Best hardtail for about £800-£900(ish)

1980jj

Hi all, pretty much a noob to all this so looking for a bit of help, im looking a changing my bike, i know i want a hardtail, i know i have about £800.00p i know there are many names out there but im looking for some good old fashion value for money.
The bikes i have looked at are: be one aspire-http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=45900

cube 2011 ltd team:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=57169

then there is the normal specialized stuff about, GT, and also scott bikes, i dont really want to get caught up in the fashion parade of 'branding' but i do want a bike that i can take for a hack over the forest and not worry about shagging it on the first crash(if ya know what i mean?)

So if you can help me that would be great, biggest issue i have found so far is no body stocks be one bikes near me.(uckfield E.sussex)

Thanks all.

BeadyEyezzz

I'm looking at similar to you pal and I'm considering the following.....might not be much help as all I might be doing is clouding the picture further by adding more options!

Giant XTC 3 £990 reduced to £659.99
http://www.ashcycles.com/site/index.php ... ts_id=4633

Canyon Yellowstone 5.0 £739
http://www.canyon.com/_uk/mountainbikes ... tml?b=2052

Canyon Grand Canyon AL 6.0 £869
http://www.canyon.com/_uk/mountainbikes ... tml?b=2054

Canyon bikes look amazing value for money based on spec etc but they are shipped direct from Germany so you'll not find one stocked anywhere to try like the Be One.

Good luck......

supertwisted

I have an 11 plate XTC3 and for the money its a cracking bike. Despite its racey XC bike roots, its very competant on the rougher stuff. Took mine round Cannock recently and never felt underbiked even on the Monkey Trail's steeper decents.

It is a very lively ride mind, constant feedback and not the kind of bike you can just sit on through the rough stuff as it needs to be guided and lines chosen correctly. Thats probably true of most short travel hardtails though.

The Crossmarks it comes shod with are super quick, but quite quite horrific in the mud so you may need to budget for new rubber if you'll be riding in the winter. I changed mine after 2 rides for some Kenda Excavators i had spare.

BeadyEyezzz

check out the new Canyon for 2012...looks a beauty to me

http://www.canyon.com/_uk/mountainbikes ... tml?b=2539

:shock:

felix.london

That Canyon looks nice but I think I might add another oner & go for this;

http://www.cyclesurgery.com/pws/UniqueP ... CSBC0554WK

But only because I have a thing for Rockhoppers! - all the ones I've ridden just feel great and I know a 19" fits me like a glove. Also you'll have an amazing frame with a lifetime guarantee!

Espjamie

Hi, I have recently bought a 2011 Voodoo Bokor after a long and frustrating 2 months trying to choose something from the myriad of sub £1000 hardtails! I had my lbs set it up properly as I bought it still in the box and wanted it set up correctly, all in all it is a great bike and for under £700 an absolute bargain!!! After a few weeks on the trails (just as the wet weather set in) it is settling in beautifully, it's fast, agile, responsive and now the 140mm Epicons have the right air pressure it handles wet roots, rocks and thick gloopy Hampshire mud with ease. The satin white frame is far from bling, which is refreshing by todays standards and once dowsed in GT85 looks as good as new after each ride. Great forks, quality drive train/brakes and basic finishing kit make it a more than capable weekend hack and with such a awesome looking, great quality Joe Murray designed frame the upgrade potential is endless!!!! They have a 29er now as well!!!!

grenw

Winstanleys have the Cube Team in for £50 cheaper at £790 : http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... _Bike_2011

Just bought the Race version from them, delivered last week. £100 more but they only have it in small (16")

I looked around for a while - the Giants through Pauls Cycles, the Canyons and some of the Zaskars that Wiggle had on offer. The Cube seemed the better deal from what I wanted

1980jj

After much deliberation I have decided to spend my dosh on a cube ltd, seems like it will do what I want it to and for the money the spec looks awesome, thanks for the input from everyone.

Coolnick

For UK riding I believe the Genesis Core range are as good as anything at this price range. Maybe check out Boardman too.

lowcall

I have just picked up a trek 6500 2011 version for 850 on a price match from Evans.
I am new to this but after some research it looked to have a great spec and I really like trek bikes.

Matt88

At the price boardman seem unbeatable, the Pro HT for £1000 has a better spec than some £1500+ bikes.
The new 2012 ones are coming out with slightly upgraded brakes and bottom bracket.
Also, you could probably get it for at least £900, halfords have sales every few months and if you sign up to british cycling you get 10% off.

Linky- http://www.boardmanbikes.com/mtb/ht_pro.html