What hardtail for £1200?

Curleyboy
Curleyboy Posts: 27
edited November 2013 in MTB buying advice
Hi folks. Im after a new hardtail and thought this would be the best place to ask for advice. My budget is up to £1200. Anyone any ideas where I should start? My ride at the moment is a Specialized Rockhopper Disc 2006, so Im not altogether new to the bike scene but Im out of touch with whats available for that sort of money. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Gordon.

Comments

  • passout
    passout Posts: 4,425
    I think you need to provide more info on the sort of riding you intend to do in order to get meaningful advice.
    That said, I've just ordered one of these: http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... _2012_Bike
    For hardtails also check out on-one.
    'Happiness serves hardly any other purpose than to make unhappiness possible' Marcel Proust.
  • kajjal
    kajjal Posts: 3,380
    I bought a Specialized Carve comp (now called crave comp) this year as I was after a fast XC mountain bike to replace my previous Orange hardtail. I have really enjoyed riding it and is has handled everything I have thrown at it well.
  • Polf
    Polf Posts: 64
    Not sure what type of riding you are wanting to do. If you fancy ramping it up a bit. This would be top of my list.

    http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=h ... CDIQ9QEwAA
    Yeti SB95
    Nukeproof Mega AM 275
    On One 456C

    "Never trust a man who, when left alone in a room with a tea cosy, does not try it on"
  • Curleyboy
    Curleyboy Posts: 27
    My riding is mostly on gravel/dirt/cycle tracks. More distance than technical. The Rockhopper has been ok but its getting on a bit now (7 years old) and would cost a fair bit to change the bits that are worn. Also a 29er seems to appeal for less rolling resistance.
  • passout
    passout Posts: 4,425
    The aforemntioned bike would do it but this may interest you if you are after a 29er: http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FBOOLRCAB/o ... ntain_bike
    'Happiness serves hardly any other purpose than to make unhappiness possible' Marcel Proust.
  • Curleyboy
    Curleyboy Posts: 27
    Well things are happening fairly quickly. Been into my shed this morning to find my lights water damaged. Batteries are finished as well (leaking). A hole in the roof at the back has gone unseen for some time. Its also damaged my Shimano cycling jacket. Im now having to reassess my budget. Looking like a bike at a bit less than I thought. £200 for lights and £60 for jacket now means my budget is £900 to £950.
    Just having a squint around on the internet, I can buy a CUBE LTD 2014 29er for £899. I have had a short spin on one before and the fit is excellent. Am I right in thinking this would be an ok buy? The spec seems reasonable.
    Can I also thank those that have given a few reccomendations for bikes which are now unfortunatley out of my price range. I wasnt expecting this.
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    No need to spend 200 on lights plenty of good options for a quarter of that.
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  • Curleyboy
    Curleyboy Posts: 27
    For some reason I find that if I buy cheap lights I end up buying twice. I quite fancy a set of Magicshine lights. They seem to have a decent write-up. My last set were made by Cateye, were expensive and survived about 4 years. Obviously lighting technology is moving on and I want something thats not just a flash in the pan setup. Chinese copies are leaving their mark with a few people by not being up to the job. The lighting thread on here is good but someone reccommends one, then thats put in its place by someone who has had a poor experience. Unless you can specifically point me in the right direction?
  • passout
    passout Posts: 4,425
    This would be a solid (if not exciting) choice, good value: http://www.realcycles.com/m1b0s311p4605 ... le_30_2013
    'Happiness serves hardly any other purpose than to make unhappiness possible' Marcel Proust.
  • Curleyboy
    Curleyboy Posts: 27
    passout wrote:
    This would be a solid (if not exciting) choice, good value: http://www.realcycles.com/m1b0s311p4605 ... le_30_2013

    16" only!
  • Woody80
    Woody80 Posts: 324
    Curleyboy wrote:
    For some reason I find that if I buy cheap lights I end up buying twice. I quite fancy a set of Magicshine lights. They seem to have a decent write-up. My last set were made by Cateye, were expensive and survived about 4 years. Obviously lighting technology is moving on and I want something thats not just a flash in the pan setup. Chinese copies are leaving their mark with a few people by not being up to the job. The lighting thread on here is good but someone reccommends one, then thats put in its place by someone who has had a poor experience. Unless you can specifically point me in the right direction?
    The ones off eBay for about £25 work brilliantly. I've used mine for the last year and it's been faultless. You can always run 2 just in case you're worried about one failing. Can't see a reason to spend more. Spend the budget on the bike instead.
    Bludgeon
    Cider Rider
    Missile
  • passout
    passout Posts: 4,425
    Curleyboy wrote:
    passout wrote:
    This would be a solid (if not exciting) choice, good value: http://www.realcycles.com/m1b0s311p4605 ... le_30_2013

    16" only!

    True, but you could be a short arse for all I know! :D They do have some other decent offers on other 29ers though.
    'Happiness serves hardly any other purpose than to make unhappiness possible' Marcel Proust.

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