Recommendations on buying a sub £1000 XC Hardtail?

Douche

In the new year im looking at purchasing a XC hardtail, the top end of my budget is £1000. Essentially im getting it via the "CycleScheme", although the bike wont be used for any commuting (my old Kona will be used for that.

Im after a quality hardtail. For many years i have always had a thing for Orange, though ive never owned one. Consequently im currently drifting towards purchasing a '08 Orange Evo8 (£950), ive also had the '08 Marin RockyRidge suggested to me though i fear that was more because its a sub £1000 machine that has Fox forks as standard (my freind raves about them on his 'Five').

I dont need a bike for big drops or jumps, i want a machine that is wholly practicle for its purpose, which will be running trails hard and fast, i want a bike that isnt short on quality components (Like Konas often are ... im slightly biased towards them since owning one), and also a bike that is relatively comfortable ... 70+ mile day rides for me are not unheard of.

Thanks

zero303

If you really fancy an Orange, I'd save up the extra £200 for a P7 Pro over the Evo...

If you prefer the evo, check out the upgrades section - you can add a Fox fork for £100...

Douche

Yeah I know the P7 totally rocks and id go for it, only problem is my budget is exactly £1000 tops, as its through a certain scheme i cant top it up at all or beleive me i would, the P7 is like my holygrail of trail XC bikes ... that and the Vit-i!!

Splasher

When read your subject title, I was going to recommend the Marin so that's your mate and me.

paddy mtb

have a look at specialized or scott or cannondale santa cruz chameleon if u can get the extra £300 odd

supersonic

The P7 is not like the ones of old - it got slacker, longer travel at the front and tougher - with a weight to match. More of a hardcore hardtail.

Full bore XC bikes are a little different from the standard trail MTB bikes we usually see at this price.

GHill

I'm not sure on the ins and outs of the cycle scheme, but have you taken a look at the Rock Lobster bikes from Merlin Cycles?

For £1000 they'd do you something with full XT groupset, Race Face finishing kit, Hope brakes and a RS Reba fork. Magazine reviews are pretty good, but I've never actually ridden one.

markythemudmonkey

Another second for the Merlin cycles. However, rather than a Rock Lobster you get a better frame with the Malt 4. And these are available on a number of the cycle to work schemes (Halfords can get them, for example).

Matteeboy

My Stumpy Comp was £1200 but I'm sure it's now under a grand (2007 model).
Top bike.

magic johnson

Check out the Gary Fisher Big Sur 2008. They are the absolute dogs. We've done a fair few on Cyclescheme. Really nice spec and light as a feather too.

lunaeventer

Have read that although there is the upper limit of £1000 with this scheme, you can top it up yourself to get extra goodies that push price of bike above this price limit..........

passout

Merlin/ Rock Lobster or Planet X.

clipper

like lunaeventer says, unless they've changed the small print since last year there is no restriction with Cyclescheme on topping up the voucher with some extra cash.

dunker

Merlin Malt 4 2008.
XT 2008 Groupset upgrade.
XC717 Black rims and spokes. (XM719 with dt db comp spokes may be more durable for your 70+ rides a day for only a couple hundred grams extra weight and they're prolly do it for not alot extra?)
£1003.

if you go to the shop give the rock lobsters a test ride too.

Tim in Yorkshire

There are some '06 Giant XTC composites reduced on some websites to about 750, I'm enjoying mine, and think it looks pretty bling.

Douche

Thanks for the tips on the cyclesheme guys, it appears i may of been deluding myself (either that or my girlfreinds employers are a bunch of MoFos cos they wont let her do it).

I checked out the Malt 4 and im definatley tempted by it, ive found a few reveiws and i think it'll definatley be up for consideration and a test. Another problem i have at the moment is trying to find any useful feedback or reveiws on the '08 Evo8, Ive found plenty on the Malt 4 and the Rock Lobster and a shyte load on the Rocky Ridge but im having a problem finding them on the Evo08, i know this years has an uprated crank,wheels, and the forks are now recons instead of Toras , I just want a get a little feedback and im sturggling....

Any ideas where I might get a little?