…and want to buy a nice XC hardtail.

What would you buy? And why?

Thanks

P

Does it have to be brand new?

I’d be scouring the classifieds – actually thats what I did

for racing or just riding about?

Santa Cruz Chameleon. Full Stop. You could pick up/build a rather nice one for that money (pre-loved obviously)

And why… because they’re just fantastic fun. You can throw them around like an oversized BMX. Absolutely superb on singletrack and come into their own when absolutely hooning down fast descents

Only drawback is that if you ride one all day then you feel like mR Big has had you in the showers. If you know what I mean?

Genesis – Seem well put together with sensible parts.
Boardman – Top spec and light

+1 for Genesis

A few brand new ones:

Kona Kula Deluxe

GT Zaskar Expert

Rocky Vertex 30

I’d buy a new Rocky Mountain Vertex frame from a shop that was going bust on ebay and splitting its bikes £150
2nd hand, may as well be new reba forks off classifieds £150
pro 2’s on mavic rims from merlin £200ish
and the rest of the bits I’d source off classifieds or crc/wiggle.
which is what I did. I really don’t understand why people spend loads on new bits that they can buy virtually new for a fraction of the cost 2nd hand.

I’ve built a brand new mmmbop for that price… 🙂

the new on one carbon thing comes in about £1000

NS Surge in size 17.5″, then I can leave my 15.5″ for downhill and jumping duties. Just seen that the new model has swappable drop-outs so you can fit horizontal ones 😮

I’d give it to charity, it’s the right thing to do.

A few brand new ones:

Kona Kula Deluxe

GT Zaskar Expert

Rocky Vertex 30

The 90s rang, they want their bikes back.

The only HT I’m tempted by is a Blue Pig, they have one on special offer in my LBS but it’s too much like what I’ve got. Pick up an SLX groupset & wheels from merlin, then see whats left over for forks and bling.

I’d be sniffing around used buys but if I was buying new it’d probably mean Halfords, they’re bloody nice bikes… Boardman Team probably with £100 left over since the budget can’t quite stretch to a Pro. Spend the change on new tyres and a set of carbon forks to give it some variety. Job done.

Rock Lobster

I’d get a rock lobster from merlin.

tinribz – Member

A few brand new ones:

Kona Kula Deluxe

GT Zaskar Expert

Rocky Vertex 30

The 90s rang, they want their bikes back.

Well I am still riding around on an RC200 😆

I haven’t quite made it to one of these new modern style hardtails!!! lol

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?PartnerID=79&ModelID=44335

lot of folks are loving these.

unless you are stupid and just have too much money. I’d go with the 2nd hand option. Because people buy stuff, and never use stuff. If you want a nice posh expensive bike. Why pay full price?

I think it tells you something that people are getting excited about the Cube on its discount yet it’s still a ways down the speclist from the Boardman, which costs less even at RRP. Not to say the Boardman’s definately better likes but it wins speclist bingo and they do ride very nicely.

Ive got a Kona Kula Gold 2010 for sale if anyone is interested

http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/725256/

I’ve got a Genesis IOID for sale for less than 950…