I’m torn. Currently riding an alu hardtail and feeling the n+1 so…

Option 1) Buy a c456 frame for £300 and transfer groupset, brakes etc to it (x7 groupset, elixir 3 brakes, fulcrum wheels) – I’d use my existing RS Recon fork (100mm) until it dies then upgrade to around 120/130mm travel); OR

Option 2) Buy a shiny new bike on 0% finance (about £50pcm) for the next three years(!) but have shiny shiny new bike…maybe a short travel FS or even *whispers* try a 29er…

Mostly trail & XC use; South Downs, that sort of thing. Not knee-deep in gnarr.

Option 1 is clearly cheaper but option 2 so tempting…shiny shiny…help! STW tradition of recommending what you ride welcome (with pics too if you like).

Wisely…

[EDIT, ok I’ll play nicely]
If you have the choice of a short term bargain you can afford (the C456 is) or a long term major purchase, I go bargain… as you never know what round the corner. Just saying.

£300 vs. £1800?

Option 1. The frame makes by far the biggest difference to the ride. The £1500 saved can be invested in hookers etc.

C456 is well regarded, and Cyn-Al speaks truth.

negotiate a price beforehand though 😉

What al said re bike decision

XC & South Downs – if you’ve not tried a 29er do so before deciding. A friend of mine got a 29er Inbred for a hundred quid and is putting Swift forks on it.

Whatever, avoid a 3 year finance deal, the bike will feel very old while you’re still paying for it.

Thanks all for talking me out of my new bike bubble. Three years IS a bloody long time to not have paid for my bike.

Sensible spend it is, then 😆

What about the bike to work scheme if your employer does it…. Got my £1600 genesis for about £55/ month over 12 months using bike to work and combining with a reduced end of yr model through winstanleys.

Am self-employed as a sole trader so I am not eligible for any bike to work scheme sadly. The Government doesn’t seem to want people like me to cycle to work 🙁

Whatever you get, enjoy the ride 😉