Mountain bike help
| Catalyst |
 Posted: Mon, 11/09/2006 - 8:59pm
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Looking to pick up a new bike. Ive got £200 to spend and i am trying to decide on either the Carrera Vulcan or the GT aggressor 3, |
| Ellgal |
Posted: Mon, 11/09/2006 - 9:03pm
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Try Wheelies, I know a guy from there, they're cheap and really nice fellas, based in Swansea... |
| disgraced_peer |
Posted: Mon, 11/09/2006 - 9:11pm
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out of those two, go with the Vulcan if you stay near Glasgow PM me and I'll get you a further 15% off the £200 RRP |
| lfcfan |
Posted: Mon, 11/09/2006 - 9:11pm
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Try and get an extra 30 quid or so and you should be able to get either a last years trek or specialized. If not though, id personally stay away from disc brakes at that price cos there not really worth the hassle and dont offer any more than v's at that level. You would be best of focusing on getting the best drive terrain possible as this is the only area that will get wear and tear if your only using it to and from work. |
| Catalyst |
Posted: Mon, 11/09/2006 - 9:23pm
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So disgraced_peer why the vulcan? is it better build quaity than the GT?, i am in newcastle and was just going to get it from halfords. |
| disgraced_peer |
Posted: Mon, 11/09/2006 - 9:35pm
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So disgraced_peer why the vulcan? is it better build quaity than the GT? I build them both several times a week, the Carrera is a lighter frame (better for your intended on road commuting) ... Carrera also used to offer lifetime guarantees on their frames, not sure if this is still the case but it's certainly 'sturdy'. As you also highlighted, the spec on the Vulcan is superior to that of the entry level GT. As lfcfan mentioned ... the disc brakes are of no real benefit as cable discs are no better than any cable v-brake ... but the disc mounts will allow you to upgrade to hydraulic disc brakes in the future. |
| Ellgal |
Posted: Mon, 11/09/2006 - 9:38pm
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A guy at work just got this for 195, is it any good? |
| night panda |
Posted: Mon, 11/09/2006 - 9:42pm
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So disgraced_peer why the vulcan? is it better build quaity than the GT? I build them both several times a week, the Carrera is a lighter frame (better for your intended on road commuting) ... Carrera also used to offer lifetime guarantees on their frames, not sure if this is still the case but it's certainly 'sturdy'. As you also highlighted, the spec on the Vulcan is superior to that of the entry level GT. As lfcfan mentioned ... the disc brakes are of no real benefit as cable discs are no better than any cable v-brake ... but the disc mounts will allow you to upgrade to hydraulic disc brakes in the future. you're pretty good DP! i've got a trek 6000 (bought in america about 5 years ago). i'm skint, any ideas what i'd get for it? i'm not assuming you know everything about every bike, like. |
| disgraced_peer |
Posted: Mon, 11/09/2006 - 9:46pm
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A guy at work just got this for 195, is it any good? for a leisurely cycle in the park it's alright. Anything more serious he would need upgrade a few things ... starting with that giant, ugly ass stem |
| disgraced_peer |
Posted: Mon, 11/09/2006 - 9:53pm
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So disgraced_peer why the vulcan? is it better build quaity than the GT? I build them both several times a week, the Carrera is a lighter frame (better for your intended on road commuting) ... Carrera also used to offer lifetime guarantees on their frames, not sure if this is still the case but it's certainly 'sturdy'. As you also highlighted, the spec on the Vulcan is superior to that of the entry level GT. As lfcfan mentioned ... the disc brakes are of no real benefit as cable discs are no better than any cable v-brake ... but the disc mounts will allow you to upgrade to hydraulic disc brakes in the future. you're pretty good DP! i've got a trek 6000 (bought in america about 5 years ago). i'm skint, any ideas what i'd get for it? i'm not assuming you know everything about every bike, like. http://cgi.ebay.com/Trek-6000-MTB_W0QQitemZ230026666387QQihZ013QQcategoryZ98083QQcmdZViewItem reckon you could get £100+ mate depending on its condition |
| night panda |
Posted: Mon, 11/09/2006 - 10:00pm
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nice one! i was too stupid to check the bay. i think i'll keep it for getting my milk from the shop and pulling mean skids! don't want to clean it if i'm honest. ------------------------------------- |
| capnjazz |
Posted: Mon, 11/09/2006 - 10:05pm
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For the money that you’re looking to spend, I’d definitely suggest that you buy something used from ebay or the classifieds rather than something new from your high street Halfords et al, as even last years discounted models won’t be up to much at this price point. As lfcfan already said, don’t bother with disc brakes, a good set of v’s will do you fine. I also wouldn’t bother with a suspension fork either, it‘ll add weight rather than anything in the way of performance. Just make sure that you get a decent frame (steel rather than aluminium if you tend to be quite hard on your stuff), a good drive train and a strong wheelset. Finally, if you don’t intend going off road that much then just get a bmx instead, or even a cruiser if you prefer a larger wheelbase. It’ll be much cheaper, you’ll get far more for your money, it will break much less and your commute will be much more fun (I’ve been street riding in Newcastle a couple of times so I know there‘s loads of good stuff up there). |
| Sol |
Posted: Mon, 11/09/2006 - 10:23pm
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I'd also agree with capnjazz and Ifcfan. Go second hand at that price point. |
| Zeke |
Posted: Mon, 11/09/2006 - 11:59pm
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Well I worded a long reply earlier, but fuk lost it, so heres the condensed version. For your budget lookg second hand. You'll get a lot more for your money. If you must buy brand new, avoid the Carrera. It doesn't matter how much travel you have on a bike, if its a crap fork it'll be crap travel. And at that price range you'll be looking at elastomer shocks. Soft in summer, rock hard in winter (basically... think rubber (no fetish)). Avoid disc brakes, they'll be more hassle than they're worth at that price, stick with a simple set of Vs. www.paulscycles.co.uk may have a few things within your budget, they concentrate on last years stock, so you can get a good deal. Avoid full suspension at all costs. Main things you're looking at are a good drivetrain and frame. If possible wheels, as taking 100grams off the wheels is the same as taking 300grams off anywhere else on the bike, due to rotational weight. If you can get a last years Specialized Hardrock that'll do you fine. Gt are fine, Trek are generally a little bit poorly specced for the price but otherwise okay for cruising. Keep an eye out for Giants. They're almost always good value for money. If you do buy brand new, you should always get 10% of the purchase price thrown in in free accessories. And whatever you do, get a helmet costing at least £30. |
| disgraced_peer |
Posted: Tue, 12/09/2006 - 12:39am
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Agree that at £200 second hand is the way to go ...
If you can get a last years Specialized Hardrock that'll do you fine. Gt are fine, Trek are generally a little bit poorly specced for the price but otherwise okay for cruising. Keep an eye out for Giants. They're almost always good value for money.
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| Zeke |
Posted: Tue, 12/09/2006 - 12:50am
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http://www.bikemagic.com/forum/forummessages/mps/dt//UTN/65019/last/1/V/1/SP/360916208896648705216 Asks exactly your question. In all honestly this stuff I don't pay a whole lot of attention to, but I know recommendations for Carrera over GT are few and far between. Still, you'll get a lot more bang for your buck on l'bay. |
| anadin |
Posted: Tue, 12/09/2006 - 1:24am
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sorry to hijack but not worth a thread of its own. In london, which parks can you flat out not cycle in? (if any) and can you cycle in hyde park? |
| Catalyst |
Posted: Tue, 12/09/2006 - 6:12pm
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Thanks all for the replies, they have been really helpful. |
| RETRO KID |
Posted: Tue, 12/06/2007 - 8:42pm
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Looking to get a bmx sick of leaving my car at the pub and trying to find a parking space at work. So just traveling a couple of miles a day. Know nothing about bikes any recomendations appreciated. |
| Jason789 |
Posted: Tue, 12/06/2007 - 8:46pm
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get a haro or we the people, last for years |
| phelen |
Posted: Tue, 12/06/2007 - 9:16pm
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Yeah what Jason says though I'm picking up an old Skyway white frame and building my own this summer instead. |
bit of a generalization. The Aggressor/Avalanche XC range is disappointing. The fork on the GT is no better than the Carrera's and everything else favours the Vulcan over the Aggressor considering it will be predominantly on road use. Yes GT, in general, is better than Carrera but not when comparing these individual models.