Decent hardtail under £300?

blue.mouse

Just coming back into MTBing and would like a relatively decent hardtail for ideally £250 but could stretch further. There is a lot out there but I don't know whether it is worthwhile.

Any opinions on the following?

The Saracen Element 3 has the aluminium frame and disc brakes for £259 but is it good kit?
http://www.bikes2udirect.com/B2344.html

Is there a big difference between alloy frame and aluminum?
I like the look of Claud Butler Pagan D2 or the Ravana with the disc brakes but will it be too heavy? The GT outpost is also an alloy frame.
http://www.bikes2udirect.com/B2095.html
http://www.discountbicycles.co.uk/biz/p ... 08_18_inch
http://www.nationalcycles.co.uk/gt-outp ... -2008.html

If I don't go for disc brakes should I go for a Trek 3700, 3900, Kona Lana'i or a cheap Specialized?

So options 1,2,3,4 or 5 (or 6 if you can come up something else). I like the idea of having disc brakes but will it be better to buy an aluminium frame and get disc brakes later once I have the bug?

Any help appreciated,

Rich

blue.mouse

Oops, newby error, I meant Specialized Hardrock NOT Rockhopper (although that would be lovely)

supersonic

Have you read our stickies in the beginners section and the What Bike sticky here?

xtreem

The Mongoose Tyax Elite 2009 is better equipped than those on your list.
It's exactly 300 and in my opinion it's worth the extra cash.
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/mon ... e-ec017394

You can also consider the GT Avalanche 3.0, but with no discs.
http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/produc ... px?id=9256

[b]blue.mouse[/b] wrote:

I like the idea of having disc brakes but will it be better to buy an aluminium frame and get disc brakes later once I have the bug?

If the hubs on the bike are disc ready, then buying discs later will be easy upgrade,
but if the hubs can't take discs then it won't be cheap switching to disc brakes,
because you'll have to buy a new wheels or hubs.