Hard Tail or cheap FS bike?

mm94210

I somehow deleted my previous post while trying to edit it, so I apologise for posting again. Thank you to those who have offered advice and suggestions already.

I am looing for a bike for my brother. Initially he was dead set on buying a cheap FS suspension bike as close to 1k as possible but up to 1.5k at an absolute maximum. The two main contenders were:

Calibre Triple B (£1300 with discount): https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/15905428/calibre-triple-b-mountain-bike15905428

or

Vitus Mythique 29 VRX 2020 (£1519.99 with discount): https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-mythique-29-vrx-bike-sx-eagle-1x12-2020/rp-prod182815

Out of these two the consensus seems to be to go for the Vitus.

However, I think I have managed to persuade him that he might be better going for a HT. We ride mainly blues at trail centres and visit Dartmoor, Exmoor for all day rides. Initially he was dead against it, however, after looking in to it a bit more he thinks it might make sense. Again he would look to spend as close to £1000 as possible potentially up to a maximum of £1500.

These are the HTs that I have suggested to him.

Ragley Marley 1.0 2020 (£1299.99): https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ragley-marley-1-0-hardtail-bike-2020/rp-prod188246

Vitus Sentier 29 VR 2020 (£1099.99): https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-sentier-29-vr-bike-sx-eagle-1x12-2020/rp-prod181520

Nukeproof Scout 290 Race 2020 (£1099.99): https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/nukeproof-scout-290-race-bike-deore-2020/rp-prod183330

A further option is the Vitus Sentier 29 VRS (£1399.99): https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-sentier-29-vrs-bike-xt-slx-1x12-2020/rp-prod181533

In many ways this one looks like the best option. However, I am wondering if he is better off going with the VR and saving himself £300 for some kit.

Do my choices make sense? Have I missed any choices and if so which ones do you guys think offer better value for money?

Many thanks again.

steve_sordy

I bought my grandson a Ragley Marley 1.0 for Xmas last year. It was kitted out differently to the one your link takes me to, so my comments are a bit restricted. What I can say is that the geometry of the bike is designed to put the bike in harm's way. The quality of the design, frame construction and the fit out quality is superb. Not for nothing is Ragley one of the "most wanted" bike brands.
This is not an XC bike, it is for someone who can rag the ar$e off it on rough trails.

mm94210

steve_sordy said:

I bought my grandson a Ragley Marley 1.0 for Xmas last year. It was kitted out differently to the one your link takes me to, so my comments are a bit restricted. What I can say is that the geometry of the bike is designed to put the bike in harm's way. The quality of the design, frame construction and the fit out quality is superb. Not for nothing is Ragley one of the "most wanted" bike brands.
This is not an XC bike, it is for someone who can rag the ar$e off it on rough trails.

Yeah, thanks for that.

After looking into the Ragley a bit more myself it does seem that it is not the right bike. The more I think about things the more I am coming to the conclusion that a HT is the way to go. Problem is that it needs to be up to the trail centre stuff (as far as possible) and suit the longer rides across Dartmoor too. I am half tempted myself to get a HT the way things are at the moment. I remember that you gave some really useful advice before I purchased my own current bike (a T130 CR). I really do love it but I must admit that it is being wasted the way I am using it during the lockdown and it may well be that actually get a HT for myself. The problem is which one to go for.

steve_sordy

Ragley for you something else for him.

mm94210

steve_sordy said:

Ragley for you something else for him.

I am super tempted I must admit. He is most likely going to go for a Nukrproof Scout but has not yet decided on which spec yet.