Carrera Karkinos Mens Mountain Bike Review
- Price: £350
- Category: Hardtail Cross-Country Bike
- Tires: 27.5″
- Drivetrain: 2X8
What we like about it: The very cost-effective price.
What we don’t like about it: Exposed outside wires. Vulnerable to damage.
Rating (4.6/5)
Introduction
Whether you’re on a dusty dry trail or a wooded trail in the countryside, the Carrera Karkinos mountain bike is perfect for you. It’s similar to the UK’s best-selling Carrera Vengeance mountain bike, using a Suntour XCR hydraulic fork and 27.5″ size tires to reduce the bumps you’ll create on the trail.
At the same time, it has a Shimano 2X drivetrain that makes shifting easier and provides you with plenty of shifting options when climbing.
And equipped with Shimano hydraulic brakes to ensure you get excellent, controlled stops while riding, giving you the confidence to take on hills or trails off-road.
Let us introduce you to the Carrera Karkinos Mens Mountain Bike in detail, we will explain its climbing, descending, main features, and main components.
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Carrera Karkinos Mens Mountain Bike Climbing Review
For an entry-level hardtail trail bike, this price point surprised us. But it has to be said that the components configured for this price are extremely cost-effective.
When I first got this bike, I was still slightly concerned about its climbing performance. But after a field ride, it changed my opinion about it.
First of all, it is easier to get up hills than other mountain bikes of the same price, mainly thanks to its Shimano 2X drivetrain. When I rode it on climbs, I could feel that it was still responsive enough to shift gears. And with the 2X8 gearing option, it’s enough for newbies.
It is worth mentioning that the Carrera Kraken is thoughtfully designed with the customer’s riding experience in mind and comes with a memory foam saddle. I was able to noticeably feel its softness, which made my riding time greatly increase. Also on the grip, it uses knurled soft rubber that allows me to have a stable grip and increases comfort.
Carrera Karkinos Mens Mountain Bike Descending Review
I was equally surprised by the performance of this bike on the descent.
For me, it is more enjoyable to have that flying sensation during the descent. But during high speed, shock absorption is necessary. And this bike is equipped with Suntour XCE 28 fork, just to meet my needs. Together with the 100mm travel, it gives it a very good damping effect.
The location we chose for this test was a woodland path with a mixture of tree branches and a slightly steeper gradient. It was difficult for a bike worth only £350, but we wanted to give it a go anyway.
The Suntour XCE 28 fork did provide good damping during the descent, while its DELI SA-258 all-terrain tires provided plenty of grip over bumps. Overall, the bike wasn’t as bad as I believed it would be.
It also has good braking performance. Although it is equipped with Tektro MD-M280 mechanical disc brakes, I relied on its braking power to hold me steady when I almost fell many times.
Main Features
Frame Group
I have to say that I was attracted to this Carrera Karkinos Mens Mountain Bike in terms of paint color. The beautiful orange frame with black handlebars can attract people’s attention for the first time.
Also, the frame is made of lightweight aluminum alloy frame, which is strong and durable. And the frame of this bike is guaranteed for life, which is enough to prove their trust in the quality of this bike.
In addition, at its down tube, it is also designed with water bottle mounting holes, which brings great convenience for your field riding. Because you don’t have to deliberately look for a store to buy drinking water, you just need to carry it yourself.
It is worth mentioning that its cable is exposed, which did give me some trouble when cleaning. But compared to its price, I think this shortcoming can be forgiven.
Components and Specifications
DELI SA-258 All Terrain Tire
For the Carrera Karkinos Mens Mountain Bike, the tire of choice is the DELI SA-258 all-terrain tire. As its name says, this tire is capable of adapting to a wide range of terrain and is especially suitable for off-road mountain biking.
And, the tread pattern on the surface of the tire makes it more grippy during driving. At the same time, the design of folding tires is easy for you to carry.
Suntour XCE 28 Fork
In terms of fork choice, Carrera Karkinos Mens Mountain Bike uses the Suntour XCE 28 fork. This fork is made of alloy and has sufficient quality assurance. It also comes with 100mm of travel, which makes it effective in reducing vibration and increasing riding comfort on some bumpy roads.
Shimano Acera Drivetrain
Most mountain bikes opt for the 1X series in their drivetrains. But as a cross-country mountain bike, the Carrera Karkinos Mens Mountain Bike uses a 2X8 drivetrain that gives you more shifting options for your ride and is more conducive to facing different terrains.
Also, it has one less gear at the front. This also means less weight and less maintenance, making shifting more straightforward.
Other versions of Carrera Karkinos
The Carrera Karkinos Womens Mountain Bike is the same as the Carrera Karkinos Mens Mountain Bike, which is the same series of cross-country mountain bikes launched by Carrera Karkinos. Only it has different models for men and women. First of all, there is a difference in color between the two, the men’s bike is orange and the women’s bike is blue.
Secondly, in the frame design, the standing height of the women’s bike is lower than the men’s, which is more convenient for girls to get on and off the bike. The price is also £10 cheaper than the men’s.
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What we like about it
- Extremely cost-effective price.
- Wide range of 2X8 drivetrains.
- Suntour XCE 28 shock front fork.
- DELI SA-258 All Terrain Tire.
What we don’t like about it
- Exposed cable wires = vulnerable to damage.
- A single choice of paint colors.
FAQs
- What are the tires on the Carrera Karkinos Mens Mountain Bike?
The tires on the Carrera Karkinos Mens Mountain Bike are DELI SA-258 all-terrain tires.
- What is the drivetrain of the Carrera Karkinos Mens Mountain Bike?
The drivetrain of the Carrera Karkinos Mens Mountain Bike is a Shimano Acera drivetrain.
- What are the brakes on the Carrera Karkinos Mens Mountain Bike?
The brakes on the Carrera Karkinos Mens Mountain Bike are Tektro MD-M280 mechanical disc brakes.
- Carrera Karkinos Mens Mountain Bike Size Chart
| Size | Rider height |
| XS | 150 – 163 CM |
| S | 160 – 170 CM |
| M | 168 – 178 CM |
| L | 175 – 185 CM |
| XL | 180 – 193 CM |
Carrera Karkinos Mens Mountain Bike Specs
Build
| Frame | Alloy |
| Fork | Suntour XCE 28,100mm |
| Bottom Bracket | Sealed, 73/122.5 mm |
| Headset | Semi-integrated, 1 1/8″ |
| Stem | Alloy, 45mm, 3° rise, 31.8mm clamp |
| Handlebar | Riser bar, 20mm rise, 31.8mm clamp, 740mm |
| Saddle | Carrera memory foam |
| Seatpost | Alloy, 31.6x350mm, 34.9mm clamp |
| Pedals | Mountain bike pedal, 9/16″ |
| Grips | Carrera MTB |
Groupset
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano RD-M360-L Acera, 2×8 |
| Front Derailleur | Shimano FD-M315 Altus, 31.8mm clamp |
| Crank | Square taper, 36/22T, XS-165mm, S-170mm, M,L,XL-175mm |
| Shifters | Shimano SL-M315, Acera, 2×8 |
| Cassette | Shimano CS-HG200 8-speed, 12-32T |
| Chain | KMC 8-speed |
| Brakes | Tektro MD-M280 Mechanical 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-258 All terrain tires |
Video
Comparison Table
| Bicycles | Price | Drivetrain | Brakes | Tires | Click view |
| Marin Wildcat Trail 2 | $599 | 3X8 | Clark’s Hydraulic Disc | 27.5 x 2.25″ | Click View |
| Giant Talon 4 | $600 | 1×8 | TKB-172, mechanical disc | 29×2.2″ | Click View |
| Liv Tempt 4 | $600 | 1×8 | TKB-172, mechanical disc | 27.5″ or 29×2.2″ | Click View |
| Schwinn Mesa 3 27.5 | $579 | 3×7 | Radius V993, linear-pull, aluminum | 26 / 27.5x 2.1 “ | Click View |
Carrera Karkinos Mens Mountain Bike vs Marin Wildcat Trail 2
For an entry-level hardtail trail bike, the Carrera Karkinos Mens Mountain Bike and the Marin Wildcat Trail 2 are pretty much the same when it comes to actual riding.
The difference is in the brake selection, the Marin Wildcat Trail 2 uses hydraulic discs. However, during our actual testing, the braking ability of both vehicles was similar.
The Marin Wildcat Trail 2 also uses a 3X8 drivetrain. While there are more options for shifting, it also means that shifting is more complicated.
These are the only differences between the two bikes. But in terms of price, the latter is almost twice as expensive, which is not cost-effective.
Learn more : Is Marin Bolinas Ridge 1 A Perfect Selection? – [Marin Bolinas Ridge 1 Review]
Carrera Karkinos Mens Mountain Bike vs Giant Talon 4
The Giant Talon 4 has the same fork choice as the Carrera Karkinos Mens Mountain Bike, both using Suntour XCE forks. This also reflects the brand’s approval of this fork. However, the Giant Talon 4 has one more 29×2.2″ tire option than the former, but it doesn’t affect anything.
Also in terms of shifting, the Giant Talon 4 uses a 1X8 drivetrain. This will allow you to tackle less terrain than the Karkinos Mens Mountain Bike when going off-road in the mountains.
If you need to should more different terrain, consider this Carrera Karkinos Mens Mountain Bike. it also has good performance in drop damping in addition to this.
For a novice mountain biker, this Carrera Karkinos Mens Mountain Bike will meet your needs.
Learn More: Giant Talon 4 Review – Taking You To The Door Of The Off-Road World
Carrera Karkinos Mens Mountain Bike vs Liv Tempt 4
This Liv Tempt 4 has a lower stand-up height than the Carrera Karkinos Mens Mountain Bike, so it’s a trail bike designed for women.
Also in terms of fork travel, the Liv Tempt 4 is only 80mm. This also results in less damping than the Karkinos Mens Mountain Bike in some steeper terrain.
In terms of color, unlike the conventional perception, the Liv Tempt 4 opts for an understated black. This Carrera Karkinos Mens Mountain Bike, on the other hand, uses a more ostentatious orange color.
As for how to choose between these two bikes, then it depends on your gender.
Learn more : Is Liv Tempt 2 The Perfect Choice? – [Liv Tempt 2 Review]
Carrera Karkinos Mens Mountain Bike vs Schwinn Mesa 3 27.5
This Schwinn Mesa 3 27.5 uses a Zoom HL565 fork and is made of steel. It is very heavy compared to the aluminum fork. Also when we rode in the field, we could feel that the Schwinn Mesa 3 27.5 is not as damping as the Karkinos Mens Mountain Bike.
The Carrera Karkinos Mens Mountain Bike is also equipped with a Carrera memory foam saddle, which makes it even better in terms of comfort.
Finally, it’s worth mentioning that I’m not a fan of the paint color of the Schwinn Mesa 3 27.5. For me, I prefer the Karkinos Mens Mountain Bike. If your color preference is the same as mine, the Carrera Karkinos Mens Mountain Bike would be a good choice.
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Learn More: Schwinn Mesa Mountain Bike Review – Best 27.5″ MTB
