Cycle to work bike options

[westtra]

Ok I know we have a few of these already but everyone seems to have a different preference so here's my thread.

Like my mountain biking but not overly serious just trail riding with bit of down hill but nothing crazy. Obviously am getting the cycle to work scheme(http://www.cyclescheme.co.uk/home,intro.htm) with my work in April so looking at bikes. So far My list is below all hard tails

Specialized rock hopper expert £950
2010 GT Zasker Elite £999
2009 Gt Agressor Elite £below the limit but waiting for price.
Merida TFS 900D 2009 full xt,reba forks £900 - Didn't really know about merida before but one of the places I can access recomended it.

I am wanting the highest spec I can get for the £1000 so am open to suggestions.

I can get bikes from

Specialized
Giant
Merida
GT
Raleigh
Bianchi
Dawes
Claud Butler
Genesis
Ridgeback
Trek
Felt
Dahon
Cube
Marin
Gary fisher
canondale
Kona

Thanks

[westtra]

Gooby said:

Remember to allow funds for helmet, cycle shorts, tool kit, tubes, pump, waterproofs etc etc. Dont get so hung up on spec, test ride as many as poss and see which one rides the best.

Have all or the majority of the above already so spending the lot on the bike.

Gnarlybluesurf said:

Look no further:

http://www.boardmanbikes.com/mtbht/ht_Pro.html

Unfortunately our scheme doesn't use halfrauds but the boardman would have been on the list above if we had used them.

kazste said:

my opinion is to always go for the bike with the best frame. components can always be upgraded far easier than the frame. some companies will do a series of bikes using the same frame so maybe look for one of these and go from there.

i would try and stay away from cannondale as they can require specific components as opposed to generic ones.

From what i've been reading up on I think this is the route I'm going to go down.

What frame do you rate? at the moment from what i've been reading on various forums and bike reviews its eother the specialized or marida I think i'm going for but I will see as it's a couple months till I get the voucher.

Cube seems to get mentioned a lot but it seems to be an aquired taste with regards to there geometary.

[westtra]

Pablo cheers for that as it actually makes scense to MTB novice like my self.

What sort of wheels should I look for/avoid?

[westtra]

Ok have been out and tried a few and have narrowed it down to the ones below. Basically looking for opinions on what's best spec etc as I'm still learning in that respect.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products-comparison?pro...

and I know its different to the 2 ally ones above so ride wise will not be as harsh but liked this one for feel when I had a shot on it. Felt comfortable to sit on etc.

http://www.highlandbikes.com/products.php?plid=m1b...