What new bike Hardtail or FS (with links)

600stu

I have a Claude Butler Cape Wrath DD 2006 which has done the job since new but for the last two years every time i replace something i think about getting a new bike instead...

The riding i do is occasionally trail centres but mostly singletracks and a small amount of downhill (nothing serious).

my max budget is £1k.

I've read some of the 'what bike' threads on here and haven't seen a hardtail that i like enough to justify the £1k but i do like the look of the On-One carbon 456 here:
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOO456CEVO ... ntain-bike

Also this one:
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOO45650BX ... ntain-bike

For the FS i really keep going back to the Giant Anthem X2 mentioned on other threads:
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s1p494 ... M-X-2-2013

So, questions:

For the kind of riding i do, would i get the benefit from the FS to make it worth the extra weight?
My claude butler is ally framed, would i feel anything majorly different with the steely or carbon hardtail?

The Rookie

The steel 456 frame weighs pretty much the same as the Anthem frame (2.6 v 2.7Kg), so I wouldn't let the weight of the frame put you off if you are seriously considering the steel 456.

The Carbon 456 frame isn't to everyone's cup of tea, quite a few owners and reviews mention how harsh it is, very direct.

Of the three I would say the Anthem best suites what you ride, but consider the Parkwood as well http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOOPWX9/on ... ntain-bike

rockmonkeysc

The carbon 456 is only harsh compared to other carbon frames. It's not as harsh as the steel 456.