Ahh. The choice. (Hardtail for ~£1k)

Yacoby

I have about £1k to spend as was looking at a hardtail, in essence my first "proper" mtb.

I am not hugely sure exactly what I want, although I am not that interested in having something XC racy as at present I am riding up hills to go down them. I mainly ride the Pentlands (local hills to Edinburgh, isn't exactly that challenging), Trail Centers and the Peak District when back from Uni.

I was looking at the Genesis 26.4 and the Whyte 901 (Both of which I can get 10% off at Edinburgh Bike Coop as they price match). Something that would inspire confidence on the downs and would happily do small drops, etc.

However, I have a quandary:

Someone recommend the Kona Kula Deluxe 2009 (£850:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=75087) which is obviously far far better spec for less money although from reading the review on BR, probably not what I want. (Although people think it is an excellent bike and suggest I get it) and I can't give it a test ride. Canyon etc also do bikes that look excellent value compared to the local bike shop offerings.

So:
* To what extent is better spec worth it? I haven't ridden anything decent so I know I probably wouldn't notice for example Recon vs Reba as I have never tried the Reba.
* How much difference is there between 100mm and 120mm suspension in terms of uk trails.
* How much would you value being able to look over a bike and at least give it a quick test ride before buying.
* Should I just buy what my heart (at present) tells me (901) and screw the specs per price.

delcol

parts wareout and can be replaced/upgraded when they do.. all parts eventually wareout..

if i was you i would go for the bike that you set your heart on that way you will use it.. instead of getting something halfhearted just because it looked better on paper and had better forks ect.
and probablyend up not liking it and not using it...

supersonic

Someone recommend the Kona Kula Deluxe 2009

Is a great bike, but:

although I am not that interested in having something XC racy

In essence, the Kona Kula is an XC bike.

* To what extent is better spec worth it? I haven't ridden anything decent so I know I probably wouldn't notice for example Recon vs Reba as I have never tried the Reba.
* How much difference is there between 100mm and 120mm suspension in terms of uk trails.
* How much would you value being able to look over a bike and at least give it a quick test ride before buying.
* Should I just buy what my heart (at present) tells me (901) and screw the specs per price.

Depends on the models of each, are various. 100mm of well controlled travel is better than 120mm of poorly controlled. Test riding is a good idea for fit and feel.

The 901 is not the best spec for the money, a Genesis Core 50 from last year is a better on that front, but has slightly steeper geometry:

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... _Bike_2011

But if it is a tough bike that favours the downs, with great kit and the best fork for this money, then the Voodoo Wanga:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... 65499#tab2

jaymodunn

try the wanga at halfords, then check ebay if you like it. I have seen brand new unused ones going for 450 -550 in the last few months.

How about a cube cc?

supersonic

How about a cube cc?

I am not that interested in having something XC racy

jaymodunn

supersonic wrote:

How about a cube cc?

I am not that interested in having something XC racy

racy is a very subjective word, the cc is not described as racy, more marathons, touring on single trails. In my eyes at this price range most bikes are designed for speed.

supersonic

Speed on the downs, flats, or up? There is no doubt the Whyte, Voodoo and Genesis are a different type of bike from the Cube with the geometry and forks, and are other bikes the same. Not all are XC bikes at this price!

Yacoby

Cheers for the suggestion