carrera vulcan 04 Mountain Bike £150 Halfords

Scampa

Managed to pick one up (vulcan 04) from Castle Bromich store 20", not going to get chance to assemble it untill the weekend. Is a pump included or do I have to buy one as well

kmkmkm

tomstickland wrote:

You're not riding down big enough things then! The Halfrauds bike can be ridden off road, but the piddley front forks will limit their use down bigger drops or over rock strewn paths etc.

Actually, I had a friend who rode some sort of Halfrauds bike and he did fine. Overall performance is something like 60% rider 40% bike, though you can reach the limit of a bike.

You can still apply MSE to mountain bikes though; I bought my first moutain bike in an end of year sale for £550, list price was something like £700. I bought a set of forks for £150 because they were a 2 year old design, originally they'd been a riduculous £450 or similar. Current bike has a set of forks I bought for £200 on Ebay, 6 months old, list price was again something like £450. TBH, mountain bike is one place where I didn't mind spending some money. I couldn't keep up with my friends down the steep twisty bits on my previous bike, so I bought a new frame and forks and instantly improved my speed. I even left one or two behind down a slope one day, which is fun since I'm hardtail and they're full suspension.
I digress LOL. Out on the bike this afternoon.

I must disagree with this. The Carrera Kraken is a very good bike. WhatMountainBike rated it 9 out of 10. For the money, it's a superb bike. You do not need a £400 bike. I have a Specialized Hardrock Sport that cost £240 new from Dales. I ride it very hard on trails and have no problems at all. These days you can get very good new bikes for £200, that would of cost about £600 5 years ago.

bobfossil_2

Carrera are pretty good for the cash but watch the rear mech hangers as they can bend easily, also on the kraken the rim tape can be off centre causing a puncture in the rear wheel. look out for GT bikes reduced these have a bit more thought gone into the design and are really good value........
If anyone needs any info about Carrera or any other halfords bike stuff, you can ask me as I work in the 3rd ranked store in the whole company, and I know a huge amount about bikes in general eg Carrera are made in the same factory as Saracen, most of the halfords puncture repair stuff is made by Weldtite, Merida make Specialized and GT as well as Mongoose blah blah etc

Apollo Cafe reduced from £199.99 to £149.99 is ok for pottering to the shops and back.
Gt Aggressor 2 reduced from £400 to £280 is a major bargain 27sp deore gears and a great frame, I am hard pressed to find a similar specced bike for less!
Carrera Subway 1 at £159.99 is pretty insanely cheap if you can any stores with some left, proper adults utility bike....

Crosstrax CT200 £79.99 16" alloy frame 26" wheel kids bike (ages 11-16 max) comes with free led light set, front mudguard and basic cable lock

AVOID all shockwaves/crosstrax for adults as they are totally unsuitable. wheels are too weak, brakes fall apart tyres are too soft and the reductions are bullcrap....

sc99cs

bobfossil wrote:

If anyone needs any info about Carrera or any other halfords bike stuff, you can ask me

In that case have you any idea if Halfords sell replacement rear mech hangers for Kraken (05 model I think). I wouldn't trust the staff at my local store to inflate tyres let alone give technical advice. I had the following problem,

bobfossil wrote:

the rim tape can be off centre causing a puncture in the rear wheel

and they told me it was because my tyres were pumped up too hard., so I'm sure you guess my reluctance to ask...:rolleyes:

Thanks in advance

twe

I bought a reebok bike with dual suspension from jjb sports a couple of months ago for £140.... you could try there..... I have not taken it anywhere apart from roads and parks..... But the bike looks good and is cofortable!

Povilas

Please let me know which is the superior model the vulcan or the Kraken?
Povi

blue_haddock

check the date chap - post is 4 years old