It's that time of the year and C2Work scheme time again. This year the bike will have considerable interest form Catastrophe junior so we will be going out trying a few bikes over the holidays. While I know the usual suspects I am looking for owner experiences and thoughts about their bikes and what else we should consider. Currently he has a Merlin Malt 4 and have to say it has been a fabulous bike, it's just a bit small now.
So, bikes in the running are:
Cube (Ltd Sl or Ltd Race) - Rather partial to the looks and the spec is great. Seem a bit heavy though
Merlin Malt 4 - having experienced one definitely likey
Whyte 809 - Seem reasonable spec, getting good reviews and is lighter than the Cube
Giant - whatever hits the price point. Personally I like Giant having had several over the years
We will also have a look at Scott (have found them to be a bit "racy" and no comfortable feeling for a day's riding), Canondale, Spesh (always seem a little under specc'd for the money to me), Trek (marmite bikes I know but again always seem to be a little under specc'd for the money) and anything ese that gets recommended. Any thers that we should consider or views / reviews on those we are looking at?
Cheers
http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/mountain/core/core-26-4
http://www.orangebikes.co.uk/bikes/pure-7/
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/PBOOC456X9/on_one_carbon_456_x9_complete_bike
a few different hardtails i think are worth the money 🙂
I had the same dilemma a couple of weeks ago.
I narrowed my list to the following: -
Boardman Pro
Merlin Malt 4
Merlin Malt 3
Cube 2012 Ltd Race
Whilst searching for reviews of the Cube 2012 Ltd Race however i found that Winstanleys were selling the Cube 2011 Ltd Team for £689 so decided to save some money and buy one. Its a great bike although a bit too bling looking for my tastes.
Boardman Pro Hardtail if 120mm is enough travel:
http://www.boardmanbikes.com/mtb/ht_pro.html
VooDoo Wanga
I've never ridden either, but I've always looked at them a bit jealously from a kit/price point of view.
On-One Inbred Swap-Out XT Pro
(gets in at £999 with full XT, then you could add forks from your own pocket?)
I'm also looking at a Cube LTD Race but the team does look tempting. How have you been getting on with it?
podgeskeeper - i have only been out 3 times on the Cube Ltd Team but think its a great bike.
The gears were well set up by Winstanleys and the delivery time was fantastic. I changed the pedals straight away and may swap the saddle at some point.
I love my Malt4, for me to go for another (non gnarr) Al 26er would be unpleasant to say the least - the frame's a beauty. What sort of riding for jnr? The Merlin's just about more capable than anything you've mentioned, why not something a little [url= http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/37280/Genesis_Core_50_Bike_2011 ]burlier[/url] or [url= http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/27780/Whyte_19_Trail_Steel_631_Bike_2010 ]springy[/url]?
Thanks for the thoughts and suggestions so far. Will look at the Orange although I still feel they are rather overpriced for what they are. I mean, Alivio front mech on a £1000 bike?
The riding is pretty much all cross country so probably don't need anything burlier and junior hasn't given any indication that he want to suddenly start shredding things up, sailing through the trees or doing 30ft drops. But then again, I'm only his dad, what would I know? 🙂
Unfortunately the Boardman is out of the question as our scheme is not supported by Halfords.
In that case defo another Merlin 😀
Edit: but that Whyte 19 Steel (springy) does look v tempting £100 over budget but £500 off
charge duster
I'd look at a P7 or Duster. If the mechs on the P7 put you off would you consider upgrading them now or when they wear out? the frame is really nice and if JNR is growing fast and may outgrow the frame it will retain a fair bit of value if you decided to sell it. Just a thought. Have fun riding together 🙂
How old is he? How tall is he? Charge blender, the most fun bike for the price point, if he's not to tall ok for xc but amazin for fast singletrack & razzin round the woods having fun!
Ok not an xc beast but he might want to play on dh tracks, jumps or BMX tracks.
There's a reason it was voted best complete do it all hardtail 3 years on the trot in Dirt 100.
My work uses cycle scheme, so I was restricted to a few shops in my area. I went for the Giant XTC 1. Not the most sexy or exotic, but it's a decent frame with race geometry and ok components so I'm happy. I've had Giants before and they are dependable. I've got a rigid ss steel 29er, and the giant to go racing with. Happy.
+1 for the on one c456 🙂
Genesis Latitude??
Remember steel is real !! 😉
This looks a good deal with a great spec. and loads of size options.
Kona Kula Gold from crc sale:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=75058
What did the OP go for in the end? I am in the same boat am considering the Cube Ltd Race
Genesis latitude - prefer it to the Cube
Thanks again guys for the thoughts. Still don't really understand the appeal of Orange - certainly don't look good value for money at all. However, will still check one out to see. We have been out and about checking a few bikes. Seen the usual suspects including Spesh (not very impressed); Trek (even less impressed), Whyte (809 - really liked), Giant (XTC - liked), Canondale (JNR thought it looked hideous and also not keen on the head shock malarky). Yet to try Cube (does look very nice), Scott (probably won't like) and yes Orange for completeness. So far the Whyte is probably the front runner.
JNR is currently 15 but will be 16 soon. Knocking at the door of 6' and eating me out of house and home! Loves cycling and we have done a fair bit together over the years.
Hope to try a few more bikes over the weekend.
Why don't you think the Orange P7 (various models) isn't good value ? You can get 130m travel Orange for similar money to 100m travel Whyte ? Orange has a very loyal following, a company doesn't get that without doing a lot of things right.
I ride a Giant FS and really like the bike but in these difficult times why not support a British company like Whyte, Orange, etc
As per others I'd add On One 456 (on sale now) and Ragley Pig X7 / Piglet X7 (bit over budget even after discount) for something a bit more fun.
If your price point is £1000 you can look slightly above that as shops will discount.
My LBS has a number of nice looking cube's on sale - nirvana cycles in Westcott
+1 for the Cube Ltd. Mine's a 2010 Comp spec, though it's been upgraded as stuff's worn out. Weight-wise, I've saved a fair bit switching to 120mm SID's, XT chainset/BB and more recently Hope Hoops so it's down to c.11kg now. And in the black anodized finish it looks great. Bare frame weight's 1850g (small) if that's useful?
Go for the Whyte its a great bike.
My vote woud be for the Whyte as well, what about the 901 if you want bit more travel...
Am I missing something? You're using your firms cycle to work scheme to buy your son a bike?
loving my core 40, 800 quid bargain. 🙂
M6TTF - Member
Am I missing something? You're using your firms cycle to work scheme to buy your son a bike?
Yawn