(Another) recommend me a (mountain) bike

jozi

Been quietly looking for a bike for awhile now and what I'd like is a mountain bike.

Was really thinking of going for a Carrera Kraken Limited Edition, Halfords, 2009 model, which for some reason is cheaper than the regular Kraken but looks to have better components? The have it here for 400 and was thinking of putting a deposit on it.

It's prob a bit over kill for my use. I've used a bike with disc before for a few weeks and fell in love with them, the braking power was just great compared to other bikes I've ridden. Locking shocks is also good for when they aren't needed.

I intend to use the bike to get a little fitter again, been out of exercise for much to long. I'd like to try some off-road mtbing down the line. Currently unemployed but would be using it to commute also once I find a job.

Any advice, someone to sway me to get something totally different etc, I'll try take it on board. Another reason for the Kraken was it's 400 Euro which is really my most upper limit and it looks to have good spec. (I'll see can I find a spec list)

jozi

Here's an image of the bike

It's got the similar spec to the 08 kraken, can't find exact spec

* Chainset: Truvativ Isoflow with Power Spline BB
* Fork Lock-out : Yes
* Fork travel: 120mm
* Forks: Rock Shock Dart 2 120mm Travel (I think)
* Frame Material: Aluminium
* Frame-: 7005 Aluminium
* Front Brake: Avid hydraulic disc brakes (Not sure on exact model)
* Front Mech: SRAM X5
* Gear Shifters: SRAM X5 27 Speed Trigger
* 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: Avid Hydraulic disc (Not sure on exact model)
* Rear Mech: SRAM X5
* Saddle: Carrera
* Seatpost: Kalloy Alloy 31.6mm
* Stem: Kalloy Alloy 31.8MM
* Wheel size: 26

steinone

The only thing I can see wrong with that is the gears, apparently sram are a cnt to replace.
Looks very good for the price otherwise, I wouldnt worry too much about it tho.

jozi

Is a case of sram or shimano, can the sram be replaced (when it goes) with shimano?

steinone

Whoops, forgot to say that, thats why you shouldnt worry they are cross compatible.

rob1891

steinone wrote: »

Whoops, forgot to say that, thats why you shouldnt worry they are cross compatible.

SRAM's X. series of gears/shifters is not compatible with shimano shifters/derailleurs. SRAM do make shimano compatible parts, so you need to be careful if you are ordering replacements.

SRAM parts are very good, I certainly prefer their system to Shimano and have used X7 parts for the last 2 years without a hitch. I find that you can do less maintence on them without the shifting performance degrading as it would when I have run shimano. X5 is not the absolute bottom of their range, so it should perform as well as Deore.

jozi

I wouldn't have expected either to be compatible with each other, different companies and all that.

What I was really after was more that the hub and drop outs are able to take either and you not tied to sram because your hub was designed for their gear set?

Ciaran500

jozi wrote: »

I wouldn't have expected either to be compatible with each other, different companies and all that.

Some of the stuff is

jozi wrote: »

What I was really after was more that the hub and drop outs are able to take either and you not tied to sram because your hub was designed for their gear set?

The hub is universal will take either gears, but as has been said I've been on SRAM gear for the last year and it has been great.