The 'Org Mountain Bikers Welsh Weekend 2010

I heard on the grapevine that this was going on so I've come back to say I'll definitely be there so I can test my new Kashima coated forks in anger.

Mavic, what type of riding will you be doing - XC, Singletrack, Freeride/All Mountain, Downhill? That Felt looks good at the price, although it's only got a double ring/bashguard so you'll have to coast at higher speeds. 27lbs is an decent weight for an hardtail. The Mavic 317 rims are great but they've saved money on other components like brakes, own brand seat post, etc. If it really was a hardtail that was over a grand to begin with I'd expect it to have Avid Elixir brakes like this Boardman Pro XC mountain bike (The £700 Boardman has Juicy 3s). Saying that the Felt would still be a good buy at £600.

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by Venom

Mavic, what type of riding will you be doing - XC, Singletrack, Freeride/All Mountain, Downhill? That Felt looks good at the price, although it's only got a double ring/bashguard so you'll have to coast at higher speeds. 27lbs is an decent weight for an hardtail. The Mavic 317 rims are great but they've saved money on other components like brakes, own brand seat post, etc. If it really was a hardtail that was over a grand to begin with I'd expect it to have Avid Elixir brakes like this Boardman Pro XC mountain bike (The £700 Boardman has Juicy 3s). Saying that the Felt would still be a good buy at £600.

Mostly XC and its not hilly where I live, so double ring would not be a great issue. Not too bothered about rear suspenders.

But the Boardman looks good at that price, plus I'd get cash back from Quidco for shopping at Halfrauds. Not much but I'd get something

I'd want a triple ring set up for XC on fast even terrain at high speeds. Double ring/Bashguard is more technical trails and All Mountain. Wiggle say they do a 30 day test ride policy so you could return the Felt if you're not satisfied with it. The £700 Boardman is £630 now.

Best advice is to go have a sneaky look at the back section of What Mountain Bike in the newsagents for ideas on what to test. Go to a local bike shop and test some bikes, or at the very least sit on them and pick them up, as it's you that has to live with it. Then search online for deals. It's better to buy a bike that uses the exact same frame on more expensive versions as you can upgrade components if you want to when they wear out, or you feel the itch for some blingy bits *ahem*.

[mattSV]

OK MTBers

I have already got an old but decent hardtail (Scott Competition XC) and a carbon road bike (Planet X), now looking to get a FS.

The rules are:-

MUST be from Halfwits (C2W scheme)
Can be up to £1k (cannot add any more due to the scheme rules)

So, I have got is down to these 2 (I think?):-

1) Voodoo Canzo - normally about £1300, now down to £999:-



2) Boardman Team - normally £999, now £899



Voodoo spec is:-

• 4 bar linkage suspension frame with 130mm of plush controllable travel travel
• New Voodoo Black Magic Aluminium butted frame
• Rock Shox Monarch 3.3 rear shock
• Rock Shox Revelation 409 Air U-Turn fork with 130mm travel, lockout, Motion Control & Dual Air and 20mm bolt through for increased stiffness and front wheel tracking
• Avid Elixir R hydraulic disc brakes offering superior modulation and adjustment
• Mavic XM317
• Raceface Evolve XC finishing kit

Boardman spec is:-

• Aluminium tubing
• RockShox Monarch 3.1 rear shock with adjustable rebound and compression damping
• RockShox Reba SL suspension fork with 120mm travel, Motion Control damping and lockout
• SRAM X9/X7 27 speed gearing for crisp, accurate shifting
• Powerful Avid Elixir R hydraulic disc brakes are lightweight and provide reliable braking performance in wet conditions
• Truvativ Firex GXP chainset
• Ritchey Pro rims with sealed bearing hubs for longer bearing life
• Continental Speed King 2.1" tyres
• Ritchey Comp finishing kit

What do the Org experts reckon?

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by Venom

I'd want a triple ring set up for XC on fast even terrain at high speeds. Double ring/Bashguard is more technical trails and All Mountain. Wiggle say they do a 30 day test ride policy so you could return the Felt if you're not satisfied with it. The £700 Boardman is £630 now.

The Boardman's looking better and better. The only thing is why are mountain bikes white, almost as bad as black

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by mattSV

What do the Org experts reckon?

Buy a roadbike

Get out ya Lycra Clad Road Fairy

Matt , the Voodoo has slightly better kit on it and 10mm more travel so I would say that is better suited to a bit of British Trail thrashing , the Boardman is a damn good bike too . I would sit on them and see which one has the better feeling geometry ..... as we all know that MTB kit gets replaced within a couple of years anyway

Matt, test them both

Originally Posted by maviczap

The Boardman's looking better and better. The only thing is why are mountain bikes white, almost as bad as black

White is the 'in' colour now. The Boardman Comp is black, the Pro is white.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_165499

[Luckypants]

Matt, get the Boardman and come on this weekend (actually the point of the thread ), then I can try it out!!!

I'm getting itchy credit card at the moment looking for a new MTB and a new road bike! Think MTB first, road bike will have to wait. Just fixed car and it needs new tyres