New hardtail advice pls œ800 dying to be spent

PhatPig · June 2007

Hi folks,

My workplace has loaned me œ800 interest free - int that nice of them ;o)for purchase of a shiny new (has got to be new as part of the contract/agreement & i need to provide receipt)bicycle.

Basically I've gotten really out of touch since before disk brakes came onto the scene & have not a clue what the money will get nowadays.

I'm looking for a rigid frame as I intend to do a hell of a lot of riding on road but also want something that will be good for some decent off roading.

2 bikes have been mentioned to me above others:

Kona - 2007 Caldera
http://www.wheelies.co.uk/bikesNew/bike ... plier=KONA

Giant 2007.5 XTC 2.5
http://www.wheelies.co.uk/bikesNew/bike ... lier=GIANT

Any thoughts about these? Can you recomend any other hardtail bikes for the price?

Thanks in advance

gravityengine · June 2007

A few more bikes to think about...

œ750 Merlin Malt 4 (xc/trail, Magura Odur forks with remote lockout, Full Deore groupset, Magura Julie Hydraulic disc brakes)

œ750 Specialized Rockhopper Comp Disc (xc/trail, Rock Shox Recon 335 Sl 100mm, Deore Front & XT Rear mech, Avid Juicy 3 Hydraulic Disc Brakes)

œ800 Orange P7 (Long travel xc/ trail, classic steel feel, Tora 302 U-Turn Lock Out 130mm, Deore Front & LX Rear mech, Avid Juicy 3 160mm Hydraulic brakes)

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Rob_D_13 · June 2007

Specializd Rockhopper Comp Disc
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=22167

Casts Are really Itchy

Squillinossett · June 2007

Id go with the Malt 4

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rubber side up · June 2007

Instead of rigid forks, why not look at something with lockout. will be much more comfortable if you do any riding off road [:)]

<hr noshade size="1"><center><blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by EvilAlex

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<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></center>www.mtb-bitz.co.uk - Bitz for you & your mountain bike. pinkbike

PhatPig · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Squillinossett

Id go with the Malt 4<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

It does look interesting, what would make you go for that one above the others?

PhatPig · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by rubber side up

Instead of rigid forks, why not look at something with lockout. will be much more comfortable if you do any riding off road [:)]<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I thought all of the bikes linked to had lockout (not that I know what it is - I have much to catch up on) except the Kona & the Specialised or have I missed sumat??

gravityengine · June 2007

PhatPig, I think RSU misread your 1st post, you said you wanted a rigid frame, I guess he thought you meant a rigid fork!

Lockout locks the fork (or allows minimal travel).

The Merlin is a very good bike for the money, British manufactured (The frame is Taiwanese, but 90% of frames are so don't worry!). The only downside being that unless you're willing to travel to Merlin you can't test ride one.

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PhatPig · June 2007

Ah, right okay.

I don't care about test riding them, something for œ90 in Halfords would feel better then what I currently have.

At fear of sounding really dim - what makes the Merlin good value? Is it that the frame is better quality/lighter? or do they use better parts? or is it just the company rep in general i.e Merlin bikes are the dogs danglies so always go for above all else?

Thanks for all your help

Squillinossett · June 2007

good parts for money - very well built - Guys at merlin are great, very good after dales service.

i have bought alot from them and cant reccoment them enough

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PhatPig · June 2007

Right, I think Merlin wins then.

Thanks again for your help guys

Squillinossett · June 2007

np, Id go wit hthe Odur Forks if it were me buying it as well!

And for œ45 more you can upgrade the groupset to XT - would make it œ800 as you wanted, œ45 well worth spending

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Squillinossett · June 2007

and if you can push to œ835 708 can get the below spec

MERLIN MALT 4-07
GROUP UPGRADES - GROUP UPGRADES: Deore group/Magura discs upgrade to XT F&R mech/shifters œ45
FORK UPGRADES - FORK UPGRADES: Magura Odur œ0
RIM UPGRADES - RIM UPGRADES: XC717 silver rims & spokes œ0
BAR, STEM & SEATPOST - BAR, STEM & SEATPOST: Easton EA50 riser bars, stem & seatpost œ40

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PhatPig · June 2007

Doh - missed the upgrades at the bottom of the page, certainly very interesting. If my bank contains the extra œ40 after the loan has gone in I'll get both the XT & the Easton upgrades otherwise i'll just settle for XT

New hardtail advice pls œ800 dying to be spent

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