which hardtail 1K

colsibob

Just nursed my Decathlon £130 bike around the follow the dog trail this morning.

Superb bike which has got me into MTB for the last year and a half.

But it is well out of its depth for these rides.

So going to buy myself a good one for xmas as we are doing coast to coast in May 08.

Got a budget of approx 1K so thinking of going for a good quality lightweight hardtail.

Fav at minute is a specialized stumpjumper anyone suggest any alternatives ?

Splasher

Depends on whether you see your self as a cross country kind of guy or you like to take on a bit more. If it's the latter, you can do a lot worse than this for the money http://www.marin.co.uk/2008/bikedetail.php?ModNo=3873

Andy B

Malt 4 or Rock Lobster from Merlincycles?

The Malt 4 has just been tested in MBUK & got great reviews.

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... lt-4-10366

Rock Lobster review

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... -853-10644

colsibob

Like the look of the merlin.

Few hundred less than stumjumper , but is it as good and is it harder to get spare parts for ?

Thanks
Col

dunker

the only part specific to the bike would be the rear mech hanger i think which is easy to get. i think it's a kinesis maxlight hanger? i've not needed a replacement for mine yet though

supersonic

That Marin is very well specced. Something a little racier would be, you guessed it, a Zaskar ;-)

artillerydave

I wouls second the Merlin / Rock lobster vote, I have had both, currently running a Rock Lobster B52 and the bikes are excellent, Merlin are a great company to buy from too.

canada16

I tell you what check out this Cube bike looks the Dog's %&*$

Nice spec.

http://www.cyclex.co.uk/index.php/produ ... 08-cx.html

Cube has got strong reviews as well.

colsibob

If I go for stumpjumper can anyone advise on frame size I would need

I am 6ft tall

Thanks
Col

colsibob

After a bit of research I am leaning towards the Merlin Malt 4

Would save a few quid over the stumpy

Anyone got a Merlin Malt 4 who can comment

Andy B

There are a quite a few Malt 4 owners on the link in my sig.

pdid

Not got a Malt 4, but a Rock Lobster team tig sl. Which i`ve had around 2 months

Tis a fantastic piece of kit for the money, £900 full 2008 XT group, RS reba, Xt hubs, Mavic 717 rims, Hope mono mini, Race face Deus finishing. Unbeatable spec and very chuckable.

Merlin are excellent to deal with, all bikes and wheels are handbuilt. Can`t recommend highly enough.

And the Malt 4 is luvley!!

Phil

Forgot to mention it only weighs about 25 lbs