I also liked how Barney slipped in all the Depeche Mode references :-)

I had mine delivered a couple of weeks and have since taken it around Hadleigh and Swinley – great fun and comfortable. Need to play around with tyre pressures though otherwise the back has a tendency to bob a bit. Weight mine comes in a 28lb but ‘feels’ lighter.

Mine turned up 2 weeks ago :-) (it’s the GX and Yari full build) and my full sus bike hasn’t been touched since. The Transmitter is such a fun ride – puts a smile on my face every time I ride it. In instils so much confidence in rocky and steep downhill sections and with the high volume tyres it’s really comfy. I took it to Hadleigh for its first proper ride and I cleared all of the black obstacles and rock gardens with ease – always hesitated on my Nicolai FS. Once you get the big tyres rolling they hold their speed and provide great stability. I’m a 650b+ convert

My wife’s got one and has had it for over a year. For short trips it’s perfect and cheap to run. The range is max 90 miles and very sensitive to wind and temperature and driving style. The new Leaf is meant to have a longer range though. We have a petrol estate car for longer journeys but the Leaf gets the most use. Also much fun with the Eco button off!

The Transmitter is Boost at both ends and comes with 2.8″ WTB Trailblazer tyres. Haven’t received mine yet (end of the month can’t come soon enough) so I can’t let you know what tyre clearance looks like.

Out of those I’d go for the Tarn – however – I actually bought a Sonder Transmitter which is better value than the Genesis – worth a look

I have the same thing on my Nicolai so curious to hear peoples thoughts. Have you checked the brake caliper fixings? May need nipping up a bit.

Seat Exeo – (never heard of them? No me neither until I was estate car shopping) got one now and it’s great. It’s an older Audi A4 with a SEAT badge on it and about half the price so you should get a lot for your £5.5k budget. I paid similar and got a 10 plate 2.0 petrol turbo with 55k on the clock and FSH.

I’d throw a Sonder Transmitter in the mix

Bump for the evening crowd

I had the same dilemma and finally went with Sonder Transmitter fantastic spec and even with the optional Pike it comes in way under your £2k budget

Thanks for all the feedback and suggestions – not exactly spoilt for choice in that neck of the woods though!

Genesis Tarn 20 looks a good call but heavy and a bit over budget.

@MoseyMTB – The Shan is lovely but a bit over my budget

Here’s a good site for reviews Watch It All About[/url]

I’m looking at similar bikes and came across Vitus Sentier which is cracking value but I’ve seen no reviews of them. Might be worth adding to your list

26″ here (2010 Nicolai) although I am 650b curious ;-)

Thanks cp used senditnow as suggested – really easy and drop off at local Post Office was convenient. Good price.

Ben @Bird – what’s the difference between the Zero TR and AM? Is the AM just the TR optimised for 150mm forks?

Ben@Bird – you’ve got me interested in the Zero AM – please post up images when you have them

Some good shouts on here – thanks to all that replied. Any others I should be looking at?

If she’s tall I have a medium 2010 Giant Trance x3 frame & Fox shock available soon – great condition

Thanks all – you’ve reassured me – JPR thanks for the offer but I’ve already ordered the shim (Hurry up CRC!)

That’s good to know – thanks all

Thanks survivor and yorkshire89

My HT weighs in at 22lbs (10kgs) built around a £99 SAB carbon frame (Planet X special), 100mm RockShox SID’s, XT set-up (1×10 and brakes), carbon bars and seat post, 26″ superstar wheels. All up cost less than £800 to build. Could go lighter by changing pedals and going tubeless but suits me fine. It’s fast and flickable. Only used for XC and the occasional XC race – wouldn’t want to launch it off any big jumps though.

Seiko SKX007 – See review at Seiko SKX007 Review[/url]

I bought a new GT Grade (Gnarr bike) recently and it’s impressed me. I wouldn’t hesitate to have one of their MTB’s

The course is pretty hilly with only a few tricky features so I’d suggest SPD’s

I was in a similar situation and opted for a GT Grade 105 – my only disappointment with it is that it’s a bit heavy at 23.5lbs for a Medium.

soma rich – my wheels are ok so far, although I’ve only had the bike a couple of months and probably only done about 500 miles on it. Mostly on road as well. That said the stock wheels make it feel really sluggish so I’m on the look out for some lighter replacements.

I’ve got one of these GT Grade 105

A 2010 Gary Fisher Big Sur – a great fit and fast – replaced it with a Scandal v2 which I hated and have now gone back to a 26″ hardtail for xc albeit now in carbon. You live and learn

I’ve got TRP Hydr on my GT Grade 105 – so far so good and nice modulation and plenty powerful enough for a road bike. Go for it.

Go for it – a stonkingly good bike. I’ve got a Grade 105 with the ally frame and use it for road and a bit of off-road work and it’s fast and comfortable (after I’d put a carbon seatpost) on a smooth surface and I actually like the way it looks. The carbon frame would be awesome.

I got a Ragley one for £35 in a CRC sale about 6 months ago and I haven’t broken it yet. Best to get one from a reputable brand and a reputable seller though.

“Treat everyone else on the road as an idiot” served me well to this day – thanks Dad

Honeywell

Thanks all – I took the plunge and picked it up earlier this week. Managed to get for a lower price. So far, so good

Thanks P-Jay! I’m looking at a ’10 plate, 59k, FSH and looks mint for £6k – sound about right or a little pricey?