MTB for casual riding/trails
Discussion
I sold a Rockhopper Disc 08 last March, bought a Boardman Road Comp in December but now thinking of getting something to get back onto the trails again. I'm never going to be a downhill god, someone who loves throwing themselves off 10' drops or maxing the efforts of a bike which costs more than one with an engine in it, but I am missing the opportunities to hit the local trail centres in Danby, Hamsterley & Guisborough. A couple of mates have bought new bikes recently (not top spec themselves) but I'm without a bike and thus started thinking about buying at a budget.
Something which has caught my eye is the Carrera Fury 09, as Halfords still have a few of these left in the country, albeit not any round this neck of the woods meaning a morning out to go pick one up. Now in 2010, these got best bike under £600 and with the deal theyre offering at the moment and with a bit of Quidco thrown in, these are available new at a shade over £400. I dont really want to spend more as I have the road bike for fast stuff and the bike will only get occasional use. For the spec, including a Suntour Epicon fork which is £200 itself, it seems a bit of a steal. With SRAM shifters, Juicy 3s and Mavic Rims, should I be looking less at the spec and more how it rides? Not having a one local and nearby, and the fact theyve changed the geometry of this years model, will there be any surprises from the Rockhopper?
Anyone got one who can pass judgement rather than just looking at it as a Halfords POS without trying it?
Something which has caught my eye is the Carrera Fury 09, as Halfords still have a few of these left in the country, albeit not any round this neck of the woods meaning a morning out to go pick one up. Now in 2010, these got best bike under £600 and with the deal theyre offering at the moment and with a bit of Quidco thrown in, these are available new at a shade over £400. I dont really want to spend more as I have the road bike for fast stuff and the bike will only get occasional use. For the spec, including a Suntour Epicon fork which is £200 itself, it seems a bit of a steal. With SRAM shifters, Juicy 3s and Mavic Rims, should I be looking less at the spec and more how it rides? Not having a one local and nearby, and the fact theyve changed the geometry of this years model, will there be any surprises from the Rockhopper?
Anyone got one who can pass judgement rather than just looking at it as a Halfords POS without trying it?
The forks aren't £200. Not even half that. They're low-rent toss. Juicy 3s, whilst at least from a reputable manufacturer, are...meh...at best: show them one wet ride and you'll see what I mean.
Recent Carerras are generally well-recieved as entry-level bikes, or at least were last time I looked into things: a touch weighty, but strong and riding well enough. Personally I'd seek out something with Rockshox Recons (MAYBE Rockshox Toras 318s as a minimum), Shimano Deore (no lower) and work from there re. fit, riding etc. Buy cheap, buy twice and all that...
Recent Carerras are generally well-recieved as entry-level bikes, or at least were last time I looked into things: a touch weighty, but strong and riding well enough. Personally I'd seek out something with Rockshox Recons (MAYBE Rockshox Toras 318s as a minimum), Shimano Deore (no lower) and work from there re. fit, riding etc. Buy cheap, buy twice and all that...
My cousin has just got a 2011 Kraken, it's a bit meh tbh.
I got a 2010 Boardman comp with juicy 3's, recon's, SRAM x5/x7, richtey rims etc. It's been lovely so far.
I looked at an 09 Fury when I got mine. Seemed lovely but the Boardman was sold to me from all the reviews etc.
I'm sure the fury is a great bike, sr suntours kind of put me off.
I got a 2010 Boardman comp with juicy 3's, recon's, SRAM x5/x7, richtey rims etc. It's been lovely so far.
I looked at an 09 Fury when I got mine. Seemed lovely but the Boardman was sold to me from all the reviews etc.
I'm sure the fury is a great bike, sr suntours kind of put me off.
Canyon Yellowstone?
http://www.canyon.com/_uk/mountainbikes/bike.html?...
Seems bang on for the money.
http://www.canyon.com/_uk/mountainbikes/bike.html?...
Seems bang on for the money.
http://www.pro-bike.co.uk/forks-mtb/21854-sr-sunto... are the forks which are on the bike.
Juicy 3s I agree, need constant attention.
27lbs its weighing in at, seems pretty light?
Juicy 3s I agree, need constant attention.
27lbs its weighing in at, seems pretty light?
Chicken Chaser said:
http://www.pro-bike.co.uk/forks-mtb/21854-sr-sunto... are the forks which are on the bike.
Juicy 3s I agree, need constant attention.
27lbs its weighing in at, seems pretty light?
To be fair, you could do a lot worse than that Carrera, although I'd be looking for a deal on an 2011 bike at this time of year.Juicy 3s I agree, need constant attention.
27lbs its weighing in at, seems pretty light?
I actually own one. I've also own/owned much better bikes so I do have something to bench mark it against.
To the poster that said to look for Deore, the entire drive train is Sram X5, so in my view comparable.
The fork is not low rent toss, I think that is being unfair. For the money, I think it is reasonably responsive, has an alu steeer, weighs in at something like 1800g and can be set at 100,120 and 140mm travel with easy internal modification. It has a 15mm bolt through axle, tracks well, isn't unduly flexy and seems solid - no issues, squeaks or rattles in 6 months of proper MTB riding. Show me those features on a bike costing less...
The Mavic rims with rear Shimano hub have stayed true. I think the (big for a) 2.3 Speed Kings on a 17mm rim is not the best idea even if it is within spec, but they are very light and roll well.
I didn't weigh the bike when I bought it, but it seems light and feels light to ride. The frame and fork feel especially light, the cassette definitely seems to add disproportionate pounds.
The brakes? They are the let down. They are powerful (nice 180mm rotor at the front) but need looking after. They do look good in white though. Might be best to take them off whilst still new but keep the rotors, put them on Ebay (probably see £40-50 back) and fit a set of Shimano M596 brakes for £80.
My view is that it is one of the best bikes out there for the money, you'll find worse specs on some £700+ bikes.
To the poster that said to look for Deore, the entire drive train is Sram X5, so in my view comparable.
The fork is not low rent toss, I think that is being unfair. For the money, I think it is reasonably responsive, has an alu steeer, weighs in at something like 1800g and can be set at 100,120 and 140mm travel with easy internal modification. It has a 15mm bolt through axle, tracks well, isn't unduly flexy and seems solid - no issues, squeaks or rattles in 6 months of proper MTB riding. Show me those features on a bike costing less...
The Mavic rims with rear Shimano hub have stayed true. I think the (big for a) 2.3 Speed Kings on a 17mm rim is not the best idea even if it is within spec, but they are very light and roll well.
I didn't weigh the bike when I bought it, but it seems light and feels light to ride. The frame and fork feel especially light, the cassette definitely seems to add disproportionate pounds.
The brakes? They are the let down. They are powerful (nice 180mm rotor at the front) but need looking after. They do look good in white though. Might be best to take them off whilst still new but keep the rotors, put them on Ebay (probably see £40-50 back) and fit a set of Shimano M596 brakes for £80.
My view is that it is one of the best bikes out there for the money, you'll find worse specs on some £700+ bikes.
Take a look at various manufacturer's sites, my Wife got her new bike for £400 from Specialised reduced by £100 because it was a 2011 model (the basic 2012 model with V brakes etc sells for £400 this has hydraulic disc etc.) Add in 0% finance and a slightly better bike could be a possibility.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff