Another "spec me a bike thread"

booyaka

booyaka

booyaka

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Basically I have an old Claud Butler bike that i upgraded the brakes/pedals etc on but realistically it's needing a replacement as i intend to get more serious about my biking this year - always enjoyed cycling.

I was fairly set on a hard tail bike as it will mainly be for XC/off road stuff - nothing major hardcore and some visits to 7 stanes trails etc. Therefore I initially discounted a FS.

However the more I look around at bikes in my potential price range - the more I think i could cover the bases with a FS. My worry is that I buy a decent hard tail and then after a few months think - damn should have gone FS!!

Initial thoughts were the Boardman range, but at the moment details of the 2011 range are a bit thin on the ground and local Halfords guy said they have no stock details or potential delivery dates for any of the range until they have sold off the 2010 stock - which is now very very limited.

I would probably be needing a Large or 20" frame there or abouts - I will try and visit local bike shop for a sizing before purchasing.

Considerations so far -

Cube LTD Team 20" LBS have this on offer for £800 (can be found on line for £759 but rather visit/support LBS)

Boardman HT Team/Pro - great spec - good write ups everywhere but no idea about 2011 range yet.

Boardman FS - Team - see above.

Giant Trance X4 2010 - £900 - FS but seems to be very well regarded.

Carrera Fury - £600 but very well spec'd for the price and save myself a few hundred!

Specialized Rockhopper Comp 2011 - circa £900

Also Ghost bikes look nice but not sure the spec is that good??

Any thoughts or other considerations?? I will try before I buy where I can as well!!

Thanks in advance
 
pretty much decided that a hardtail is most suitable for at this time. unless a bargin FS shows up!! happy with 2010 range etc.

Any other suggestion for a hardtail £600-£1000 max???
 
You have a very comprehensive list already, have you demo'd any? What felt the best and what for you looks the best?

But two more maybe to consider Mondraker Finalist Pro or Gary Fisher Cobia 29er.
 
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Will be going to see/demo the Cube tomorrow hopefully. Others not had a chance to demo as the boardmans seem to be lacking in terms of any decent information/details about release times/dates/spec etc.

Mondraker looks a good one. Not sure about a 29'er!! Will investigate further!

The Giant Trance X4 is the only odd on out - i/e being a F/S bike. Looks a bargin @ £900 from £1300 and gets rave reviews but can't find anywhere nearby to demo!

Will see what happens!
edit - just noticed that there is an Evans Cycles in Glasgow i didn't even know about! looks like another place to visit!!!
 
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id avoid FS at less than 1k - just cheapens all the other parts too much

wiggle have a large charge duster on special - £700 and good spec for money
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/charge-duster-mid-2010/
nice retro feel to it

this marin is awesome too, because it comes with rs revelations which are excellent forks
http://www.rutlandcycling.com/11007/Marin-Rocky-Ridge-2010---Hardtail-Mountain-Bike.html
rest of kit is ok but works
£929 and in large

marin with fox forks, xt slx for £1000 http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/marin-nail-trail-item150534.html pretty good deal

if you can stump up more cash this is a complete steal
https://online.atb-sales.co.uk/p-929-ex-demo-mount-vision-58-x-large-2010.aspx
fox front and rear sus, x9 all over, mavic /xt wheels
only £1450! amazing
 
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gettothechopper said:
id avoid FS at less than 1k - just cheapens all the other parts too much

wiggle have a large charge duster on special - £700 and good spec for money
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/charge-duster-mid-2010/
nice retro feel to it

this marin is awesome too, because it comes with rs revelations which are excellent forks
http://www.rutlandcycling.com/11007/Marin-Rocky-Ridge-2010---Hardtail-Mountain-Bike.html
rest of kit is ok but works
£929 and in large
Click to expand...

thanks for that - something about the Charge (maybe that "retro" look) that i just don't like the look of. Seems to get good write ups but just not sure about the "look"
 
gettothechopper said:
talas ? it says suntour? also they only have medium and this dudes after large, but yeah 28lb is not bad,

OP - another good choice is on-one

nice steel frame, customize everything you like
full deore everything, and most importantly RS revelations for £999

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOO456TR/on-one-456-trail
Click to expand...

Aye the description is not always right. On-One is a good option I have had a Scandal, and know people who have the 456 all a very nice ride.
 
gettothechopper said:
OP - another good choice is on-one

nice steel frame, customize everything you like
full deore everything, and most importantly RS revelations for £999

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOO456TR/on-one-456-trail
Click to expand...

hmm- that on-one is very nice!:cool: lots of travel on the forks and some quality parts as well!

Lots of food for thought guys - appreciate it.

Edit- those forks on the on-one are something else - £400 or so is the cheapest for the forks themselves!!
 
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Had a scout round evans cycles in glasgow today and a chat with a nice chap.

They are more than happy for an test rides, but due to being in my suit and tie - probably not best today!!

Anyway a quick look round and this was in store - but only in medium

Norco Fluid 2 2010 Mountain Bike - £999 from £1839

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/norco/fluid-2-2010-mountain-bike-ec023993?query=norco#features

Seems like a lot of bike for the price!!

Also Genesis Core 30 2011 Mountain Bike - £849 seem like a decent bike as well.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/genesis/core-30-2011-mountain-bike-ec024741

Off to see the Cube Ltd Team tomorrow hopefully - local bike shop have a 20" one down to £800 at the moment

Nice helpful guy at Evans and he said he could order any bike in for test rides to his story in about 7 days or so.
 
Called halfords today - My local store has one of only a four Boardman Pro's left in Scotland in Large.

£899 !!!

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...uctId_502007_langId_-1_categoryId_165499#dtab

Arggh - why is this so hard!

Realistically down to these 3 now

Cube Team Ltd seeing tomorrow - £800 at local bike shop.
Boardman Pro £899- pretty stonking spec and very light! (will pop in and see what's the story)
Genesis Core 30 2011 - £849 - maybe test next week.

Think that's where I am just now.
 
Sorry to go against your shortlist but I'd put another recommendation in for on-one. You get a lot more bike for your money there than you do with either of the 3 you've shortlisted.

Genesis make brilliant bikes but if you're going HT you'd be making a massive error not going steel with your budget. A mate of mine had an Genesis Alpitude before going FS and it was a brilliant bike. Have a look at the Genesis Altitude though as these can be found within your price range and will perform a lot better than a Core.

Other frames to consider would be the Cotic Soul or a Rock Lobster but you'd have to build these up yourself (which is a lot easier than you'd think.)
 
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