Looking for a new MTB

[markh1973]

Currently riding my 10 year old Dawes Watoga and think it's about time (having started to get the kids out on some trails) that I looked for a replacement.

Was looking on Paul's cycles and saw these two both of which to my untrained eye look like good value. Any thoughts on these or alternatives in the £800-£900 bracket.

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b4s2p4419/GIANT-XTC...

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b4s1p4430/GIANT-ANT...

Will mostly be used around places like Bedgebury, not on the road as I have a Triban 3 for that, but want to be sure that as the boys get bigger I'm not going to be looking like a fool simply because my bike isn't capable (when I fall off through my own stupidity by not unclipping than I can just about live with looking a fool).

[CoolC]

http://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes/bike.html?...

[Gumstabber]

That canyon is very good value. Better forks than the Giants. Better equipment and shifters too. If you're ok with a hardtail (depends on he type of riding you're doing) then the canyon looks good.

[Rob_T]

i owned a giant anthem x4 and i can confirm it was an extremely capable and enjoyable bike. i do not think you can go wrong with giant. my roadbike was a giant as well.

i cannot comment on the others as i have no first hand knowledge or experience. i struggle to see how you would be disappointed with the anthem though. compliant, reliable, robust and a pleasure to own. easy to sell on too!

[richardxjr]

I've got an older XTC, bought used, very tough bike! No probs with Bedgebury, but if you are south of there head over to Friston and South Downs

[Bobley]

I've got an Anthem, er indoors has the XTC. Both very light and the I'm just stepping out of the office to go home on mine across the fields and down the unmade canal towpath near northampton. Its not big on travel but its plenty enough for me. I love the way you can hammer it along roughish surfaces and it climbs really well. I do have a bigger travel bike but I really dont like using it because I only need the extra travel for a tiny amount of the time.

When I ride her bike to work I get tired legs. Its a bit of a cop out but a full sus bike really cossets you when riding for long distances on trials.

I wouldn't bother with the composite XTC. Hers is ali home built 2011ish with Deore XT kit and Mavic XC717 rims and it weighs f all. My colleagues XTC comp with cheap rims is heavier I reckon.

[Vladimir]

Cubes are well worth a look at this price range: a mate just got an £1100 2012 Ltd for around £700 recently. Very good spec apart from the wheels.