hardtail/commute..

dazzametal

i`m looking to spend upto £650 on a new hardtail for use as my daily commute/general all round bike,i really like the ghost 1800 se 2011 model but just want some advice really as i dont wanna spend a fortune on a bike thats not up to the job,im looking for a reliable hardtail that i can use all year round than can take a bit of abuse and minimal maintenance.....any advice would be welcome thanks

redjeepǃ

I've got a Genesis Core 30 which I use as a general run around bike and commute on occasionally. However my commute is only about a mile through suburban roads so I could probably do it on anything.

I love the bike, I've just come back from a 70km spin on it this evening which was mostly on B- roads but took in a few forest tracks. I also use it for canal towpaths etc and like the fact that it feels like it will go anywhere and laughs at potholes. The only real difference to standard is that I put some slicks on it. Minimal maintenance, but I did replace the back wheel recently because it kept snapping spokes.

Obviously, it's not as fast as my roadbikes, and my main carbon bike feels like a motorbike in comparison, but it's probably my best all round bike and I feel that it doesn't need to be treated as carefully as my other bikes.

I'm not sure of the price as I've had it a while, but they do other lower spec ones. The other bikes that always seem to get a good write up are the Boardman MTB's from Halfords.

dazzametal

yeah genesis bikes seem to get very good reviews at the moment,i was also looking at a specialised crosstrail but again i dont know anybody who has one and if there any good

Aerozine50

Well I use a 2004 Rockhopper Disc that has been customised for Commute Usage.

I.e. roady tyres front and rear and keep the suspension on hard.

My housemate has followed suit and purchased a Boardman MTB for his commute. His only woe is that he does not like the 2 x 10 gear range offerred and prefers 3 x 9 in Shimano. It ried his bike, yes lovelly and light but the SRAM gears are a little counter intuitive compared to the ye olde shimano system and also I do prefer 3 front rings.

My advice, (but I am biased) is get a decent 2nd hand rockhopper or Hardrock off fleabay and then service and customise it.

Regards

Paul
(Stevenage)

jonnyboy77

I have a short commute on a Kona Cindercone which I got in the Evans sale last year for £450



- Jon