WHICH BIKE? Around £500 to spend...

[911p]

As many of you might know, my bike was stolen recently so I'm on the lookout for a new one. I have about £500 to spend - which do you think would be the best option? I am also considering purchasing a used bike. Obviously the more I can save the better, so I've been looking at a 2009 Cube Acid. One question I have about this bike; what are the Rock Shox Dart forks like? They seem to have some mixed reviews.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

[curlie467]

Where would you be able to get a 2009 Cube acid from?

The darts are ok but dont expect too much from them.

I am sure others will mention some but for me you wont go far wrong with the Carrera fury:
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

[SteveS Cup]

I'm in a similar position and there's a selection of bikes at Halfords that seem very good VFM when you consider the spec. My shortlist is now...

Boardman Sport 2010
Voodoo Hoodoo
Boardman Comp 2010
GT Agressor XC1 2009
Carerra Fury 2009

The specs are all very similar with the GT probably highest with Marzocchi forks but it has an ugly frame IMO.

From reviews I've read you can't go wrong with the Carerra Fury and the Boardman Comp but Halfords only have Small 2010 Comps which is fine for me (I think) but may not suit you.

[Badabing]

Another for Voodoo bikes. Bought the Mrs one (Voodoo Bantu) a couple of months ago. I'm keen to have a decent blast on it myself as it feels great to ride.
http://www.voodoobikes.co.uk/

[SteveS Cup]

I'd add that the Voodoo has Suntour forks and Tektro discs.

The Boardman Sport gets rockshox but still has tektro discs.

Where as the Boardman comp has rockshox and avid juicy's.

I'm sure the carerra and GT have juicy's but the carerra has suntour forks. Which I can't say I've ever been a fan of... Seem a bit of a budget brand for that price range. But maybe they've come a long way since I experienced them 10 years ago!

[Sheets Tabuer]

Is the Kraken any good? £150 off, was £500 now £349

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

[SteveS Cup]

Sheets Tabuer said:

Is the Kraken any good? £150 off, was £500 now £349

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

Doesn't look a bad buy at all!

I'm just not sure about the Suntour forks. But for £350 that's incredible! I've been setting my searches for £400 - £600 so didn't see this!

[Roman]

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/8-1-2011-172069577/

2010 version comes with Rockshox Tora forks, SRAM X7 & spds for £450 in store - unbeatable for the money.

[curlie467]

The suntour epicons on the fury are excellent, lightweight air forks and get good reviews, the rest of the suntour range is somewhat lacking! If you were to choose between darts and suntour xc range then darts every time but you just cant beat the air forks.

Oh yes, the tektro brakes are not to be sniffed at either, to be honest, they are probably more reliable than juicy 3s and equally as powerful.

[SteveS Cup]

curlie467 said:

The suntour epicons on the fury are excellent, lightweight air forks and get good reviews, the rest of the suntour range is somewhat lacking! If you were to choose between darts and suntour xc range then darts every time but you just cant beat the air forks.

Oh yes, the tektro brakes are not to be sniffed at either, to be honest, they are probably more reliable than juicy 3s and equally as powerful.

Thanks Curlie... That's a great reassurance to me as well as the bikes I'm looking at are either Suntour air forks or Rockshox and Tektro hydraulics or juicy's so which ever I choose I'll be happy!

[Sheets Tabuer]

SteveS Cup said:

Sheets Tabuer said:

Is the Kraken any good? £150 off, was £500 now £349

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

Doesn't look a bad buy at all!

I'm just not sure about the Suntour forks. But for £350 that's incredible! I've been setting my searches for £400 - £600 so didn't see this!

Went to Halfords this morning, the Kraken didn't look half bad and felt quite good.

[tom felty]

the Rock Shox are awesome, my mate has some on his 24seven jump bike

for £500 i would recommend either a Trek or a Marin

[Dan_1981]

Can I suggest a Decathalon Rockrider 8.1

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/8-1-2011-172069577/

Or the 2010 model is available instore with 10% off so £449 - also many of the 2010 models have been upgraded to the newer components on the 2011 model so the only real difference is the paint job.

I'm purchasing one in the next few days - I've been looking very hard and you simply can't find anything with the same level of components in for the same price.

All of the bikes mentioned above seem to be short in one area or two behind the decathalon bike.

Of course you have to not mind riding a bike from Decathalon, but i'm not a label snob.

but i will be having a 2011 model with the new paint job

Review of the bike here

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mount...

[GG89]

My riding buddy has a Cube Acid and it is a really decent quick bike with a nice racey geometry. The only thing letting it down is indeed the rockshox dart fork, With a fork upgrade it will be a great little xc bike.

[porka944s]

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2873328.htm

Buy Mine, you can have £50 off if you want it as i have to find money for a party for my little girl now!