scooby_matt

I've been considering which bike to buy for a while now and narrowed my choice down to a GT Avalanche 1.0 disc, which I can get for £470.

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/product...ont_Suspension

It seems to cover everything that i'm looking for (bit of off-road abuse, nothing too major though) and has a decent spec for the money.

However, I've just seen this which appeals to me

http://www.evanscycles.com/product.j...c5?style=70058

Any thoughts about which to go for, or any alternatives worth looking at around the £450 mark (give or take a bit).

Cheers

^OPM^

best i can say is can you find a local bike shop to you that sells both them bikes-and get a test ride-that might help make up your mind.

^OPM^

have a read of this forum as well-will help give you some choices

http://www.mbuk.com/forum/

rb5_336

specialized are always fantastic kit for the money.

Brit_in_Japan

^
What he said. We are all made differently, different arm & leg lengths etc. Unless you ride a few, you won't know what's best for you.

Find the best bike, then shop around for the best deal

unclebuck

Why do people think cheap **** has any merit? I'll never understand that

TopBanana

More meritous than expensive ****

unclebuck

Only if it's any good... which of course it isn't...

Davey P

iTrader: (1)

As someone has already said, you need to see / ride both to make a decision. If it was me I would buy the GT as I have always been a big fan of them!

simplesteve

I'll third that! The GT seems to have a slightly better spec, although I'd still go for the Specialized. Down to personal preference me thinks.

scooby_matt

Thanks for that amazing pearl of wisdom

PaulC555

I just bought the avalanche 1 disc and I am very very happy with it.....after riding Treks for several years I bought a Carrera bike last year and hardly used it at all just didnt feel right...so I saw the GT in Evans on sale and couldnt resist....been out on it more in the last 2 weeks than I was most of last year on the other....get the GT you wont regret it mate...

Tuts

Why not go for last years models and save a load?? For about the same money as the Hard rock sport you can have the 2006 model hardrock pro which is a better spec.
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=60154

Or for a tad more you could go for the 2007 model
http://www.buyabikedirect.co.uk/prod...dinfo&pid=1213

Personally I have never got on well with GT and much prefer Specialized or Trek. The tube lengths and geometry suit me better on those. I'm 6'3 so finding a bike with a long enough top tube is important. Depends on how the bike fits and feels to you. Look around and ride them. See if they fit. It is more important than having the latest years colour!

dynamix

iTrader: (3)

Specialized for me too everytime...

Buy the best Frame/wheelset that you can afford and all the other bits can be replaced/upgraded when they break or wear out... cheaper stuff will do this very quickly.

This is much better than buying a **** frame with all the best bits on it, it would still be a shockingly poor bike.

Hoppy

Loads of last year's bargains here. Based in Dereham, Norfolk.

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/

Got me a 2005 Giant with 38% off - over £500

Richard.

PS Edited to add, do make sure you try before buying, even if it's just around the car park. I'm medium-ish size and can feel okay on most bikes, until you try another size immediately after. Then it's pretty obvious which one is best for you.

scooby_matt

Looks very tempting

scooby_matt

How important is lock-out on the forks?

dynamix

iTrader: (3)

never used mine .... so i guess not very important

PaulC555

I find it really useful......approaching a long climb just turn the lock-out on and it stops all that valuable energy being wasted with the forks compressing on every push.....just dont forget to unlock for the downhill which I did once....thinking my forks were crap with no travel....DOH!!

alistair

I just bought a bike from Pauls - Trek 6700 - best price I could find and it arrived within 48 hours