£600 hardtail, help?

LiamRooney

I've read the £300/£500 thread and felt it didn't really apply, hopefully I can get a little help and advice here!

I want to spend £600ish on a hardtail, I think I would prefer to buy new to be sure I get a good fit.

I'm 5'8" so i'm pretty sure that mean I should be looking into 26" wheels? I used to ride 26" but it's been about four/ five years since, and there seems to be way more 29" around (at least online) at the moment. I'll be using it for the typical singletrack that you'd find around the UK, forests, country trails ad anything else I can find. I used to be really into dirt jumping on a 24" and this means i'll probably be alright throwing it around a bit, so should I be looking for something fairly durable?

I have an evans cycles right by me so that's convenient, but obviously i'll be checking out the other shops around. These are what i've found so far, any more suggestions?


Trek Marlin 7 2015 - http://www.evanscycles.com/products/tre ... e-ec066115

Genesis Core 10 2015 - http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gen ... e-ec073908

Pinnacle Ramin 2 2015 - http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gen ... e-ec073908

I've just started with the ones that I see in my price range on here, any ore direction? Thanks!

Edit: I haven't had a chance to try the Bizango but I know they do two frae sizes and there is a good chance it won't fit me so well, what bikes should I bee looking at for similar specs for the Bizango but in a 26", how much would this cost extra??

Antm81

The 3 bikes you linked to are all fairly poor (the 3rd link is the same bike as the second but I looked up the pinnacle too)

Look at some of the offerings from halfords

For a 29er try the Voodoo Bizango, it's consistantly won awards

At 27.5/650b I'd be looking at a Carrera Fury or one of the boardmans (the board an is a little over budget but with British cycling membership you can get 10% off)

For 26" look at the Voodoo Hoodoo, again a good bike (better than those you linked to from Evans, particularly the fork) and right now way under your budget.

The Rookie

Don't overlook the Rockrider 8 series bike either, 26" but very well specced.

At that height there are plenty of 29ers that would suite you just fine.

buddy_club

Another vote for a Voodoo Bizango from me, i love mine.

LiamRooney

I got the impression that the ones on Evans we're the best I could get but I thought i'd do a little research, I will get to a Halfords then to check out the Bizango so see if the sizing is alright! Any others worth noting?

The Rookie

Evans can't usually compete at this price point.

LiamRooney

I haven't had a chance to try the Bizango but I know they do two frae sizes and there is a good chance it won't fit me so well, what bikes should I bee looking at for similar specs for the Bizango but in a 26", how much would this cost extra??

The Rookie

Have you looked at the Rockrider, better specced than the Bizango and a 26".

beski

Frame size & geometry will be more important regarding fit than wheel size. Best to try a few for size/fit