charge duster or similar

M6TT F

work have finally put a cycle to work scheme in place, albeit a year too late for me! The MD is friendly with the guy who owns my LBS so he is the preferred source for bikes (which I don't have a problem with!) I don't really 'need' another bike, I currently ride a fuel ex7 with a few upgrades and a few more planned.

BUT

I've got this itch that needs scratchin' and I'm thinking while the scheme is in place I may as well get something. So I quite like the idea of a hardtail for winter to give my Fuel EX a bit of a break from the harsh conditions.

I've been looking at a Charge Duster as the LBS sell them. I also looked at the On-One Scandal and inbred, but TBH I'm not keen on the sliding drop out thing.

Anything else I should consider? - I'd also love something a bit more burly and thought about an Orange crush, but there's none available ATM.

other option is something more freeride/DH orientated for messing about on - (thinking MEGA next year) - but I don't think it would get used enough.

So anything else I should consider?

RealMan

Lots of voodoo frames out there, theyre meant to be very nice.


Dialled Alpine Prince albert, theyre good.

Genesis IO.

Kona Unit

On-One Inbred (can get vertical drop outs)

Cotic Soul maybe? Or Simple?

M6TTF

Like the look of the dialled bikes. Only issue with steel is the extra lb or 2 they carry over aluminium, but I do like the compliance that aly frames lack. Anyone got a charge?

RealMan

Charge Duster is steel.

And you get light steel bikes, and heavy aluminum bikes.

M6TTF

I know the charge is steel, weight isn't everything

RealMan

So why did you bring up aluminium?

M6TTF

Keeping my options open - hence the crush being on the shortlist. I had a dave yates diabolo way back when and had a Scott 7005 series aluminium so know what both ride like

M6TTF

Looked at the genesis range too - look like good value for money. Too many to choose from these days!

2tired2ride

If it's for the winter have you though about a Charge Duster 8 - interal hub gearing for less/no maintainence over the winter.

CycloRos

I did a very similar thing last year with our Cycle to work scheme. At the time I already had my Stumpy and Trek but thought why the hell not and got Charge Duster Hi on the scheme

It's a top bike, nice and relaxed riding position and quite versatile too (used it for commuting, XC rides and the odd trail centre)

Miggo71

... Haro Mary XC 29" of cause"
There under £700 at Winstanleys at the moment
Steel, SRAM, Rockshox...
Almost no shimano parts to jeopardise your ride!

Northwind

You mentioned not being keen on sliding dropouts with the inbred, but it does also come in vertical dropouts. The Scandal used to, but doesn't now sadly, but they can still be found used.

Maybe worth keeping an eye out for the new Ragleys, though they're so new that they've not really been reviewed yet.

Cotic Soul is awesome, but then I would say that. But very expensive, hard to justify when there's frames that are almost as good for 2/3rds as much from Genesis, etc.

M6TT F

yeah - I've been looking at the genesis bikes - the core seem like the best VFM in the range. don't know much about them though?

I was also looking at the merlin rock lobster bikes - there's 2 in the range at the same price


the team tig SL


and

the team tig 853



not really sure what the difference is with them other than the frame material? is one more XC race orientated?

BlackSpur

Its just the material