Hi guys
I appreciate this may have been asked before but I’ve just signed up for the cycle to work scheme
I’m looking for a decent hardtail xc bike up to £600 for a bit of trail and single track duty, commuting and to carry a childs seat on the bike for trips with the little un’ on the canal tow paths. I’ve been looking at:
Kona blast
Specialized hardrock sport disc
Gt avalanche 1.0 disc
Voodoo hoodoo

Any thoughts would be welcome

My first MTB was a Hardrock, still have it with an upgraded fork but it’s a really really harsh ride which I’ve only fully appreciated after getting a steel HT. I’d have to say anything but a Hardrock !

I confess I don’t know the differences in Specialised’s range between Hardrock and Rockhopper but I believe the Rockhopper to be the better bike and it’s available in your price range.

Decathlon rockrider 8.1 is worth a look in if Decathlon is anywhere near you. Ace spec for the cash.

Not sure f it has rack mounts for a kiddy seat though.

Get the Voodoo or better still a Carrera Fury or a Decathlon Rockrider 8.1

If you keep your eye on eBay, you might bag a bargain. Just managed to get a 2009 Boardman comp hardtail (X9/X7, juicy brakes, recon 351 uturn air forks), it had been used the grand total of once by a roadie who wanted to dabble in MTB and then stored away unused and unloved.
This set me back the grand total of £260.

Whilst the Decathlon one is excellent value for money, I don’t think they deal with any of the bike to work schemes. Also, second hand is no good for Bikes to Work.

Decathlon are on the cycle scheme. I was looking for a work colleague last week (not spending his money, honest)

Who owns a rock rider and where could I get one from? It seems to be a popular bike from what ive read on here

Decathlon in Stockport is your closest store (to Bradford?) if you want to check one out.

Definitely make sure whatever cycle scheme you’re on has got them on board otherwise it could be a wasted trip.

If it’s http://www.cyclescheme.co.uk/ then you’re ok…

Do genesis have anything that kind of budget?
Maybe a core?

Yeah a core 26.1 or maybe a 2011 core 20 or 30?

Impressively good bikes, especially for the money

Take a look at the Boardman HT Comp which is £750 rrp, they always do deals on them (got mine for £540). I bought one myself, an upgrade from my 2004 Rockhopper and I love it. Reasonably light and good looking frame, decent 120mm air fork which provides good damping on technical stuff, and components all decent too (think they are Ritchey made although Boardman branded) 🙂