Just wondering what the best value for money 2012 or 2013 Hardtail's are out there that have 11-34 cassette, air forks, remote lockout and 26" wheels?
The lowest price I have seen so far is the Jamis Durango Race at £670, however the air forks they have I don't believe are very well regarded, and it doesn't have remote lockout.
VooDoo HooDoo from Halfords at £475?
On-One Inbred X5 at £600?
KHS alite 2000?
http://www.khsbikes.co.uk/bikes/khs-alite-2000
I don't know much about the fork but the overall reviews seem good. My father has the SL version (next model up) and loves it.
Neither has remote lockout though but really light for the money.
Carrera fury got a wicked review in this months MBUK £599
got remote lockout too
trouble with the KHS bike is the fork is pants off road. ive had this fork on a previous bike the sun tour is a better bet
If it was me looking I would be strongly considering this genesis with a possible fork upgrade from merlin
http://www.ukbikesdepot.com/m15b0s2p6984/GENESIS_2012_iO_ID_w_o_wheels_2012
The hoodoo is great vfm and I love the colour, but doesn't have the cassette I'd like and is a bit heavy. I'm also not sure whether the 18" frame would be right for me. I'm 5'8½" height and my sleeve length on my shirt is only 32 or 33" so I have slightly shorter than average arms length.
They don't sell it in 16" frame size. It is an option to consider in the back of my mind though but that's providing the 18" is okay which I am thinking it may be too big.
The Carerra Fury do you know if that good review will appear on Bike Radar soon?
The previous reviews I have read for the Fury said that it was downgraded from the 2011 version and wasn't as good. Also on Bike Radar they gave the Hoodoo a not so good review previously and then more recently a glowing review for the same bike singing its praises with the older review disappearing which seems very strange to me. Are they about to do the same with the Fury?
The Fury does tick all the boxes (except cassette is 11 or 12-36 I believe?) but frame size may again be an issue and it is something I would have to sit on in Halfords to check if it is right.
I love the Genesis bikes they are fantastic. The model mentioned the IO-ID 2012 is just way out of my price range unfortunately. I don't believe you would need to upgrade that fork? I thought the RS Gold and Silver forks are pretty good? I'm not sure on the weight of the bike though with it being steel?
Would be interested in finding out more about the Fury and what the review said.
Wondering how many other bikes that are good vfm meet my wishlist?
Or are there any bikes that meet everything on my list except the fork that are very low in price and it would be possible to sell the fork it comes with and get a better air fork? Would you be able to do that with the likes of the Specialized Hardrocks?
Inbred in a 16" sounds like it could be worth a look then.
The fury is in this months MBUK (nov issue) there is a whole group test on the sort of bike you are after.
go to halfords sit on a bike or two some of the carrera stuff is very well spec'd
Just read your reply and have realised I have linked to the wrong genesis. I was trying to link to the latitude 00. This is hopefully better for your budget and may make more sense with a possible fork upgrade.
http://www.ukbikesdepot.com/m15b126s2p6986/GENESIS_2012_Latitude_00_2012
Appogies for the bad link