hard tail for work and play

bonusbeat

looking for advise, i am able to purchase a bike using the www.cyclescheme.com facility.

which to buy: marin rocky ridge, orange crush, saracen zen 3, norco manic and the likes.

i need to use it to get to work as the missus gets the car, 15 miles round trip(at the moment i use my Giant AC2 good fun but i bit hefty).

what do you all think would be the best choice, any other bikes would be considered, i would like to take it down to the tress and inners xc track without killing it.

can you help.

bonusbeat

also thinking of swaping the parts from my AC on to B-52 rocklobster.

really steep and scary-my mum told me not to try!!
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/194/5036 ... e40a_b.jpg

scgt

the forks are probably a bit long for the rock lobster frame. out of the bikes you suggested id go for the norco last as its probably a bit excessive, the marin looks good. you could buy a commuter bike for the ride to work?

dave_s

Up to you really, swopping parts onto a new frame is a decent option if the components are in decent condition.
If you've got 150mm forks then they certainly won't be too long for a Mythic Scirocco or DMR Exalt frame.
Other all-rounder frames to consider would be the Santa Cruz Chameleon or Cove Stiffee FR. I'm not sure about the new models of these but my 03 Cove Stiffee feels spot on with around 130mm travel setting on my Rockshox Pike 409s.
Other notable mentions would go to .243 Racing hardtails and Kinesis Phase if you want a solid hardtail but the SC Chameleon and the Cove Stiffee probably have the edge on them.

The B-52 is Easton RAD tubing like the Cove and the Mythic but is alot cheaper than either of those frames so is definitely worth considering if you like the colour of the B-52 that is.

As an all-round hardtail complete bike package it's hard to beat the Marin Rocky Ridge but you could save yourself some serious cash by swopping bits off your bike onto a new frame if you're generally happy with key components such as forks and brakes.

bonusbeat

thanks guys, i have just seen the Pha5e and i like the look of it. i am still unsure which to plump for, my LBS can build me a complete bike using the Pha5e frame, Hone groupset inc wheels from merlin and fox 140r for a grand and still use the cyclescheme to pay for it. it seems like a good deal to me any opinions....

really steep and scary-my mum told me not to try!!
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/194/5036 ... e40a_b.jpg

bonusbeat

hi, just an update, pha5e frame broke the bank, so it is either a b-52 or dmr exalt.

really steep and scary-my mum told me not to try!!
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/194/5036 ... e40a_b.jpg

dave_s

Out of your choices then I'd go for the B-52 for sure.
Easton RAD tubing is the decider on that one, the DMR is a basic cromoly frame so the B-52 would be a better bet in the long term.
I do notice on Merlin's site that they only have 14" and 16" B-52 frames available so it might be worth speaking to them if you're a tall person because those frames might be too small.

I know it's alot more money but keep these other frames in mind if you want to keep your bike for a long time
Mythic Scirrocco
Mythic Viento
Santa Cruz Chameleon

bonusbeat

many thanks, but only 5' 10" so i think 16" should be ok, only prob is i prefer the look of the exhalt, i have looked at the others but their costs are prohibitive. but must decide by wednesday.

really steep and scary-my mum told me not to try!!
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/194/5036 ... e40a_b.jpg