Help - which to choose??

neon_blue

Sorry for another 'what bike' question. Looking at getting my first seriousish bike through the works cycle scheme, bought my first 2 years ago (Claud Butler Cape Wrath) and unfortunately it died last year. Who knew that it wouldnt like black trails and drop offs :roll:

I have £600 to spend and have come across a couple of bikes that look okay. The problem is I need the bike to be able to tick a lot of boxes, bit of xc, a lot of trail centres, blasting down moutain tracks and occasionally playing about with smaller jumps and drop offs.

Saracen Mantra Trail http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Saracen-Mantra-Trail-Mountain-Bike-2013-Hardtail-Race-MTB_56733.htm £499

Genesis Core 120 http://www.comptoncycles.co.uk/m34b0s2p8659/GENESIS-Core-120-2013 £520

NS Clash 2 http://www.globalbike.co.uk/ns-bikes-clash-2-bike-2013.html?gclid=CM_p8ebi7rsCFc7JtAod7HIAdA £600

Would really appreciate any direction you can give, really like the loook of the Saracen but not sure how good the forks are...

Thanks

miceden

The forks on the Saracen are not all that bad... they are a darn site better than the XC32's on the Genesis which is actually the bike I would pick out of those three but with a view to upgrading some parts, specifically the fork, derailleurs & shifters.... the Core is the better frame out of the three in my opinion.

supersonic

I'd say the xc32 is the better fork.

chrisw333

If you've got 600 quid I'd get a Boardman from Halfords. You may have to wait for a sale or use British cycling discount, but you should just about manage on budget.

punkatron1

Go for the Genesis. Tough reliable bike. The NS looks like a real dog.

snowster

For me I would go for this if you can get your hands on one very limited stock but worth a try http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... &langId=-1

chrisw333

Thats a great deal snowster.

neon_blue

The Boardman and VooDoo Bizango 29er were the first two that I looked at and was ready to order the voodoo. Then I was informed that my employer is partnered with cyclescheme.co.uk and Halfords only accept cycle2work, I am majorly gutted. So now I am basically trying to get something close to them and in budget, not easy, the whole scheme thing is taking the fun out of it.

snowster

Ah ha i see actually the same problem last year so ended up buying a cube from paul's cycles great service and always great deals worth a try.

neon_blue

Gutted for you, how's your cube doing? Would you buy cube again?

snowster

Hi couldn't fault them, got myself a cube gtc sl 2012 model very nice to ride but its all about horses for courses and so so,but worth a look.