Advice for Old Schooler

MeMateDave

Back in the game after an extended period out and looking to purchase some new MB wheels and would like some advice.

Looking for a Hardtail XC with about 100m+ travel. œ600-700 new but can be 2006/07. Want decent gearset, XT/XTR, disc brakes and good light frame.

Used to ride a Cannondale and Kona but not sure what these are like thesedays but open to new ideas.

steelo

Have a test ride on a Specialized Rockhopper Comp Disc!

gravityengine

A few bikes worth considering...

œ650Trek 6500 disc(Manitou Slate Comp +Lockout 100mm travel, Double butted frame, Deore/XT gears, Deore Hydraulic brakes)

œ650 Giant xtc 3.5(xc, Rockshox Tora 302 80mm Travel + Lock Out , Deore Front & XT Rear mech, MPH 3 Hydraulic brakes)

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)

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El Capitano

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by gravityengine</i>

œ650 Giant xtc 3.5(xc, Rockshox Tora 302 80mm Travel + Lock Out , Deore Front & XT Rear mech, MPH 3 Hydraulic brakes)
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You could do a lot worse than one of these....[:D]

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Andy

As much as I hate XTC's the 3.5 is brilliant value for money. I would recommend this out of the four.

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by ddoogie</i>

an uber pimp XTC and a marginally less pimp Anthem sitting side by side.I like that a lot
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MeMateDave

Cheers, the Rockhopper and XTC are pretty close to what I'm looking for.

Anyone had experience with a GT Avalanche Expert 2006 - they seem a fairly good deal at œ650??

gravityengine

That's not a bad deal for the money.

A test ride is the best way to see which bike is best for you, do you have any local dealers where you could test ride the bikes you're looking at?

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MeMateDave

Yup am gonna head head to Evans tonight and try out a couple hopefully, like you said I guess its kind of personal choice whether they suit me really.

flubic

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by andrew156</i>

As much as I hate XTC's the 3.5 is brilliant value for money. I would recommend this out of the four.

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by ddoogie</i>

an uber pimp XTC and a marginally less pimp Anthem sitting side by side.I like that a lot
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

why dont you like xtc's

my xtc

http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1327938/

supersonic

Arent the current XTCs only 80mm travel as standard?


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Rockhopper_Ecosse

I'm biased, but from my experience i'd go for the Rockhopper. Excellent build quality and a decent spec with the obvious option to upgrade parts as you go. The Rockhopper certainly isn't a rare or exotic breed but it certainly does what it says on the tin, very well!