Are Carrera and GT bikes from Halfrauds any good ?
Discussion
Looking for a cheapish mountain or hybrid bike in the near future, mostly for rough country lanes with a few forest tracks thrown in maybe.
Have had a look in various bike shops and Halfords Bike Hut. The Carrera and GT bikes seem good value in Halfords but are all labelled only available from Bike Hut.
So, are these bikes manufactured as cheap versions by other companies and badged up with a 'name' or are they really good bikes ??
Budget upto £500 (due to not wanting to blow a huge amount of money on a bike then find I get bored with it after 6 months !! )
Have had a look in various bike shops and Halfords Bike Hut. The Carrera and GT bikes seem good value in Halfords but are all labelled only available from Bike Hut.
So, are these bikes manufactured as cheap versions by other companies and badged up with a 'name' or are they really good bikes ??
Budget upto £500 (due to not wanting to blow a huge amount of money on a bike then find I get bored with it after 6 months !! )
They've been tested in the major mags, and have received some good write ups. £500 is a good amount to spend on a bike, and will get you something more than up for the job.
Get some bike mags, trawl the classifieds, read the tests and reviews, look out for reduced price 2007 stuff, visit other major retailers and their websites, and maybe even scan ebay with a knowledgable friend for a 2nd hand bargain.
Not knocking Halfords, but aiming to point out that £500 could get a better deal elsewhere.
Oh yeah! As well as the above, insist on a test ride. Even if it's just a spin around the carpark, you'll be able to see if the size and style are comfortable.
Get some bike mags, trawl the classifieds, read the tests and reviews, look out for reduced price 2007 stuff, visit other major retailers and their websites, and maybe even scan ebay with a knowledgable friend for a 2nd hand bargain.
Not knocking Halfords, but aiming to point out that £500 could get a better deal elsewhere.
Oh yeah! As well as the above, insist on a test ride. Even if it's just a spin around the carpark, you'll be able to see if the size and style are comfortable.
Ultimatly a bike is as good as its components.
The sticker on the side is irrelevant at this proce range really.
But they are not bad brands. But for that amount I would think that evans cycles or a larger chain that know a bit about bikes could offer you a better deal.
Plus specialized spec their bikes very well from my exp.
The sticker on the side is irrelevant at this proce range really.
But they are not bad brands. But for that amount I would think that evans cycles or a larger chain that know a bit about bikes could offer you a better deal.
Plus specialized spec their bikes very well from my exp.
Thanks for the advice, will be looking into it more deeply when I can get some time off work. 
eta Have been looking at Giant / Marin also. Any others I should consider ? Also seen a bottom end Orange too, would I be paying for the name on an entry level 'big name' bike ?
eta Have been looking at Giant / Marin also. Any others I should consider ? Also seen a bottom end Orange too, would I be paying for the name on an entry level 'big name' bike ?
Edited by Mr MoJo on Wednesday 23 April 14:03
I bought a Carrera Kraken from Halfrauds last year
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mount...
The bike has all the right bits on for a cheap bike, I have had no problem with it, but I am sure I will get flamed for saying I have one. I use mine almost every weekend riding out on the trails in the New Forest and have had no issues what so ever - well excluding the issues with Halfrauds!
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mount...
The bike has all the right bits on for a cheap bike, I have had no problem with it, but I am sure I will get flamed for saying I have one. I use mine almost every weekend riding out on the trails in the New Forest and have had no issues what so ever - well excluding the issues with Halfrauds!
The bikes are good, you just run the lottery of getting either an enthusiastic bike rider earning some cash, or a spotty tw*t who knows nothing.
Go to a proper bike shop and get advice, test ride a few, get a bike that fits properly and the enjoyment will be tonnes better
Something like this would be ace - http://www.realcycles.com/products.php?plid=m1b0s2... great frame to upgrade parts for in time
Go to a proper bike shop and get advice, test ride a few, get a bike that fits properly and the enjoyment will be tonnes better
Something like this would be ace - http://www.realcycles.com/products.php?plid=m1b0s2... great frame to upgrade parts for in time
I also bought a 2007 model Carrera Kraken. I bought mine in January this year as they were in the sale, I got mine for under £280. So far I am very happy with it.
I bought my last bike in 1995 which was also a Carrera at a similar price point. It lasted well and I only got rid of it during a house move and I fancied a new one.
I bought my last bike in 1995 which was also a Carrera at a similar price point. It lasted well and I only got rid of it during a house move and I fancied a new one.
I heard bad things about Carrera, but then that might just have been one person's opinion.
I have a GT, but as others have said, try the online retailers etc, or evans, as halfords are expensive. Plus with those places, you can get the older model for cheaper, generally.
Check out local bike shops too. They often drop the price to match, just to make a sale.
Try:
Wiggle
Chain Reaction
Evans
Pauls Cycles (where I got mine from)
I personally will reserve judgement on Pauls Cycles just for the moment. I don't want to recommend them nor not recommend them. (My bike was damaged when I got it, and trying to sort it is an issue at the moment - but they could do me well - I will let you know)
(Btw, I bought a 2007 model GT Chucker, as it was £50 cheaper as it was the old model, and I don't like the replacement to the Chucker)
I have a GT, but as others have said, try the online retailers etc, or evans, as halfords are expensive. Plus with those places, you can get the older model for cheaper, generally.
Check out local bike shops too. They often drop the price to match, just to make a sale.
Try:
Wiggle
Chain Reaction
Evans
Pauls Cycles (where I got mine from)
I personally will reserve judgement on Pauls Cycles just for the moment. I don't want to recommend them nor not recommend them. (My bike was damaged when I got it, and trying to sort it is an issue at the moment - but they could do me well - I will let you know)
(Btw, I bought a 2007 model GT Chucker, as it was £50 cheaper as it was the old model, and I don't like the replacement to the Chucker)
Cheers for all the advice guys, will be having a scout around some local shops early next week. Fancying a Hardrock Pro Disc at the moment but we shall see. Seems like a good price (around the £350 mark from Evans and a few others) for what it is. As already suggested, I think a mountain bike with a change of tyres seems the sensible option for me.
Nothing wrong with Halfords at all, for £500 look at the 2007 Carrera Fury:
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mount...
At the minute it's on offer at £485 AFAIK and the spec is very indifferent from the £500+ 2008 Fury. I challenge you to find a similar spec'd brand new bike for the money..
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mount...
At the minute it's on offer at £485 AFAIK and the spec is very indifferent from the £500+ 2008 Fury. I challenge you to find a similar spec'd brand new bike for the money..
Edited by coleo on Thursday 24th April 16:40
Mr MoJo said:
Cheers for all the advice guys. Purchased a Specialized Hardrock Pro disc Yesterday. Really pleased with it so far ( only done about 6 or 7 miles but that nearly finished me off !! ) Just need to get fitter now but I'm sure that will come in time.
Good choice my man. Always rated there qaulity.okgo said:
Ultimatly a bike is as good as its components.
evans cycles or a larger chain
Pedant mode:evans cycles or a larger chain
1. Ultimately a bike is only as good as its frame - a bad frame cannot be made good with bling components likewise a good frame cannot be made bad by cheap components.
2. Bike Hut (Halfords) is the largest bike chain in the country. Better deals can be had else where though.
OT: You can't go wrong with a Spesh Hardcock. Solid reliable and surefooted. Our guide in Morzine last year used my mates HC Sport for a day whilst his Orange 222 was being serviced / fixed. He had a blast and the bike stood up very well. Although the forks got well bedded in!
mk1fan said:
okgo said:
Ultimatly a bike is as good as its components.
evans cycles or a larger chain
Pedant mode:evans cycles or a larger chain
1. Ultimately a bike is only as good as its frame - a bad frame cannot be made good with bling components likewise a good frame cannot be made bad by cheap components.
2. Bike Hut (Halfords) is the largest bike chain in the country. Better deals can be had else where though.
OT: You can't go wrong with a Spesh Hardcock. Solid reliable and surefooted. Our guide in Morzine last year used my mates HC Sport for a day whilst his Orange 222 was being serviced / fixed. He had a blast and the bike stood up very well. Although the forks got well bedded in!
And I didnt know about bike hut being largest, I just assumed they wouldnt be as I wouldnt ever use them.
At the £500 price point there are vastly different frame qualities and geometry choices. It's a funny price point because the extra design / attention to detail required to make a good frame is still a considerable percentage of he overall cost. Kona and Spesh (for example) both seem to put more emphasis on frames whereas Boardman go for a more straight forward frame design and give beter components.
I suppose it comes down to how the person intneds to use the bike. As a stepping stone to a better / competitive machine or as the one bike they're going to use for the next 10-years.
I suppose it comes down to how the person intneds to use the bike. As a stepping stone to a better / competitive machine or as the one bike they're going to use for the next 10-years.
carrera have definitely got better in recent years. i have worked as a bike mechanic in helfrauds on and off for the last 5 or 6 years, and have noticed a huge improvement, the Fury is a nice bike, and the Banshee/Banshee X actually shares its frame with the Kona Stinky DH/FR bike (its the truth, honest!) GT have a few nice bikes aswell, for the rider on a budget, the Aggressor XC-3 is top knotch for the price. i use an old aggressor as my hack-to-the-shops bike, and i cannot fault the frame, my riding style is very tough on the bike (i like to throw it around a bit) but the frame puts up with my abuse with no problems
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