Choosing bike problem

reevie25

Hi,
I am looking for a hardtail between £600 and £800. The bike has to have 9 speed, A decent fork and hydraulic discs. the three I've seen are:

Specialized Rockhopper comp
Giant XTC 3
Trek 6500
Does anyone have any more suggestions?

cat_with_no_tail

Merlin Malt 2, with upgrades to SLX Group and Recon SL fork. Comes in at £796.50
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/custom-mo ... -2-09.html

To be honest, at this price point, you are spoiled for choice.

reevie25

Really I need a popular brand which I can get from my LBS just in case it brakes. (my bikes break allot)

Northwind

Not the Giant. It's good at what it does, but it's a pretty oldschool racy machine, there are much better buys for general use.

Boardman of some sort?

<edit- for some reason I typed Trek, I don't know why, meant to say Giant!)

.blitz

Reevie25 wrote:

The three I've seen are:
Specialized Rockhopper comp
Giant XTC 3
Trek 6500

Recently looked at both the Giant and the Trek for mrs.blitz.

The Giant was heavy, felt dull and lifeless and sucked all the energy out of the ride; it also had cheapskate hubs/brakes/BB/headset/finishing kit. The Trek was pretty good but as said above it has a slightly old-school nervy feel to it and although it would make a good entry-level race bike it was a bit too liveley for trail riding.

Eventually got a Gary Fisher Hookooekoo which out-specced all the others, has a sublime ride and most importantly was available in Root Beer with white graphics. Your local Trek dealer should be able to get one no probs.

xtreem

See this:
Focus Black Forest 2009