Hardtail up to £1k - which one?

nathanman
nathanman Posts: 129
edited August 2010 in MTB buying advice
I have upto £1k to spend on a decent hardtail (cyclescheme at work - £1k max) and following some research have found what i think would be nice rides, has anyone had any experience of these or have i missed something off the list i should be considering?

List is as follows:

Merlin Malt 4
Rock Lobster Tig Team SL
Rock Lobster 853
Lapierre Tecnic 700
Marin Eldridge Grade (2009 spec)
Spesh rockhopper SL Pro

Im not really a brand tart so have no probs with lesser known brands as long as they are nice to ride. The only other consideration is that im a bit hefty (105kgs) so need a frame thats not going to be too flexy.

Any advice/info on the bikes above or ones i have missed would be gratefully recieved!

Comments

  • Pudseyp
    Pudseyp Posts: 3,514
    Out of your list...the Tig Team...
    Tomac Synper 140 Giant XTC Alliance 1
    If the world was flat, I wouldn't be riding !
  • nathanman
    nathanman Posts: 129
    Pudsey - any reason why?
  • Pudseyp
    Pudseyp Posts: 3,514
    Great frame, a good component list. The bike gets great reviews and has been around years...kinda has a cult following. I looked at one before plumping for a Giant XTC...

    If you would consider a Giant XTC this is a cracker...with a great spec for £850
    http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 1b4s2p2290

    If you do consider this, you will need to add 10% back on the sale price for Cycleschemes comission...my XTC came from Pauls I had to do the same as it seems fair..so you have a few quid left for bits and bobs...so your getting a £1,200 bike half price via the scheme...bargain
    Tomac Synper 140 Giant XTC Alliance 1
    If the world was flat, I wouldn't be riding !
  • nathanman
    nathanman Posts: 129
    Looks the business mate, i'll definately add it to my list! Any idea what pauls are like on customer service etc?
  • Pudseyp
    Pudseyp Posts: 3,514
    Hi fella, yep had no problem with them...odered online, sent the voucher and they called to arrange delivery,,,would recomend..take a look at there other sale bikes as they do have some bargains...don't forget to add the 10% on though.

    Can recomend the XTC as well...
    Tomac Synper 140 Giant XTC Alliance 1
    If the world was flat, I wouldn't be riding !
  • nathanman
    nathanman Posts: 129
    Sweet, thanks for the advice. The XTC looks great and the spec for the money is spot on so i think im going to go with it. I can get a few accessories with the left over money as well.

    Thanks again fella.
  • Midnight Tboy
    Midnight Tboy Posts: 58
    how does this one compare to the others above?

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Kona_ ... 360039353/

    seems a bargain at rrp £1900 down to £1000?
  • Pudseyp
    Pudseyp Posts: 3,514
    Midnight Tboy wrote:
    how does this one compare to the others above?

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Kona_ ... 360039353/

    seems a bargain at rrp £1900 down to £1000?

    Can see why the big discount, as it was not worth £1,900 !! spec almost identical to the Giant but it does have a scandium frame..at £150 cheaper the Giant would take it for me..Plus Wiggle don't take cyclescheme vouchers...they do thier own
    Tomac Synper 140 Giant XTC Alliance 1
    If the world was flat, I wouldn't be riding !
  • jayson
    jayson Posts: 4,606
    Had a tig team for 5 yrs 'til it was nicked, was a fantastic bike really direct and stiff whilst also remaining light but rugged.

    If i was in the market for another HT it would be very high on my potential list again absolutely no doubts whatsoever.
    Remedy

    Merida

    Austria 2012
  • mac_man
    mac_man Posts: 918
    Boardman HT Pro. £999 at Halfords. Superb spec for the money.

    http://www.boardmanbikes.com/mtbht/ht_Pro.html

    FORK:
    New RockShox Reba Race with 100mm travel, Motion Control damping, external floodgate & lockout
    GEARING:
    SRAM X0/X9 27 speed
    BRAKES:
    Avid Elixir R carbon hydraulic disc
    CHAINSET:
    Truvativ Stylo GXP
    WHEELS:
    Ritchey WCS rims with cartridge
    bearing hubs
    FINISHING KIT:
    Ritchey Pro
    Cool, retro and sometimes downright rude MTB and cycling themed T shirts. Just MTFU.

    By day: http://www.mtfu.co.uk
  • nathanman
    nathanman Posts: 129
    Thanks for the review Jayson, its good to hear from people that have ridden the bike.

    Macman - Halfords dont do cyclescheme so the boardman is out (i looked at them and was impressed though).
  • mac_man
    mac_man Posts: 918
    nathanman wrote:
    Thanks for the review Jayson, its good to hear from people that have ridden the bike.

    Macman - Halfords dont do cyclescheme so the boardman is out (i looked at them and was impressed though).

    Bummer... have they stopped doing it now? i was under the impression they were involved in the scheme.
    Cool, retro and sometimes downright rude MTB and cycling themed T shirts. Just MTFU.

    By day: http://www.mtfu.co.uk
  • nathanman
    nathanman Posts: 129
    Macman - Halfords do a scheme but not the cyclescheme.co.uk one.
  • mac_man
    mac_man Posts: 918
    nathanman wrote:
    Macman - Halfords do a scheme but not the cyclescheme.co.uk one.

    Ah... ok.
    Cool, retro and sometimes downright rude MTB and cycling themed T shirts. Just MTFU.

    By day: http://www.mtfu.co.uk
  • Pudseyp
    Pudseyp Posts: 3,514
    The Giant it is then !!! :D
    Tomac Synper 140 Giant XTC Alliance 1
    If the world was flat, I wouldn't be riding !
  • nathanman
    nathanman Posts: 129
    Indeed!! I requested my voucher for the Giant this afternoon, only issue is that the voucher can take upto 4 weeks to arrive and Pauls will only reserve the bike for 14 days :cry: Im hoping it will come quicker!

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