Help required please !!

Red Rolo

All,
I have money burning a hole in my pocket and require your help spending it wisely....
Long story short, I purchased a cannondale bad boy for my commute to work, but find it extremely stiff especially up kerbs / potholes etc etc...
Ive got about £1000 to spend on a bike I can commute to work (few miles) path / track and road etc etc and a bike I can take over the lakes for a bit of offroad work (nothing too steep) the more I look the more confused I get..
So far its gone from orange p7 s to merlin malt 4 to just spotted the specialized pitch comp......
Any advice would be most appreciated..
Cheers

supersonic

I would discount the Pitch and P7 straight away - too much bike for what you require. The Merlin MALT 4 or Rock Lobster 853 if you want a comfy steel frame would be the ones I would shortlist. 100mm of travel, farily light - sounds ideal.

Red Rolo

supersonic wrote:

I would discount the Pitch and P7 straight away - too much bike for what you require. The Merlin MALT 4 or Rock Lobster 853 if you want a comfy steel frame would be the ones I would shortlist. 100mm of travel, farily light - sounds ideal.

I know what your saying....But I like my toys :-)

Brain says merin..
Heart says pitch
Anything else out there you can recommend (cube etc)?

supersonic

Cubes are good value. Also Genesis Altitude, GT Zaskar Elite if you fance a racy set up, Specialized Rockhopper Expert and the Decathlon Rockrider series.

Red Rolo

What do you think of the Rock Lobster TIG Team SL compared to the 853 ? Why would you disregard the p7 ?
sorry loads of questions, but.....

supersonic

The P7 is fairly heavy, works best with a 140mm fork and is built for rougher riding. Might be worth testing one.

TIG team SL is a stiff aluminium frame, the 853 a heavier, but flexier, more comfortable steel frame.

Frame weights:

TIG SL = 3.25lbs
853 = 4.25lbs
P7 > 5lbs.

All in weight of the Rocklobsters will be a few pounds less than the P7.

Red Rolo

Cheers...

:?

Red Rolo

Right lets make a descision, I dont like the lobsters 853's red colour (tart) so its the malt 4 or the lobster tig sl......
Thoughts ?

supersonic

Yep. Go to Merlin and test them ;-)

What do your loal shops have?

joshtp

dont bother with a big hard hitter like the pitch or p7, as ss sais go for a light 100mm ht, something like the befor mentioned malt, or this
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165499
has a bit more travel for any off road excursions you may decide on, and has a great frame, with sweet spec. i also belive that GT are one exelent brand, and i fell SS will agree.......