Looking to get an Apollo Gradient Mens Mountain Bike

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Garry A

Calibrating.....
Location
Grangemouth
Marasa is good but wouldn't touch that full suspension mountain bike with a barge pole.
 

AndyRM

XOXO
Location
North Shields
Out of that pair, get the Voodoo.

The Apollo is a hateful thing which you will soon want to fling into a river. Heavy, crap suspension, parts made of cheese. Best avoided.

I'm making a big assumption, but I guess this is an early foray into cycling? Halford's Carrerra range, particularly the Subway offers good value for money.
 

Milkfloat

An Peanut
Location
Midlands
To expand a little of what Garry A wrote.

At that price point, in fact arguably up to a price point 5-10 times higher, full suspension would be just a gimmick that will make the bike significantly heavier, harder the ride, ruin any dynamic it may have and likely to suffer mechanical issues. Full suspension is mainly for hurling yourself down a rough mountain, on the Apollo Gradient, I suspect that you would not even get the bike up the mountain in the first place, nevermind get it more than halfway down.

I am not being a bike snob, it is just a simple fact of life.

You don't say what sort of riding you are planning, if you can give us a clue I am sure lots of advice will come your way.
 
Location
South East
^^^^^^^ +1 the Marissa looks better to me too. Shimano Acera SL-M360 RD are not bad, we have this on the Tandem, just put a new one on and feels pretty slick, not the best by any means, but certainly not cheap rubbish.
 

shouldbeinbed

Rollin' along
Location
Manchester way
There are better retailers of budget bikes than Halfords. If you live near a Decathlon or Edinburgh Bikes store, go and have a look at their ranges.

For a couple of hundred pounds, you may be better considering second hand, although for a mewcommer to cycling that is a bit of a minefield.

What type of riding do you intend primarily to be doing and what is your ideal/maximum budget. Does that include accessories : lock, pump, helmet if you choose to wear one etc.
 
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/C-376962-hybrid-and-touring-bikes
The 500 Hybrid (160) and Road Bike (260) are alternatives.
 
OP
OP
S

SepticSalmon

New Member
Hey guys,
Yse i am new to cycling and looking for something to ride around town and maybe in the future move on to off road in woods and such in my area, there isn't much in th3 way of specialist bike shops in my area it's quite rural but there is a Halford in the next town.

After considering your the apollo will be useless and I mainly wish to use it mainly on paths and roads the voodoo seems like the better offer here.

My budget is around 200 to 250 not including locks ect as I already have a decent lock and such .


http://www.decathlon.co.uk/C-376962-hybrid-and-touring-bikes
The 500 Hybrid (160) and Road Bike (260) are alternatives.
How do these bikes compare to the voodoo Marras?
 
Last edited:
Location
South East
My preference would be the Triban 500, for Sram x3s, and the frame looks better - I don't like the bent downtube on the Marasa!
But don't take my word for it - try to ride them both before you buy!
 

Levo-Lon

Guru
18kg .....13.5kg...all you need to know really..
the appolo islike its name sake..ancient by design, bad by any standard..avoid

voodoo are as good as it gets from halfords..
 

DCLane

Found in the Yorkshire hills ...
:welcome:

If it's Halfords then their Carrera range is fine as a starting point; just remember that they are always on offer and discounted.

The Voodoo and Boardman range are a step above Carrera and Apollo is several steps below.
 

Grahamb7171

New Member
I am a new member and a 70 years old retiree and this is my opinion of the Apollo Gradient.

I took a risk buying this bike as there wasn’t any on show in any of my local Halford stores so I could actually try it out and especially after reading all the negative reviews on this site. I can only assume that the people giving it the thumbs down are people that are quite wealthy and used to riding a lot more expensive bike. The alternative bikes they recommend cost a lot more.

I have had this bike for about a week or so now and have done about 60 miles or so. I have found this bike to be perfectly suitable for my needs, which is, leisure, riding around my local country parks and sometimes on the road. I use it to go to the shops etc and just general getting about. My old bike was a Giant hand me down costing about £450 when new, but it was getting old and the gears were worn out.

In my opinion the Apollo Gradient is a good bike for £260 and excellent value. I can’t see how I would get a better ride for my purpose on a more expensive bike. The saddle wasn’t that bad but I changed it anyway for a more comfortable one. The disc brakes are good and very responsive. The twist grip gears are 100 times better than my old bike and very easy to change. I only really notice the rear suspension when I’m on very bumpy ground. I suppose the bike is quite heavy at 17.5 kg but that’s the same weight as my old bike. This bike seems to go a lot faster with a lot less effort.

I wasn’t expecting a Rolls Royce of a bike for this money but up to now I am very pleased with it.
 
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