The £1000 bike Saga

theonlyzane

Hey guys, its been an awful long time since I last posted but wanted some of your thoughts on a new hardtail to beat the dirt into submission.

Well my the place I work has decided to introduce a Cycle to Work Scheme, the plus side is within 40 miles of Me, I have a lot of pretty well respected shops selling a mass of different stuff. The issue for me is its so hard to choose something, but based on specs I have got it down to the following, I currently have the following 4

Scott Scale 960
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/scott/scale-960-2013-mountain-bike-ec042326

Lapierre Pro Race 229
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/lapierre/pro-race-229-2013-mountain-bike-ec043331

Cube LTD Pro 29er
http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/p/9355/cube-ltd-pro-29er-hardtail-mountain-bike-2013

Cube Ltd Pro
http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/p/9439/cube-ltd-pro-hardtail-mountain-bike-2013

Saw my local store today and they have mentioned about Genesis but I am underwhelmed by them, the frames look good but componentry looks crap, Boardman are also a big blip on my radar but I am looking for local dealers at the moment.

The biggest thing for me is groupsets, I'm looking for a minimum of SLX rear/Deore front I know absolutely nothing about SRAM but heard although they are good they are a tad less refined and a bit clunky.

Just wondering what SRAM was like and if anyone has any advice on the above bikes or bikes that are available via B2W schemes.

Thanks in advance.

coulddobetter

Personally like the sram x9 set up.have had shimano xt in past. Sram has a very positive click into place, doesn't drift once indexed. Have you considered boardman mountain bike pro ?

theonlyzane

Been looking at Boardman's, Halfords and only a small local dealer are near to me and the scheme that my employers have joined doesn't include Halfords..

But yeah they are certainly a good option.

kammybear

I have a LTD Pro 29 and very happy with it.

The Boardman Pro is a very good SRAM alternative though.

chrisw333

A lot of people on here tend to knock SRAM, but in my experience the X9 kit on my old bike performed better than the SLX / XT mix on my new one.

louthepoo

There are a few dealers within 40 miles of telford, bridgetown cycles in cannock is one that has more of a choice.

theonlyzane

Finally got to speak to Bridgetown.. WoW wont be speaking to them again, "we only stock Trek cos they rock and generally everything in generally crap"

Seen the 229 and LTD Pro 29er over the weekend.

Now for the next 2

http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/p/9904/whyte-629-29er-hardtail-mountain-bike-2013
http://www.bikes-n-gear.com/trail/whyte-805-hardtail-2013.html


Both seem pretty good got a few minor niggles but I can sort that, any thoughts on these 2?

rockmonkeysc

Forget the group set. Anything from Deore/X7 upwards is good.
A good fork will make a much bigger difference to how the bike rides.

The Rookie

Just to be clear, does your employer use a scheme, if so which one?

You won't get a Boardman unless they use halfords which may well rule out some of the others!

How about http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-83-id_8239457.html

As for SRAM, some people prefer them, some don't, I have SRAM on my commuter and Shimano on the MTB and am happy with both.

appy

RockmonkeySC wrote:

Forget the group set. Anything from Deore/X7 upwards is good.
A good fork will make a much bigger difference to how the bike rides.

Spot on

theonlyzane

Got a grand to spend on a horse now, but I'm kinda struggling, I ideally i want a 29er but the right 26er will be fine, but I'm worried about what I'm getting.

Been looking at Boardman but just can't warm to them..

Anyone got any bikes around a grand that they would highly recommend?

cooldad

You do know that a horse is a big smelly thing with bitey teeth.
And a bike isn't?

The Rookie

The Rookie wrote:

Just to be clear, does your employer use a scheme, if so which one?

You won't get a Boardman unless they use halfords which may well rule out some of the others!

And.......

briefcasew

Having pretty much been a specialized fan for years (rockhoppers/stumpjumpers) I bought a Genersis Mantle 29er. It's been great and I can do everything i did on the stumpy just a little quicker. the Mantle 30's got a pretty decent spec and you can always upgrade over time. Frame is great. Paid £893 at UK Bike Depot on line with CycleScheme. Posted out voucher on Tuesday and bike arrived on Friday - great service.

coulddobetter

The 2020 Boardman is going to be good .....might as well wait for one !

Shinoke

coulddobetter wrote:

The 2020 Boardman is going to be good .....might as well wait for one !

Wassah? Got details?

I was about to get a Boardman HT pro, got my 1k letter of collection ready, but heard a new one is coming out soon...

coulddobetter

Sorry look at the date , 2020 will be the year op finally decides on a bike at this rate .

theonlyzane

Well I got fed up of getting messed around with my employers C2W policy.. so ended up getting a Cute Reaction GTC Pro 29er.


Pretty sweet ride, had it for about a a week now and love it.. just the small worry of frame cracks that I have heard about but will deal with it if it happens.