Frame: Lightweight alloy frame makes it easy to manoeuvre
Forks: Suntour front suspension with 100mm travel for a comfy ride
Gears: 24 speed SRAM gears for those tough inclines
Brakes: Tektro Novela mechanical disc brakes for reliable stops
Wheels: Large 29" x 2.2" Kenda tyres easily roll over obstacle
All comments (35)
deathogah
5 Aug 17#1
This is a great bike, I have this myself.
wilson1973 to deathogah
6 Aug 17#23
Hi what size did you go for? I'm about 5'10" would the 18" frame be ok for me do you think?
bonzobanana
5 Aug 17#2
Looks great for the money, the halfords site says no lockout or adjustable damping but assume it has some sort of preload adjustment even if it doesn't have lockout so think that must be a mistake.
It definitely looks fit for purpose and while it only has a tourney front derailleur they are pretty much fit for purpose and not as critical as the rear derailleur which is better spec'd.
No reason you can't take this properly off road without issues.
bobbler to bonzobanana
5 Aug 17#5
Looks like Suntour XCM shocks up front. Think I will go and take a look later as was considering spending about £400-£500 through cycle to work scheme as I currently have an 1980's Muddyfox Courier which is not really working right. I think that a £400-£500 range bike works out about the same as this with the discount scheme stuff anyway and spec
0scar222 to bobbler
7 Aug 17#26
I thought they looked like XCM but don't they have lock out ? only mechanical lock and un damped though
bonzobanana to 0scar222
7 Aug 17#27
The halfords site is confusing as they don't even mention the pre-load adjustment which makes the suspension read like their Apollo dual suspension bikes which have no pre-load adjustment on some of the. The suntour site has 'N/A' for lockout as an option on this page.
So assume the Sulcata has the budget version of these shocks without lockout. Not surprising, still great entry level front shocks and fit for purpose.
0scar222 to bonzobanana
10 Aug 17#33
Picture on suntour site looks like its got lockout lever on right fork ? .I have some XCM,s surplus after upgade they have mechanical lockout and no damping (older and 27.5 ) but would Have thought these are same Not to bad entry level forks but preload adjust not very effective though
bonzobanana to 0scar222
10 Aug 17#34
On the suntour site when they put 'N/A' it means the shocks are available with or without this option. I.e. there is a budget version without lockout as well as the other options listed. So maybe in total there are 8 variations of the XCM fork, 2 travel heights multiplied by 4 different options for the top of the right fork. I could be wrong but I think that is how you are meant to use the information on that site. Perhaps someone who has actually got the bike can clarify if there is lockout or not on the Sulcata.
bobbler to bonzobanana
12 Aug 17#35
So been to pick one up today, but changed my mind. There is no lockout, its just preload on both sides on this model - which I wanted personally as I expect to be doing a lot of flat riding with the daughter more than trails and stuff but wanted the option. I went for the Vulcan which was an extra £110 which got me lockout, extra fork travel, smaller wheel size and hydraulic brakes. Spending anymore than that and I was going to use the cycle 2 work scheme to purchase something much more expensive. Not taken it for a spin yet which I will get to doing in the morning but certainly an upgrade over my 1980-something Muddy Fox courier :smile:
bonzobanana
5 Aug 17#3
Saw this comment on this thread.
I'll just share a little story with you about that bike. A few weeks ago I was practicing for a XC race at Hadliegh Olympic MTB park and there was a 15 year old lad there on a Halfords Carrera 29er. He did every black route and took every A line on it with ease. I ended up talking to him as I was having problems tackling a feature called triple trouble. He wanted to race the next day but felt his cheap bike wasn't up to it. I offered to swap his skills for my Carbon Stumpjumper bike as he was going to go around a dam site faster than I was. He had been beating that bike up on the Hadliegh course since xmas, his only whinge was that the forks were starting to creak and sometimes bottomed out . ( not suprised they way he was throwing it about) and his "mates" took the piss because it wasn't carbon and a label brand. From what I saw in his hands it was a very capable bike.
Looks a nice bike, but says 15KG in the specification on Halfords website which makes it one of the heavier bikes they sell?!
bonzobanana to MarkShopper
5 Aug 17#6
I think that's pretty normal and a quick look elsewhere shows bikes of the same weight for the same spec even at considerably higher prices. Remember it has the larger 29" wheels and tires, disc brakes, reinforcing on the frame in 2 places, stronger cassette based drivetrain which is a fair bit heavier than freewheels at least for entry level freehub/cassettes and matching rear derailleurs. They have gone aluminium alloy for seat post and handlebars which is where a lot of budget bikes skimp on with heavier steel parts. It really does seem a very well judged and generous spec for the price point.
Supanat
5 Aug 17#7
What're different between Carrera Parva Mens Hybrid Bike (halfords.com/cyc…ike?_$ja=kw:drytinder|tsid:40392&cm_mmc=Affiliates-_-PerformanceHorizon-_-drytinder-_-Top link) and this one. Just for commute to work, about 6 miles. Which one should I buy. I'm newbie.
frakison to Supanat
5 Aug 17#8
I'm no expert on hybrids as they are not my thing. As far as I'm aware, the main difference between hybrid and MTB is usually larger thinner wheels and a more relaxed riding position. That doesn't seem to be the case with the Parva, which to me, has worse brakes, no suspension and smaller wheels, to me it's a no brainer. I would personally make sure that there is a lockout on the front forks though, but that's my preference :smile:
bonzobanana to Supanat
5 Aug 17#9
Parva is a strong commuting/road/gravel type bike compromised by a low end drivetrain. This is a mountain bike which can be used off road without problems but not ideal for commuting/road etc but does have a stronger more durable drivetrain. I personally wouldn't consider the Parva because of the freewheel fitted but would consider this Sulcata if I was after an entry level mountain bike. Do you want to go off road on the bike.
Is this what you are planning on doing?
or this?
888eyeball to bonzobanana
5 Aug 17#12
you can do both with this bike, eh? I've been using a cheap GT timberline mounting bike for years comuting 20 miles in and out of London, just put slicks on mine, job done. l would do the same to this bike if l was to buy it, infactl would use tannus tyres.
bonzobanana to 888eyeball
5 Aug 17#13
You can do both but its not ideal. It doesn't sound like there is a lockout on the forks and being a mountain bike it is heavier than a standard road bike or hybrid. It will slow you down and you'll have to put more effort in but a perfectly valid bike for the road and if you are a heavier rider maybe even ideal (if it had lockout).
ferple
5 Aug 17#10
Would this be suitable for someone 6ft tall?
frakison to ferple
5 Aug 17#14
I can't emphasise how much you NEED to go and try the bike, 6ft means nothing, you may have a long body and shorter legs or vice-versa, you need to see what suits you best or you will be in pain and will give up :thumbsup:
bonzobanana to ferple
5 Aug 17#15
It's available in 2 frame sizes 18" and 20" and I think either would be ok for you. I'm 6'1" to 6'2" and 18" is a smidgen small but then I like bigger frames with the handlebars relatively high others like a smaller bike as preference. I would follow a few guides online for frame sizing if you can't visit a bike shop to get a fit but I'm fairly sure you would get away with either.
si_lewis
5 Aug 17#11
Yes
LewisIOM
5 Aug 17#16
Great lovely bike. My mate has got one and he is more than happy with it.
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All comments (35)
It definitely looks fit for purpose and while it only has a tourney front derailleur they are pretty much fit for purpose and not as critical as the rear derailleur which is better spec'd.
No reason you can't take this properly off road without issues.
Think I will go and take a look later as was considering spending about £400-£500 through cycle to work scheme as I currently have an 1980's Muddyfox Courier which is not really working right.
I think that a £400-£500 range bike works out about the same as this with the discount scheme stuff anyway and spec
srsuntour-cycling.com/bik…tml
So assume the Sulcata has the budget version of these shocks without lockout. Not surprising, still great entry level front shocks and fit for purpose.
Not to bad entry level forks but preload adjust not very effective though
There is no lockout, its just preload on both sides on this model - which I wanted personally as I expect to be doing a lot of flat riding with the daughter more than trails and stuff but wanted the option.
I went for the Vulcan which was an extra £110 which got me lockout, extra fork travel, smaller wheel size and hydraulic brakes. Spending anymore than that and I was going to use the cycle 2 work scheme to purchase something much more expensive. Not taken it for a spin yet which I will get to doing in the morning but certainly an upgrade over my 1980-something Muddy Fox courier :smile:
I'll just share a little story with you about that bike. A few weeks ago I was practicing for a XC race at Hadliegh Olympic MTB park and there was a 15 year old lad there on a Halfords Carrera 29er. He did every black route and took every A line on it with ease. I ended up talking to him as I was having problems tackling a feature called triple trouble. He wanted to race the next day but felt his cheap bike wasn't up to it. I offered to swap his skills for my Carbon Stumpjumper bike as he was going to go around a dam site faster than I was.
He had been beating that bike up on the Hadliegh course since xmas, his only whinge was that the forks were starting to creak and sometimes bottomed out . ( not suprised they way he was throwing it about) and his "mates" took the piss because it wasn't carbon and a label brand. From what I saw in his hands it was a very capable bike.
cyclechat.net/thr…64/
Is this what you are planning on doing?
or this?