Btwin Rockrider, Carerra Vulcan or other?

[plumpacus]

Hi, really new to biking and want to get involved with my friends who've recently taken up mountain biking, but I'd also like to use the bike for short commutes and general travel on roads.

From what I've seen poking around these forums and the rest of the internet my best options are either

Btwin Rockrider 500
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-500-mountain-bike-id_8293150.html

Carerra Vulcan
https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/carrera-vulcan-mens-mountain-bike-2015

or a Cube bike
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/cube-aim-26-hardtail-bike-2014/rp-prod114091

They all have great reviews so I'm struggling to decide between them, any help would be greatly appreciated.
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diggidy shig

[Seb]

The Cube is the lightest but has rim brakes, the Decathon is the best value. If it's a sunny day only thing, I'd go for the cube. If it's going to get wet and muddy, the Decathon becomes the better option.

The Carrera's price difference only really makes sense if it's primarily going to be ridden on cycle paths, roads and pavements imo and in those cases, I'd much rather have a decent hybrid.
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2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[Jewlio Iglesias]

I have a Rockrider 5.0, the base model. Isgood, and very cheap (if you can find one new)
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[The Tot]

Carrera vulcan won MBR's or what mountain bike (MBUK's sister mag) budget entry level hardtail category. It's got decent kit for that sub £500 price AND it's a 650b wheel size, so you're onto a winner. The rest are 26-ers. At this rate, 26" wheels are getting left behind. Each to their own really since I've switched to a 29er and been converted.

My preference for the recreational trail bike would be the carrera vulcan . If you seriously want to start looking for a decent hardtail, you'll be looking north of £500 unfortunately, such as the boardmans if you're looking at Halfords. Saying that though, the other half just got herself a Specialized Rockhopper expert and after having a play on it, it's a bloody decent bike!

Depends on how serious you want to get. If you know you'll be shredding trails and are a quick learner, you'll soon find the limits of all of those bikes fairly rapidly! Given the choice, I'd happily take the vulcan and send it down blue-graded trails at trail centres, and maybe a few reds.

Long and short, I spent £500 on a Trek series 4 a while back on the cycle to work, and 18 months later, I've gone through 2 full suspension bikes and spent a pretty penny on a Specialized Enduro. When the bug hits and you enter a few races, you'll be spending ridiculous money on mountain bikes, because it is seriously fun! So be warned!
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The Tot 2007 Yamaha R1 4C8 2002 Yamaha FZS1000 Fazer &
www.youtube.com/Titot182 for your bike gear reviews and pop punk covers
Earl Of Easycore Pop Punk Will Never Die!

[neatbik]

Tot, it's the Kraken that i think you are on about -

https://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/category/bikes/mountain-bikes/hardtail/product/review-carrera-kraken-15-49087/

I've got one myself. I was a keen-ish cyclist when i was a teenager, but never had anything decent, so i have nothing to compare it to really.
But i love it, it's ace. The forks are nice and plush, it's pretty light (in my opinion) and it's quick.

I guess the only slight complaint is that the brakes could do with a bit more stopping power. Coming down some steep drops on the Malvern Hills and it struggles a bit to stop me in good time. Might look at upgrading them at some point.

Mine was a bargain though, long story but Halfords fucked up and they let me have it for £350 in the end.

[The Tot]

It was most definitely the Vulcan back in 2012. Black and green frame for £375. 650b seems to be the way to go for the "small wheel" varieties. I'm all over 29ers now though, so if you want to much distances, it's the one to go for.
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The Tot 2007 Yamaha R1 4C8 2002 Yamaha FZS1000 Fazer &
www.youtube.com/Titot182 for your bike gear reviews and pop punk covers
Earl Of Easycore Pop Punk Will Never Die!