Carrera mtb, any good?

[SuperHangOn]

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

I expect the fork is crap but that would be swapped at a later date.

Am I likely to find anything better for the money?

BTW I'm 5'11.5 tall, would an 18 or 20 frame be better?

Cheers!

[Celtic Dragon]

I'd say you are looking at a 16 - 18 inch frame max. I'm 6 foot and ride a 16.5 specialized frame.

The Kraken is a much better buy if you can stretch to it.

Whats your budget?

[billzeebub]

Definitely not the 20! I am 6' and always ride an 18" MTB, or thereabouts.

[shouldbworking]

6ft here, my carrera fury is a good fit at 18". Great bike, although the spec on the vengeance looks a bit too budget.

[NIIKME]

18" for sure at your height (same as me). Anything less and you will feel like you are perched on top of the bike rather than in it. You will probably find the 20" isnt all at that bad but 18 will be more controllable.

[SuperHangOn]

I have a new tactic - the plan is to find something old school old but with good quality components. That way I will have a decent/reliable bike but not have to worry about parts being pinched when I lock it up. (something I've been noticing 'round this way)

Good idea huh!

[Celtic Dragon]

Superhangon: It can be done with ease, a Sunday afernoon trawling ebay can be beneficial.

I picked this up on a bank holiday weekend, and similar Kona's were going for below £100.

http://therockhopperproject.blogspot.co.uk/

All I've had to do is a good service, but will have to replace the forks and will have to replace the cassette.

[SuperHangOn]

Now that is exactly the sort of thing I have in mind!

Would this be a good base?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Saracen-Tufftrax-1997-up...

[TheLemming]

I sent a while looking at MTB with a low end budget.
Ended up with a vulcan and I'm very very happy with it.

Although I have my moments I wish I'd spent the extra hundred on a kraken, the jump from a vengeance to a Vulcan is huge.

Hydraulic brakes and a lockout fork make a lot of difference, especially on the road.

Check out the bikeradar review of the Vulcan, I'd link it but I'm on my tablet. They rate it ahead of a lot of "better brand" machines and IMHO its the price / spec sweet spot of the range

[Lee540]

This is what I have and you read my problems from the other thread.. cept mine is old version and blue. Perhaps they have been improved now?

[Celtic Dragon]

SuperHangOn said:

Now that is exactly the sort of thing I have in mind!

Would this be a good base?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Saracen-Tufftrax-1997-up...

This wouldn't make a bad chucker, but don't know your location as its collection only.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kona-Lanai-Suspension-Mo...

[Celtic Dragon]

This is just down the road from me

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kona-Fire-Mountain-/1111...

[TheLemming]

Not sure where you are in the country superhang, but if you're anywhere near Milton Keynes then you're welcome to try my Vulcan out :-)

( the usual "you break it you fix it" caveat applies lol) :-)

[SuperHangOn]

Thanks but I'm in surrey. I can see the bike thing becoming a bit of an obsession but its probably better 'my ebay' is full of manky old bikes instead of manky old cars

[TheLemming]

SuperHangOn said:

Thanks but I'm in surrey. I can see the bike thing becoming a bit of an obsession but its probably better 'my ebay' is full of manky old bikes instead of manky old cars

Yes I think I'm developing the same issue. At least its cheaper :-)

[TheLemming]

Lee540 said:

This is what I have and you read my problems from the other thread.. cept mine is old version and blue. Perhaps they have been improved now?

Same name, totally different bike.

I've had two (first one was stolen, I learned the importance of a good lock) and my gf has one now, all three have been brilliant.

[SuperHangOn]

Well I got the Saracen bought, quite a good deal for under £130?

I could well be bed-bound after the first go as I haven't ridden a bike for bloody yonks

[Eddh]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171084463225?ssPageName=...

This would have been perfect...

[SystemParanoia]

Stealth Bomber is what you want



electric.. 50mile range @ 50mph with 2 hr recharge