£400 - £500 to spend

[tomhollywood]

So, I'm looking for a new bike.
I've found quite a few within this bracket, also some higher spec ones which have been reduced.

Kona Blast 2009
Kona Fire Mountain 2009/10
Scott Aspect 45 or 55
Cannondale Trail SL 5 or 6
GT Avalanche 1.0 or 2.0

Now, I know that these bikes all have pro's and con's but I am looking if anyone has got any direct experience of them.
I'm swaying naturally to the Kona Blast, over the years I have had a few Lava Dome's and loved them.
Just wondering if I should broaden my horizons and try something else?!

Any help/advice would be much appreciated.

Cheers,
Tom.

 

[Pickle]

I had a 2007 GT Avalanche Expert last year, and it was a fantastic bike.

RS Toras, SRAM X-9 and Avid Juicy 3's. A great hardtail all rounder.

Original list price was just under a grand and I picked it up for about £700.

I would reckon you could sniff one out for about £500 now.

 

[tomhollywood]

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 1b0s2p1428

Not got my size

 

[REKIBorter]

Save yourself the stress of which bike to choose. Give me the money instead.

 

[tomhollywood]

Save yourself the stress of which bike to choose. Give me the money instead.

haha, no chance mate!

 

[rosstheboss]

Have you considered second hand? You could get a whole load of bike for £500

 

[tomhollywood]

Have you considered second hand? You could get a whole load of bike for £500

Possibly. To be honest i'm that confused because there are sooo many bikes out there!

Any on the list I put worth a punt?!

Also, quick question. I'm 6"6 would I be better on a 22" frame or on a 20" frame with a higher seatpost?!

 

[fingers]

Im 6'5" and go more on TT length - A long seatpost is fine, but a bike with too short a reach and a long stem will handle like a drunk pig...


edit - so try and sit on a few, ride a few and see what feels best

 

[tomhollywood]

Im 6'5" and go more on TT length - A long seatpost is fine, but a bike with too short a reach and a long stem will handle like a drunk pig...


edit - so try and sit on a few, ride a few and see what feels best

Yeah, I sat on a 20" Kona today, it felt nice if not a slight bit too small, don't know if a 22" would be a big jump up though!? No-one seems to have 22" in stock.

Must admit, been really really liking the idea of the kona blast but when I saw the cannondale today I was really impressed with it.

 

[daj]

with £500 id go 2nd hand as suggested .... get a nice steed for that. £500 brand new gets a pretty low rent steed id say :?