New bike - hardtail / sub £1k

redmonster

Hi all!

I'm looking to upgrade my Specialized Hardrock and have made the following shortlist of bikes. I would love to hear any advice and opinions you may have on these.

Usage: I want a bike that will stand up to a fair amount of sustained abuse riding XC / downhill trails in the worst of British weather. I will also commute on this from time to time - but don't really want/need to spec it by that usage.

Budget: Looking for something in the £800-£1000 range (a number of the bikes below are on clearance). FWIW I am looking to purchase under the Cycle to work scheme .

Also - as I'm new to the game, if somebody could help enlighten me on the component hierarchy (i.e. Shimano XTR > XT > SLX > SRAM X9 > X7 > Alivio etc) I would be very grateful indeed!

My shortlist so far:

Corratec X-Vert S CA 0.2 http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=75512
Kona Kula Gold http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=75058
Kona Kula http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=95439
Marin Nail 2011 http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... _Bike_2011
Commencal Supernormal 2 http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=66764
Corratec X-Vert S 01 2012 http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=75503
Ghost HTX Actinum 7200 http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=55700
Corratec X-Vert S 02 2012 http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=75504
Scott Scale 50 http://www.evanscycles.com/products/sco ... 1#features
Scott Scale 60 http://www.evanscycles.com/products/sco ... 2#features
Trek 6300 http://www.evanscycles.com/products/tre ... e-ec030271



Thanks in advance!

supersonic

SRAM and Shimano are two different companies, with their own heirarchies:

Shimano: XTR-XT-SLX-Deore-Alivio

SRAM: XX, XO, X9, X7, X5 (plus a new XX1 11 speed groupset).

Is often hard to compare direct, and many of the lower parts perform just as well, especially with derailers.

All these bikes will serve you well. However some are better value than others, especially those Corretecs. The Trek is the back end of the group.

Of course, sizing makes a difference - try if you can.

brokenbanjo

Have you had a look at the 2012 Pinnacle Iroko two? I have one and absolutely adore it. It's handled everything I have thrown it at and I've always had a big grin induced by it. Just a thought. Can get one for £960 now from Evans.

Benjo74

I'm in a similar position - looking for a new hardtail for the same budget. I was looking at the Pinnacle that brokenbanjo mentions. It seems like a good deal and good spec (for what I can gather - I'm no expert) but I just can't get past the colour.

cooldad

Benjo74 wrote:

I'm in a similar position - looking for a new hardtail for the same budget. I was looking at the Pinnacle that brokenbanjo mentions. It seems like a good deal and good spec (for what I can gather - I'm no expert) but I just can't get past the colour.

Does it clash with your lipstick?

Benjo74

cooldad wrote:

Benjo74 wrote:

I'm in a similar position - looking for a new hardtail for the same budget. I was looking at the Pinnacle that brokenbanjo mentions. It seems like a good deal and good spec (for what I can gather - I'm no expert) but I just can't get past the colour.

Does it clash with your lipstick?

I know. I'm vain :oops:

Barrelmaker

That pinnacle is well specced. As for the colour, the lairier the better (says one who rides a drab grey and white bike), see if you can't see one in the flesh. It's a beefy looking frame and the orange really suits it.