new bike - sub œ700

clemmo

Have recently completed the CLIC24 endurance ride on my old Scott and had a fantastic experience (despite the horrendous weather conditions!). I have now been infected with the mountain bike bug and need to buy a new bike due to the Scott just about giving up the ghost. I have managed to secure œ700 to spend and would like some advice on which bike to buy.

The kind of riding I'm interested in is similar to CLIC24 - lots of up's aswell as down's, XC/single track.

Any advice or thoughts?

Thanks,

Clemmo

tinytjf

You can get a Merlin Malt 2 for 650 or a Malt 4 for 750 and they will be some of the best specced bikes for that money.

www.merlincycles.co.uk

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Andy B

Just a few ideas....

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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clemmo

Have taken a look at the GT Avalanche Expert and this seems like a nicely specced bike for the price. Has anyone ridden one and got any comments?

Wolf

I have the Avalanche 1.0 and was well chuffed with it. The Expert seems a natural evolution improving all the main components. Nice (if heavy) forks, drivetrain and brakes. Loved my GT, it was a perfect singletrack machine, responsive and sure footed. Still, wanted something a bit more XC oriented and got myself the Marin, but would still trust the GT more on downhills.

Marin Eldridge Grade 07
GT Avalanche 1.0 07

Ticaboy

Clemmo,
I have a 2006 Expert, and it's been great so far. No component has failed, and the whole experience has been very good indeed. After changing the original Tioga tyres over to Panaracer Cinders, it's a whole new bike again - better even. Very comfortable and sturdy bike, even with 95kg's hanging off it!

GT Avalanche Expert 2006

adamskib

I hate to bang on about it but....
http://www.btwincycle.com/EN/Product_ar ... index.html

œ699 and you will get a bit of discount if you ask nicely!!

Mine is great, but then again I am new to this so possibly not stretching it's capabilities!!

Anonymous

The Decathlon bikes are up there spec/value for money wise with the Merlins

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Unknown

Some places doing the Zaskar Expert for 750 now.

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Unknown

Yeah with the 08's now being ordered were starting to clear out remaining stock.

Avalanche Expert :-
http://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/products. ... 1b0s2p1549

www.TritonCycles.co.uk
www.EppingHardCru.co.uk