not familiar with the carrera vengance but If your not fussed about fancy respected names like kona, specialized, etc. the Carrera kraken has always been a well respected good solid spec model, always comes with excellent value components at full retail price . Never owned one myself but know of 3 close friends who started out on them before splashing out on the above more well known expensive names , if your not too limited for choice i would recommend you take full advantage of
halfords 50% off offer to buy the best bike you can afford within your budget , just remember to avoid rear suspension and v brakes if you intend to upgrade to hydro discs later because strong replacement aftermarket disc hub wheels can be quite expensive. ( if you do go for a hydraulic disc model within your price range just try to avoid some of the poorer quality unbranded components, ie, wheel hubs, cranksets, wheel rims. etc. " important & usually more costly to replace" ).
new carrera kraken offered here ( furnished with pink bits so may be the female specific model )
http://cgi.ebay.co.u...=item415852db0f
halfords typical kracken 09 model spec. as follows
- Approximate Weight (KG): 13.64
- Brake Type: Hydraulic Disc
- Chainset: Truvativ Isoflow with Power Spline BB
- Fork Lock-out : Yes
- Fork travel: 120mm
- Forks: Suntour XCR 120mm Travel
- Frame Material: Aluminium
- Frame-: 7005 Aluminium
- Front Brake: Tektro Auriga Comp hydraulic disc brakes
- Front Mech: SRAM X5
- Gear Shifters: SRAM X5 27 Speed Trigger
- Gender: Mens
- Handle Bars: Kalloy Alloy 31.8mm
- Headset: Semi Integrated
- Hubs: Formula Alloy Black
- Number of Gears: 27
- Pedals: Wellgo Alloy Black
- Quick Release Wheels: Yes
- Rear Brake: Tektro Auriga Hydraulic disc
- Rear Mech: SRAM X5
- Rims: Double Wall Alloy
- Saddle: Carrera
- Seatpost: Kalloy Alloy 31.6mm
- Stem: Kalloy Alloy 31.8MM
- Suspension: Front
- Tyre size: 26 x 2.3
- Tyres: Continental Speed King
- Wheel size: 26
- Frame Colour: Grey