Mountain Biking

Originally Posted by robchester

Tim, I should really ask how much that was, because I was looking at the XTC albeit not carbon!

Think I've narrowed my choice down to:
Carrera Fury
GT Avalanche Disc 1.0
Claud Butler Cape Wrath D27
Decathlon Rockrider 8.2
Specialized Rockhopper Disc
Focus Black Forest Mountain.

For the informed, can anyone give an unbiased review of the above?

Rob (and the rest) - excellent thread this, answered all and more that I was thinking about and saved me a shed load of searching about.

Sorry can't offer any advice of my own but was thinking recently of getting myself a decent bike around the range you've been looking at and have found all the advice offered invaluable.
Had a look at the bikes on your list and looks a good choice as you've obviously done your homework.

Came across this one whilst browsing - do you know anything about this bike the Diamondback Response Comp (link below)

http://www.mailordercycles.co.uk/pro...id=m1b0s2p6193

Cheers

For me, it will come down to the ride between those now. All seem to have good specs, I probably will discount the online bikes as I'd rather be able to sit on them and feel what they are like when sat on the bike, not just when someone else tells me how good they are. I'm looking for one with the best frame so that if i do need to upgrade, then i only have to upgrade the components rather than the main area of the bike. The Carrera is fantastic value at the moment at only £399 and the spec looks outstanding for that price. The GT can be picked up for £450 and the rockhopper £550. The diamondback looks ok as well, especially with 130mm of travel although depends on how good the fork is.

Just had a great weekend out on my new baby, just 1hr40 yesterday, but then went for 3hr 40 ride this afternoon around the moors. So Far I've only come off 8 times (mostly on uphill sections when I'm too slow to unclip!), but I've been over the bars twice, once was pretty comic, a liitle muddy stream at about 3 mph, the front stuck in and I just somersaulted round, took me a while to recover from the hilarity. Can't believe I didn't try this sooner.

Originally Posted by robchester

Tim, I should really ask how much that was, because I was looking at the XTC albeit not carbon!

Think I've narrowed my choice down to:
Carrera Fury
GT Avalanche Disc 1.0
Claud Butler Cape Wrath D27
Decathlon Rockrider 8.2
Specialized Rockhopper Disc
Focus Black Forest Mountain.

For the informed, can anyone give an unbiased review of the above?

Gt anyday, as per my post above!

Originally Posted by girth

Gt anyday, as per my post above!

Going to have a look at them this week. The Carrera is on offer for £400 at the moment so looks a steal for the spec. Frame is supposed to be decent too - 7005 alu afaik

Have fun shopping, I mean looking.

Originally Posted by Tim in Belgium

Just had a great weekend out on my new baby, just 1hr40 yesterday, but then went for 3hr 40 ride this afternoon around the moors. So Far I've only come off 8 times (mostly on uphill sections when I'm too slow to unclip!), but I've been over the bars twice, once was pretty comic, a Little muddy stream at about 3 mph, the front stuck in and I just somersaulted round, took me a while to recover from the hilarity. Can't believe I didn't try this sooner.

fun isn't it !!!!!!! I have now looking at buying some Dianese or Forcefiled Body Armour to go under my riding shirt as i am about to head back onto the trails for the fist time sine April when i broke my shoulder. Great news is - its doubles up as motorcycle protection - well it IS motorcycle protections !!!! My down-hilling is getting more Leary so will feel better with on - ride safe folks !!!

Originally Posted by robchester

Going to have a look at them this week. The Carrera is on offer for £400 at the moment so looks a steal for the spec. Frame is supposed to be decent too - 7005 alu afaik

Been shopping yet Rob?

No Tim, although I did spend Friday afternoon at Hamsterley Forest, completed the blue trail with ease and took on parts of red & black (rigid bikes arent made for this!!). Ive got problems with the car at the moment (think it could be diff mounts) so need to sort those first. Gonna get some new gear though - helmet, gloves etc so at least I've got some protection in the event of coming off. Might try and get out on Weds for a look at the GT, Specialized, Trek & Giant bikes

Ive been out looking and still havent made a decision. Still need to decide between the Spec Rockhopper Disc, GT Avalanche 1.0 and now included the Scott Reflex 10 (also known as the aspect 10 due to copyrights). My mates just bought a Spec FSRxc so hes gonna be showing me up now on mine