New bikes for two teenagers?

[Converse2020]

Looking for two bikes to replace well worn islabikes ( beinn 26 and 24 )that my 13 and 15 yr old sons have now outgrown.

Eldest keen on drop bars or fast(er) hybrid. This would be his only bike so needs to do everything on it (local knocking about/ some road trips (he rides 20 miles with me socially) / some light off road activity).

We looked tonight at these two as starters....

Boardman Hybrid Comp £400
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

Voodoo Limba cyclocross £340
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

We might have discounted the Voodoo as it seemed very heavy (despite ticket weight) and possibly a little basic in spec for price (cable disc brakes). Did look at other Carerra basic road bikes. I guess decathlon is now worth a look.



Youngest is simpler. Has another drop bar road bike that he will keep, but keen on MTB for day to day.

Looked at Carrera Craken £360
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...


and Voodoo Bizango. £500
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...


Voodoo is good spec but more expensive , but 29er. Couldn't try 16" frame so came away thinking youngest height (5ft 5) means 29er is going to be too big in short term.

Cracken spec quite good. Air forks. 27.5 wheels. Suspect this is better fit for him but weighed a bit more.


As above. I can get both with a pretty good extra discount on top of the current 20% store discounts, so all 4 of these bikes could end up looking very competitive (I think!) at close to £300-330, with the exception of the Bizangoo at £420.

So - is there any feedback on any of the above 4 or alternative suggestions at these sorts of price.

Thanks

[Usget]

Can't knock a Phil McKraken at what will become, after voucher discount and BC discount, £291.

I had one which I bought secondhand for £180. Someone liked it so much they stole it but not before I took it on a fair few trails. It's not exactly sophisticated but it's certainly a good starter MTB.

EDIT: Apparently the Bizango gets an air fork. That looks like good value as well then.

Edited by Usget on Wednesday 26th July 10:12

[Converse2020]

Mckraken gets air fork as well. Think I'm sold against idea of 29er (especially for 14yr old).
So mcKraken is top trumps right now.

[Usget]

Nah - hydraulic fork on the Kraken.

[opieoilman]

If it helps, I've got the Carrera Fury and so far, I love it. It's £600, but I caught it with 20% off, so £480, then Halfords emailed me another 10% code, so £432 in total (less than the Voodoo and has an air fork). They have money off a few bikes at the moment, but not the Fury, so don't know can/want to wait for that sort of deal to come up again. The Kraken is a nicer looking bike though, don't really like the fluoro orange of the Fury.

[Converse2020]

Read a review that says latest kraken does have air fork. Guy in local Halfords confirmed the same when we were looking at it and my basic check suggested he was right (though I'm not an expert).