Looking for a bike for work and play!

[ca9phoenix]

Thought i'd ask for opinions before i set my purchase in stone.

looking for a bike around the £600 mark to cycle to work (along a canal and up a 3 mile hill) but that's also able to do a bit of track work (around Kielder reservoir)

at the moment i'm looking at a Gary Fisher Utopia circa £600.

list of things i would like are,

Hard Tail
Front Susp
Disk Brakes

any advice would be taken on board as i will be getting the cash from my company at the end of october! (interest free 12 month loan)

Ca9

 

[Shure]

I've been very happy with my Giant xtc 2.5(07). Fits the bill for your requirements and is a very efficient bike. Can be quite rigid though on long rides!

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b4s2p1264

 

[ca9phoenix]

what's the weight like on that?

looking there's very little stock except for the 16'' frame and i'm looking for something about the 19.5 mark