GT Avalanche 2.0 or Norco Charger 6.2..
Like the look of both but now stumped..
Anyone got any thoughts, will be upgrading various parts but more fussed about the frame and forks.

Have you looked on Paul’s Cycles? I got an Avalanche 1.0 really cheap.

Thing is we have vouchers for Evans, budget of approx 550.

I want him to have hydro brakes, have a spare XT groupset (minus brakes)

so the gt has shimano brakes but a 28mm fork. the norco has a 30mm fork but hayes brakes. both frames look beefy and rigid enough and there doesn’t seem to be any relative weakness in the spec. i’d say the steeper angle on the seatstays on the gt make it appear that it will be a little less forgiving.

I’d say go with the norco for the better fork. if the brakes turn out to be a prob, they will be cheaper to upgrade.

I hung a load of decent kit on an Avalanche once but it was still harsh, & just not nice.