Best sub £900 hardtail?
Discussion
Can folks start pointing me in the direction of <£900 hardtails please.
I've had a frosty phone call with my insurance company this afternoon who think they can replace my 08 Commencal Supernormal like for like, which I seriously doubt with the current bike price hike and component dumbing down we're going through.
So, £900 is the absolute maximum I can spend, it needs to be XC orientated with decent forks and a low overall weight. Colours, brands, and model year are all unimportant. Or, I may look at single speeders.
I've had a frosty phone call with my insurance company this afternoon who think they can replace my 08 Commencal Supernormal like for like, which I seriously doubt with the current bike price hike and component dumbing down we're going through.
So, £900 is the absolute maximum I can spend, it needs to be XC orientated with decent forks and a low overall weight. Colours, brands, and model year are all unimportant. Or, I may look at single speeders.
i think you will be hard pushed to beat a merlin malt 4 personally.
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/custom-mountain-bike...
the scott scale 50 is well worth a look though http://www.evanscycles.com/products/scott/scale-50...
2009 charge duster hi has good spec (nice air fork) and is on sale
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/charge/duster-... althogh evans are low on stock ,you could just give charge a call direct and see if they can help?
2010 charge duster mid http://www.evanscycles.com/products/charge/duster-...
have a look for an Orange Evo, they are nice and relaxed on singletrack.
apologies for the gratuitous use of evans, i am by no means claiming they are the best, they are just good to use for examples. similar if not better deals are around at places like sunsetmtb, hargroves, rutlandcycling etc etc...
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/custom-mountain-bike...
the scott scale 50 is well worth a look though http://www.evanscycles.com/products/scott/scale-50...
2009 charge duster hi has good spec (nice air fork) and is on sale
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/charge/duster-... althogh evans are low on stock ,you could just give charge a call direct and see if they can help?
2010 charge duster mid http://www.evanscycles.com/products/charge/duster-...
have a look for an Orange Evo, they are nice and relaxed on singletrack.
apologies for the gratuitous use of evans, i am by no means claiming they are the best, they are just good to use for examples. similar if not better deals are around at places like sunsetmtb, hargroves, rutlandcycling etc etc...
Check out the Genesis range - They do both Reynolds Steel, and Alloy versions, at about that price point.
Specs are pretty good, full matches Shimano always as they are owned by Ultimate pursuits/Madison.
On paper they are good, if not great value - but they always seem very well though out, well matched, and the Steel frames are fantastic quality, and lovely to ride.
Well worth a test ride.
Specs are pretty good, full matches Shimano always as they are owned by Ultimate pursuits/Madison.
On paper they are good, if not great value - but they always seem very well though out, well matched, and the Steel frames are fantastic quality, and lovely to ride.
Well worth a test ride.
I managed to pick up an '08 giant XTC A1 just before the '09 model came out for about £350 less than the RRP this time last year. Love it 
Depends on your frame size but they have the 16" frame here:
http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/giant-xtc-alliance-...
Depends on your frame size but they have the 16" frame here:
http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/giant-xtc-alliance-...
Ok chaps, I may have blown the budget slightly but as it's an insurance deal, they're paying the first £850.
My shortlist so far;
http://www.boardmanbikes.com/mtbht/ht_Pro.html
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/charge/duster-...
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Focus_Black_Fore...
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...
My shortlist so far;
http://www.boardmanbikes.com/mtbht/ht_Pro.html
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/charge/duster-...
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Focus_Black_Fore...
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...
snotrag said:
Do you want a racy, classic XC type bike?
Or a 'Trail' type bike? (Longer forks, slacker angles, not as whippet like uphill but much less nervous on technical trails...?)
More racy, i've still got the FS for proper trail riding but would like something for XC racing. I'm not the last thing in speed though, so i'm after the best specced bike rather than the lightest.Or a 'Trail' type bike? (Longer forks, slacker angles, not as whippet like uphill but much less nervous on technical trails...?)
For a classic XC style hardtail I think I'd go with a Cube Ltd or if not, the Boardman.
Cube Ltd Race:
http://www.cube-bikes.de/xist4c/web/ltd-race-green...
Cube Ltd Race:
http://www.cube-bikes.de/xist4c/web/ltd-race-green...
Makes sense - I also have a FS for 'big days' so this summer i built myself my first properly lightweight racy type bike, and I love it.
Does it have to be a complete bike you buy? Is this insurance money? A cheque?
Because I built that Giant for a Total of about 6 or 700, All brand new bar the forks, chainset and derrallieurs - tubeless hope wheels, carbon bar/post etc.
Its very quick, light and much nicer specced than anything I could buy off the shelf.
I am pleased i went for something properly racy too as it makes much more sense when riding tame local trails - a good contrast with the big old bus that is my Heckler.
Does it have to be a complete bike you buy? Is this insurance money? A cheque?
Because I built that Giant for a Total of about 6 or 700, All brand new bar the forks, chainset and derrallieurs - tubeless hope wheels, carbon bar/post etc.
Its very quick, light and much nicer specced than anything I could buy off the shelf.
I am pleased i went for something properly racy too as it makes much more sense when riding tame local trails - a good contrast with the big old bus that is my Heckler.
They won't give me a cheque unfortunately, it's got to be an off the shelf bike, bought by them, I can (I think) add money by paying the balance top the shop/place of purchase.
I like the look of the Cube, but spec wise, I think the Charge as linked to above is winning me over at the minute, it also helps that it's reduced to come within budget
I like the look of the Cube, but spec wise, I think the Charge as linked to above is winning me over at the minute, it also helps that it's reduced to come within budget
WildCards said:
They won't give me a cheque unfortunately, it's got to be an off the shelf bike, bought by them, I can (I think) add money by paying the balance top the shop/place of purchase.
I like the look of the Cube, but spec wise, I think the Charge as linked to above is winning me over at the minute, it also helps that it's reduced to come within budget
Is the Shimano LX on the Charger rated better than the SRAM X0/X9 on the Boardman?I like the look of the Cube, but spec wise, I think the Charge as linked to above is winning me over at the minute, it also helps that it's reduced to come within budget
Always had Shimano stuff on my MTBs and can't fault it, even the Deore stuff is reliable and hard wearing.
Must admit the Charger is a good looking bike but so is the Boardman.
Have you decided yet?
GreatGranny said:
WildCards said:
They won't give me a cheque unfortunately, it's got to be an off the shelf bike, bought by them, I can (I think) add money by paying the balance top the shop/place of purchase.
I like the look of the Cube, but spec wise, I think the Charge as linked to above is winning me over at the minute, it also helps that it's reduced to come within budget
Is the Shimano LX on the Charger rated better than the SRAM X0/X9 on the Boardman?I like the look of the Cube, but spec wise, I think the Charge as linked to above is winning me over at the minute, it also helps that it's reduced to come within budget
Always had Shimano stuff on my MTBs and can't fault it, even the Deore stuff is reliable and hard wearing.
Must admit the Charger is a good looking bike but so is the Boardman.
Have you decided yet?
dont get too hung up on the spec of front/rear mechs /shifters, they are to catch the eye of the casual buyer and the car park hero, its not relevant, shocks (front and rear) and wheels are where you should focus! for sure it XTR/X0 looks good and is a factor with regards the reliabilitity but if you were paying for it, would you really go for X9/0 over X7?!??! or XT/XTR over SLX?!?!?!
Lot of love ofr the Duster on here...
Funny though, cos it had some not very glowing reviews, and I built a few very nice custom builds on these frames for people in the past year, and while excellently specced, i wasnt so keen on the feel of the bike.
Orange P7, Cotic Soul, or Dialled Bikes Prince Albert would be where I would point you if the steel thing is what your after.
Funny though, cos it had some not very glowing reviews, and I built a few very nice custom builds on these frames for people in the past year, and while excellently specced, i wasnt so keen on the feel of the bike.
Orange P7, Cotic Soul, or Dialled Bikes Prince Albert would be where I would point you if the steel thing is what your after.
snotrag said:
Lot of love ofr the Duster on here...
Funny though, cos it had some not very glowing reviews, and I built a few very nice custom builds on these frames for people in the past year, and while excellently specced, i wasnt so keen on the feel of the bike.
Orange P7, Cotic Soul, or Dialled Bikes Prince Albert would be where I would point you if the steel thing is what your after.
My plan is to get a steel hardtail in the New Year so will have a peruse of the ones that you've suggested snotters.Funny though, cos it had some not very glowing reviews, and I built a few very nice custom builds on these frames for people in the past year, and while excellently specced, i wasnt so keen on the feel of the bike.
Orange P7, Cotic Soul, or Dialled Bikes Prince Albert would be where I would point you if the steel thing is what your after.
Just got to decide whether to keep my full susser too......
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff