[Closed] Looking at hardtails £300 - 350

my mate bought one of these today. a better bargain you'll struggle to find, i'd say:

[url= http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/custom-mountain-bikes/commencal-mountain-bikes/commencal-normal-disc-2009.html ]Commencal Normal Disc[/url]

The Decathlon Rockriders look decent value

I'm picking one up as a runaround tomorrow

I'd recommend the Carrera Vulvan purely for the comedic value of the name. What's the next model up, the Clitoran?

What a typo that is! I don't even what to edit it! 😆

Had a look at the Normal Disc and it looks a bargain, but there's a 30 quid delivery charge on top so it's just a bit over budget.

Also no Decathlon nearby, so can't get a Rockrider.

Carrera Fury 08? Might be a bit heavy for just general riding though

08 Fury is £480 according to the website.

Don't think it could be too heavy though, it's surely lighter than the Vulcan.

Yeah, Fury's out of budget unless they do another mental sale (they were down to £340 at one point, I almost got one as a spare). Carrera Kraken is fairly nice, I have one, it's the bike that got me back into riding... The XCR forks are quite high maintenance though because the seals are pish, and it's a bit heavy, but otherwise good value (though the tyres are comedically heavy). The Commie is obviously cooler but I think in performance they're quite well tied.

Daughter has the Vulcan, wife (TBC) has the Kraken. Both really nice bikes but I'd wait until Halfords goes to sale season as they do lop a hell of a lot off the price usually.

One problem is punctures.....I'm dreading the time they get puncture out riding 'cos those rims & tyres are a barsteward to get on....managed 3 punctures before giving to LBS in shame.....they did it with only 2 puntures.....

Nice bikes though & the Vulcan mens in red is smart as hell. No problems with forks so far & brakes have been pretty good for the money.

I think she's hoping to pick something up for the weekend... so no chance of waiting for further discounts!

i would recommend the carrera nipplum.. it gets a little stiff on some of the rides..but always gives great pleasure 😆

I'm disappointed that the name was a typo. A female body part is far more interesting than Mr Spock.

i'd make the trip to merlin personally to get that commencal. 🙂

i'd make the trip to merlin personally to get that commencal.

🙂 Dito

Blowing the budget, but I just picked up my Kona Hoss 2008 from an eBay auction for £400. It had 8 road miles on it.

Does it need to be new when you can get a lot more for your money near-new?

Wow that Commencal looks great for the money.

Re the Commencal, Steve @ Real cycles will apparently pricematch & doesn't have any P&P charges.. though whether he take the P&P from Merlin into account I couldn't say.

yeah it's a good deal - my mate lives just the other side of manc from merlin so went in to get one. i reserved it for him as i was convinced they would have sold out of them by the time he could get there yesterday...

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🙂

Send her in at the deep end and get a [url= http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gt/peace-2008-single-speed-mountain-bike-ec000676 ]GT Peace[/url]. Rigid [i]and[/i] singlespeed 🙂 My brother got one at trade price (unbelievably cheap) and it's a fantastic bike.

As for the Carreras...not bad bikes. When I use to sell those I was always happy recommending them over some of the big name bikes because of the better spec they came with for the same money. The Vulvan is a good starter but we used to have less "issues" (mainly component-failing issues) with the Kraken.

Commencal looks very very nice, but it's probably a good thing she won't stretch that far as I'd be very jealous!

+1 for commencal, amazing bike for the money.

Similarly, Im looking to recommend a bike for a mate and looked at the Commencal but I discounted it because of the Suntour forks which I dont know too much about - are they any good? I doubt he'll be going far and he'll generally stick to the local trails, so not too much abuse although he is a big lad. 😉

i don't know a huge amount about the fork either, though think i've heard on here that it's not up to much past basic. having said that, the rest of the spec, including frame's decent enough. he's a beginner at the mo so won't think the fork's no good and it can be an upgrade as and when.

I haven't ridden one for more than 5 minutes, but you won't get anything above a Suntour fork for anywhere near this money.

Don't get excited about a Rockshox Dart as an alternative - they're pants.

If you go for the Commencal and upgrade the fork at a later date you've got a cracking bike.

Back on topic though, what's the opinion of a Mongoose Tyax against the Vulcan?

Can get it for £270, so £30 more. Components are similar but if it's much lighter it may be worth it.

It's got the looks of a stray dog though so she might not be convinced!

speccy Hardrock comp 2008 £350 at wheelies direct

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I just ordered a 21"!

The one above is 09

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This is the 08 hardrock. I like mine but I've swapped the fork for a rockshox recon, fitted disc wheels and hydraulic brakes

Can get the 09 version for the same price in Evans.

Not really that worth it though imo. £110 extra for a similar quality drivetrain (better crankset though) and v-brakes and still a low quality fork.

And then if you were going to pay 350 you'd be as well spending an extra 30 quid for the Commie or the Carrera Kraken...

i think this is worth a look if the budget can stretch a bit at £391,
its a bit more than the £270 vulva, but the extra £121 equates to a hell of lot,
mix of xt/lx drivetrain, mavic/deore wheels, decent fork and hydro brakes
and a light frame!!

edit: assuming a 14in frame would fit her
[img] [/img]

http://paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b4s2p1295

Great spec for the money there, but she needs a 17 or 18.

they've still got medium commencals. i'd still go for one of those. lend her the extra money required!

Whoops 09 Hardrock arrived - decent weigh in 28lbs with the times on!

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the BB struck me as being very low, I wouldnt like to take through a rock fest - still I only got it to commute to work once paths become too dodgy for my sirrus!

flatboy no need to lend, she has more money than me! Could easily "afford" £380 but it's more a case of how much value a bike has to her. Her first sport is running and only bikes for variety, and generally sticks to cycle paths anyway.

She went for the ladies Vulcan, and I had a wee shot of it today.

Pretty darn good for the price I'd say. It's no lightweight, but much lighter than the 2008 one I lifted the other week (tyres are different).

Cranks are cheapo Suntour's but I honestly can never tell the difference amongst cranks. Only weakness is the fork which seems a bit clunky. Also it's supposed to have rebound adjust, and i didn't see any clear way to adjust it.

just got back from test ride on the hardrock comp - very surprised - it goes like stink - got the wheels off when I got back the rear weighs 2150g and the front 1500g - not crossmax/ust territory but lighter than crosstrails or cross rides.

Value for money 10/10
Performance 10/10

Rides like £2500 hardtail!