Sorry for the what bike thread but a mate at work has asked my opinion on what he should get £650 max 😕

It will be through either the halfords or evans cycle to work scheme. I know merlin deal through the halfords scheme and have told him to consider the MALT 1

Any thoughts on this or other suggestions please.

He’s never been on singletrack before and I’ll be sending him a link to this thread so maybe he’ll sign up.

From evans website, i would go for one of these, but Malt 1 would be a good buy too.

Commencal Combi Disc 2009 Mountain Bike – 587

Specialized Rockhopper Disc 2009 Mountain Bike -587

Lapierre Tecnic 400 2009 Mountain Bike – 600

Genesis Core 20 2009 Mountain Bike – 600

Pinnacle Tharpu Peak 1.0 Full Suss Mountain Bike – Reduced from 1000 to 600

any others please?

also are there any other companys that would deal through the halfords scheme?

You answered it yourself – a Malt 1 – great bikes, good kit on that as well – will last for yonks, and be a sweet ride.

just looked at the spec on the malt 1, get that!

Boardman Comp ?

what about a cube ltd? not sure if you can get 1 on the rde to work deal

I went the Malt 2 route with top spec for a couple quite under 1K and am loving thie bike more than any other I have ever owned. I’m sure a similar experience can be had the a Deore Malt 1. Go for it.

If you look around you can pick up a sale Kona Kula 2008 for that price (in stupid sizes~), plenty of Caldera’s too.