Which sub sub £1000 aggressive hardtail?

Which sub sub £1000 aggressive hardtail?

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Discussion

Willber

Original Poster:

545 posts

168 months

Saturday 23rd August 2014
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Looking to get another bike after a break from riding. Previously have ridden a lot of BMX, some DH, dirt jumping, street and obviously cross country!

My last bike was a Specialized Pitch Pro but this time around i'm fancying an aggressive hardtail with slack angles that can take a bit of stick.

I've seen some Ragley which look cool, like the look of the Commencal Meta HT, Whyte 901.

Any suggestions of a sub £1000 bike? Ideally less. Not fussed for the newest model would take last years at a discount.

Thanks

Watchman

6,391 posts

244 months

Saturday 23rd August 2014
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I have a 26" wheeled Whyte 901. I like the slack head angle. Gives confidence when you point it downhill or off drops. The fork is air sprung too.

All the new ones are 27.5 wheelers. Maybe you could get last years at a discount?

richardxjr

7,561 posts

209 months

Saturday 23rd August 2014
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If you don't mind a 29er that On One Parkwood I mentioned in another thread will be v difficult to beat for the money. 68deg Ha and fantastic build for a grand.

Willber

Original Poster:

545 posts

168 months

Saturday 23rd August 2014
quotequote all
Yeah the 901 looks very nice, never ridden a 29er but would imagine 27.5 does not take much getting used to.

There are lots of 2014 ones for £999 on the net!

The on one does look a good bike but can't find much info around about it and would have to ride a 29er before hand.

lukeyman

1,009 posts

134 months

Saturday 23rd August 2014
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Willber said:
Yeah the 901 looks very nice, never ridden a 29er but would imagine 27.5 does not take much getting used to.

There are lots of 2014 ones for £999 on the net!

The on one does look a good bike but can't find much info around about it and would have to ride a 29er before hand.
I was firmly in the MTBs should be 26" camp having ridden them since the 90s... however, I took the plunge on a Charge Cooker Hi 29er on the CTW scheme because I could fit some road tyres. Gearing is too low for the road and was due to do the H4H ride so got a cheap road bike instead... anyway... the Cooker is great off road!

missing the VR6

2,320 posts

188 months

Saturday 23rd August 2014
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I understand the Orange Crush is roughly a hard tail version of the Orange 5 in riding style. So I'd guess that'd be pretty agressive. Not sure how much they are though.

duff

976 posts

198 months

Saturday 23rd August 2014
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This fits the bill nicely : http://shop.birdmtb.com/zero/zero-3.html

poshboyracer

57 posts

186 months

Saturday 23rd August 2014
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missing the VR6 said:
I understand the Orange Crush is roughly a hard tail version of the Orange 5 in riding style. So I'd guess that'd be pretty agressive. Not sure how much they are though.
I've got a 2014 Crush. It's a really nice bike and the 27.5 wheels are so much better than I thought they'd be. It feels a tiny bit less aggressive than the Commmencal Ramones (now called the Meta HT) it replaced, but once on the trail it handles miles better and is way faster and more confidence inspiring. Is over the OP's budget by £300 though.

yellowjack

17,065 posts

165 months

Tuesday 26th August 2014
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duff said:
This fits the bill nicely : http://shop.birdmtb.com/zero/zero-3.html
Another vote for this one. Zero 3 at £995. If you find a bit more cash, there are other, more expensive build specs too. I don't (yet) own one, but I will, just as soon as the finances are right. I rode a couple of their demo fleet briefly, and am sufficiently convinced that this is now the bike for me. I'll have a full day blast on a demo bike close to my chosen build closer to the time, just to confirm my final choice, then the order will get placed.

Get in touch with them. Nothing is too much trouble when it comes to demos. I turned up without an appointment, but they are so convinced that the bike will sell itself that they almost insisted I ride one, and swapped some bits about to more closely match my build budget. Their factory is in the north of Hampshire, between Basingstoke and Reading, so if you're close enough, get in touch and sort out a demo day. There's plenty of good riding within an hour of their base and they'll let you have a bike for a 'proper' test ride, not just a lame and lazy roll around a shop car park or a pointless 'once around the block' mince about.

Because you are dealing with the three chaps who own/run the company, you'll find their customer service is second to none. They don't have the leather sofas, or the coffee machine, or the expensive clothing ranges, but they'll talk to you about what you need/want from your bike, and help you to pick any options that'll tailor the bike to you. It's definitely worth giving the website a look, and getting in touch to see what you think...

Willber

Original Poster:

545 posts

168 months

Wednesday 27th August 2014
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Thanks for the suggestions guys.

I went and had a look at a Whyte 901 at the weekend and took it for a spin around the block, nice bike!

I'm considering the Kona Explosif also:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281352619243?ssPageName=...

This appeals slightly more as it's cro-mo and not alloy so will be a slightly more compliant ride but possible at the expense of some BB flex - at a guess?

Also looking at this as a cheaper option:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221521398659?var=5203727...

The Commencal has a shorter top tube than both the Whyte and the Kona, the Whyte's being the longest. I did feel a little bit stretched out on the Whyte but probably just because I am not used to being on a bike anymore, but it didn't give me that instant feeling that it fits you just right.

lukeyman

1,009 posts

134 months

Wednesday 27th August 2014
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I've got a soft spot for Konas and I like steel frames... you have my permission to buy the Explosif!

smile


Willber

Original Poster:

545 posts

168 months

Wednesday 27th August 2014
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The Kona is actually available at £999 in a shop near me, so it would be rude not to pop in and have a look on the way home!

Gargamel

14,958 posts

260 months

Wednesday 27th August 2014
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Evans had the Cannondale SL1 on sale at £999 last night....


walm

10,609 posts

201 months

Wednesday 27th August 2014
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I really want to buy British so that Bird Zero looks very interesting. Thanks for pointing it out yellowjack.