Merlin Malt 2 vs Focus Black Forest vs...?

gandhi

I want to spend between £600 and £700 on a new hardtail. I'd like to be able to race it (I race road bikes too, but maybe for this budget I'm asking a bit much), but it'll mostly be for XC, banging around trail centres and my local single track.

I've narrowed down my choices to the Merlin Malt 2, the Focus Black Forest. I've also looked at the Trek 6700 (I have a really old version of the same bike).

They all seem to have different things going for them. I hear a lot about the Malt 4, but it's slightly outside my budget, the Malt 2 seems to have a good Fork, and be pretty good value. The Focus is maybe more racy? It has the better spec apart from the fork?

Malt 2 = £629
Focus = £665
Trek 6700 = £700

Which do you think would be good for me? Any other suggestions?

supersonic

Any chance you can test them? All good bikes in their own right.

gandhi

Only the Trek. Wiggle let you send bikes back if you don't like them, but you can't have ridden them.

I think that Trek may be sold out of bikes in my size (XL), so they might not be an option any more.

tnwoolley

I had a Malt 2 last year and I can honestly say with my hand on my heart that I flipping loved it. Selling it to finance buying my 'Dale was a painful experience! Good frame geometry, decent spec, a fast climber and an even faster descender. I'd definately buy one again.
Hope that helps.