Another What Bike Thread

[G0ldfysh]

Sorry about this, but not really sure where to start in this. Thinking of spending about £400 on a new Mountain Bike, Will be used mainly for cross country hacking through local woods, some drops mainly tank tracks and the like, not much but some road use. Level of fitness is decent but I know that in a few months time will be better. Mainly looking at new bikes, I know second hand gets me more kit, but I would sooner know how hard the frame has been banged because I did it than buying on trust from ebay.

Had a little look about and seeing that the '09 frames are starting to appear in the shops seems to be about the time to look. I am not worried on the latest and most shiny been bumping along on a rigid for years so this will be my first hardtail so new '08 will be fine for me.

Halfords local to me have a decent looking bike in the Kraken ltd, which has the Fury frame and seems to have pretty much all the nice bits. No idea on weight but is there going to be much difference for me comparing it to for example an (in my understanding) established or pedigree name with the Cannondale F6 Disc on evans web site that looks decent but really I've little idea where to start.

Are there any manufacturers to avoid, better places than others to shop?

I am working in Reading living in Farnborough to give an idea pm on which are the better shops around and abouts would be appreciated, been 20 years since I last bought my mountain bike things have all changed since I last chose because i liked the colour. :-)

Is it that they are all much of a muchness, and if I like the look and after a sit on it feels right I wont go wrong as specs at this budget are all so samey? Or is it a much bigger can of worms than that?

thanks

[Hollywood Wheels]

For that money, look at the Specialized Rockhopper range. You simply CANNOT go wrong with these, whatever the actual spec you order. I think that they offer the best all round package. With other manufacturers you may get better frames, but at the cost of the groupset, and yes you may get better components, but to the detriment of the frame. With the Rockhopper you get the best of both worlds. I would seriously steer clear of Halfrauds. Evans are very good as a company.