Which bike?

[Cuchulain]

I'm looking to get back into mountain biking but with a nipper on the way I'm on a bit of a tight budget, around £500, with shipping to Northern Ireland that leaves me with probably £475 unless I go to Halford .. which I'd rather not do. Anyone have any recommendations for decent bikes in this price range?

I've contemplated a Rockhopper or reasonably specced Hardrock, there's a couple of Treks I like the look of and I'm not 100% but I think the Claud Butler Cape Wrath looks a bit tasty but are they not made by whoever makes Falcon *gag* bikes?

It needs to be a hardtail and I'm not fussed on disc brakes, if the choice is mechanical ones or V brakes I'd prefer V.

TIA

 

[digisatman]

Recently bought a rockhopper, best bike ever, especially if you can get 2007 model at discount. Such a good bike, mines v-brake version, but there avids, so they've actually got decent stopping power.

 

[Cuchulain]

Recently bought a rockhopper, best bike ever, especially if you can get 2007 model at discount. Such a good bike, mines v-brake version, but there avids, so they've actually got decent stopping power.

I was just looking at your thread actually, I'm happy enough with V's. How do you find it, I know the earlier rockhoppers were nice and light, what about the 07?