Are there any particularly good ones, mainly after a frame but have upto £700 in 'the bike stuff account' so was wondering if there were any full build hardtails worth looking at as opposed to say an on-one scandal or maxlight xc2?
Looking at frames arround or preferably sub 1500g. Will potentially go SS and rigid as its only for local stuff where the 456 is overkill.
Merlin Malt? Various options round £700
[url= http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/custom-mountain-bikes/merlin-mountain-bikes/merlin-malt-21.html ]http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/custom-mountain-bikes/merlin-mountain-bikes/merlin-malt-21.html[/url]
Hmmm, considdered them but theyr're a bit old now? They were available when I fist started riding ~10 years ago! And they can be got frame only which would be the more convenient option.
best spec around that price will be the boardmans. Not sure about the frames though, but kit wise you're unlikely to better it.
I'd be more tempted to look at a secondhand Ti option - Global, on-one etc.
A ti frame would be nice, but excessive, and I dont believe the frame for life marketing bolloks as ebay is full of aluminium frames that no one wants because the geometry is outdated and the geometry of ti frames isn't going to be immune even if the material can last longer.
On the other hand the inbreds been arround a while, so maybe a Tinbread isnt such a bad sugestion....
I got one of these:
http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/101739.html
as my commuter HT but have since switched it my xc bike, cheap, light and apart from the graphics a nice bike.
EDIT: pic;
[IMG] 
[/IMG]
Hang on a moment there.
cranks level - check.
tyre labels opposite valves - check.
saddle level - check.
toys tidy - check.
Floor clean and decorating finished - check.
Nothing to see here. Please move along.
Kinesis Decade Virsa?
What Mountain Bike did a test recently of hardtails around this price. Decathlon won it I think but Boardman scored well. Think MBR are doing a similar test in the current mag
Boardman or Voodoo I reckon. Or the Decathlon Rockrider and put some proper wheels on it.
MBR's Dirty Dozen put the Voodoo Bantu and KHS Alite tied for top, at £580. and £550 respectively. They failed to test a Carrera Fury or Decathlon Rockrider, which would have been contenders most likely.
WMB had the Carrera Fury top with 5 stars, but it's longer travel and a bit heavier, more a trail than XC bike. Boardman Comp and Decathlon RR 8.1 2nd. The Boardman Comp comes in sub 12kg, so does the Alite.
Kinesis Decade Virsa?
Already have a DMR switchback, essentialy the same frame.
Might have a looksie at decathlon but always assumed they were so well spec'd because thye saved money on the frame.
Think I'll stick with the maxlight xc2 or a on-one scandal if they ever get them made in a nice colour (I'm not a stealth fan and the pink is just horrible).