Budget Mountain Bike opinion

[ian turner]

My main bike is a Specialized Secteur Sport but I need (as in want) something for general trail use so a hardtail for a bit more flexibility than I'll get with a hybrid.
Nothing too pricey as most of the time I'm on the roads.
Originally I was looking at the Specialized Rockhopper sport or comp but ferreting around suggested the Voodoo Hoodoo or Calibre two.two which are cheaper and closer (The Rockhopper would involve a 25 mile trip home from the shop which doesn't bother me as much as the 2 hour plus trip there by public transport as my car is a KA and I'm not seriously considering a rack for that).
I'd appreciate opinions on the value for money on these bikes as
the price difference isn't that big with the two.two at £379, the hoodoo at £399 and the rockhopper sport at £440.
I note that the hoodoo has gone from air to coil forks since its 5 star review and am taking into account paying a bike repair place to give the bikes the once over given the somewhat variable assembly skills of halfords and the unknown quantity that is go outdoors.
Decathlon is about 2.5 hours away by bus so don't rate them as an option.
Not interested in pushing the price up for a bike that is only a secondary steed.
Delivery is an issue as I'd have to take the day off and Halfords is walking distance and go outdoors only 9 miles.

 

[3narf]

Those Carrera mountain bikes they do at Halfords are supposed to be pretty good these days...

 

[ian turner]

Yeah the Vulcan was highly rated but that was a while back and while looking for a comparison between the vulcan and hoodoo I found a thread on bikeradar comparing the hoodoo with the more expensive kraken where a
halfords mechanic said hoodoo as the brakes on the kraken needed regular adjustment due to a tendency to unscrew themselves

 

[Tin Pot]

I need (as in want) something for general trail use so a hardtail for a bit more flexibility than I'll get with a hybrid.
Nothing too pricey as most of the time I'm on the roads.

I use a Trax TFS.1, £79, for trails.

Had it three years, only work was to have the spokes tightened soon after I bought it.

And a road bike for the roads.

 

[ian turner]

There's too pricey and then there's
Replacement Bike Advice after riding the Bike From Hell

 

[Tin Pot]

There's too pricey and then there's
Replacement Bike Advice after riding the Bike From Hell

You haven't yet learned the ways of the BSO.

Benefits:

- Practically zero cost
- Needs no lock
- has additional weight to increase calorie burn throughout the workout
- needs no maintenance, because it is...
- disposable
- doesn't impact the annual holiday budget
- doubles as hard cover during a fire fight
- does not require shaved legs and a brand matching bidon
- enables on to laugh at the money others have spent
- needs no bell, alerts others to presence through squeaking
- makes riding your road bike feel amazing

 

[iamRayRay]

You haven't yet learned the ways of the BSO.

Benefits:

- Practically zero cost
- Needs no lock
- has additional weight to increase calorie burn throughout the workout
- needs no maintenance, because it is...
- disposable
- doesn't impact the annual holiday budget
- doubles as hard cover during a fire fight
- does not require shaved legs and a brand matching bidon
- enables on to laugh at the money others have spent
- needs no bell, alerts others to presence through squeaking
- makes riding your road bike feel amazing

Brilliant! hHahahaha!

 

[Crackle]

I think you'd be happy with either, ultimately. I noticed they changed the forks on the Hoodoo but the Raidon brand is still quite well thought of and the air forks I always thought felt soft. The Hoodoo wins on looks but the Two two on spec. I would settle it by swinging my leg over one and going on my desires.

 

[ian turner]

- does not require shaved legs and a brand matching bidon and performance enhancing drugs

- makes riding your road bike feel amazing feels like riding your road bike on pothole infested roads, any road that hasn't been freshly resurfaced in the last month so attacked by the utilities companies
The trax is too big to go on either my keyring or mantlepiece as an ornament or possibly monument to poor purchasing decisions .

 

[ian turner]

I think you'd be happy with either, ultimately. I noticed they changed the forks on the Hoodoo but the Raidon brand is still quite well thought of and the air forks I always thought felt soft. The Hoodoo wins on looks but the Two two on spec. I would settle it by swinging my leg over one and going on my desires.

Seems about right from what i've read but having nipped into my local halfords I have the strong suspicion that their click and collect in an hour lies as it seems to claim the hoodoo was available at my local store and any other within range yet the only voodoos i could see were a couple of hybrids. Will nip in later to check. Thanks

 

[vickster]

Join British cycling if buying a bike from halfords. 10% off. Plus more importantly you get legal support and 3rd party indemnity cover

Ride membership is £34, you'll cover that if buying a. £350 bike

 

[Scotchlovingcylist]

My mate has a Voodoo Aitkin? I think its called, basically the same bike as my Rockhopper just a lot cheaper. I'd be happy with a Voodoo to be honest if your not into badge snobbery.
As usual beware Halfords mechanics etc.

 

[ian turner]

Aizan but that seems to get slated for heavy wheels where as the Bizango gets £600 bike of the year but then that's £200 more than the hoodoo.
Frame sizing seems to be an issue as I'm 6' 3" and with a 35" leg measurement but the various size calculators are a tad variable with a tendency to suggest 21" frames while one suggested 20" is a possibility
and a lot of mountain bikes seem to be 20" max probably to keep costs down.

 

[vickster]

If big, have a look at what Paul's cycles have in their clearance, they often have big reductions on bikes at either end of the sizing spectrum

Eg http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s155p5311/GT-TIMBERLINE-1-0-2014
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s2p5333/GT-AGGRESSOR-2-0-2014
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s2p5484/CANNONDALE-TRAIL-6-2014
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s2p4505/GIANT-REVEL-1-LTD-2012

Plenty more 26" options

Not near Leicester though, you'd have to buy online, but they have a very good reputation

 

[Crackle]

Generally you don't want a mtn bike to fit in the same way as a roadbike. A smaller frame is easier to manual or flick about and you need more clearance over the frame for sudden unplanned dismounts. 20 or 21" sounds like it could be right, depending on the bike and design. Headtube height should be bigger on a larger frame to bring the bars up in line with the seat extension you'll need. You don't want the bars to be too low as that it makes it harder to get the front up over steps and rocks.