I'm an absolute novice when it comes to entry level mountain biking. I have 3 bikes shortlisted, but know next to nothing about the quality/performance of all of the components, including the weight of the frame. All I know is brands like Shimano and SRAM - but not the difference in performance/quality.
Below are links to the 3 bikes i have shortlisted. Could an expert in the field give this rookie some impartial advice on what would be the best choice out of the below please!?
Trek 4300 Disc 2007 Mountain Bike:
http://www.trekbike.co.uk/2007/bikes.php?sec=spec&MainCatID=2&SubCatID=8&RangeID=0&ID=335
GT Avalanche 2.0 Disc 2007 Mountain Bike:
http://www.gtbicycles.com/mountain/catalog/detail.php?id=2953&country=UK&brand=moun
Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc 2007 Mountain Bike:
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=22092&bikeTab=techspec
2007-03-08 02:16:33 · 10 answers · asked by bobby t 3 in Sports ➔ Cycling
They're all good bikes so you can't go wrong. But if I were to pick one, I'd go with Specialized because their handling and ride have been consistently great whenever I ride one. I own a Cannondale MTB but I'd rather have an equivalent Specialized.
2007-03-08 07:21:49 · answer #1 · answered by Ben P 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends what type of riding that you want to do. The 4300 is reasonable, but can be a bit sit up and beg.This is good for new riders, as they can be quite forgiving.
GT are a good company and overall the components are good. However, the Avalanche frame can be a bit heavy compared to others that they have produced.
The Specialized is not bad. Good frame set up, made from their A1 alli. Of the 3 this is the one I would choose.
I note from your choice that you want to spend about £400. You have also chosen all disc models.
Discs are good if you hit a lot of mud. V brakes can clog up quite easily. If not, do you need them. You might get more bike for your money if you looked at a V brake bike.
Look at the Claude Butler Cape Wrath for example. This comes with V brake, but has a Rockshock J2 (Better than the RSTs you were looking at.) and Deore gears, although if you do a lot of winter mud, 24 gears are less likley to run into trouble.
Another option is to buy one of last years models. Get it shipped, pre set up. www.evanscycles.com is good for this, but there are others that you could try. In this way you might look at the next model up, but for the same price.
Another consideration is Giants new bike for £425. This has a resonable set up, with Deore and Discs.
Luck
2007-03-09 07:42:33 · answer #2 · answered by Alice S 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am leaning towards the GT. Specs are all very similar - but the fork spec stands out for me. Have never thought of RST as a passable fork, and I do not have a much higher opinion of the Suntour on the GT - but Suntour is doing some really innovative engineering in the world of bicycle parts - hub Dynamo and V-Boxx as examples of complex drivetrain ideas - so I would believe that design ingenuity is crossing over to the fork division.
Also, I have always thought that the GT seatstay-cross frame design is bombproof (maybe a bit heavier though). I think you would be happy with any of the three, but I would rate them GT (Suntour fork and stronger frame), Specialized (great paint colours!), then Trek (great warranty!).
2007-03-08 12:14:31 · answer #3 · answered by OlMacDude 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the specialized never came up and I'm not a master of mountain bikes (as I like road bikes) But the Trek sounds better in my opinion. When you go and buy your bike do what I did (when I got my first) and grill them for as much info as you can just ast real stupid and say it blatantly "What exactly does that mean?" to what ever part your not sure about bikes are really quite simple all you need to do is get the knowledge and you'll be doing all sorts of repairs yourself and not paying people insane prices to these monopoly companies and you wont ever need to ask these questions again you'll be the one with the answers.
Knowledge is power.
2007-03-08 10:31:25 · answer #4 · answered by Jason 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I usually like specialized. That Gt looks pretty good (Hydraulic brakes are awesome, but I don't know much about those tektros)
These bikes are fairly close. The local dealer will probably be the more important thing to consider.
2007-03-08 17:32:01 · answer #5 · answered by DaGoof 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have choosen three great bikes and there is not much between them component wise, my advice would be to take them each for a test ride and buy which ever feels the nicest, any bike shop should allow you to try each one before buying.
Remember when you test ride them to do a bit off road and a bit of off road work to see which feels good between both mediums.
2007-03-08 10:30:43 · answer #6 · answered by Loader2000 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They seem to be all entry level bikes. If you enjoy it and become an addict you will get a better bike as you get better and try to improve your performance. If you get tired of it quickly at least you wouldn't be spending that much.
2007-03-08 19:41:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they are all pretty decent models, but I prefer GT bikes. probably from past history of having one 10+ years without any major problems, but then again, its my opinion. It was a great overall bike.
2007-03-08 18:30:54 · answer #8 · answered by borracho111 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
gt has hydraulic disc brakes for £400 but I would say the specialized is the nicest
2007-03-08 13:22:00 · answer #9 · answered by Peter 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
all are pretty good bikes, but I say go with the Specialized...
they are sturdy and reliable, just be sure that the local bike shop has good service no matter what you purchase...
2007-03-08 10:28:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋