MTB hardtail - best spec for the money? under 2k

[seadragon]

Hi All,

I was thinking of buying a frameset and getting it built up but after the chore of going down this route on my MiniVelo I am thinking of just getting a halfway decent complete hardtail.

I have a max budget of 2k and was wondering which bikes are known to come with a great spec for good money? I have heard that Canyon bikes are good in this dept and since I dont know a lot about MTB components I would appreciate some views on a good bike to go for.

Thanks in advance

[nammynake]

£2k is a fair whack to spend on a hardtail. What kind of riding is this for? Trail centres, big mountains, XC, racing?

Yes Canyon bikes are very good value for money. I have the Nerve XC from 2 years ago and can't really fault it.

[seadragon]

I wont be doing any racing on it, or serious DH, mainly for recreational use in the wooded areas, bridle paths around my village.

I realise 2k is probably a good budget for a hardtail that will suit my requirements but I plan to keep it a long time so dont mind getting a decent frame with a good spec. I am happy to spend a lot less for something but I am new to MTB's, most of my knowledge is on beach cruisers and minivelo's/folders

[nammynake]

In that case, this:

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

and pocket the £800 left over. I can't think of any reason to spend more for the kind of riding you describe.

[anonymous-user]

2k is a bit overkill for a ht but-

ROSE Mr. Big 6
http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/rose-mr-big-6-5...

Cube Elite Super HPC Pro carbon blue 'n orange
http://www.bike-discount.de/shop/k1766/a54373/elit...

but a cube ltd race is a good bike at around 1k.

but i would start at 500 quid and get a decathalon bike first, paying more in biking doesn't always mean better.

Edited by The Spruce goose on Saturday 1st December 15:06

[seadragon]

great thanks. I wasnt hoping to spend 2k unless there some an awesome deal to be had on a particular bike.

I will take a look at the bikes recommended in the previous 2 posts

thanks again

[timbo48]

Have a look at the 2013 Whyte Bikes 29er hardtails. Look good spec and pricewise. Kona also do a steel 29er hardtail which looks good but maybe a bit overweight?

[seadragon]

ps: have never heard of Rose bikes, I assume that since they were mentioned they are pretty decent?

[seadragon]

timbo48 said:

Have a look at the 2013 Whyte Bikes 29er hardtails. Look good spec and pricewise. Kona also do a steel 29er hardtail which looks good but maybe a bit overweight?

great thanks, will take a peek

[anonymous-user]

seadragon said:

ps: have never heard of Rose bikes, I assume that since they were mentioned they are pretty decent?

germany has a massive biking market and rose, cube, ghost, zt, canyon, radon (bike discount) etc are all rated highly.

whyte bikes are good but re-designed marin frames, which can be taken \as you want really good or bad.

[seadragon]

The Spruce goose said:

germany has a massive biking market and rose, cube, ghost, zt, canyon, radon (bike discount) etc are all rated highly.

whyte bikes are good but re-designed marin frames, which can be taken \as you want really good or bad.

I just took a look on the Radon site and I am in love :-). Radon Black Sin 29 9.0. I know its a healthy price but the spec looks pretty impressive. (I think maybe one for the future, maybe not as a first MTB).

The SwiftCarbon D/vore (Detritovore) is my favourite so far but only in UK as a frameset and maybe out of my league too.

Thanks for the tips so far

[mdavids]

Those radons are great value for money, been thinking about a 29er hardtail and had my eye on the ZR race 6 for 1000 euros but have ended up going down the 'build my own' route.

As already mentioned £2k is loads of money for a hardtail, you could get a decent full-suss for that and thats what I'd be looking at with that kind of budget.

Something like this for instance:
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b...

[seadragon]

The Spruce goose said:

Radon is highly rayed on review german sites and good value for money.

go to google.de and search, stick on translate and have a look.

thanks. I am really looking at the Radon as an option (and Cube), the spec is good for sure. Now which one?

[anonymous-user]

seadragon said:

thanks. I am really looking at the Radon as an option (and Cube), the spec is good for sure. Now which one?

At your budget I would go and try some bikes out first.

I hired a bike from swinnerton at cannock chase for 30 pounds to try a different bike and you get a day to try it. some do it for free but it gives you a good test drive.

[Barbarossa]

What about an Endorfin Speed-R? Just over your budget. I got one abut 4 years ago, the Rohloff hub is fantastic on a mountain bike.

[anonymous-user]

I'm a self confessed fan boy because I love my Bfe but i'd spec up a build for a Cotic Soul. they have legendary status on singletrackworld and you could take advantage of all the sales to get a nice build well under £2k. yes its steel but its some of the best tubing you can get and the geometry is designed in the uk for uk riding and even a £1500 build with some sensible spec'ing wont go over 25lbs... and its a thing of beauty that will last forever...

http://www.cotic.co.uk/product/soul

if that doesnt appeal, the radon, canyon and rose bikes are very good value for money and just lack the uk supplier/importer to really take off here. many satisfied customers though who see the value.

Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 2nd December 19:48

[seadragon]

pablo said:

I'm a self confessed fan boy because I love my Bfe but i'd spec up a build for a Cotic Soul. they have legendary status on singletrackworld and you could take advantage of all the sales to get a nice build well under £2k. yes its steel but its some of the best tubing you can get and the geometry is designed in the uk for uk riding and even a £1500 build with some sensible spec'ing wont go over 25lbs... and its a thing of beauty that will last forever...

http://www.cotic.co.uk/product/soul

if that doesnt appeal, the radon, canyon and rose bikes are very good value for money and just lack the uk supplier/importer to really take off here. many satisfied customers though who see the value.

Edited by pablo on Sunday 2nd December 19:48

Thanks, I will take a look at the Cotic. I like the ideas so far, especially the Radon, the specs are really good for the price and I also like the Canyon and Cube. I like the Endorfin, nice looking bikes and am still interested in the SwiftCarbon as well as the Intense MTB's, they look sweet.

Thanks again, I will spec up a Cotic and see how it goes, decisions decisions

[jdoe]

I'd recommend having a look at on-one. You can get some stonking value builds on some really nice frames from them. I have a 456 which I utterly love. Its a total hooligan of a bike..

http://www.on-one.co.uk/

[NitroNick]

Some great deals on MTBs at chainreaction.
E.g.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...

[nickd01]

I've got a Cotic Soul, and love it. Weighs 10kg and rides fantastically well.
I built it all myself, and it was an enjoyable project and helped to split the cost over a few months!