Carrera Furnace 2 Mountain Bike Review
- Price: £400
- Category: Hardtail bike
- Tires: 27.5″
- Drivetrain: 2×9
What we like about it: Better in entry-level trail bikes, super low price, Suntour XCM HLO fork gives you a better riding experience.
What we don’t like about it: The design of the external alignment.
Rating (4.6/5)
Introduction
Have you ever had the fantasy of mountain off-road, but due to the price reason delayed to realize? This Carrera Furnace 2 Mountain Bike will be able to meet your needs very well.
At just £400, the 2×9 shifting drivetrain allows you to face a variety of complex terrain and is equipped with a Suntour XCM HLO fork that effectively absorbs the vibration generated while riding, while Tektro HD-M275 hydraulic disc brakes ensure a safe ride.
This bike is a great entry-level hardtail trail bike both in price and its component specs that will open the doors to your off-road world.
Next, I will introduce this bike from its climbing, descending, main features, and main components, if you want to know more about it, welcome to follow us, we will keep updating.
Carrera Furnace 2 Mountain Bike Climbing Review
At first, I wasn’t optimistic about the bike’s climbing performance, after all, the bike wasn’t that impressive in terms of specs. But I was pleasantly surprised by the Carrera Furnace 2 Mountain Bike’s performance on this actual ride.
For this test, we put it through a race against other similar bikes. In this comparison, we noticed that the Carrera Furnace 2 Mountain Bike was much easier to get up hills than the other bikes. This is obviously due to its 2×9 drivetrain. I was able to feel the smoothness of the KMC 9-speed chain while riding, and the silky smooth shifting made it better for climbing. Also, the 2×8 gearing option allows me to face more complex terrain and brings a better riding experience.
When climbing, I look more for its comfort, a good bike can save you more energy to climb. And this bike has an aluminum frame that maximizes weight reduction while keeping the body strong. So this makes it easier for me to ride. Also, the wider handlebars make me feel comfortable and able to ride steadily.
Overall, as an entry-level bike, it definitely won’t let you down.
Carrera Furnace 2 Mountain Bike Descending Review
When I first got this bike, I was a little concerned about its descent performance. But I have to say, the Carrera Furnace 2 Mountain Bike did very well in this descent test.
The location chosen for this test was a trail in rural Florida. Since there are usually fewer people riding here, the road surface is not so smooth, and some of the ground will be scattered with gravel and dead branches.
When I went through these gravel sections, the vibration from the descent was minimal by the time it reached my hands and I was able to hold the bike steady with ease. This is due to the presence of the Suntour XCM HLO fork, the 120mm of travel effectively absorbed the vibrations and allowed me to ride steadily. I could feel the thrill of the sharp descent while being completely at ease.
At the same time, it is equipped with DELI SA-281 all-terrain tires the ride also provides a significant boost. And the prominent surface pattern increases the friction with the ground, so obviously such wider tires give me a more stable ride.
During the descent, the braking ability of the bike becomes especially important as the speed increases. The Tektro HD-M275 brakes used on this bike allayed my concerns in this regard. Yes, the hydraulic disc brakes are more responsive than the mechanical discs, and the sensitive braking ability allows me to ride with confidence that my safety is greatly ensured.
Main Features
Frame Group
Honestly, when I first saw this bike, I was attracted by its appearance. The black paint color with the orange logo, this color clash design makes people remember it at once. Together with its aluminum frame, it looks very metallic. It is also light enough in weight while being sturdy enough in quality.
The bike is also designed with water bottle mounting holes in the downtube, which is very convenient for field riding.
Of course, I have to complain that the cable is exposed to the outside of the body, which could cause damage to it during the ride. I would be willing to spend more money if Carrera is willing to improve on this.
Geometry
As a hardtail trail bike, this bike is satisfying to me in terms of geometry design.
The first is its 73° seat tube angle, which allows your body to maintain a more comfortable position. So not only can ensure your pedaling efficiency but also be more conducive to your riding.
And its steeper head tube angle (68°) gives you more responsiveness in steering, providing effective help in fast cornering.
At the same time, the proper BB height (315 mm) allows your center of gravity to be in a suitable position so that you won’t feel hindered by the center of gravity when riding in the face of different road conditions.
Components and Specifications
Tektro HD-M275 Hydraulic Disc Brake
This Carrera Furnace 2 Mountain Bike uses Tektro HD-M275 hydraulic disc brakes for its brake selection. These brakes feature an open system with dual pistons for easy installation, adjustment, and maintenance.
At the same time, the hydraulic disc brakes are more responsive than the mechanical disc brakes, allowing me to brake quickly in the face of some emergencies.
And this brake has good heat dissipation ability. When we ride, after high-intensity use, it still has good braking ability.
Suntour XCM HLO Fork
This Suntour XCM HLO fork is a major upgrade from the coil spring fork on your bike, giving you a further boost to your riding ability.
Also provided are coil springs, alloy downtubes, and 30mm nickel-plated struts, which ensure quality while making the fork light enough for casual trail use.
And then with 120mm of travel, it can effectively absorb vibrations and give you a more comfortable riding experience.
DELI SA-281 All Terrain Tire
In terms of tire choice, the Carrera Furnace 2 Mountain Bike uses DELI SA-281 all-terrain tires. Yes, the 27.5” x 2.25” size is enough to face most terrains. It has a good grip on some muddy trails or rocky parks.
And with anti-puncture protection, it increases its service life even more. And the raised pattern on the surface makes you more grip during the driving process.
As its name says, it is a tire for all-terrain.
What we like about it
- Extremely cost-effective price
- Suntour XCM HLO fork can effectively absorb vibration
- Tektro HD-M275 hydraulic disc brake delivers excellent braking power
- DELI SA-281 All-Terrain Tires for a Stable Ride
What we don’t like about it
- Some cable wires are exposed, which is not conducive to the maintenance of cable wires
FAQs
- What are the tires on the Carrera Furnace 2 Mountain Bike?
The tires on the Carrera Furnace 2 Mountain Bike are DELI SA-281 all-terrain tires.
- What is the fork of the Carrera Furnace 2 Mountain Bike?
The fork of the Carrera Furnace 2 Mountain Bike is a Suntour XCM HLO fork.
- What are the brakes on the Carrera Furnace 2 Mountain Bike?
The brakes on the Carrera Furnace 2 Mountain Bike are Tektro HD-M275 hydraulic disc brakes.
- Size Chart
| Size | Rider height |
| XS | 5’1″ – 5’6″ |
| S | 5’4″ – 5’9″ |
| M | 5’7″ – 6’0″ |
| L | 5’10” – 6’3″ |
| XL | 6’0″ – 6’5″ |
Carrera Furnace 2 Mountain Bike Specs
Build
| Frame | Alloy |
| Fork | Suntour XCM-HLO, 120mm |
| Bottom Bracket | Sealed, 68×122.5mm |
| Headset | Semi-integrated, 1 1/8″ |
| Handlebar | Riser bar, 20mm rise, 31.8mm clamp, 740mm |
| Seatpost | Alloy, 27.2x350mm, 31.8mm clamp |
| Pedals | Mountain bike pedal, 9/16″ |
| Grips | Carrera MTB |
Groupset
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano RD-M3100-SGS Alivio 9-speed |
| Front Derailleur | Shimano FD-M2020-TS, 31.8mm clamp |
| Crank | Prowheel TM-CY10, 36/22T, 170mm |
| Cassette | Shimano CS-HG200 9-speed, 11-36T |
| Chain | KMC 9-speed |
| Brakes | Tektro HD-M275 Hydraulic Disc Brake, 160mm |
Wheels
| Rims | Alloy double wall |
| Front Hub | Black, alloy, Quick release 9x100mm |
| Rear Hub | Black, alloy, Quick release 10x135mm |
| Tires | DELI SA-281 All terrain tires |
Video
Comparison Table
| Bicycles | Price | Drivetrain | Brakes | Tires | Click view |
| Carrera Furnace 1 Mens Mountain Bike | $420 | 2×8 | Tektro HD-M275 Hydraulic Disc | Front tires: 27.5 x 2.25″ Rear tires: 27.5 x 2.1″ | Click View |
| Marin San Quentin 1 | $999 | 1×9 | Tektro M275 Hydraulic Disc | 27.5 x 2.6″ | Click View |
| Polygon PREMIER 4 | $679 | 2×8 | TEKTRO M275 Hydraulic disc | 27.5″ × 2.25″ | Click View |
| Voodoo HORDE | $833 | 1×10 | Tektro HDM-275 Hydraulic Disc | 29 × 2.25″ | Click View |
Carrera Furnace 2 Mountain Bike VS Carrera Furnace 1 Mens Mountain Bike
The Carrera Furnace 2 Mens Mountain Bike is a step up from the Carrera Furnace 1 Mens Mountain Bike in terms of configuration.
The Carrera Furnace 2 is higher-end than the 1 in terms of fork options and Groupset accessories, as well as having more options in terms of the drivetrain.
And Carrera Furnace 1 Mens Mountain Bike as the previous year’s model, I am more inclined to Carrera Furnace 2Mens Mountain Bike.
Carrera Furnace 2 Mountain Bike VS Marin San Quentin 1
We have carefully tested both bikes. During the ride, the Carrera Furnace 2 Mountain Bike gave us a much better riding experience.
In terms of geometry, the Marin San Quentin 1 has a steeper seat tube angle (75°) and a gentler head tube angle (65°) than it does. This also makes it less responsive in steering than the Furnace 2 Mountain Bike.
And in terms of fork choice, the Marin San Quentin 1 is inferior to the Carrera Furnace 2 Mountain Bike. It also uses a 1×9 drivetrain. This allows for fewer gearing options than the Furnace 2 Mountain Bike when facing different terrain.
I prefer the ride that the Carrera Furnace 2 Mountain Bike provides, it makes me more comfortable.
Learn More: Is MARIN SAN QUENTIN 2 Worth Buying?
Carrera Furnace 2 Mountain Bike VS Polygon PREMIER 4
As an entry-level hardtail trail bike, the Polygon PREMIER 4 is comparable to the Carrera Furnace 2 Mountain Bike in terms of performance. At the same time, the lightweight and durable Alutech frame and clever geometry design provide a comfortable riding experience.
However, the Polygon PREMIER 4 is slightly inferior to the Furnace 2 Mountain Bike in terms of drivetrain, and it has fewer options for shifting. In my opinion, the paint color of the Polygon PREMIER is not my favorite type of bike. Mainly because the white paint makes it easier to get dirty off-road, and not easy to clean. If you always like to travel between the mountains and forests, then Carrera Furnace 2 Mountain Bike may be a good choice.
Carrera Furnace 2 Mountain Bike VS Voodoo HORDE
This Voodoo HORDE uses the Suntour XCR32-Boost air fork on the front fork. Although both have 120mm travel, the Suntour XCM-HLO used by the Carrera Furnace 2 Mountain Bike is better in terms of sensitivity.
And in terms of drivetrain, the Voodoo HORDE uses only a 1×10 drivetrain. This makes it no match for the Carrera Furnace 2 Mountain Bike in some terrain.
Finally, in terms of price, the Voodoo HORDE is nearly twice as expensive as the Furnace 2 Mountain Bike, which is also an entry-level hardtail trail bike. If you are an off-road enthusiast and your budget is not that high, then I would recommend you choose the Carrera Furnace 2 Mountain Bike.
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Learn more : Is Voodoo BIZANGO A Good Choice? -[Voodoo BIZANGO Review]
