the FS bikes look like superb value for money - just goes to show you do pay a premium for certain big brands....

The TT bike looks good for the cash but most bike snobs will want to take the decals off. carrera just says cheap. Sorry

good value, i must admit, but im a cronic brand snob and probably wouldnt buy one. sad as it is!

I'm not convinced on the Voodoo FS bike, just looks like a regular hardtail modd'ed for a rear siock, that top tube is way too high and horizontal. For £1,299.99 you're in FSR XC territory which is a way better frame.

Good to see Halfrauds reverting back to what they do best - crappy mountain bikes!

I find it interesting to point out that whilst being a self confessed bike snob myself, i try and remain as true to the thrill of riding as my ego will allow. Seems so many people with huge ego's out on the trails are more interested in being seen on the right bike with the right labels when in fact their ability on a bike is very limited and in noway capable out classing a decent rider on a cheaper branded bikes. Again there is nothing wrong with having the best that ones means can provide, but it shouldn't be at the expense of mocking cheaper branded bikes, when in fact they serve a purpose and they serve it very well. And no i don't work for Halfords!! hahaha

I reckon they'd be better off branding the TT bike as Halfords - maybe even in the colours of the Halfords road team - Carrera just looks like Halfords embarassed about what they are.

Brand snob too, wouldn't give up my Madone (mad-one) but these Halford's bikes look good and are great value...with the company already selling 1 in 3 bikes in the UK there will be plenty of people willing to snap up a bargain.

They're made by Merida.

I wonder, however, what price point the " 1 in 3 bikes" really refers to?

I suspect that most people start on a Halfords and until you're ready for a 26er, you go to Halfords.

Ergo, regardless how smart the bikes might look, I wonder if Halfords aren't missing a trick here in missing an opportunity to re-brand all their bikes over a certain price.

As has been pointed out, people spending £1k + don't want the Halfords branding.

Give these bikes a different name,

FUzz MOnkey - Voodoo are designed by the legendary Joe Murray and are not in anyway a cheap Halfrauds brand, in fact it is unfortunate that Halfrauds stock such excellent bikes - I have one of the very first Voodoos imported to the UK and it is still going strong after 13 years of abuse. Voodoo bikes are quality they also have a heavily sloped top tube like Kona's (Joe Murrays previous company) hence the suspension similarities - so how you can say it is too horizontal and high is beyond me definately not a hardtail adapted for full suss but a very efficient four bar system

At the price you may be in FSR XC territory but I would say the frame is no better (Vodoo is Scandanium) and the spec is definately poorer, plus its a 10 a penny common as muck specialised!

I also disagree about value - I dont think the Carerra Zelos looks good value for money, not when compared to the spec of the GT beneath it, and would you really trust a probably cheaply made Halfords carbon fibre frame? I wouldnt!!

Shame they took the tora off of the fury.

i think they should be fitting magura forks

on the note about the "cheap carbon frame" . there are really only 3 companies that make frames and bikes in the far east. 90% of bike companies get their frames made by them or their sibling companies . So that cheap carbon frame is made by the same man that made you "expensive cannondale" frame ( quick point check the new 'dales they will say DESIGNED in the USA not Made in the USA) They also make the new GT Zaskta carbon race frame.

I think the carrera range are a good step.

As for name branding what does Kona stand for?

Well carrera is actually spanish for race/contest, i think that's quite fitting really.

Don't get me wrong I love my big brands and i'm looking at a merida at the moment.

But wait ow yeah as said before merida make there frames so they can't be to bad?

I don't think they look to ghatsly if anything i think they look really good in comparison to the other big players but each to there own.

To be fair to them they have 3 ranges you are quite right... they have appolo bikes ideal for kids who want to destroy them by riding off a mountain without having to fork out £1K a time to buy a new one, they then have there premium range aka carrera good steeping stones starting from as £200 roughly build quality and spec a damn sight better than an appolo but for the more avid cyclist. They then have the pies ta resistance the boarman range designed by chris boardman himself...

Now tell me if an olympian will stamp his name on it why's it not good enough for you?

Boardman is an independent company, happens just to use the excellent distribution network that Halfords has in this country.

As for merida making the carrera frames I didn't think they were anymore? even so it doesn't mean they are any less well made than another manufacturer. If someone were to take off the 'carrera' badge and stick 'Santa Cruz' on there people would be falling over themselves to buy it. Some people can't afford to pay for a namesake and they shouldn't be steered away from buying these bikes and instead going for a worse model just because it says the right thing on the downtube.

they are made a sister company of merida . Merida handed the contract over so they can supply their own bikes ; but to all intense and purposes it's still merida.

just hope the bikes perform. this will have a positive knock on effect if they do since other brands will have to drop prices or improve performance to compete. I know people bad mouth Halfords (usually for good reason) but this could be good for all of us if their bikes are good quality at these prices.