Decathlon are changing their product lines and next years bikes are 650 wheels with cheapo far poorer quality forks and other bits.
However if you are short (which I am) they still have some of last years models in stock.
This one is 41% off the Rafal 740 bike reduced from £900 to £529.99 but is only available in Small.
Its a bit higher spec than your average bike but as the fork is available elsewhere for over £400 its a lot of bike for the money left.
Made for Frequent training and XC racing
Aluminium XC designed for racing. High-end, reliable and extremely efficient equipment: SRAM X9 / X7 drive train; Mavic Cross Ride wheel.
FrameNew (6061 double butted) aluminium racing frame - 1450 g in size S (previous 8.2 frame weighed 1850 g).
New geometry inspired by the XC carbon competition frame
New standards:
- Conical steering socket;
- Height Direct mount on the front derailleur;
- Post mount for rear brake callipers;
- PressFit 92 bottom bracket
As with the XC carbon frame, this bike has a very comfortable geometry that is devilishly efficient!
2/
SuspensionNew 100 mm Marvel PRO fork
Handlebar lockout
11/8" to 1.5" aluminium tapered steerer tube
ISO AIR system
9 mm axle
Weight: 1589 g
3/
Drive trainSRAM drive train: X9 for front derailleur; new X7 direct mount for front derailleur; SRAM crankset.
SRAM X7 PUSH PULL type shifters
4/
Crankset / CassetteSpecially designed for frequent/intense XC riding: 11 X 36 (10 speed) cassette
44 X 33 X 22 crankset
5/
BrakesNew generation Avid DB3 (front and rear)
Weight: 305 g (without disc)
Aluminium lever
Calliper design: double piston, forged in 2 pieces, DOT 5.1 Liquid Aluminium
6/
Handlebars / Stem / SteeringNew Rockrider XC oversize flat handlebars for extra stability (660 mm in sizes S and M; 680 mm in size L and XL)
New Rockrider XC stem; Built-in headset with sealed bearings.
Oversize stem and handlebars for extra rigidity.
New foam grips with "Lock-on" attachment system
7/
WheelsNew Mavic Cross Ride wheels
Reinforced rims: H2 compression
Hub quality: FTS-X freewheel, QRM bearings
Straight durable profiled spokes
Weight (pair of wheels): 1900 g
front wheel: 880 g
9 mm axle
8/
TyresHutchinson Python Wheels Front and Rear
26 x 2.00 tube type (with inner tube)
11kg??? For an MTB? My roadie weighs more :disappointed:
chrisbass to MAdam98
29 Oct 15#10
really? that must be a beast of a road bike!
jonesinamillion
28 Oct 15#3
All gone.
Bargain!
eek
28 Oct 15#4
Back in stock...
hatton420
29 Oct 15#5
Only kiddy size small left.
eek to hatton420
29 Oct 152#6
I seem to remember saying that. And it's not kiddy size as its perfect if less than 5ft 7
lovelybeer
29 Oct 15#7
These are similar to the old Rockrider 8.3 which I've had for a couple of years now in large and it's still running strong - the Manitou forks are great (you can adjust the air pressure in them), remote fork lockout, seriously light frame, Mavic Cross Ride rims are decent too (though mine are 26" rather than 650B). Brakes aren't the very best out there, but they're far from rubbish! The Prologo X10 saddle alone retails for about £60 on CrMo rails (I swapped for a Charge Spoon, though, as it fits my geometry better).
This is a great price and is pretty much what you'd pay for a £1000 bike to work voucher when you're a higher tax payer - great deal if you can get one!
Hunkerdown
29 Oct 15#8
The wife has the ltd edition Rafal and it's an excellent bike especially for the price they are asking. We paid £675 for it a few months back. Be aware sizes seem slightly smaller than normal so you might need one size up.
bonzobanana
29 Oct 15#9
Shame if Decathlon are reducing the component quality for future bikes. I remember looking at their bikes in the Southampton store a couple years ago and was impressed with the component quality of the bikes for the money. Best I'd seen for value for quality bikes.
chrisbass
29 Oct 15#11
I'm not too up on my MTBs but seems a great price.
whatyadoinsucka
29 Oct 15#12
ok price, anyone have experience of manitou forks, think i'd prefer rockshox or a fox upfront
lovelybeer to whatyadoinsucka
29 Oct 15#20
Manitou have been around for a long, long time - they make very good forks, but as they are not Fox or Rockshox (the latter are owned by SRAM now), people usually assume they are a bit like Suntour - absolutely not the case. So long as you don't expect £800+ performance from a £200 set of forks, you're more than fine with these.
Fox forks start at a much higher price index - you'll rarely see them on pre-builds below a certain price point <£1000 etc.
hatton420
29 Oct 15#13
Aye well I clicked the link before reading your description. I personally wouldn't buy it even if they had my size (XL) frame in stock, it's descent spec but 26er's are dead.
Casinodancer
29 Oct 151#14
Get a second hand bike for £500 that beats this spec handsdown. I just bought a Orange Crush with fox 34 etc for £500 2013 model. Just need to look eg http://www.pinkbike.com
hermanli
29 Oct 152#15
Why do you say 26ers are dead?
If a person is not tall the switch to larger wheels is quite frankly idiotic. It makes a bike more combersome/difficult to handle and much more heavy. Why would you do this? The only reason it would be excusable is if you were taller (like yourself) but there is still a weight penalty to pay.
I think it is worth casting our minds back to the early 90's when a lot of high end MTB's were coming out with 24" wheels irrespective of rider size. Also sometimes a rear 24" + front 26" - under the premise of improved riding characteristics. You'd get XL sized bikes for tall people with 24" wheels front and rear.
There would be pros and cons for various wheel sizes, but as Ive said if you are someone who would normally get a small-medium sized mtb, then you will get only cons with 29er.
As for 650b, its basically the same size as 26inch, so please tell me what the point is? of the industry, manufacturers and customers investing in a whole new standard?
I know its already happening and this comment is a few years late, but it must be understood that this is purely a sales & marketing gimmick. Selling the same thing under a new shiny label.
Decathlon sell some cracking bikes for the price but if you are short of cash I would look at getting a second hand quality MTB from Ebay such as a Kona, Boardman etc. I use the MSE Ebay local tracker app and search for a MTB that is for pick up only in my local area. Both the Kona's that I bought were about £200 and are in excellent condition
robertoegg
29 Oct 15#19
ftfy
whatyadoinsucka
29 Oct 15#21
Ok, I noticed cube had taken off the lower end air shock rockshox and replaced with these manitou, I recently upgrade to a reverb rockshox and the difference it made was phenomenal (550 grams off the front wheel) and a better smoother ride
In relation to the 29er being no better, I just got a lefty and it rolls so well and off-road once you get the wheels spinning you can feel the acceleration, compared to a 26, mines only medium sized and actually weighs less than my 26" bike
MAdam98
30 Oct 15#22
No, 650B is much better than 26" cos 26" is so slow rolling but 29" isn't great for technical sections.
I prefer 29" personally but would never use 26". If I had to I'd use 27.5" (650B). Although in downhill probably 26"
ca8msm
30 Oct 151#23
The only thing that makes a 29" better than a 26", or a 650B better than a 26" is personal preference and/or riding criteria. The exact same idiotic opinions pop up on car threads saying that BMW aren't better than Audi, Audi aren't better than BMW, Mercedes aren't better than BMW etc etc so don't let people put you off.
The best advice I can give is find a bike/size that you like, try it out (or if it is online, try something similar) and buy the best version of it that you like/can afford.
P.S This is excellent value for money, so if it is the right size and what you want, ignore the small minority of HUKD ******** and buy it, you won't be disappointed with the quality of it. It beats a lot of other bikes in this price range hands down.
jonesinamillion
27 Nov 15#24
Anyone take the plunge?
I'm 5'7" and gambled on the small, geometry is almost identical to a medium, 16" frame I believe.
Adjustments to the stem & obvs seat with my fingers crossed I think it'll be ok (ride roads, canals and a little off-road)
jonesinamillion
11 Dec 15#25
Took delivery the other day, sincere thanks to the op, it's an amazing bike!
Don't be put off by the size, I'm 5'7-5'8 is and small is fine (measured the frame at 16 inch but the stem can be inverted and spaced plus seat adjustment).
The bike is possibly one of the best looking bikes I've seen in person with nice subtle details.
All components are top notch and the 11.5kg is stupidly light!
The only complaints (minor ones) are that they set it up with the forks back to front and the seat post clamp was not quick release.
![Fresh Breakfast Meat Box (Using code) @ Campbells Meat [Haggis / Lorne Sausage / Bacon / Black Pudding & More]](/images/topics/208684_1.jpg)
![[Xbox One] Q. u. b. e: Director's Cut on Deals with Gold](/images/topics/208716_1.jpg)
Opening post
However if you are short (which I am) they still have some of last years models in stock.
This one is 41% off the Rafal 740 bike reduced from £900 to £529.99 but is only available in Small.
Its a bit higher spec than your average bike but as the fork is available elsewhere for over £400 its a lot of bike for the money left.
Made for Frequent training and XC racing
Aluminium XC designed for racing. High-end, reliable and extremely efficient equipment: SRAM X9 / X7 drive train; Mavic Cross Ride wheel.
FrameNew (6061 double butted) aluminium racing frame - 1450 g in size S (previous 8.2 frame weighed 1850 g).
New geometry inspired by the XC carbon competition frame
New standards:
- Conical steering socket;
- Height Direct mount on the front derailleur;
- Post mount for rear brake callipers;
- PressFit 92 bottom bracket
As with the XC carbon frame, this bike has a very comfortable geometry that is devilishly efficient!
2/
SuspensionNew 100 mm Marvel PRO fork
Handlebar lockout
11/8" to 1.5" aluminium tapered steerer tube
ISO AIR system
9 mm axle
Weight: 1589 g
3/
Drive trainSRAM drive train: X9 for front derailleur; new X7 direct mount for front derailleur; SRAM crankset.
SRAM X7 PUSH PULL type shifters
4/
Crankset / CassetteSpecially designed for frequent/intense XC riding: 11 X 36 (10 speed) cassette
44 X 33 X 22 crankset
5/
BrakesNew generation Avid DB3 (front and rear)
Weight: 305 g (without disc)
Aluminium lever
Calliper design: double piston, forged in 2 pieces, DOT 5.1 Liquid Aluminium
6/
Handlebars / Stem / SteeringNew Rockrider XC oversize flat handlebars for extra stability (660 mm in sizes S and M; 680 mm in size L and XL)
New Rockrider XC stem; Built-in headset with sealed bearings.
Oversize stem and handlebars for extra rigidity.
New foam grips with "Lock-on" attachment system
7/
WheelsNew Mavic Cross Ride wheels
Reinforced rims: H2 compression
Hub quality: FTS-X freewheel, QRM bearings
Straight durable profiled spokes
Weight (pair of wheels): 1900 g
front wheel: 880 g
9 mm axle
8/
TyresHutchinson Python Wheels Front and Rear
26 x 2.00 tube type (with inner tube)
9/
Saddle / seat postNew aluminium Rockrider Competition seat post (31.6 mm).
Prologo X10 saddle
10/
PedalsWellgo clipless pedals
11/
Weight11 kg 500 in size M, without pedals
All comments (25)
Bargain!
This is a great price and is pretty much what you'd pay for a £1000 bike to work voucher when you're a higher tax payer - great deal if you can get one!
Fox forks start at a much higher price index - you'll rarely see them on pre-builds below a certain price point <£1000 etc.
If a person is not tall the switch to larger wheels is quite frankly idiotic. It makes a bike more combersome/difficult to handle and much more heavy. Why would you do this? The only reason it would be excusable is if you were taller (like yourself) but there is still a weight penalty to pay.
I think it is worth casting our minds back to the early 90's when a lot of high end MTB's were coming out with 24" wheels irrespective of rider size. Also sometimes a rear 24" + front 26" - under the premise of improved riding characteristics. You'd get XL sized bikes for tall people with 24" wheels front and rear.
There would be pros and cons for various wheel sizes, but as Ive said if you are someone who would normally get a small-medium sized mtb, then you will get only cons with 29er.
As for 650b, its basically the same size as 26inch, so please tell me what the point is? of the industry, manufacturers and customers investing in a whole new standard?
I know its already happening and this comment is a few years late, but it must be understood that this is purely a sales & marketing gimmick. Selling the same thing under a new shiny label.
In relation to the 29er being no better, I just got a lefty and it rolls so well and off-road once you get the wheels spinning you can feel the acceleration, compared to a 26, mines only medium sized and actually weighs less than my 26" bike
I prefer 29" personally but would never use 26". If I had to I'd use 27.5" (650B). Although in downhill probably 26"
The best advice I can give is find a bike/size that you like, try it out (or if it is online, try something similar) and buy the best version of it that you like/can afford.
P.S This is excellent value for money, so if it is the right size and what you want, ignore the small minority of HUKD ******** and buy it, you won't be disappointed with the quality of it. It beats a lot of other bikes in this price range hands down.
I'm 5'7" and gambled on the small, geometry is almost identical to a medium, 16" frame I believe.
Adjustments to the stem & obvs seat with my fingers crossed I think it'll be ok (ride roads, canals and a little off-road)
Don't be put off by the size, I'm 5'7-5'8 is and small is fine (measured the frame at 16 inch but the stem can be inverted and spaced plus seat adjustment).
The bike is possibly one of the best looking bikes I've seen in person with nice subtle details.
All components are top notch and the 11.5kg is stupidly light!
The only complaints (minor ones) are that they set it up with the forks back to front and the seat post clamp was not quick release.
BUY ONE IF THERES ANY LEFT!