£1500 Budget What should I be looking at?

gingerbloke

Really as the title says I want a lightweight XC bike for approx £1500.

What machines does anyone recommend that I should be looking at?

Would like to buy new as I would like all the warranties in place.

gingerbloke

Should have said hardtail as I already have a Spesh Enduro Pro Carbon.

dixonpj

Lots of choices at this price point: Specialized Stumpjumper Expert, Marin Indian Fire Trail, Trek 8500 (see signature), Scott Scale 30 (carbon frame) or 35 (aluminium frame but with better spec), Rock Lobster Team Titanium. Depends on what ride characteristics you're after.

For something really exclusive, how about custom building this?

http://www.poshbikes.com/product.php?id=70

http://www.poshbikes.com/images_new/pro ... 6_12_l.jpg

2008 epic

Go for the 2008 epic comp.
Superb bit of kit, £100 over your budget but worth every penny!

dixonpj

Superb bit of kit it may be, but it isn't a hardtail, which is what gingerbloke is after.

While I think of it, might also want to consider the Cannondale Taurine SL, GT Zaskar Carbon Expert (although £100 quid over budget), or the On-One Scandal.

dunker

wonder what merlins quote would be for a lobster Ti with full 08 xt kit with dt240s hubs on 717 rims? wonder how much? would be nice though mmmmm

gingerbloke

Down to Scott Scale 30, Stumpy Expert and a Cannondale Taurine 3.

I thought about the Epic, used to have an 03 model which I enjoyed, but that was when I could only have the one bike.

I am leaning towards the Cannondale at the minute.

gingerbloke

It's mine....
Got a little bit of a deal as well £1,350.

Matteeboy

Oooh that's a lovely bike!
Only thing I don't like about Cannondales is the Lefty fork - and that's got a nice Fox one!

Splendid purchase!

See, I'm not a total Specialized only rider

sirlylos

I've just got the Specialized Epic 2008 model reduced from £1899 to £1399. It's very lightweight and feels awesome to ride - it's very fast. Here's a pic:



Just google for the specs, it's a beaut.

baggsy

makes me want to trade my Epic 07 in! where did you get that discount?

sirlylos

Got it at my local bike shop called Bike Scene in the north east, they offer interest free credit so I usually get my bikes from there. This purchase was an insurance payout because my XC FSR was nabbed and I'm glad it was - it rocks!

Chaka Ping

Perhaps think about the Ginat Anthem too?

Not a hardtail, but only 80mm travel and an amazing XC bike.

Matteeboy

That's an amazing deal on that Epic!

I nearly went for one but decided fully rigid to front suspension was enough for now.

£1500 gets you a lot of hardtail though.