Help with mountain bike choice
Discussion
I'm sure people hate these kind of posts but I have done my reading! I'm going to be getting a new bike and I can't really spend more than £400. I have been reading reviews and information and I think I have narrowed it down to either the Voodoo Hoodoo from Halfords or the Calibre Two Cubed from Go Outdoors. Both get great reviews.
The Voodoo seems to have an air fork and a 1x10 drivetrain (which I always thought was a good idea but I haven't bought a bike for about 10 years!) which seem to push it above the Calibre and I do get 10% off at Halfords where it would be from which would bring it down to the £400.
Can anyone offer an opinion for me?
The Voodoo seems to have an air fork and a 1x10 drivetrain (which I always thought was a good idea but I haven't bought a bike for about 10 years!) which seem to push it above the Calibre and I do get 10% off at Halfords where it would be from which would bring it down to the £400.
Can anyone offer an opinion for me?
Go and sit on them, see which one you prefer, even at the cheaper end of the market there aren’t really any crap bikes unless you go down a step cheaper.
The Voodoo has Deore gears which are higher spec plus the 1x10 is less to go wrong, but has Suntour forks which while air are bottom of the rung, The Calibre has Rockshox forks which are generally better quality even if not air forks, but it has cheaper Altus derailleur. Like I say, look at and sit on both, that’s likely to make your own mind up.
The Voodoo has Deore gears which are higher spec plus the 1x10 is less to go wrong, but has Suntour forks which while air are bottom of the rung, The Calibre has Rockshox forks which are generally better quality even if not air forks, but it has cheaper Altus derailleur. Like I say, look at and sit on both, that’s likely to make your own mind up.
Aye I'd say another vote for the Voodoo range. My friend has a Bizango and it punches well above its price. I have a Voodoo road bike (Nakisi) and they offer a lot of bang for your buck, particularly if you can wait for one of the Halfords sales. We both held off and got ours 20% off (myself at black friday, friend during the summer).
Well, i advertised my old Ghost se5000 XT rear, deore front, fulcrum wheels,Manitou shocks Deore brakes 11.5 kgs etc all in good condition for £400 Ono and after 2 months no interest. I think that people starting out don’t appreciate what is available for the money. It’s not like buying a car where you can have big bills what’s the worst thing on a second hand bike? New chain?
Not looking to sell just giving the view from the other side.
Not looking to sell just giving the view from the other side.
leyorkie said:
Well, i advertised my old Ghost se5000 XT rear, deore front, fulcrum wheels,Manitou shocks Deore brakes 11.5 kgs etc all in good condition for £400 Ono and after 2 months no interest. I think that people starting out don’t appreciate what is available for the money. It’s not like buying a car where you can have big bills what’s the worst thing on a second hand bike? New chain?
Not looking to sell just giving the view from the other side.
A great example of what you could have in the used market, unfortunately the default go-to retailers - Halfrauds, Decathlon, Go Outdoors, etc. have the majority of the public manipulated into thinking their offerings are the best...Not looking to sell just giving the view from the other side.
Get2Jaime said:
A great example of what you could have in the used market, unfortunately the default go-to retailers - Halfrauds, Decathlon, Go Outdoors, etc. have the majority of the public manipulated into thinking their offerings are the best...
I've sold a fair few bikes through Ebay. Each one has sold quickly and for good amounts of money. Get2Jaime said:
A great example of what you could have in the used market, unfortunately the default go-to retailers - Halfrauds, Decathlon, Go Outdoors, etc. have the majority of the public manipulated into thinking their offerings are the best...
I also got a much better experience in my local bike shop. I was swiftly fitted up for a helmet and the bike was set up for me and sent off for a test ride with the OH left as deposit. £200 knocked off the price of a 2019 bike which was cheaper than the internet could find and on a par with sale prices of the 2018 model, a few days later after sitting on a deflated suspension bike in Halford's and test riding another the length of the mezzanine showroom level I went back to the LBS with 90% decision made only to be fitted up for another helmet and lights fitted to send me out again on the two versions of my choice back to back.Throw in lifetime servicing and I don't think Halford's and go outdoors would compete.
leyorkie said:
Well, i advertised my old Ghost se5000 XT rear, deore front, fulcrum wheels,Manitou shocks Deore brakes 11.5 kgs etc all in good condition for £400 Ono and after 2 months no interest. I think that people starting out don’t appreciate what is available for the money. It’s not like buying a car where you can have big bills what’s the worst thing on a second hand bike? New chain?
Not looking to sell just giving the view from the other side.
Is it a 26er? The market for them has fallen apart very quickly, everything is 29er or 650b.Not looking to sell just giving the view from the other side.
Generally speaking, if a bike isn’t selling either the advert isn’t strong enough or the price is too high. Where is it advertised? Try the singletrack forums as they’ll give an honest appraisal.
i picked up a year old boardman team full suspension. 460 quid runs well.
I had a calibre gaunlet, a good buy, and spec, i got an unused one for 250 quid. i usually stick to voodoo or own brands, as the specs are usually much better than rivals.
I've had a mixture of bikes, cube,saracen,boardman,calibre. Cubes are so much fun built for speed but specs lacking now.
I had a calibre gaunlet, a good buy, and spec, i got an unused one for 250 quid. i usually stick to voodoo or own brands, as the specs are usually much better than rivals.
I've had a mixture of bikes, cube,saracen,boardman,calibre. Cubes are so much fun built for speed but specs lacking now.
AlasdairMc said:
Is it a 26er? The market for them has fallen apart very quickly, everything is 29er or 650b.
Generally speaking, if a bike isn’t selling either the advert isn’t strong enough or the price is too high. Where is it advertised? Try the singletrack forums as they’ll give an honest appraisal.
Yes 26” but still a good bike. Victim of fashion so it is now a spare bike n+2 😃Generally speaking, if a bike isn’t selling either the advert isn’t strong enough or the price is too high. Where is it advertised? Try the singletrack forums as they’ll give an honest appraisal.
Thanks for the replies so far! I could respond because there was a restriction on new members posting due to some issue yesterday or something.
I take the point of a used bike, I have been looking constantly for a few weeks, there's so much out there it seems to be a minefield. I also understand what people mean about Halfords and I probably wouldn't be looking at bikes from there if I didn't have 10% off and some universal vouchers for £75. But the voodoo ones all seem to get a good write-up and I wouldn't be using them for after-care anyway. Maybe I should keep looking at used bikes for a while and see if anything comes up.
I take the point of a used bike, I have been looking constantly for a few weeks, there's so much out there it seems to be a minefield. I also understand what people mean about Halfords and I probably wouldn't be looking at bikes from there if I didn't have 10% off and some universal vouchers for £75. But the voodoo ones all seem to get a good write-up and I wouldn't be using them for after-care anyway. Maybe I should keep looking at used bikes for a while and see if anything comes up.
Would definitely keep looking at the used ones, especially just after Christmas there's bound to be some bargains about. Imo used offers so much more value for money, especially if you're prepared to travel, I drive South Wales to Scarborough for my voodoo canzo and getting there seeing it was practically brand new at £500 less than Halfords had me grinning, proper bargain.
Mike_se said:
Thanks for the replies so far! I could respond because there was a restriction on new members posting due to some issue yesterday or something.
I take the point of a used bike, I have been looking constantly for a few weeks, there's so much out there it seems to be a minefield. I also understand what people mean about Halfords and I probably wouldn't be looking at bikes from there if I didn't have 10% off and some universal vouchers for £75. But the voodoo ones all seem to get a good write-up and I wouldn't be using them for after-care anyway. Maybe I should keep looking at used bikes for a while and see if anything comes up.
I take your point about the vouchers, but don't be driven by them, With a combination of stacking the AA discount and work vouchers I would have got something like 19.25% off at halfords. Buy the bike you like and meets your needs but my post was actually to try and highlight that the LBS gave a 15% discount very easily on a 2019 bike which was not on sale with them or anywhere else and they threw in great service and a service plan I can use if I want and probably will despite having a garage wall full of tools and enthusiasm.I take the point of a used bike, I have been looking constantly for a few weeks, there's so much out there it seems to be a minefield. I also understand what people mean about Halfords and I probably wouldn't be looking at bikes from there if I didn't have 10% off and some universal vouchers for £75. But the voodoo ones all seem to get a good write-up and I wouldn't be using them for after-care anyway. Maybe I should keep looking at used bikes for a while and see if anything comes up.
Following this with interest as I'm in a similar position.
Voodoo bizango looks interesting, but went on ebay.... only 3 for sale within 100 miles of me within budget. First one is scratched to f
k all over the frame, bars and top of the forks (how do you even do that?!?) saddle is torn and tyres are worn out, yet its the best part of £300. Coupled with the fact I have been out of bikes for 15 plus years and I don't know what I'm looking for, buying new still seems to be the best option for me.... I still don't know who Voodoo are, such is the level of my knowledge!
Voodoo bizango looks interesting, but went on ebay.... only 3 for sale within 100 miles of me within budget. First one is scratched to f
k all over the frame, bars and top of the forks (how do you even do that?!?) saddle is torn and tyres are worn out, yet its the best part of £300. Coupled with the fact I have been out of bikes for 15 plus years and I don't know what I'm looking for, buying new still seems to be the best option for me.... I still don't know who Voodoo are, such is the level of my knowledge!If you don't know bikes too well, go with the Voodoo, they aint bad bikes.
Someone will always mention something better and cheaper.
Give it a year, if you take to it you will learn more and want a bigger and better bike anyway. Don't overthink on your first bike.
How you look after it will matter more than what you "could" get on eBay.
Rarely will those secondhand bikes be running in tip top condition, that is why they are being sold.
Someone will always mention something better and cheaper.
Give it a year, if you take to it you will learn more and want a bigger and better bike anyway. Don't overthink on your first bike.
How you look after it will matter more than what you "could" get on eBay.
Rarely will those secondhand bikes be running in tip top condition, that is why they are being sold.
at the end of the day a mtb will be only as useful as you use it. A lot buy bikes and get bored, just look at amount of used good condition bikes. lucky i live near cannock chase so get enjoyment, but very unfit but can adapt trail to fitness, but sometimes just get any bike and ride it, upgrading the bike, brakes,fork are pretty easy once you start pushing yourself.
I enjoy customizing, usually seat,pedals,tyes and grips, those things can massively change enjoyment.
I enjoy customizing, usually seat,pedals,tyes and grips, those things can massively change enjoyment.
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