)) so Ill just get into the technique of cornering, braking, more experience under my belt and learn in time.

    Thanks for your suggestion though.
    Scott Aspect 40 2011
  • Northwind
    Northwind Posts: 14,675
    If you can get it sorted right now, and you can go through Halfords, the 08 Carrera Furys are £400 right now. Still a stonking buy that.
    Uncompromising extremist
  • nby
    nby Posts: 62
    Northwind wrote:
    If you can get it sorted right now, and you can go through Halfords, the 08 Carrera Furys are £400 right now. Still a stonking buy that.

    I was going to suggest that also until I read "Also, I do not want to buy the carrera range at all,"
    fury 'n' i
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Can I ask why not carrera? Spec wise it blows away any of your other choices.

    Out of your choices I would avoid the Felt, is very poor value, and the Scott as it is more of a jump iike.
  • Northwind
    Northwind Posts: 14,675
    nby wrote:
    I was going to suggest that also until I read "Also, I do not want to buy the carrera range at all,"

    Yeah, I'm ignoring that because it's stupid :lol:
    Uncompromising extremist
  • I've just bought the Fury for £400 after spending about 6 weeks researching.

    I'm no expert but I think you'll struggle to find a better bike with that spec for the price
  • JaiRo
    JaiRo Posts: 64
    Brand Snobbery tbh.

    Maybe you can sway me. Which manufacturer makes the carrera frames?

    Why does the quality of their frame equal or better other branded makes?

    After just visiting a few evans, Im thinking about the carrera after all.
    Scott Aspect 40 2011
  • JaiRo
    JaiRo Posts: 64
    Cheers, thanks ss.

    Ill have a look in halfrauds tomorrow morning.
    Scott Aspect 40 2011
  • nby
    nby Posts: 62
    if your that worried about what other people think then get a set of big brand stickers and slap 'em on or get the frame re-sprayed :wink:

    its crazy to miss out on that spec for 399 notes! picking mine up tomorrow so im slightly biased :lol:
    fury 'n' i
  • Lastpost
    Lastpost Posts: 14
    Hope you don't mind me jumping your thread?!

    I am in much the same position.

    Really wanted a Cape Wrath D27 2008, but appear to be all gone now!

    Think my options are as follows:

    Specialized Rockhopper 2008 - £399
    Specialized Hardrock Prodisc 2009 £425 - free service
    Carrera Fury - £400

    Any help/thoughts would be really appreciated!
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Try the Rockhopper and Fury - the hardrock isn't in the same league.
  • Lastpost
    Lastpost Posts: 14
    Really?
    The chap at the bike shop said the Hardrock Pro was better than the Rockhopper :?

    Here are the Specialized bikes:

    http://www.mikevaughancycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b2s2p1557

    http://www.mikevaughancycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b2s2p2364

    Thanks for your help!
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    He's talking bollox.

    It does have V brakes rather than discs, but the hopper has a better frame, much better fork and superior parts.

    You can upgrade to discs for about 80 quid a pair anyway.
  • Lastpost
    Lastpost Posts: 14
    Cheers Supersonic!

    How does the Rockhopper compare to the Carrera?

    It had all might as well be in French to me.
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Both great value. The Fury has a longer fork, the hopper a more conservative ride, but if you like the fit and feel, both are just about the best in their class spec and value wise.
  • Lastpost
    Lastpost Posts: 14
    Thanks for your help supersonic - I shall give them both a try.
  • Lastpost
    Lastpost Posts: 14
    Lastpost wrote:
    Thanks for your help supersonic - I shall give them both a try.

    Decided against the Carrera as the fools in Halfords couldn't even serve me.

    Had my heart set on the Rockhopper - but the chaps in the bike shop were steering me away from it as it was a little bit too big.

    My family jewels were just above the frame when stood flat footed, I know this is not ideal, but is it useable?!?
  • blister pus
    blister pus Posts: 5,780
    Imagine having to jump off at speed in an emergency and plant both feet on the ground - not forgetting your knees will bend some in the process. Could you do it without hurting yourself?? :shock:

    You have your answer. :lol:
  • Lastpost
    Lastpost Posts: 14
    Imagine having to jump off at speed in an emergency and plant both feet on the ground - not forgetting your knees will bend some in the process. Could you do it without hurting yourself?? :shock:

    You have your answer. :lol:

    Soo...the bike they put me on was a 17".......they Claud Butler I really want is available in 16". Might plump for this.

    SS what are your thoughts on the CB Cape Wrath D27 2008? Compared to the others I mentioned?
  • blister pus
    blister pus Posts: 5,780
    I'd go and deal with the 'idiots' in halfords, get the right sized Fury at £400 and walk away with a great spec'd bike at a knock down price.
  • blablablacksheep
    blablablacksheep Posts: 1,377
    halfords and many shops tend to just sit you in bike and that it, it an idea to try read some articles on getting the right size bike then testing different ones out to get a good idea as most shops cannot be relied on.
    London2Brighton Challange 100k!
    http://www.justgiving.com/broxbourne-runners
  • Lastpost
    Lastpost Posts: 14
    Went back to Halfords and today's worker was a lot more helpful - so plumped for the Carrera.

    Hope I made the right choice!
  • blister pus
    blister pus Posts: 5,780
    Provided you got the sizing right and got your 20% off then you can smile, the Fury has a great spec and is a real bargain at that price. Go out, enjoy your new purchase. :)
  • nby
    nby Posts: 62
    I bought my fury yesterday and i'm very pleased (even assembled it myself and I know nothing :lol:)

    only slight problem is that my rims are different from the ones on show in store... I have the Sun Rims DS2-XC instead of the advertised Mavic XM-317 so am debating whether or not to go back to the store and swap these for the mavic's?
    fury 'n' i
  • Andy B
    Andy B Posts: 8,115
    if you look on the website you will find (probably right at the bottom in small print) something that reads like this "Specification subject to change without notice."

    So basically you're stuck with the Sun Rims, they're ok though, just not Mavic's
    2385861000_d125abe796_m.jpg
  • nby
    nby Posts: 62
    thought as much, i'll give them a ring and see what happens :) cheers for the reply though
    fury 'n' i
  • ShortRef
    ShortRef Posts: 51
    Ive read of other people having Sun rums too.
  • baba123
    baba123 Posts: 235
    why not the tyax super sure it is a bit heavy but spec wise it is pretty good for £339 in winstanleys or the amasa comp in pauls cycles
    mongoose amasa elite 08
    giant anthem x4 10