Hardcore hardtail - which one?

jairaj

Hi guys and gals,

I need some advice on getting a new bike. I have around £700 - £1000 to spend on a heavy duty hardtail. Im maily gonna use it for XC but am starting to branch out into jumping and lite downhill. So something that handle small jumps, and a bit of downhill and general having fun on a bike but still go uphills.

the only thing i know is a specialized p. all mountain. any comments and suggestions welcome.

thanks in advance, jai

Anonymous

one of the guys where i work has a p all mountain and its a nice thing, heaviest bike ive ever touched though, im not sure i would want to ride it up anything!!

if i was after a tough hardtail, i would look at this but im not sure its much of a jump bike but would handle a bit of air time:

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... d-08-30966

indysmith

Orange P7?

RhysD

when I get around to it, i'll write a few things up about my new Merida Trail 550, which is has same frame as bike sheepsteeth mentioned. I think the Merida's are a bit of a bargain to be honest.

http://www2.merida-bikes.com/en_GB/Bikes.Detail.23

bottom line is a lot of bike for your money. So glad I went for this over the P7 - lighter, better spec and way cheaper.

Anonymous

rhysd, do you think the merida lives up to its claims as a hardcore trail bike? it certainly seems equipped for the task and if anything, i think it is a much better looking option for folks looking for a tough rig.

RhysD

well I have only had it a week, and managed 3 rides, but yes, I am very happy with it so far, looks like everything you would want in a hardcore trail bike.

when i have more time, i'll take a load of photos and write more. i went all round the houses making my decision, wanted a real "all rounder". I was intending to spend around £900 originally, if my firm signed up for cycle to work scheme, but they let me down and would not after 5 months of waiting, so had to go a bit cheaper....

i did look at the P7, but really thought it was overpriced, and then all the scare stories about the dropouts nailed it for me. can't believe if you talk about P7 someone will always say "bombproof". Bombproof does not entail checking your back wheel is attached after every ride, to me!

Anonymous

wel, i think there would be some value in posting your finding as the hardcore hardtail is a popular genre at the mo and everyone thinks the p7 is the holy grail (its good but not that good in my opinion)

jairaj

Rhysd,

the merida looks like a nice bike with some desent comopenets. The review said is was quite a fun bike with great handling, didn't say much about its bombproofness.

How do you find the frame? Will it handle a bit of abuse?

Im not looking to launch it off massive drops or any world cup standard downhills, but would like to get a bit more air time and onto more challenging routes.

dave_hill

Norco Sasquatch
Kona Five-0 (if you can get one)
Orange Crush (if you can stretch to a 1-er)

jairaj

From the bike radar review of the Norco Sasquatch it seems a bit too heavy duty, tho the Orange Crush looks like it has a better balence for my needs.

Any one riden the Orange Crush?

jairaj

Just got the new issie of what mountain bike and they have a good review on the saracen zen. Any one got of these? any comments apreciated.

wop

I had a zen2 for ages, awesome bike.
Loads of fun!

Consider...
On-one 456 / inbred
Marin b-17 / rockridge
Dmr trailstar / exalt
etc...

Weight v Price etc

Steel or Alu?

turnercraig

How about a Genesis Core 40?

I have had mine now for about 3 weeks and I'm very impressed. It has great spec for £900 and looks great!

The Rockshoks Recon fork is adjustabe between 85 to 130mm, so you can keep the travel short for XC and then set it to 130mm for serious singletrack. It is also very lite.

MrKawamura

I have a p. All Mountain. It's actually not that heavy, though people seem to think it's going to be. The guy in the shop where I bought it seemed suprised to pick it up and find that it felt a similar weight to the Rocky Ridge. I'm pretty sure it's lighter than the B-17. It's a great jumper and I've tweaked it a little for the trails (15mm longer and lowered stem). It's a bag of fun for a few hours around somewhere like Swinley. I'm going to take it to Wales and see how we get on with the trails, though I'll be picking the ones with less climbing...

I was sorely tempted by a Genesis Core as well which is of course lighter and must be better for xc.

Johnny Napalm

I've heard good things about the 'Zen' too.

I have recently got myself a 'Marin Rocky Ridge' and can vouch for that model...it's a great bike, and not that heavy.

If the 'P7' is the same weight as the 'Rocky Ridge', then I wouldn't be too concerned with regards to that issue.

passout

Saracen Zen would be my top choice closely followed by Planet X 456 (if you can get one). The Saracens are alu. but a steel one is available and the Planet x is steel.

Don't get an Orange - they are a rip off imo.

BlackSpur

^^ The above is now actually called an On-One 456. Thought I'd point it out to avoid confusion. The Zen is a lovely bike, as is the Rocky Ridge although you'll have trouble getting hold of one.

passout

Good point - One One

jairaj

any one know what bikes the guys are using in the hammering hardtails sections?

http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/article/technique-hammering-hardtails-ii-16848[/img]

passout

COVE maybe? Not sure.

Anonymous

the light blue one ridden by the giant rder is a giant stp i think, i remember seeing it in another aticle which described that it had been set up as a 4x bke, nice looking imo

thejizzface

Best bargain out there. I have had one for 10 months and it is bullet proof. Started doing a little jumping and light downhill and it soaks it up. I have changed a few things for vanities sake and powder coated it black. I love this bike, the frame is amazing and you won't get a better spec.

But I am biased

Jaydizzle

Check out the Felt Trail shot just rode one its pretty sick.