Rightoh, its C2W time, and I figured (being limited to halfords) I'd pick myself up a NS Core 2 - £950 for a nice and strong (key point - my current xc bike is a 45 lb cannondale) hardtail with reasonable forks. Only problem - there's none in a large size in the country, and the distributer recons it's going to stay that way this year.
So, what else is there? a quick look suggests
Giant Aggressor Elite - very unknown (not a single review, and none in-store), and a bit lightweight - that 'all mountain' wheelset looks like it'd last me 5 minutes
DMR - nothing with gears in their 'bikes' section
Kona - Five-o fits the bill, but i just.. don't like it. Its a shame, I can't fault it but it just doesn't do anything for me
Identiti - nothing with decent forks available
And that's about it - there aren't any other big hardtail brands I can see there. Have I missed anything? I'm no-where near leisure lakes or the bike chain (I'm in Brighton) and they don't do halfords c2w mail-order. Has anyone had luck getting halfords to build them a bike based on a frame (you can still get the NS Surge frame-only)? Gotta make a decision fairly soon as our benefits deadline is soon :S
anyone? 🙁
I thought Halfords could order pretty much anythign in for you?
[i]my current xc bike is a 45 lb cannondale[/i]
I think you'll find that's a bike you ride xc, not an xc bike 😉
I'm not sure where they stand on custom bikes? A lot of beefy hardtails are frame-only - there's not much out there which is available as a full bike from the manufacturer (ie Ragley, Cotic etc)
Can they get hold of Orange or Marin? Crush or Rocky Ridge?
Halfords have supplied Genesis via CTW, I don't know where they get them from though as we don't supply them ourselves.
I got a genesis from halfords last year and there are a few good hardtails in their range. You could also look at charge, I think they were on the list... Worst comes to the worst - get something with the best componentry you can and swap it onto a on-one 456...
orange crush and rocky ridge are both out of the price range (£1000) which can't be topped up
There is that leisure lakes special orange crush, I think that might be the best option right now
The componentry option is one I'd looked at (although swapping onto a ns surge rather than a 456) - the trouble is that all their decent componentry is on bikes more towards the xc end of things, which would mean new forks\wheels needed, and kinda defeats the point - the exception would be the carrera xxx which just gets away with having enough kit I think (but how hard would it be to sell a carrera frame? :S )
Are you really limited to Halfords, or is that just a location issue? I'd spend a couple of hours travelling and £20 fuel to get a decent spec bike on c2w.
actually limited, although some LBSs can apparently take their vouchers.
Buy the voodoo D-Jab TI hrdtail frame should be under a grand 🙂
I know a few indepandants will take the Halfords vouchers.
the djab (I'd love one) is £1600 (!) instore. A bit far off the grand (they got down to that price last year)
I could get vouchers for a grand and hope something comes up, but its a bit of a risk
Why don't you like the 5-O? It's the right sort of bike I think. Mate has one - it's weighty to pedal uphill, but very comfy and capable downhill.
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Bikeradar gave the delux model 4/5: [url= http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mountain/product/five-o-deluxe-09-33128 ]BIKERADAR LINK[/url]
Ride before you decide
I know I sound like a bit of a gimp, but I just don't like it - whilst it ticks all the boxes (the weight is no issue). I used to have one of these
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which I loved, so it's not a kona snobbery issue. I just don't like it. I think its the bent top tube, but I can't put my finger on it - and when spending a grand I'd like something I do like.
Hope that helps. I understand its not logical, but thats all I can say?
the first bike you stated is that not a GT aggressor elite? as i did not think halford did giant...
If it is i own a GT elite with the 140mm travel rock shox revelation forks and the frames seems strong as you like. even the wheels seem pretty solid for what they are.
only thing i hated was the trutive fire x crank :S
OK I can see why you don't like the look of the long, kinky top-tube. Fair enough.
sorry, yeah the GT (always get the two confused..)
what are the angles like on it? I was a little worried by
'The Alex SX44 rims are white and really stand out from the crowd'
aside from the 'really standing out in the crowd' part, they're described by the manufacturer as
Especially for All Mountain, Marathon, Enduro
Pinned joint, 32 or 36 holes,
Silver\black, 26", 559 X 20, 480g
which doesn't sound *that* strong?
the SX44's are alright - I got some on my abyss I think the only reason I don't use them more is that I don't get on with the tyres, and I have better wheels on better rubber. They are reasonably burly though.
okay get a NS Surge, or to be exact my NS Surge. £1000ONO
do you take halfords vouchers? 🙂
haha..woops i didn't read the whole thing.
how many halfords vouchers?? 😛