In an ideal world I'd spend my £1k Halfords 'cycle to work' voucher on a hardtail frame and fork (e.g. Stanton Slackline and Rockshox Revelation), and do my own build. I prefer to support my LBS, Merida and Cannodale dealer though they can get most things.
If I cant buy parts, whats the maximum bang per buck hardtail bike for £1k that I can upgrade later; e.g. dropper, XT 1x11, etc?
My first impressions: Ragley Marley ??
Phil
Whyte 629 @ £1125 would get my vote.
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good choice, I'm a fan of the Whyte 901. I'm thinking 120-140mm fork rather than the 629's 100mm.
Winstanleys have last years 629 for £700 - C2W-busting bargain!
2017 bike has significant upgrades though...
New slacker/longer frame
120mm fork
1x11
Stealth dropper routing
Tubeless wheels and tyres
£700 is a bargain for the 2016 for sure but weigh up what you'd have to upgrade on it to get near to the 2017 one anyway.
OP, I assume this is for commuting to work ?
NickFrog, I can fit several miles of bridleway and singletrack in to my commute. Everything I need to carry fits in the Camelbak. So yes, but MTB first and road practicality second.
There is a very real danger it may sneak out to the singletrack and trail centres on the weekend.
Winstanleys is cyclescheme. OP is on Halfords C2W which also restricts to £1k.
Which kind of rules out bikes over £1k and those from non C2W suppliers....