Guys,

I'm upgrading to my second bike from a hybrid to a proper mountain bike. Been looking at various hardtails as i mainly do relaxed xc, but am moving onto harder stuff every week.

However, just to mess up my carefully laid plans – i've just seen a 2005 Orange 5 2nd hand for £600, and a 2007 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Pro for £750, both of which look awesome, and seem a lot of bike for the money!

Any advice? Do i stick with as good a hardtail as poss, or go for the 2nd hand option, and go for what looks like a bike that'll do anything i dare try!?

I'd buy something a bit newer if it were me. At two+ years there could be significant maintenance problems.

Thanks Daffy, if i went for the 2nd hand it'd be from a shop, so would they not have done any maintenance needed? Or am i being desperately naive?

The 2nd hand bikes 'may' have maintainance problems or they 'may' have been well looked after with regular servicing and replacement bearings/parts etc.
From the OP's post i suspect he may not know enough about a full-suss frame to make an informed decision – if you do i apologise!

Thing is, buying 2nd hand is a gamble and if you aren't sure of the odds why gamble?

Personally i would spend he £750 on a good hardtail, or if you are set on a full-suss machine save up some more cash and buy a new, previous year model.
Just my opinion though.

EDIT – 2nd hand from a shop? Well, it should be running well with no bearing slop etc. Make sure the drivetrain isn't shagged or that the shock/forks aren't shot.
Wheels should be true from a shop (one would hope) and spinning easily, after that it's mainly cosmetic and down to you.

As MD says, you need to check everything on a SH bike even when buying froma shop.

Cost to replace/maintain

Chainrings/drivetrain – £60-£200
Forks – service £100
Rear shock service £60-80
Frame bearing service kit – £60
Cables, Jockey wheels, BB – £50

All of it can add up, but you're sure most of the above is fine, go for it.

There's some real bargins to be had out there.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?PartnerID=79&ModelID=32965

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-ROCKY-MOUNTAIN-VERTEX-50-18-2009-RRP-1495-XC_W0QQitemZ290387520876QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Bikes_GL?hash=item439c71ed6c

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=32977

to be honest, i don't know a lot about full sus bikes, but have been recommended to look at these by others who bike a lot more than me.

if/when i am ready to buy, i'll be taking a mate along to check all maintenance issues, as i would miss all but the most obvious!

i really can't justify any more than about £500, so am stretching budget to look at these, but just don't want to be looking for another bike in a year or 2 if i want to try harder rides.

am moving onto harder stuff every week

Do try and kick the habit before you get as far as smack.

What is your first bike? I presume not a medium travel FS or you wouldn't be interested in a SJer or 5. Both are good bikes, it jsut depends what state they are in being secondhand

EDIT: I think I've misread what you wrote? Is the (hybrid) hardtail your first bike, as in order of purchase rather than main/primary and other/secondary
When someones first bike translates as their main bike, I think you've been on here too long ..

my first and only bike is a GTZum2 hybrid. I've put some ok forks on it, and osme better brakes but its really meant for road riding and is struggling with what we're doing now.