hard core hardtail help

dotto

hi peeps i have around 1000 quid to get myself a hardcore hardtail.now after riding dh for a few years as well as racing etc i have now come to a point in my life where i want to do more than just push up a hill for 30 mins to then ride it back down for 2 mins lol.so the dh bike has gone,as i still want to retain the dh element of cycling im after a solid hardtail to do it all. im only 12 stone so dont need the bike too bulky lol.the bike i have been looking at are as follows

orange crush
marin b17
kona five-o

are these ok and are there any others to look at

sorry for the essay

jairaj

how about the Saracen Zen 3 ?

I have the Zen 631 which is a steel frame version of the same bike. Reviews said it was good but not really worth the extra money over the Zen 3 but then I got mine at a massive discount so couldn't resist.

supersonic

I would add the Zen to that list too.

Some great write ups in WMB.

The Northern Monkey

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=33321

full build of the NS Surge frame.... shame about the fork
crackin' frame though.

Mr Wu

Have you considered the Orange P7?

Youll get an 08 for your budget

dotto

mmm apart from the ns bike they all too xc type bikes for me

may have to do a custom build

Whytepeak

genesis alpitude - a bit expensive, or a genesis abyss?

Turrican

hi i too was in this predicament i couldnt afford a dh bike so went for custom build Ht for freeriding and DH so for custom build which i think is best option are,
NS Surge
DMR Exalt
Santa Cruz Chameleon
Cove Stiffee
Azonic
Da Bomb xlr
Identiti Mr Hyde
also try these
Spank
Fire eye

are all good frames to build around and suit which ever style riding takes you in the mood up or down or for pre built bikes try these

24/7 Devient
Orange Crush
NS Core
Norco Bigfoot
have i missed any out, well most of theswe can go up and down and have fun on these and most these i know can take 160mm travel forks, you will have to check wich ones do and ones dont but these are all suitible
me i buit a Yeti dj for freeriding even all it a 4x bike handels well and is nice frame and i have 150mm travel forks on too (at a push)

Mark909

Marin Rocky Ridge?