Merlin Malt or Genesis Core 20 or Focus Black Forest

Fanzone

From reading the other forums it seems like these bikes seem the best in the 600 to 750 price range.
I am looking for a bike that will mainly be for XC. Which of these bikes will be best?

Merlin Malt
Genesis Core 20
Focus Black Forest

k2rider

out of the 3 i would say the focus but i would also have a look at the boardman comp.

truespin

My Malt 4 is an awesome bike, light, fast, nimble and strong
*two thumbs up*

tv

what forks do they come with??

k2rider

a basic malt4 with an R/S tora fork is £860, below £750 your looking at a malt2 or an upgraded malt1. the fox fork on the focus to me makes it the best value of the 3.

truespin

Damn the Malt 4 has gone up in price!
I got it will full XT groupset, Reba Team, 719 wheels and the Race Face evolve finishing set for around £950 at the beginning of last year...

keirtristan

You've got a big price range and to be honest there's likely to be one winner and that's the one at the top end of your budget.

Got to ask though Merlin Malt 1 or 4?

I own a Genesis Core 20 and at £600 in most places that was the top end of my budget. If I could stretch further I would have considered the Focus Black Forest but would have looked at other bikes round that price range (and therefore probably the Core 30).

As this is not a fair contest I am not going to vote but if you can afford it look at the Focus and other bikes around that price. Give them a ride and see what you think.

chuckd

The Core 30 is £722 at tredz so comes into your price range.

dunker

oooh it's close