Best Hardtail for Maximum Budget of £900

JoeW1968

I'm looking for some guidance/advice from people who know much more than me.

After roughly 20 years away from a bike, I have decided to get a new MTB. It's being bought under the C2W scheme, so in line with hundreds of other people I'm making some crazy savings.

A hardtail is my preference. It will be used for part of the journey to work and for very simple cross country stuff (i.e. local forests, coastline tracks etc). Also, Glentress is only 40 miles away and I fancy trying some of the less tricky stuff there to get back into things.

I have a small shortlist of bikes as follows:

Kona Kula 2008, Genesis Core 40 2008, Orange P7S, Specialised Rock Hopper Pro Disc 2008, Giant XTC 2.5, Focus Killer Bee Disc 2008, Trek 6700

I have to source the bike through Halfords. I'm hopeful this can be a positive experience, but I am prepared to accept that it might not be. With that in mind, no matter what bike I get, a couple of local cycling shops have agreed to set the bike up correctly for me for a small cost if I need them to.

I really liked the look of the Cube LTD Race, but Halfords won't source that for me.

Please folks, if you had up to £900 to spend - which of the above bikes would you choose? My leaning is towards the Killer Bee. If however, there is something just as good out there which I haven't listed please let me know.

I liked the look of the Specialised untill I seen the colour scheme - but if it's the best bike I couldn't care about the colour. Also, the Trek 6700 seems to get some good reviews apart from issues with the handling. However, it is suggested changing the stem would overcome any perceived problems

I will consider any £900 bike which Halfords can source.

Any help, guidance or opinion will be gratefully received.

Thanks

elvis again

http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=70142
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=70188

supersonic

Have to be at RRP for the C2W scheme I think.

supersonic

Hang on, deja vu!

joejoe

i got a rockhopper 2007 pro and i love it. the frame is really good and gives a really inspiring, confident ride. The 2008 looks great in my opinion (grey i think?)

Lots of people say go to Merlin and buy a rock lobster, which do look really good.

However, If I were you I'd spend £1000 and buy a gary fisher big sur. Great frame and forks for the money.

Also, Halfords sell the chris boardman bikes. The top of the range hardtail looks really good and got 10/10 in mbr recently.

Hope this helps!

JCJC

The P7 rocks .... I have just bought one

JoeW1968

I have already signed up to the C2W scheme and for some reason I set my budget at £900.

I must have had a reason for not going to the full £1,000 but I can't remember what it was.

crashtestdummy12

Thought about an On One Scandal?

beeroclock

Hi

no On One or Cube bikes on through Halfords and apparently Trek can be tricky too.

cheers philip

getofmeland

Just a word of warning but if your a big fella, you may want to check which bikes your can easily get in your size, as I have struggled to get anything in my size, from Trek, Marin and Specialized...

I would also recommend trying your shortlist of 3 bikes, because the geometry all varys on the bike... Had heart set on specialized managed to try a 21" frame and found it very uncomfortable.. so went for the Trek 6700 and love it... few things I will probably change but a great bike for the money

Sikora

As suggested above, try as many bikes as possible to find the most comfortable. Components can be changed in the future - sizing can't

I bought a Rockhopper Pro a few months ago. I was also put off by the colour at first, i even thought about going for the Comp instead, just because it was black!