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I hate fashion and branding and get off on "deeply unfashionable" as a lifestyle. My other bike is a Giant 😆
Its swings and roundabouts.
I bought a Bianchi roadbike from Halfords on the c2w scheme, and had it delivered to a (now sadly defunct) Bikehut store in Dorking. They had some really nice bikes in the shop, and my roadbike was built up splendidly. I think its frankly bonkers that as cycling is one of the few recession busting businesses apparently - Halfords binned their bikehut philosophy, thinking we all need even more places to buy oil for the cars that we drive less, and are less able to maintain than say 10 years ago.
And as for Herman, I get the feeling he owns a Merlin. These threads tend to decend (in a well meaning way- this isnt a critisism) into a "buy one like mine" simply because the purchasers are happy with their product, and theres nothing like cycling (except cars, hifi, guitars and other manly pursuits) where you choice of brand says somthing about "you!".
The Boardmans are well enough reviewed to suggest they are a safe buy, and they seem to resell on ebay well because of it.
However, what I would really really really recommend, is trying a few bikes. When I first went shopping for a MTB, I went to a dealer in Brighton, who had several brands. I had a budget of about £400 back then.
He was really cool about letting me try them out for a pedal round the pavements (after leaving identification), and I tried a Rockhopper. It was ok. I then tried an alu Rockhopper (whows how long ago it was), which was awful. Quite "sitty up" riding positions. I then tried a couple in the Marin range, and they were even less inspiring. Now, I wasn't a brand snob, and I noticed a fairly plain, and (seemingly) underspecced bike at the back of the shop, and it was a fair bit more, at £550, but with its skinny tubes and low small frame (for the same size, if you get me), there was an "Orange". (it was a c16r).
And man, it was just even within 20 yards, a far far better bike. The steering was much more "lively". The bike just sprinted off the line with a real "zip". It was just so much better in everyway, so I found the extra and went for it.
But I'd never have bought it if I hadn't tried it. And once I did, everything else,even well reviewed, was frankly not for me. You might find the same about the Boardman. Not all geometries, ie lenght of top tubes ect, fit us all the same. You might find a very unfashionable, or even overpriced frame, just works for yo in a way that apparently "better" bikes dont. You might even find yo preferred your Claude Butler, in which case, save the cash and upgrade its parts.
And I wouldnt get too hung up on people saying you cant buy a decent FS for £1k. or whatever, agan, the Boardmans are really well reviewed, and if you like them, and are ok with FS, then go for it - I think STW have just reviewed one, which gets published next issue - might be worth waiting a couple of weeks...
If most of your riding is roads, to school, the HT might be a safer option, you will not get the benefits of FS for most of your riding. If however, you go out with your mates a lot, then FS will speed you up, but it does come with a servicing trade off.
Also be aware that not all FS frames are the same. The Boardmans seems to be more xc biased, ie lightish, slightly more limited travel, and a lower racier geometery, other bikes say from Kona might be a bit burlier, but more for "ragging it a bit", so don't get hung up on the Boardman if you are looking for lots of jumping ect.
But best of luck. The fun is finding the bike you bond with. The pain is paying for the bloody thing..
Jujuuk68, you have my outmost respect, I appreciate an unbiased point of view and you have seriously helped me with my desicion-making process, I shall follow your advice and wait for some time, trying out several bikes along the way. Thanks also to Herman, made me look at other options available like of course the merlin.
I thought i had reached a conclusion but evidenly not, thanks everyone and i'll get back to you to tell you how it goes/ has gone. 8)
FWIW I ride a Commencal Meta 5.5 😉 I just happened to buy it from Merlin. I've helped lots of mates buy bikes, but I always make sure I advise to budget/riding style. I'd bang on about On-One if your budget allowed!
I recommend starting a thread of "Best hardtail for under £700" you'll get a lot more specific information. The original topic was simply about frame type (which I think has been answered).
I love STW, it gives me a healthy outlet for the bike geekery.
Oh, sorry forgot to say "you're welcome!"
Why not wait for the new Boardman stuff ala:
http://www.singletrackworld.com/2011/03/fresh-goods-87/
Looks pretty good for the money.
i'm just going back to riding a hardtail full time after years on a full susser and only using a hardtail for local jaunts
i'm in the proccess of biulding up a cove handjob..so i'd be carefull of aluminium hardtails as i find them really harsh, if you can afford a steel frame they are miles better imho
spend as much as you can on the frame and forks as the rest is upgraded relativly cheaply
The Voodoo Wanga is a great bike - certainly not fragile - and a great geometry - Joe Murray the designer is one of the best. Look at the user reviews on mtbr:
http://www.mtbr.com/cat/bikes/xc-hardtail/voodoo/wanga/PRD_365008_1527crx.aspx
For £650 it is a steal.
With a USE XCR suspension post on it is also super comfy so no need to worry about potential back issues.
£800 for a FS is just gonna get you maintenance and performance issues.
A comfortable HT should be as much fun, or more, depending on the FS you compare it to. Note how many people on this forum give up on their FS and go back to a HT.
With a HT you will be less inclined to straight line runs and will learn to work the trail more.
If you decide to get a FS in future the Wanga frame is suitable for converting to single-speed for extra versatility.
commencal ramones:
http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/product/commencalramones1mountainbike2010-sale.aspx?&id=13056
ns core:
http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/29217/NS_Core_2_Bike_2010
forget Halfords, look into a Long travel Hardtail! 😀
like?
save a bit more, build up a Ragley or Orange crush, or flick through ebay for some second hand ones! hope you sort the problem dude, know how you feel.
I was seriously contemplating the idea for some time, (of building up a bike) but in the end i felt that, i had better get a firm grip on the Mtb'ing ladder before embarking on such a project, especially with such limited knowledge of these types of bike (or bikes in general). Thanks though 🙂
no problems dude, it's not cheap building bikes at a decent spec that you would want now days, so frustrating. but, i will say, avoid halfords! if you can of course!
Get the Wanga and then you have some extra from your budget for ancillaries/better tires, etc. You may even be able to persuade the Halfords store to swap out some stuff for upgrades - maybe better wheels.
long travel hardtail if you think you are going to spend your time flying down hills, but if you want mostly xc then go for the wanga. An Orange P7 pro os similair would be a nice long travel HT but £800 is not going to get you there.
Steel is real... (unless it's my fs...)
http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/fs-on-one-456-500
On-One 456 with a Fox fork for £500 posted, someone's already asking about size but you might be lucky...