Barracuda mountain bikes are known for their strength. On tough mountain trails or rough terrain the bikes hold their own and can be counted on to deliver a solid firm ride.
The type of technologies you will encounter on a Barracuda bike include:
Frame Risers
Full Suspension.
Frame: Aluminum.
Fork: Zoom Comfort suspension fork.
Transmission: 21 Speed Shimano w/ Shimano Easy Fire STI Shifters.
Brakes: Powerful Front & Rear V/brakes, Levers with Shimano Easyfire integrated shifters.
Crankset: 42T/32T/22T with alloy crank arms.
Extras: Steel riser bar, Kronos Adjustable quill stem, Kronos Comfort saddle and suspension.
Trends and Styling:
Barracuda mountain bikes are changing quite a bit with the shape of the frame tubes becoming more angular. More aggressive looks and angular frames make the bike look and feel firmer to ride. The ease of gear change is becoming ever more refined with the ability to move in and out of gear with ease using technologies such as Shimano Easy Fire STI Shifters. A nice trend we see is the ability to switch your suspension on and off. What would be even nicer is to have greater control over the suspension - to choose the degree of stiffness at the touch of a button.
Pros:
Sturdy frame
A trusted name and offer quality bikes in the middle price bracket
Lots of new technologies
Cons:
Barracuda mountain bikes might let you down on suspension
Some complain of a stiff ride on some models
What to look for when purchasing:
When buying your bike it will be helpful knowing what to look for when purchasing. First, the bike must fit. Do not get a bike that is too big for you! If you're going to be in the saddle a lot make sure you get a gel seat. If you going to be whizzing around corners and up and down undulating terrain get yourself some Easyfire gear changers. Soft suspension on front and back is useful for difficult terrain but on road surfaces you will enjoy the rigidness of firm suspension much more. Take a look at the tires, if they have a nice curved profile and flat area in the middle these will offer speed on flat surfaces. Being able to turn front fork suspension off from the handlebars rather than leaning over to press a button is a life saver.