Best steel HT for a grand?

Baron Daguerre

Like the title says, I want a steel HT. For trail riding - big routes, not big air.

So I'm loooking at:

Orange P7S with the fork upgrade - can you go wrong with a P7?
Rock Lobster Tig Team 853 - great spec, shame about the fugly graphics.
Inbred 456 or 853 - maybe better value than the rest, but what's up with the supply?
Cotic Soul - priciest, so can I really build this in a £1k budget?
Cove Handjob - love that bottle opener. really love that bottle opener.

I can't see that I'm going to get the chance to test ride more than a couple of these, so which ones should be top of the list? or have I missed something out?

If you actually know what you're talking about, your pearls of sagacity most appreciated. 8)

supersonic

Value wise not much touches the Rock Lobster 853. Very light steel frame, made from the Reynolds 853 steel, always gets top reviews and unbeatable parts spec.

billynobates

Check out Davehinde.co.uk they believe in STEEL. :shock:

nyoro82

Have a look at the Charge Duster Hi for £1099

http://www.chargebikes.com/products/bik ... hp?type=XC

I have a Cove Handjob which is great, but it might be difficult to build one up with all the parts you like for a grand.

For a complete bike the Duster's look good, especially as the frame alone is £350, and you should be able to try one out. There are options for cheaper or more expensive versions too.

Larok

I can't help but be impressed by this companies approach www.chargebikes.com

They're retailed here and here http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDeta ... ctID=10274
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... 5360026608

there's a small and a large here for £850, (don't know anythinig about the retailer below)

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/?acti ... 7&brandID=

what a nice bike for 850!

Rich Hcp

I'd go for the P7

But you need tp try them first

dave_hill

billynobates wrote:

Check out Davehinde.co.uk they believe in STEEL. :shock:

And anyone who buys from Dave Hinde wants their head testing... :evil:

How about this from Genesis?

SuperCove

Its gotta be the Cove... I bought mine and have never looked back!!

papasmurf.

what type of riding, dusters are your XC bike, and of a stiffer feel to some steel bikes.

if want somethign with a bit more hardcore appeal then the genesis, cove and orange.

the 456 is also good..and i presume they're waiting for a shipment to come in.

best bet is to take that list and go and try some and see what you like.

Chaka Ping

I've got a Handjob and I do love it, it's fantastic fun - but I've got to say it's not a natural climber - even with the fork wound down to 100mm.

If your "big days out" will include long and sustained climbs, you might find a more neutral bike a safer bet.

It's fine at trail centres, but I found the exaggerated position it forces me to adopt for climbs became painful and frustrating while tackling long rides with very big, steep climbs on holiday in Spain this year.

Can you get one for a grand? I did, but I bought the frame at a good discount and specced it with kit from a cycle-to-work bike I had bought. £800 all in.

If I hadn't done that, I'd have needed to scour eBay and Merlin/Wiggle/CRC for bits to come in under the grand.

Never used the bottle opener - don't want to scratch the lovely matt-finish paint!

uk_mr_brownstone

I went for a 456 and don't regret it-

Revelation forks and Stans Arch on XT wheels are the big spends, but that's under £650 for great frame, great forks and great wheels- the rest is thrown on. Well under a grand.

I feel that the 456 really needs adjustable travel forks though- on really (talking about granny ring) steep stuff the difference winding the travel from 130-100ish makes all the difference. I'd imagine it's similar for the P7?

I won't argue with the vote for Merlin for mega value though. If you're not looking to build up, or use some bits you've got lying around I'd go for that