Recommend a new MTB

Neo4 · 2 Aug 2007 at 21:21

After some thieving scumbag decided to help themselves to my Kona MTB [including the bracket securing it to the garage wall] i have recieved a payout in the form of a voucher for Halfords from my insurance company. Not bought a bike for a few years and was wondering if any MTB people frequent these forums?

Would ideally like to spend £300 - £350 and as stated would need to be from Halfords.

Any bikes you could recommend?

Alasdair · 2 Aug 2007 at 23:31

Ask Halfords if they'll order in bikes not normally stocked by them. They do it for the Bike 2 Work scheme, I got a Specialized from them in Feb 06. Once you know what you're limited to, you can start looking at things.

al

Neo4 · 3 Aug 2007 at 18:43

The insurance are giving me £650 now after a conversation was held with them today.This will still be in the form of a voucher for Halfords. I do not intend to spend the whole amount on the bike.

I have made a shortlist made up of the following

GT Aggressor XC3

Saracen Mantra 2 19"

Carrera Vulcan 18"

Kona Fire Mountain 18"

Main use for these will be commuting but we have a nice country park here with some real boggy tracks through the woodlands. Would any of these fit the bill?

Alasdair · 3 Aug 2007 at 19:05

I've not got proper internet access at the moment so haven't had a chance to look at the bikes.

I'd bin the Saracen straight away because I've never liked the brand - the bike may look flash but not ride the part.

Carrera - I'd be looking for a bike that has inherited the characteristics of a bike further up the range, and from a brand with a proven race pedigree. Unfortunately Halfords don't have this.

GT or Kona - your choice really. I've always been a Kona man, I always thought the triple triangle of the GT was more form over function. The Caldera at £700 is a nice bike, it's the hire bike of choice at Glentress which proves its durability - I've seen a fair few falls down there with folk on Calderas. Perhaps it's time to consider an upgrade too?

al

Jonny ///M · 3 Aug 2007 at 19:49

Neo4 said:
The insurance are giving me £650 now after a conversation was held with them today.This will still be in the form of a voucher for Halfords. I do not intend to spend the whole amount on the bike.

I have made a shortlist made up of the following

GT Aggressor XC3

Saracen Mantra 2 19"

Carrera Vulcan 18"

Kona Fire Mountain 18"

Main use for these will be commuting but we have a nice country park here with some real boggy tracks through the woodlands. Would any of these fit the bill?

Mantra is heavy and cheap,the vulcan has cheap parts and the aggressors are usually pretty decent. Halfords can order in quite a few brands(and pretty much ANYTHING for bikes to work) kona being one of the main ones.

Bikes to work is different to normal orders as the customer has to contact halfords business services and they buy the bike from another bike shop and send it to our store. I dont think we can do this for just a normal purchase.

Neo4 · 3 Aug 2007 at 19:58

Was looking at the "bike to work scheme" and has to be done through works payroll dept and they need to set it up.Would leave me with a voucher for £650 still so that a no-no.

Popped to our local Halfords Superstore and spotted a Voodoo Bantu @ £499.Great looking bike but maybe a little overkill for the commute to work and back.

sneakyd · 6 Aug 2007 at 17:27

Keep the voucher until their sales or when the new Kona 08 range comes in.
The 07 Caldera gets a great write up and could be in the price range once the 08 range comes instore.

Neo4 · 10 Aug 2007 at 00:23

Bought the GT Aggressor XC2 and am well pleased with it so far.

Neo4 · 10 Aug 2007 at 23:43

Ok ive had my 1st major off already.Riding along through a trail in the local park and to quote Jasper Carrot "a tree jumped out from nowhere".Really thought the wheels on this thing would be a bit stronger but the front is almost bent in half!

Probably not worth trying to repair it so can you recommend a good wheel package with a £150 budget?