My mate is after a hard tail and I have suggested either an On One for roughly this price or maybe the Boardman range.

There are so many around so what would you choose for roughly this amount??

In 2010 I went for the Boardman Pro after reading some rave reviews. Lovely bike – really light and a great vfm spec. But I don’t think the 2011 spec was quite as good. Hope this helps.

Someone I know just got one of these and loves it:

http://www.canyon.com/_uk/mountainbikes/bike.html?b=2539

Pipedream Scion can be built up for ~£1000. Damm nice frame.

Thanks guys.

Those Canyons look nice and the Pipedream also but I think he just wants a full bike (may go for one myself though!!)

Orange Pure 7

+1 for a Pure 7. How are you getting on with yours, binners?

I would look at a Boardman and the Kona Kula Deluxe 2011, Scandium frame.

Check out whatever Cube do at around that price. A couple of years ago you could get a LTD Race for £1049 which was nicely spec’ed (XT mechs, SLX shifters, Formula RX brakes and Reba forks).

This kind of thing:
http://www.stif.co.uk/mtb/product/cube-ltd-race-bike-2012/9162
or
http://www.stif.co.uk/mtb/product/cube-ltd-pro-bike-2012/10087

This has been posted several times recently and looks pretty good value on paper.

Also worth looking at ex-hire bikes from trail centres. Used 20-30 times, serviced, and roughly half the price of new for a few scuffs.

Personally I’d buy a Singular Hummingbird frame and do a cheap build with the remaining 740 (it even comes with 29er rigid forks so no need for those unless you want). I reckon I could get a 1x setup in for well under the 1000.

PJM – we’re getting on rather well indeedy. Its a bloody great bike!!! The Intense hasn’t had a look in since it arrived. I’ve just been out for a lunchtime spin round the local woods 😀

If he needs advice on what to buy, I’d suggest getting something from the LBS, as they’ll be able to help him out with servicing, warranty issues etc, which it sounds like he might benefit from.

IMHO, £1,000 hardtails are all much of a muchness – you can’t go too far wrong. The Canyons etc are good value but as you mostly pay list price, a sale bike from the LBS will be similar value.