giant xtc composite or canyon grand canyon slx al 7.9

Sta81

hi guys..im after a new hardtail and considering my budget i'm between a giant xtc composite 2 2013 and a canyon grand canyon al 7.9 slx 2014..canyon costs 1300 euro while the giant is on sale at 1500 euro...specs and components are pretty much similar with the biggest difference being the frame..
canyon: https://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbike ... ab-reiter2
giant: http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bik ... ifications

do i really need a carbon frame or not? im not interested in racing, just want a decent bike to hit the trails around my area..i've read good things about the giant's geometry and frame, but then there's something about this canyon that makes me go back and look at it at the website..and for some unknown reason i think to myself that an aluminium frame is more suitable for brutal use in the mountains..any advice? thanx

Mr Dog

Firstly can I say I'm no expert given most of my time is spent on the road now. However I have an Anthem X4 which I use mainly for fun and winter training. It's a great bike. However I also own a Giant carbon hardtail,CFM1,which is over 20 years young. Rode today and it still handles like a dream, is so smooth ( the forks are shot and the rims are about to blow ) but the frame is alive and if I had the choice again I may have went for an XTC rather than the Anthem. Giant make good bikes.