Which Bike? (upto £800)

Silver Ashes

Firstly, I'd like to say hello to everybody as this is my first post. So, hello!

Now, I've had a Mongoose Tyax for awhile but would like to purchase a new bike now I have been into biking for awhile. I use my bike for general riding really ie forests and man made trails.

I would like hydro brakes with well known high performing forks. I don't care about the tyres as I can upgrade them any time.

I like the look of many Specialized bikes but I hear they may be heavy?

Any thoughts? (I hope I have given enough information, if not then please do ask)

Dan67

This will be perfect. Good all round spec with good brakes formula k18s, lx/xt group set. Brilliant bike really

Silver Ashes

I like the look of that. Not heard of the make before but it looks great. I'll look into it, thanks.

russ0228

i would stick wiht your first choice on the rockhopper. longer travel forks better parts for the money and they have the best back up in the industry bar none. i have seen most hq of most brands and deal with a few different brands and would have to say that spesh leads the way. secondly i would suggest a commencal combi deluxe. amazing parts for the money but most importantly it rides beyond it's price point. anyone can put together a great spec for the money. but few can backit up with the ride quality. as the saying goes can't polish a turd. so pick your choice "you like" and test it as only you will know if you like or not. happy hunting

tom_j

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/index ... 2&brandID=

marin eldridge grade 2006, still some left and at good prices (£800 in the link, was £1045 when new)

i have one and can highly reccommend, weighs 25lbs off the shelf and great brakes & forks

Silver Ashes

Thanks for your replies.

What exactly is a commencal combi deluxe?

alfablue

What aboutMerlin Malt 2 or Malt 4 or Rock Lobster (note 10% discount if you are buying online, not using finance). The bikes have great reviews, have good groupsets as standard, and you can customise specs.

dunker

Merlin should update their bike pics, anyway if you're curious as to what the Malt4 looks like with full LX kit check out the link below for 2008 they're doing raceface evolve finishing kit too mmmmm.

Silver Ashes

That MALT 4-08 looks great. Nice looking bike.

What does the LX upgrade give you exactly and if you don't get it is it still perfectly good?

Feel free to use laymans terms.

russ0228

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?f%5FProductID=8859&f%5FFullProductVersion=1&f%5FSupersetQRY=C106%7E1&f%5FSortOrderID=1&f%5Fbct=c003155c002909m008623

alfablue

Silver Ashes wrote:

That MALT 4-08 looks great. Nice looking bike.

What does the LX upgrade give you exactly and if you don't get it is it still perfectly good?

Feel free to use laymans terms.

In respect of the Malt 4? It is standard with full LX (thats hubs, chainset, chain, cassette, mechs, brakes, shifters). All very good stuff, XT and XTR being the groupsets above LX in the Shimano range, but they don't offer a great improvement for the money as LX is pretty good.

dunker

woops sorry if i confused things, was just pointing out that the pics on their website are showing the 2007 model with deore kit and not "deore LX" kit which now comes as standard on the 2008 range, my 2007 has the LX upgrade option on so prolly looks similar to Merlins new 2008 bike, unless the 2008 LX kit has changed dramatically?

mine worked out £1000+ but i'd prolly just get the standard 2008 now and have a very similar bike for £800 it looks like Merlin have raised their game a bit for 2008.