Shockwave XT900
Discussion
pdV6 said:
Looks like it weighs about as much as a supertanker.
Seriously, avoid full suspension bikes at that price point like the plague.
Seriously, avoid full suspension bikes at that price point like the plague.
It needs to weigh in at that, just so it (hopefully) won't break down under me.
Anyway it looks good, to me, is cheap and most importantly it has dual brake discs.
I hate the way that toy bikes are sold as 'mountain bikes'. I would not take thing off the street outside my house, let alone off road.
The frame will be poor quality and heavy.
The fork is two undamped pogo sticks
The rear suspension is completely pointless. Rubbish geometry and crap spring, no damping. Overall the rear suspension only adds weight.
The disc brakes will be unbranded mechanical crap no more effective than a half decent set of Vs.
All the components will be either unbranded or Shimano's/Sram's most basic sh1t. Expect any component to fail or seize at any time with a bike like this.
I reckon overall weight will be >35lb.
Mountain bikes start at about £200 for a capable GT hardtail or similar. Any thing less than that isn't worth spending money on unless its purely for undemanding road riding or meant as a child's toy.
Think of this as the bike equivalent of the Metro with a F355 bodykit on it that your local chav drives around in.
The frame will be poor quality and heavy.
The fork is two undamped pogo sticks
The rear suspension is completely pointless. Rubbish geometry and crap spring, no damping. Overall the rear suspension only adds weight.
The disc brakes will be unbranded mechanical crap no more effective than a half decent set of Vs.
All the components will be either unbranded or Shimano's/Sram's most basic sh1t. Expect any component to fail or seize at any time with a bike like this.
I reckon overall weight will be >35lb.
Mountain bikes start at about £200 for a capable GT hardtail or similar. Any thing less than that isn't worth spending money on unless its purely for undemanding road riding or meant as a child's toy.
Think of this as the bike equivalent of the Metro with a F355 bodykit on it that your local chav drives around in.
Edited by tombaron on Wednesday 16th May 17:00
Seriously, it will break. Huge weight doesn't equal tough. Especially where dirt-cheap FS bikes are concerned.
Spend the same on a hardtail and it'll be lighter and stronger.
Don't get all dazzled by the brakes - a decent set would actually cost more than that entire bike, so they're likely to be crap.
Double your budget to about £300-odd and there are a few pretty good bikes to be had from proper manufacturers. Ones that won't leave you with a bad taste in your mouth (blood, likely as not) after 10mins riding them...
Spend the same on a hardtail and it'll be lighter and stronger.
Don't get all dazzled by the brakes - a decent set would actually cost more than that entire bike, so they're likely to be crap.
Double your budget to about £300-odd and there are a few pretty good bikes to be had from proper manufacturers. Ones that won't leave you with a bad taste in your mouth (blood, likely as not
) after 10mins riding them...I know someone with one...
It's rubbish - very heavy with virtually no damping in the 'suspension', poor tyres and bad snatchy brakes. Doubt you would ever get it upto a velocity to warrant the need for discs bar throwing the thing off a cliff!
Don't do it - it will put you off riding!
If you are shopping at Halfords I'd say get a GT Aggressor or Carrera Kraken hard tail instead.
It's rubbish - very heavy with virtually no damping in the 'suspension', poor tyres and bad snatchy brakes. Doubt you would ever get it upto a velocity to warrant the need for discs bar throwing the thing off a cliff!
Don't do it - it will put you off riding!
If you are shopping at Halfords I'd say get a GT Aggressor or Carrera Kraken hard tail instead.
Reasonable full suspension bikes start around £700-800
There is a reason why this is so much cheaper
I would say go for a hardtail with some older but higher spec forks. Either buy some used ones on ebay (though a rebuild may be needed) or a surplus model from 2005 or something.
Try and stick with V brakes instead of disks. They are seen as old tech but are simple, lightweight and save money to spend elsewhere on the bike.
There is a reason why this is so much cheaper
I would say go for a hardtail with some older but higher spec forks. Either buy some used ones on ebay (though a rebuild may be needed) or a surplus model from 2005 or something.
Try and stick with V brakes instead of disks. They are seen as old tech but are simple, lightweight and save money to spend elsewhere on the bike.
Thanks for all your replies and your words of wisdom.
Mainly I would use the bike for normal cycling, not really for trashing along hardly existing footpaths in the woodlands, or defying death stunts going downhill. No, my main usage would consist of a nice and relaxed pedalling along the beach in B'mouth or at the most a short off-road excursion in New Forest. A bit like a RR or Hummer or the likes of Chelsea, potential that never really gets used
Mainly I would use the bike for normal cycling, not really for trashing along hardly existing footpaths in the woodlands, or defying death stunts going downhill. No, my main usage would consist of a nice and relaxed pedalling along the beach in B'mouth or at the most a short off-road excursion in New Forest. A bit like a RR or Hummer or the likes of Chelsea, potential that never really gets used
In that case you would probably be better off with a rigid. Money saved by the manufacturer not buying crap springs goes into better components elsewhere meaning you will have less maintenance issues and a bike that'll last longer.
I know you feel that we are giving you advice for a bike to compete in the Olympics or something, but seriously THIS IS NOT A MOUNTAIN BIKE, ITS IS A TOY AND IT WILL BREAK!! Your call
I know you feel that we are giving you advice for a bike to compete in the Olympics or something, but seriously THIS IS NOT A MOUNTAIN BIKE, ITS IS A TOY AND IT WILL BREAK!! Your call
If you're planning to use the mountain bike for short rides by the beach and the occasional singletrack through some woods, then avoid the Shockwave XT900 like the plague! The weight alone will cause a hindrance to you, especially on those up-hill sections ... Spend the money on the best specced rigid that you can find! Believe me, the frame will not snap and the cash will go towards better components, which will improve the overall ride. If you really want a bike with suspension then buy a hardtail (front suspension only), although look to spend approximately £300 for something with forks that actually move! 
GT's, Specialized etc all good ...
GT's, Specialized etc all good ... Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff