Genesis Core/GT Avalanche/Cannondale Bad Boy/Ridgeback Storm - NEED ADVICE!!

[preet996]

Hello All!

I posted a thread a few weeks ago having decided to buy a GT Avalanche 3.0 Hydro 2011 and just wanted some advice to see if I was going in the right direction of if I am mad! I was completely decided on it and I just needed a couple of weeks until I was free to buy it and start riding.

Now I have completely changed my mind and am set on the Genesis Core series!

I went to test ride the Genesis today but they only had the Core 20 in my size and it was AMAZING. It felt so light compared to my previous full suspension crappy bike. The forks are AMAZING! The brakes are AMAZING. The gears! - WOW - 27 gears on the core 20 - had a really nice feel and that precision was incredible.

I haven't test riden the Core 00 so I will be interested to see if I notice the difference. I probably will with the forks since they are different but it might be negligible since I'm not too hardcore of a rider.

At another shop, I was suggested to look at the Cannondale Bad Boy and the Ridgeback Storm because us young men always say, "Yeah I want it for mountain biking - I'm going to take it out on hardcore tails. But we all just talk crap and just need it MOSTLY for run abouts and the odd light trail!". I haven't test riden either yet but I am riding the Core 00, BadBoy & Storm tomorrow.

I am really confused because of these new ideas given by the shop to try something without front forks. I know most of this is my own personal preference and decision and all the bikes out there have flaws but none of them will kill me, but are there any of you out there who enjoy the Genesis Core series, or have anything to share on the BadBoy, Storm or perhaps it's competitors?

At the moment, I'm completely trying to concentrate on what I want/like/need and then look at prices as to not confuse myself but I am looking around the £400-600 range. The Core 20 is down to £600 from £750 as a deal at the moment, being even cheaper than the Core 10!!

Anyway, I know I don't have a precise question but some friendly chat on the Genesis Core Series/GT Avalanche/Cannondale Bad Boy/Ridgeback Storm would be much appreciated!



Preet

 

[Furkz]

ive got a badboy and love it, its light, quick and comfortable. tbh if it wasnt i wouldnt use it much and since ive had it i been out on it at least 4 times a week. i use it mostly on road and some light trails and even in forests the slick are OK, not great but you can get MTB tyres for it easily

 

[preet996]

I saw it in the shop yeah and it had those road bike slick thin type tyres but the guy said he will change them for MTB type tyres for free before I buy it and then because it's urban, even though it's rigid and has no suspension, it will still really do well on canal trails and forest fire roads and stuff like that.

I just feel so uncomfortable with having no front forks, like the bike will snap at the front and i'll break my arms because of the forces!

I am test riding it tomorrow so I will see how it is I guess...

But did you move from a suspension bike to it and if so how did you feel and how is it being completely rigid?

Man it must be really fast and light! The Genesis felt sooo light today I can't remember how the bad boy felt but it must be so good. Can you properly throw it about like a MTB being so light?

 

[battered]

Fitting rigid forks to a MTB used for light trails is an excellent idea and saves loads of weight. You have to remember that 15 yrs ago every bike came with rigid forks, and we rode the same trails as we do now. Susp forks onlycame along a year or two later. If you are regularly doing very technical ground (say trail centre reds and blacks or similar) then you'll need a springy fork to get round, but for towpaths, fire roads, and bridleways they may be as much of a hindrance as a help. You get a lot of springing off your tyres - a pair of 26x2.0s will soak up a lot of bumps. City dweller 1.5s less so, but they are more than able to cope with towpaths and the like. In addition, "rigid forks" is a misnomer, they spring a good deal and soak up a lot of abuse.

I'm actually in the process of turning my old 1995 MTB into an "adventure tourer", its brief is to do on and light off road rides, say the Sustrans routes like the C2C. It's going to have (its original) rigid forks, slick or semi slick tyres in say 1.5 or 1.7 size, and sensible amounts of mudguarding and pannier racking. It won't go round Dalby Forest Red route without a bit of carrying, but it will be a much faster and easier way of getting around Leeds using towpaths, tracks, parks and roads, and hopping over kerbs when the need arises.

 

[preet996]

Thanks for your message Battered!

I'll keep this all in mind when I test ride the non suspension urban rigid bikes in a couple of hours. I need to be careful not to base my decision on not liking it because I'm just not used to it.

I really hope I have that, "Yeah I want that one it's a no brainer!" feeling and I'm not stuck in between a few!

Nevertheless, thank you all!

 

[preet996]

I'm not the owner of a Genesis Core 20!

...Well it's been paid for I just got to wait for it to be ordered, built and then I can pick it up!

Got it for £600 brand new!

I test rode the Bad Boy and I love the looks but it just didn't feel right. I liked the Storm but just nothing over the amazingly built Core 20. Love the new 9x3 gears and the amazing forks.

Thanks all for your support!

Hardcore trails here we come!