Cannondale or Carrera

ednf
ednf Posts: 4
edited September 2014 in MTB buying advice
Hi Guys,

New to the forum and looking at MTB's for the first time in years. Think I have narrowed it down but really have no idea which would be better.
These two are on offer - did look at the Voodoo but wanted to keep it around the £350 mark or lower.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/can ... 6#features

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/m ... -medium-18

Will be doing light trails and hilly country roads to start.

Any help or opinions would be great.

Thanks
EdNf

Comments

  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    The Cannodale has the worst fork imaginable, a jarring, thunking mess of a unit. The Carrera is the better package.
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    As SS says, the Cannondale doesn't have a suspension fork, it has an instrument of torture, although it's not the worst fork imaginable, there are worse....

    Forget the nominal price of the Vulcan, it usually sells for around £340-350 (10% of with British cycling membership and also some cashback with quidco), still on offer but not by anywhere near as much as they are claiming, consider also the Voodoo Bantu (also Halfords) or Rockrider 520 (Decathlon).
    Bantu
    http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/m ... 13-2014-18
    Better Forks and Brakes than the Vulcan
    RR 520
    http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-52 ... nformation
    Same Forks as the Bantu, slightly better brakes again and also a better drivetrain with 27 speed.
    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.
  • ednf
    ednf Posts: 4
    Thanks for the replies, I thought Cannondale would have been the better option, so cheers. Went into Halfords last night and they offered me a bantu for £350 or I could wait and get an ex-display Boardman with a heavy discount. Might be worth seeing what they have next week and then bringing it to a bike shop for a check over. The Voodoo Hoodoo also looked tempting at £450.
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    At this price point the big name brands (Cannondale, Trek, Specialized (especially) and Giant - I'm sure someone will name more) are all horrendous value for money, they rely on the gullible beginner thinking exactly the way you do and cash in on their brand name.
    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.
  • ednf
    ednf Posts: 4
    Cheers Rookie. Just an update. I've been offered an ex-display Hoodoo for £250 so I'm going to go for that. Just have to go in and look it over.
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Grab it with both hands and both feet, stick your head through the frame as well, that is excellent value!
    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.