Bike advice

Dave77

Dave77

Dave77

Associate
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
679
Location
Nr. Glasgow
Hello,

I'm looking to get a mountain bike again after years of being without...

I have narrowed it down to either a GT Avalance 3.0 disc or a Spesh Hardrock Sport. The obvious advantage I can see is the GT has disc brakes, but for £300 I doubt how good they can be? The GT also looks better and is slightly lighter?

Dave
 
Are they cable discs on the GT? If so they wont be much different to the V's on the hardrock, try and get a ride on both and see which you prefer? I myself would go for the hardrock though.
 
no point in cable disc brakes might as well get v brake.

Try the Giant XTC or specialized hardrock, stay away from carrera :p
 
Hamoodii said:
no point in cable disc brakes might as well get v brake.

Try the Giant XTC or specialized hardrock, stay away from carrera :p
Click to expand...

cable discs are way better than v brakes, esp in the rain/mud, also no rim damage with discs.
 
Specialized Hardrock anytime. I test rode one last weekend (got a friend who was looking for a new bike) and it is a really good bike at the price point. You really can't go wrong with it. The frame is of excellent quality and therefore will upgrade well.

Handling is nice, very responsive and chuckable. Forks a bit squidgy, but this is likely due to the lack of rebound and not necessarily a problem per se.
 
Why do cable disc brakes suck?

I am also in the market for a new mountain bike, the cheapest Specialized Hardrock Sport Hydraulic Disc 2007 is £400. Is that the one you bought Dave77?
 
Dave77 said:
Hello,

I'm looking to get a mountain bike again after years of being without...

I have narrowed it down to either a GT Avalance 3.0 disc or a Spesh Hardrock Sport. The obvious advantage I can see is the GT has disc brakes, but for £300 I doubt how good they can be? The GT also looks better and is slightly lighter?

Dave
Click to expand...

Did you test ride the GT? They have a slightly odd geometry but are a lot lighter than the HardRock, plus when you are out and about you wont be on the same bike as everybody else.

Oh and I agree with the statement Good V Brakes > Standard cable discs.
 
The shop did'nt have any GT's available, im quite happy with what I got. I am collecting it next week then the fun can start. Are their any must have accessories I should get? I would like a trip computer at some point.
 
Dave77 said:
The shop did'nt have any GT's available, im quite happy with what I got. I am collecting it next week then the fun can start. Are their any must have accessories I should get? I would like a trip computer at some point.
Click to expand...

Mud guard. Good lights (Cateyes for example), road tyres if you are doing a lot of road work. I recommend a quick release pannier rack and bag if you want to carry stuff for say a day out.

Otherwise just the essential tools and a copy of a good bike manual (Parks is a good one...)

Good luck and get out there!
 
I found cable(avid) disc brakes to be sooo much better than my old xt v brakes. You get into some heavy going mud and v brakes will clogg up. I've had it soo bad that my rear wheel just wouldn't move. Cable disc any day over v brakes.
 
LordSplodge said:
I recommend a quick release pannier rack and bag
Click to expand...

In my opinion, you should never put panniers on a mountain bike, you'll make the back end too heavy and liable to slip on loose terrain. Also, if you've got a single bag you'll put a weight bias on one side affecting the handling.

I've got a Vaude bag that takes a Camelbak bladder, about 25l overall, and think that it's a more practical solution.

Tools - I carry a tube, patch kit, pump and a Topeak Alien on almost every ride. The tube doesn't come with me on the commute though. The Alien has every tool you'll require unless you're a pro mechanic, I can't think of a failure that the Alien can't get you home from. Costs about £30, but well worth it.

SPDs and shoes - worth considering as you get more into it.

Lock - Kryptonite D-lock at the very minimum

Gloves - full finger preferably

The list goes on. Since I got my bike last year I've likely spent more than the same again on shiny bits and accessories, it's an obsession! Have fun.

Al
 
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