£1000 burning a whole in my pocket!

vikingbobw

Hi all, I have a budget of £1000 and would like to buy a XC bike pretty near to that price. Can go a bit over and i mean a bit. My main dilema is hardtail or ful-sus. I know with the hard tail i get a lighter bike and maybe a better one for that price. I need to take into account the effect my 14st frame will have on the bike/suspension when riding single track/trail with some road so comfort is factor. I have looked at the suggestions and have seen a few in shops but it's been a while since my Scott racing comp (bought 2nd hand in 1999) gave up the ghost and the range out now is very bewildering and i dont want to be taken in by a bike because it looks 'shiny'. P.S. if it's going to be a hardtail what do you all think of sus seatposts? Appriciate any thoughts.

ride_whenever

Hardtail, no sus posts, just get a comfy saddle, think gobi, spoon or bell air.

There have been loads of threads on this recently, merlin malt 4, full xt 08, black wheels

Pants

http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/categ ... 1339?img=1

jeffers696

that looks like bike porn to me!!!! sweet as!

Pants

If I had seen this review 2 weeks ago, I would not have a rockhopper right now. That's all I can say. I love my rockhopper, but like you say, it's bike porn!!!

EDIT

OK I got a bit excited then because I thought the complete package was 1K. That's just the frame. Still want one though...

ashleymp777

What about one of the Focus bikes - they seem to be extremely good value for money and well spec'd.

lordmerchant

I just got a merlin malt 4 with a rockshox reba team fork, and full shimano 2008 groupset and it is an amazing ride, I would highly reccomend it, got the whle lot for £1046 BARGAIN!!

The Spiderman

Or how about:http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cycle&ProdID=5360032427&N=Focus%20Raven%202008
or the Rock Lobster Tig Team LTD Edition with Fox F110 RL forks.

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&productId=561&categoryId=100

Matteeboy

That Rock Lobster is a monster bargain!

vikingbobw

Hey, Thanks for the suggestions with my out of date knowledge i can see there are some good bikes around and yes that On-One is definitely as close to bike porn as you can get, sounds fantastic but as has been pointed out it's just for the frame and i think the old bits from my Scott will not do it justice. Two bikes have caught my eye. One is the 2005 Giant XTC Composite. Not even ridden a composite and not sure how the 2005 design and ride quality went down. The other is the 2007 Giant Trance 3. There's a choice, one hardtail and the other ful-sus, from what i can find on older bikes both with fairly good reviews for their level. I'm leaning toward the XTC Composite (although not sure on some of the spec) and may be getting it this weekend providing it feels right, unless anyone has any good reason why i shouldn't. Will let you know.

The Spiderman

Is it the full carbon XT C frame,or the hybrid alliance XTC which is aluminium with a carbon rear trainaglle?

Both good frames,but you you will have to compromise on parts spec,to bring a full carbon framed bike in at £1k.Pauls cycles sometimes have older stock of Giants at substantially reduced prices however.

The was a 2006 XTC carbon on there recently,for £699,but it was only available in large,and the spec suffers.

If you like the On One,they also do the Scandal scandium frame,which is sub 3.5lb,for £250 as frame only ,or is available as a complete bike for £1k upwards,depending on spec.

With a bit of shopping around on the net,you could build up a nice Scandal,for around £1200 yourself,especially if you use the groupset deals on www.merlincycles.com

XC-rider93

if i had £1000 id get saracen ZEN 3

now thats a nice bike.

vikingbobw

Below is the web address of the bike i saw i think it is all composite and it is a 2005. Not up to speed on the modern group sets and how they compare, can anyone let me know if i have been a victim of the shiny bike syndrome.
Thanks



http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b4s2p468

The Spiderman

vikingbobw wrote:

Below is the web address of the bike i saw i think it is all composite and it is a 2005. Not up to speed on the modern group sets and how they compare, can anyone let me know if i have been a victim of the shiny bike syndrome.
Thanks



http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b4s2p468

I have a 2006 Giant XTC SX.It has an aluminium frame,but otherwise it originally had the exact same spec,as the model you listed.I think the carbon framed version was about 500g lighter,so would weigh 27-28 lbs which isn`t great for a £700 bike.

I have now replaced everything on mine except the frame! (Now 24lbs,much morew like it!)

The standard spec isn`t that great,to be frank,though the wheels,mechs,and shifters are quite reasonable,for the money.The forks and brakes are pretty poor,for the money and the finishing kit weighs a ton.

However a new XTC carbon frame retails at around £800,so it`s quite a good way of getting the frame cheap!

You could view it as a project and immediately strip it down and sell the parts,which might give you money towards better forks,and groupset.

That frame is certainly a good one,so long as a large suits for which you will need to be at least 6 foot.

You will need to spend at least another £1k to get kit on it to do it justice though.

There are better vfm complete bikes for £1k,such at the Rock Lobster Ltd Edition,listed above or something like the Focus Raven or Boardman Pro.

vikingbobw

Thanks, you have all given me lots of options to look at and bikes to test over the weekend, although if PAULS CYCLES in East Dereham's frosty uninterested offer of a test "in the car park, if the weather is good" is an indication of what's to come, its going to be tough seeing what a bike is like on 20 square meters of smooth tarmac.

Who says good service is dead? Apparently Pauls Cycles in East Dereham. Sorry to go on but being looked at and dismissed in the way i was has really p****** me off, once again my apologies.

'Hmmmmmm, Your on the trail, your on the trail, your on the trail, that's better.

Cps

vikingbobw wrote:

although if PAULS CYCLES in East Dereham's frosty uninterested offer of a test "in the car park, if the weather is good" is an indication of what's to come, its going to be tough seeing what a bike is like on 20 square meters of smooth tarmac.

.

Think about it - Once your on the bike - they've got to get it back off you...........

The Spiderman

vikingbobw wrote:

Thanks, you have all given me lots of options to look at and bikes to test over the weekend, although if PAULS CYCLES in East Dereham's frosty uninterested offer of a test "in the car park, if the weather is good" is an indication of what's to come, its going to be tough seeing what a bike is like on 20 square meters of smooth tarmac.

Who says good service is dead? Apparently Pauls Cycles in East Dereham. Sorry to go on but being looked at and dismissed in the way i was has really p****** me off, once again my apologies.

'Hmmmmmm, Your on the trail, your on the trail, your on the trail, that's better.

There is always a reason for some shops to be cheaper..................

Test elsewhere,and once you find a shop who is going to look after you,use the Pauls cycles price as a bargaining tooll.
They may not match the rpice,but might be willing to chuck in a few extras.

jpembroke

Have you considered an On One Scandal or steel 456? Lovely bikes.

vikingbobw

Well i went out today with a view to finding some bikes that have been mentioned and trying some out. Let me tell you the carparks in Norwich are a dream to ride. I have one other place to look in Thetford forest but at the mo my front runners are:

1. The Boardman Team £799 - Yes i went into Halfords!!!!!! decent spec especially the REBA forks. Chain broke after 50m so not much of a test.

2. The Giant Trance 3 £649- They're right didnt bob much but didn't like the TORA fork, felt sticky. Is it an air fork? I tried to get them to let me upgrade but no dice.

3. The Trek Fuel EX 7 £849- loved it. My only concern was that it was moving quite a bit but that may just need more air for my weight.

4. Specialised FSR XC Comp £899- Not tested, like the look but as an entry level i dont think i am getting the same value as the others.

I think i know which one has caught my eye, but bear in mind my position. I have £1000 to spend (some on new pedals and shorts) i want a bike that i can take onto the trails with a bit of 'must beat my mate' (Hardtail) and if there is some hilly rough stuff take that on aswell. I will be using it occaisionally to get to my office (2m). It needs to be tough enough to take my 14st but not too heavy so it requires a winch to get up hills which i love to climb (In Norfolk???????), the harder the better. Basically a fun bike but enough to kick dust at my mate on the trail!

I know there is a lot there but i have faith that you will lead me to my next bike or tell me im talking rubbish and that i have missed the perfect one for me.

Thanks for any help.

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god1406

just to throw something Canadian among the pigeons... what about a Marin Rocky Ridge? it's £1000 and I feel obliged to constantly recommend my own bike

BlackSpur

god1406 wrote:

just to throw something Canadian among the pigeons... what about a Marin Rocky Ridge? it's £1000 and I feel obliged to constantly recommend my own bike

You know you want to... Just look at the gorgeous white curves...


I want one!