A pal is looking for his first Mountain bike.
He’s an experienced road rider, greenlaner and motorcycle enduro.
Expected use, General trail riding and xc racing.
Ballpark spend £1000 to £1400. What’s the current thinking?
Hartail or full sus 27.5 or 29er. Any bargains out there?

Bird zero

Beat me to it. Bird zero.

Whyte 901 / 905 without question 🙂

Cotic soul

Thanks all, those Whytes look a bit tasty

If he’s a roadie and fancies getting into XC, for that money, this…

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s155p5413/CANNONDALE-F29-CARBON-3-2014

Other bikes listed are smashing trail bikes (I’d love a Bird Zero) but I’d look elsewhere if he wants to go XC racing.

Have to agree with mr blobby, for a roadie interested in xc racing they are utterly the wrong suggestions. Scott scale 740 for the win (maybe literally!) I had a Whyte 901 but I found it too relaxed for racing so swapped frame for a scale 740. Fantastic bike, racy but also great on South Wales trail centres and on our local rad gnarr stuff (admittedly I mince down the scary bits).

@mrblobby That ‘dale looks amazing value! 29er still the flavour of choice for XC then?

I think it’s mostly 29ers these days, though do see more 27.5. Roadie coming to xc though, he’d probably be best off on a 29er. Get him out on a few test rides maybe?

Orbea Alma worth a look.

Cannondale F29 all day. Unless he can stretch to an FSi

At that budget and if he wants to use it for racing 29er hardtail all day long (unless he’s crazy small).
He should be able to get an entry level carbon one from most of the main contenders for that. Watch an XCO world cup. Pick the Merida/Scott/Spesh/Cannondale/Trek/BMC he likes the look of.
They’ll all ride great,