Replacement bike advice

[Adam123]

Hello,

Had my 2012 Trek 4300D pinched a while ago and insurance are sorting out getting me a new bike.

They originally offered me the £495 cash money (they use Wheelies that don't sell Trek)) for a 2014 Trek 4300D but I couldn't find a black 19.5" frame so asked them to spec up something similar to my original 2012 4300D. They came back with a FELT Nine 60 2015 Mountain Bike.

Now, I did like my original 2012 Trek apart from the brakes on it, I found the Hayes Dyno Sport loud/squeeky/hard to find replacement pads for. The 2014 Trek has Shimano M395's which according to reviews are really good for the money. I haven't read many good/encouraging reviews for Tektro HDC brakes.

So I have gone away and done some research of my own and come back with the following list of potential replacements:

1) Boardman Mountain Bike Comp HT 650B 2014 (+£150)
2) Scott Aspect 640 2014 Mountain Bike (+£0)
3) Saracen Mantra Pro 2014 Mountain Bike (+£50)
4) Scott Aspect 930 2014 Mountain Bike (+£50)
5) Dawes XC27 Disc MW 650B 2014 Mountain Bike (+£50).

So my personal favourites are the Dawes XC27 and the Saracen Mantra Pro as they both have m395 brakes and front fork hydraulic lockout.

Anyone any input/thought/ridicules/advice/suggestions etc on the above?

TL;DR bike spec £500-£600 - anything better out there new than Dawes XC27 or Saracen Mantra Pro

Cheers in advance,

Adam

 

[Adam123]

Had a look at the voodoo bizango online and didn't like the aesthetics of it, just popped into Halfords to see it in the flesh and hate it even more, the colour and logos etc are just awful imo.
Spec wise it's very similar to the Mantra pro... I might hopefully maybe probably be able to get that for £550ish,

Anyone reckon that the Bizango is worth £50 more than the Saracen Mantra Pro?