HT or FS for the Alps around £1k?

tcapewell

Hi everyone,

I'm after some advice...........

Here's the situation, I'm about to give up everything and move to join my fiance living in Munich. Her colleagues are keen bikers & go bombing around the Bavarian countryside every week and once in a while venture into the Alps. I've been invited to join them and I'm dead keen as it might help to establish myself there (esp as I don't speak the lingo).

I was on the verge of buying a new bike before I learnt of this, but now I reckon I'll probably need to up the stakes so I can try and keep up. Question is should I HT or go for FS. I guess I'm after plenty of bike for my buck and one that can deal with the potential terrain I'm going to encounter.

Budget around £1000, but may squeeze some extra

Potential HT's:
Specialized Rockhopper Pro (found a couple at £800)
Cube Ltd Race (£850 and Bavarian)
Boardman Pro (£999)

Potential FS:
Boardman Pro FS (£1299)
Specialized FSR XC Pro (1350)

or any other recommendations?

Thanks

stevet1992

Wont you want a bit more travel then that for the alps ?

Maybe something like a Cannondale Prophet or Sepcialized Pitch (May be a bit hard to get hold of both of these !)

Or maybe consider second hand ? Maybe a second hand Specialized Enduro ?

tcapewell

Maybe, but I'm pretty much a novice and don't really know what to expect.

Splottboy

I know a young, very fit lady, who did Trans Alps on a Cannondale hardtail. Personally, living in N.Wales, the best "all round" bike is about sub 27lbs, 120mm travel front and rear, minimum, with 2.2 tyre. Any heavier, and you'll struggle on the 30min to hours Alpine climbs, and any lighter and you may suffer pinch-flat punctures from rocks/sore butt, back etc.

Why not find out what they ride? Then you can ask specific questions for a suitable bike.
I wouldn't personally go for Carbon, as one slip, rock strike could mean a new frame.
Ok, most of the Big Boy's use them, but they are Sponsored so any faults/breaks, and they get a new one. Not something us "humans" can do...
New Spec FSR looks great. I had the 2005 S Works version. Really nice bike.
Trek EX, higher levels, also seems a capable all-rounder.
As they say on Blind Date, "The decision is Yours!"

Anonymous

Splottboy wrote:

I wouldn't personally go for Carbon, as one slip, rock strike could mean a new frame.

I take it you haven't ever seen carbon tested to destruction then? :roll:

RealMan

I'd go for a long travel steel hardtail. Build it up strong, and thrash it. Great fun.