The Giant is undoubtedly a bargain and I would have bought one already save for the fact that I rang Paul's Cycles earlier today and was told that I could order one and have it sent to me, but I couldn't go into the shop and try it for size first, nor could I go over there and try any other bike of the same Geometry in that size. I found it all quite bizarre to be quite honest.

Anyway the 456 seems to be out of stock in the large sixe and in any case I'd have thought that a 456 isn't really what I'm looking for…carbon or not.

I think I've concluded that I want a Trek…admittedly it's not an 'exciting' bike for the money…it's not niche like, say, a Cotic would be, what it is is a very well built, very well specced, tool for a job. I also hear that Trek's after sales service is pretty good…

Before I make my final decision does anyone have anything to add?

I have, in the dim and distant past, sold both Cannondales and Specialized and whilst they are absolutely lovely bikes they are, to me, for that reason alone, a bit 'familiar' which is possibly why I'm increasingly taken with the Trek. The paintscheme isn't as horrific as the Specialized Stumpjumper either!