Discussion
Sorry for another 'what bike' thread! Anyways, my old Giant is getting a bit long in the tooth so I'm after something new. I got back in the saddle around the new year and usually manage a 25-30 mile jaunt at the weekend as well as aiming for the ten mile commute to work once a week.
I usually ride roads and cycle paths, with the odd foray properly off road here and there. Plus I have a stag weekend coming up in July at Afan so want something that'll cope better then my current steed as well as giving me time to get used to it. I've narrowed it down to four possibles, in order of preference: Cube Acid, Trek 4900 disc, Specialized Rockhopper and Orange G2.
I haven't tried any of them out yet, but was wondering whether anyone had any opinions regarding my four choices, or if there were better alternatives (other than second hand, or hybrids or roadies, not really interested in that) that I should consider. Thanks in advance.
I usually ride roads and cycle paths, with the odd foray properly off road here and there. Plus I have a stag weekend coming up in July at Afan so want something that'll cope better then my current steed as well as giving me time to get used to it. I've narrowed it down to four possibles, in order of preference: Cube Acid, Trek 4900 disc, Specialized Rockhopper and Orange G2.
I haven't tried any of them out yet, but was wondering whether anyone had any opinions regarding my four choices, or if there were better alternatives (other than second hand, or hybrids or roadies, not really interested in that) that I should consider. Thanks in advance.
Check out this months mbr mag - tests on 12 hardtails, they reckon the best £600 bike to be the Spesh Hardrosk Pro Disc or the Kona Nunu or for £800, the Cube Ltd Comp or the KHS Alite 2000. They all seem to have a good spec for the money, but looking through the same mag, Paul's cycles are offering a new 2009 Kona Caldera for £549 - a bargain with that frame and the spec.
I've got the Trek 6300 and love it - no problems at all. Having said that. Trek don't seem to get recommended too much, Specialized however are very popular. Try and ride/test as many as you can is the best way to go
Also, although it's late in the year, you could try looking for a 2010 bike and save a fortune, I saved a few hundred quid going for the 2010 6300...
Also, although it's late in the year, you could try looking for a 2010 bike and save a fortune, I saved a few hundred quid going for the 2010 6300...
Thanks for the alternatives, however I'm still drawn to the Cube, Trek and Specialized, with the Orange an increasingly distant fourth. Fortunately the three above all have dealers in Exeter so I'll see if I can try some out this weekend.
Of the three, I guess they're all pretty much of a muchness and in the end it'll just boil down to personal taste - I'm guessing one isn't sustantially better than the other two?
Of the three, I guess they're all pretty much of a muchness and in the end it'll just boil down to personal taste - I'm guessing one isn't sustantially better than the other two?
Tried the Cube and loved it, although it seemed as though the shop could have done a better job nailing it together, couldn't find anywhere that had a Trek but got a go on a Spec and loved that too, with the shifters especially feeling very dialled in.
Went over the specs with the bike man and whereas it seems the cube has better brakes and gears, the Spec has a better frame and fork (the fork on the Cube he described as 'gash', I think). So it looks like the Rockhopper's the one for me. Now do I go for black/white or red/white?
Went over the specs with the bike man and whereas it seems the cube has better brakes and gears, the Spec has a better frame and fork (the fork on the Cube he described as 'gash', I think). So it looks like the Rockhopper's the one for me. Now do I go for black/white or red/white?
Antony Moxey said:
Rockhopper ordered today, along with a Specialized Allez for 12 year old son for his birthday. Both should be ready for collection on Saturday (although son doesn't know this yet) - roll on the weekend and the 10 mile plus ride home from our (not so)LBS!
Good choice! Wife has a Rockhopper (2008 Disk) and we both share (same size!) a 2010 Allez Elite - both great VFM and really good bikes.Think I've spent £700 on mine (Stumpjumper) in the last few months - oops...!
Had a test ride of a Rockhopper at the weekend and although previously favouring a Cube Acid the Hopper just felt better nailed together. Really surprised at the boy though, I was convinced he'd want a half decent hardtail but in each shop we went to he was drawn to the roadies.
He took one out for a spin and was hooked, although didn't get a decent go on the Allez as it wasn't properly prepped - he thinks we're going in at the weekend so he can have a better test ride and to pick mine up rather than collecting one himself!
Anyways, the shop did us a cracking deal for the two bikes plus a trip computer that they'll fit so everyone's a winner. Can't wait for the weekend now!
He took one out for a spin and was hooked, although didn't get a decent go on the Allez as it wasn't properly prepped - he thinks we're going in at the weekend so he can have a better test ride and to pick mine up rather than collecting one himself!
Anyways, the shop did us a cracking deal for the two bikes plus a trip computer that they'll fit so everyone's a winner. Can't wait for the weekend now!
Great choice
I have a 2010 Rockhopper and I love it. Already started upgrading a few bits (pedals first) but it is great fun as it comes anyway.
The 2011 version is slightly different but got a 10/10 review in MBR - have you read this? http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/news/news...
Hope you enjoy it!
I have a 2010 Rockhopper and I love it. Already started upgrading a few bits (pedals first) but it is great fun as it comes anyway.
The 2011 version is slightly different but got a 10/10 review in MBR - have you read this? http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/news/news...
Hope you enjoy it!
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