Narrow down my choice of 4 hardtails

[Hobzy]

Ok, read every thread on here on hardtail choice for just under a grand - still can't decide . As my Enduro Pro was stolen in a garage break (thieving gits) and the insurance only paid out £440, I discovered I can do salary sacrifice jobby through work and pay interest free over 12 or 24 months. This doesn't necessarily limit me to where I get it, but I can also get 10% off if I get the bike in Portsmouth (the scheme runs through the council).

Used to race road bikes until the knees gave in after too much ski-ing, and due to babies and buying the Kitcar I didn't really ever do the enduro justice - hence wanting to go back to a reasonably light hardtail. Anyway, enough wittering - with those constraints and bearing in mind the cheque goes to the supplier so can't go second hand here are my final four:

Merlin malt 4-09 (what I would have bought probably without the scheme)

Gary Fisher Hookooekoo 2009 Root Beer

Giant XTC 2 2009

Rockhopper Pro Disc


Set my sights as a younger man on one day having a Merlin, but is it really worth it compared to the other three and the potential discount/ease of buying? Any views appreciated.

Cheers in advance...

Edited by Hobzy on Wednesday 1st April 21:33

Edited by Hobzy on Wednesday 1st April 23:23

[Nick_F]

I'd say Merlin, but I picked the Rock Lobster instead of the Malt.

[gbbird]

Out of those 4, i would go for the Merlin

[anonymous-user]

another vote for merlin, never heard a bad word about them and merlin cycles have always been hassle free to deal with. probably the best overall bike of the four in terms of frame and components