I need a bike to replace my 29er Parkwood that was a bit too short.

Its going to be used for a 1.5 mile commute and also as a back up for my Stumpy Evo 29er full suss.

I cant decide between another 29er hardtail or a road/gravel bike with a higher front end?(Diverge??)

Any ideas?

Budget will be around £700 for a new or used bike

Normal stable is one hardtail and one FS imo. As you have a 29 another makes sense to share bits. Roadish tyres for the commute and offroad for winter hack bike ? The commute isn’t long enough to need a road/cx/gravel type bike so unless you want to give that sort of riding a go get an mtb hatdtail

That was my train of thought as well to be honest.

Just dont know what sort of hardtail to look at.

This thread may help Link

I am biased so would suggest trying to find a used Solaris

Rigid single speed drop or flat bar 29er.

Something like this https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-arkose-singlespeed-2015-adventure-road-bike-EV207298?esvt=872-GOUKE236838&esvq=&esvadt=999999-0-32584-1&esvcrea=61235981336&esvplace=&esvd=m&esvo=EV207298-XL-KHAKI&esvaid=50080&gclid=Cj0KEQjws_m6BRCv37WbtNmJs-IBEiQAWKKt0EcVWaLsI893q4mKVZF6p2vGfp-YZU3J6__l5EFlzmMaAsn-8P8HAQ

1.5 miles? Fat bike? It doesn’t seem worth it tbh

I dont fancy a Fat bike to be honest !

Depends how much variation you want, versus having a straight backup.

Gravel bike works fine on many trails round your way really, just need beefier tyres (I have 40mm tyres on Peregrine, it’s a go more or less anywhere machine) – that allows you to explore stuff – Dava Way – and then return on road.

29r+ bike would give you variety without being replacement (was typing 650b+ but that wouldn’t help).

Its going to be used for a 1.5 mile commute

Think I’d just walk rather than buy a specific bike 🙂

Well it also be used for short xc rides around the chilterns etc not just the commute.

Stooge with Moto bar
Could build something up in your budget.

29er hardtail with some fast rolling tyres (Maxxis Ikons)? Then doubles up as winter bike when it gets gloopy.

1.5miles you say, I reckon a unicycle with a 36inch wheel.

Buy something that’s in demand, that way, in a month or so when you go to sell it, you won’t be left with a pig.