Oh, sorry forgot to say “you’re welcome!”

FWIW I ride a Commencal Meta 5.5 :wink: I just happened to buy it from Merlin. I’ve helped lots of mates buy bikes, but I always make sure I advise to budget/riding style. I’d bang on about On-One if your budget allowed!

I recommend starting a thread of “Best hardtail for under £700” you’ll get a lot more specific information. The original topic was simply about frame type (which I think has been answered).

I love STW, it gives me a healthy outlet for the bike geekery.

Eggbeaters :wink:

If you must… DMR V8 are pretty good and not too harsh on the wallet.

Oh, unless you are clumsy/crash prone. Then get steel.

Other than my offense at the gearing in the pic (big ring front and back!) it’s a possibility. Voodoo have a good reputation, but I feel strongly that the Malt is a hottie. At £605 or £640 it’s cheaper than the Voodoo.

I’m not sold on steel, I get it but aluminium is an amazing material! Maybe if we saw some good quality steel fs bikes I may feel differently. It’s plausible with butting/air hardening, but it’s not done. With so many elite bikes being aluminium I think it reinforces the reputation.

I’m sure a wealth of people would disagree, as I’m sure they will :lol:

Oh, as said above 2nd hand is also a great option! My road bike was from the classifieds (Specialized Allez 2006, rrp £650 I paid £325 posted and it was upgraded with £100 of kit).

A budget of £400 for a 2nd hander would also get you a great hardtail for your purpose. That is a whole other thread of discussion! Lucky for you I have assignments due in, so I will be procrastinating a lot on STW :oops:

I’ve heard bad things about the frames on the Boardmans, where as Merlin make award winning frames and have done for years.

I can see the spec on the Boardman is quite tempting, but consider 650-10%= £585. The Boardman Team is 679.99 (we’re talking about the Team right?) so the Merlin not only has all of the things I raved about, but with V8 pedals will be £605. That’s 74.99 less and a 4.5/5 bike. Merlin are also highly respected for the quality of their wheels which they add on to their own frame. Given the bargain, I would even stump up the £35 for the Evolve finish kit upgrade; £640 all in. Did you read the review?

I’m sceptical of the build quality of the Boardman when the price of the components are obviously high. This doesn’t leave much for the frame which is the backbone of your bike. Read about Merlin and Rock Lobster frames here.

I’m not saying that people in Halfrauds are bad! The shop sells bikes and equipment of low quality to those that can’t yet distinguish at prices similar to reputable brands. I find it deeply unethical that they use their familiarity to fleece people for cash.

By the way, selling a Merlin on will be far easier than selling a Boardman on. You will eventually refine your taste to something more niche and this is another consideration. I think of my mtb as Trigger’s broom. The parts come and go, but it is always my bike :mrgreen:

Ok, well for starters leave Halfords alone. We all went there before, bought overpriced rubbish and eventually learned not to do it again. Please, please, please don’t go there. They prey on the novice/new cyclist and flog rubbish with the illusion of helping.

That rant was for them, not you! £800=hardtail definitely. This looks amazing

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop/Bikes/Mountain+Bikes/Merlin+Bikes/Merlin+Malt+3+Bike_M3-BIKE.htm

SLX cranks and rear derailleur, Deore hydraulic discs, Rockshox Recon forks (don’t consider Suntour) and generally great kit all over the thing.

This is the cheaper version at £650

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop/Bikes/Mountain+Bikes/Merlin+Bikes/Merlin+Malt+1+Bike_MERLIN-MALT1-BIKE.htm

Recon fork, Deore hydraulics, Raceface Ride parts (nothing fancy but good quality). I’m not sure if you will notice the difference as a new rider as it has the same frame, forks (minus lockout) and brakes. This looks like a great deal to me.

Oh, and you need to get pedals separately. I recommend DMR V8 flat pedals; get raw to match your brand spanking new frame 8)

Generally, these are good shops to get mtb stuff from:

wiggle.co.uk
chainreactioncycles.com
merlincycles.co.uk

Stuff is always cheaper online, shops are good for when you need to try something on. I got my bike from Merlin, they’re great. Also they have a 10% discount for VIP members, this is free to get (it’s obvious how on the site).

They were the first bikes I found, but the deals are so good I don’t see any point looking further. Review here:

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mountain/product/malt-1-09-33656

Hope that helps!

Sorry to be a party pooper, but the Boardman bikes aren’t necessarily the best deal out there. What’s your budget?

I’d rather get a great hardtail than a mediocre fs, so budget is a big part. It also depends on what you want to do with the bike, it would help if you added some info about that too :wink:

Raleigh Mustang, SS steel hardtail. Riser bars back in 88 :-)

I heard of one of the Athertons using a Boxxer spring on the outside of the seatpost (Take off seatpost, slip on spring, re-insert) and the qr clamp, like a blingy Hite Rite. If you cut the spring to the extension you usually ride at, I reckon it’s a good un. Simple and should be cheap to try out.

Duane’s does look pretty badass, it must be said!

I can’t imagine how you must feel, get in touch with you’re friends when you are ready and it’ll really help. But don’t worry if that itself takes a while. Follow whatever feels like the right thing to do, you are bound to be dealing with more than you are consciously aware of. It kept hitting me in waves when a friend died committed suicide in November, but time really does heal. My thoughts are with you.

:oops:

You said fs! Sorry.

I really rate my Commencal Meta 5.5. It’s got 5.5″ of travel and seems beefier than an xc bike but not as gnarly as a freeride/dh setup so suits me (and probably a majority of recreational riders) quite well. The air fork/rear shock (Rockshox Revelation dual air fork, Fox Float R shock) are very easy to tune to your weight too. I’m on the lowest settings due to my skinniness, but you could easily just stick a little more air in than stock.

It’s more of as descender, but still climbs great and the sizing seems a little conservative. I’m 5’11 and just on the brink of medium.

The On-one 456 looks like a great bike (the carbon more so which is now on offer) which you can stick a broad variety of forks on. Something like a U-turn fork would really compliment the geometry and versatility.

The technology has come a long way, be sure not to be pulled in by gimmicks. Post up what you’re considering and I’m sure you’ll get lots of feedback on here!

Just found some good information here

He breaks it down to 3 categories and explains the use accordingly, I think hypotonic rather than isotonic looks good.

I tried to put up with a Toupe for a few months as I liked how minimal it was. I eventually caved and got an SDG Bel-air. Far, far comfier and the ti rail version shaves some weight. Oh and there’s the I-beam version too for even less weight.

I now have one on both the road and mtb.

I have my opinions (which I’m trying to keep to myself for validity’s sake), but yes Trekster; a logical point.

Thanks thisisnotaspoon, that pouch looks good to me. Covers the salts needed, just need something to hide the taste. I reckon a splash of mango juice and I’ll be sorted.

I often get headaches, especially if I’m away riding/climbing/walking for a few days. Hopefully this’ll fix that.

“Cotton kills!” if you get wet, your bike fails and you lose a limb. Hypothermia and all that.

I dance on the edge in a 50:50 polycotton t-shirt. Dries quickly but feels fresher. I prefer merino to synth when in gets colder, but I find the merino a little warm for the balmier months.

Maybe the DJ/BMX scene is overlapping a little with mtb, or people just don’t know? I used to ride in jeans, t-shirt and hoody (when cold) before knowing about technical clothing.

I quite liked the Big Lebowski…but didn’t really dig Burn After Reading. Agreed, Clooney’s character has quite a project, but the star cast don’t quite deliver as a whole.

Characters are good, diverse and kind of plausible. It’s not a bad film, but it’s not mind blowing. 6/10

I’m off for a run.

“cracking pair” :lol: (I couldn’t help it)

we talking specs or goggles here?

:lol:

Wii golf or menage au neuf?

Raw, I find 2 tone looks a bit Frankenbike. Well, Dr Frankenbike’s monster to be precise.

I’m sure the aligners here will balk at the knowledge that I not only don’t align, but I also have different types of valve in each wheel! Presta up front, Schrader in the back :mrgreen:

(This is based on the available tube last time I had a puncture)

Ah, auto censor. It should read c-word+ing. As in Good Will Hunting.

I like how the word **** has entered our (my) language. As if one can be in the act of ****.

E.g. Dropping a freshly made sandwich…”Jesus **** Christ!”

The absurdity takes the offensive edge off.

Or to call someone a **** little bastard. It’s like the double negative of swearing.

I’ll **** off now :D

Someone in a similar thread mentioned the stiffer, longer etc bike viagra approach there is at the moment. So true. I agree with the bike anorexia idea too.

Isn’t there the idea of rotating weight vs static weight having a bigger effect on performance (lighter wheels>lighter bar/seatpost). I have also heard the point made of sprung vs unsprung weight as the suspension is helping to bear the load.

I personally have 2×9 on my bouncer for clearance and usability, 3×10 would be a waste of weight, space and money. I did splash on a gravity dropper which has definitely increased the smile:mile ratio!

Handling is not purely defined by weight (or cost), although it obviously has a strong influence. I quite like the option of weight shaving through second hand upgrades, we can’t all afford to spunk spend £55 on a seatclamp!

Great comments from the 3 above.

Northwind, I guess I personally connect more with the emotion put forward by Yorke than Bellamy. I dislike drama for drama’s sake, it doesn’t feel like genuine expression to me; which is my personal requirement for music to be good. I accept that some people just like that sort of thing.

Ironically, the Pumpkins frequently are/were dramatic for the sake of it, but I think they can’t help being odd (maybe it’s all a clever, well marketed act?).

I do feel that Bellamy chucks in the sustained high pitch to ice the cake a little prematurely. I have found Radiohead to be more emotionally stirring due to the build and crescendo, or restrained delicate nature of the music. It’s more about the choice of when to create impact.

Power is nothing without control. (or some other cliche quote)

The Chilcotin looks good.

THIS RACK

I use this svelte pannier rack on my braze on-less allez. It uses the rear brake pivot and qr to attach. It’s really well made and looks far stealthier than the typical rack due to the slim top platform.

510g (average) 50kg capacity (good) £30 (very good!)

Ok, some variance. The last song sounded like Keane (not a compliment). The orchestral piano thingy was technically good but not my mug of coffee and 1,2 and 4 had the same sustained Bellamy vocal thing. Hyperbole loses it’s effect when over used. He’s musically cried wolf too many times for me to be moved.

It is still the same aesthetic. Granted it is not identical and has some variance; which you would pray for from a a band that’s been about this long.

Back to the original point:

Muse=orange squash (pleasant, but you never really go “I could murder a glass of squash)

Radiohead=pizza (available in a number of styles, sizes and depth. Suitable for both an individual or a group of people. Delicious)

Smashing Pumpkins=roast dinner (completely different, varied and highly satisfying)

Orange squash is available in hi-juice, smart price, organic, own brand etc but always tastes like squash.

I just read the comment by PeterPoddy. Wow.

A lot of people misconceive Radiohead. Their range is fairly broad; In Rainbows, Kid A, The Bends are exceptionally different to each other. From what I’ve heard of Muse, it’s the same sound, same vocal style, same “aesthetic” if you like. Radiohead on the other hand have repeatedly stepped outside of their own pigeonhole.

Muse are weak, Pumpkins had some excellent and genuinely quirky expression. Muse are formulaic. Admittedly the Pumpkins magic did seem to drop off a little with their growing success but Melancholy… is a double disc musical triumph.

I thought Muse had potential when they first came out, but they didn’t seem to move past what the wider mass would like to hear. Shame really.

Sparkle Motion.

Although I disagree with the idea of fake grass, isn’t it potentially useful for someone who knows their stuff to step forward? I think there should be a tyre logo/valve alignment code for the type of lawn you keep: Aligned=genuine lawn, opposite=astroturf.

Just to add, horses cause more damage in the form of soil erosion than mtb. My ecology lecturer and I discussed this at length last year. Banning mtb from the bridle would be ridiculous for this point.

I think a little more information available to riders to understand their impact would help. I think putting a little money into developing trails (like a centre) help to both improve riding quality and reduce erosion.

Plastic’s a far bigger/longer term problem than a few cats. Real grass always wins.

Buy her something distracting and pretty, then buy the frame. The more devious you plan, the worse the come uppance. Oh, and of course the plums as mentioned above.

I like it, but surely the brakes are going to rip out at some point? The mounts are the only thing bearing the force, not the frame/forkette. That’s why trials bikes don’t have discs at the back (I think…)