WHAT hardtail 2009?

supersonic
supersonic Posts: 82,708
edited September 2009 in MTB buying advice
Below is a selection of what looks like will be popular choices for 2009 based on spec and past models. As many people are aware, the price rise in manufacturing has led to increased prices and down speccing - but compare what is on the bike rather than just the model name. Same advice as always: go and test them out, make sure it is right for you. the list will be updated as more models arrive, and are reviewed.

Please do not ask questions in this thread: if you have specific questions about a bike or bikes, be best to start a new thread in the appropriate section. However feel free to add your reviews of these bikes or suggest ones for the list.

UNDER £300

Decathlon RockRider 5.2 - £230: sets the budget standard with quality aluminium frame, adjustable forks, great 8 speed shimano gear and very competetive weight.
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/rockrider ... -48722203/

Giant Boulder - £230: Giant keep the same formula as last year to again bring affordable XC quality to the beginner market.
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-GB/bik ... 449/32673/

Summer Skye - £300: specially designed for women, this bike combines a good frame and wheelset and a damped Rockshox fork - unheard of at this price.
http://www.summerbicycles.com/Bikes/Skye.html

£300-£500

GT Avalanche 3.0 - £330: perennial budget favourite gets a sleeker looking frame mated to 100mm forks and cable disc brakes.
http://www.gtbicycles.com/gbr/eng/Produ ... ture/#5726

Cannondale F6 - £400: no discs for this, but superb quality lightweight frame and Rockshox forks make for a great entry level XC machine.
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/can ... e-ec016563

Mongoose Tyax Super - £400: not only have Mongoose managed to spec a rebound adjustable fork, but have shoehorned in hydraulic disc brakes, SRAM X5 gearing and a smattering of alloy components for an unbelievable price.
http://www.mongoose.com/mtn/ProductDeta ... d=2701&enc

Genesis CORE 00 - £470: follows last years formula and puts parts where they matter: controlled fork, great wheels and tyres and dependable Shimano hydro discs.
http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bike/core_00

Specialized Hardrock Pro - £500: goes on a diet this year, with lighter frame and forks. Hydro discs, Specialized hubs and Shimano Octalink cranks adds durablity.
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... e-ec016014

£500 - £800

Merlin MALT1 - £525/£582: latest MBUK test winner offers unbeatable spec for the money and great ride. Limited outlests so testing can be harder.
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=produ ... egoryId=39

GT Avalanche 1.0 - £550: new frame for 09, but keeps the smooth and stiff fork, hydro brakes and 9 speed Shimano with the latest SLX rear mech.
http://www.gtbicycles.com/gbr/eng/Produ ... ture/#5717

Commencal Combi Disc: £600: manages to combine a decent 9 sped SRAM gearset with Avid brakes, but still finds room for the new lighter Tora SL fork.
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/com ... e-ec017311

Cannondale F4Z - £750: highlight is the superbly finished frame, while the rest of the components are proven favoutites.
http://www.cycleworld.co.uk/product/180 ... White_2009

£800 - £1500

Specialized Rockhopper Expert - £850: M4 tubeset builds into a light, great riding bike whilst the Recon and Avid SL kit with Shimano XT gear boosts performance and drops weight.
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... gn=froogle

Ornage Crush - £1000: hardhitting hardtail sports a stiff and strong frame, long travel fox forks and burly wheelset for your hardcore offroad antics.
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Orange-Crush-Mo ... _21372.htm

Marin Rocky Ridge - £1125: highly regarded long travel hardtail gets the new stiffer 15QR Fox forks for 09. Beautifully made and light frame and a selection of sturdy parts complete a tough but light all round trail bike.
http://www.marin.co.uk/2009/bikedetail. ... No=3972-1F

Scott Scale 40 - £1270: Scotts racy XC flier mates a smattering of the latest SLX kit, lightweight kit and Fox RL forks to a very light alu frame.
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/sco ... gn=froogle

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE, ESPECIALLY IN THE CURRENT SITUATION WE ARE IN AND MAY NOT BE 100% ACCURATE





MORE TO FOLLOW!
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Comments

  • BlackSpur
    BlackSpur Posts: 4,228
    Link to the Mongoose doesn't work. So far it looks like a good list - possibly add Carrera Vulcan and Kraken?
    "Melancholy is incompatible with bicycling." ~James E. Starrs
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    The way the code of this site chops things off. I'll try and sort it.

    Carerra not released 09 stuff yet.
  • Dan67
    Dan67 Posts: 658
    cube attention and analog seem a good buy to me aswell if not more so than some of the others
  • Daz555
    Daz555 Posts: 3,976
    The Mongoose links only work if you drop the last "=" and all the text after that:

    http://www.mongoose.com/mtn/ProductDeta ... d=2701&enc
    You only need two tools: WD40 and Duck Tape.
    If it doesn't move and should, use the WD40.
    If it shouldn't move and does, use the tape.
  • Eranu
    Eranu Posts: 712
    Agee with Dan the Cube's are definately worth a look.

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=30539

    The Attention looks well specced for sub £500 with 9 Speed drive train and a XT rear mech.
  • man this sucks all the manufacturers have put their prices up!
    i've been planning to do the cycle2work thing spending 700max ish to get a good boke for the price now i'm left with not so much for the money.
    i've been looking at:
    genesis core 20
    merlin malt 1
    gary fisher
    all about the same price i just need some advice to help see whats the best for the money
    ta
    Gomez
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Eranu wrote:
    Agee with Dan the Cube's are definately worth a look.

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=30539

    The Attention looks well specced for sub £500 with 9 Speed drive train and a XT rear mech.

    I'll put it in, but I don't like the bike: fork from a 200 quid bike.
  • Eranu
    Eranu Posts: 712
    I wasn't sure about the fork either to be honest, but the rest of it is good, all bikes have their weak points :)
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    My mantra with budget bikes is always get the best fork you can, as it defines the ride more than any other component. But the rtest is good value as you say, and if you are going to upgrade the fork anyway, is a viable choice.
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    I see Halfords are about to release new Baormans and Carreras. However I will not add any to the list until the Halfords website shows a FULL spec list.
  • jat 08
    jat 08 Posts: 21
    It may not be an 09 bike but the revolution triad 1.0 is a whopping good bike for it's price, 799 pounds (my pound sign doesn't work). Plus i have been told the price on it will be rising next year because of the credit crunch so it would be a great christmas buy.
    :wink:
  • guilliano
    guilliano Posts: 5,495
    How about the Giant Terrago for £475? Ridgeback MX5 at £425 (?) ish....
  • Bikerbaboon
    Bikerbaboon Posts: 1,017
    for hte bordman bikes have a look at hte bordman web site may be more up to date....... Dont think that much is changeing apart form the price :cry:
    Nothing in life can not be improved with either monkeys, pirates or ninjas
    456
  • muzza31
    muzza31 Posts: 19
    how about a orange crush.. good rugged hard core harttail. comes in toxic orange as well.
    rip it up like crazy.. feel the burn...
  • tc1471
    tc1471 Posts: 5
    09 hardrock

    great bike awsome service from specialized. and there already available
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    The Hardrock Pro is in.
  • honcho
    honcho Posts: 1
    i was thinking of getting a felt q220, my first mtb any thoughts on this bike £255
  • Any views on the rockhoper 09?

    I realise that they have simplified [dropped the spec] across the line but are they still the HT to buy?
  • Still a good bike.Last years was particularly good for the money.The current one is still good but has a downgraded fork in the Dart 3.I`d go up to the Comp (last years`s disc) and get the benefit of the Tora.
    Can`t really go wrong with a Hopper.Decent frame,well worthy of upgrading,and always hold their value well when you come to sell it on.
    2006 Giant XTC
    2010 Giant Defy Advanced
    2016 Boardman Pro 29er
    2016 Pinnacle Lithium 4
    2017 Canondale Supersix Evo
  • the newboy wrote:
    Any views on the rockhoper 09?

    I realise that they have simplified [dropped the spec] across the line but are they still the HT to buy?

    Got an 08 comp coming for my birthday £749 reduced to £575 as said you'd need to go for an 09 Expert at £849 for the same spec - whatever the spec was last year you will get less in 09 for the same money , so either you'll have to up your budget or get an 08 bike(hurry going fast!)
    2010 Specialized FSRxc
    2011 Giant Defy 4
  • ro63rt
    ro63rt Posts: 59
    This years rocky ridge for the money you cannot beat for the money & it got the best review in MBUK!
  • No tests or reviews, but the new Univega 2009 range look very interesting.
  • paulfitz
    paulfitz Posts: 103
    Hiya guys,

    Im really limited to shops that I can use (cycle-plus) and I have the choice of:

    Hardrock Pro Disc (£500) http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... e-ec016014

    Avalanche 1.0 (£550)- http://www.gtbicycles.com/gbr/eng/Produ ... ture/#5717

    Kona Blast Deluxe (£550)- http://www.bigbillsbikes.co.uk/index.ph ... _id=474487

    Scott Aspect 20 (£550)- http://www.birkenheadcycles.co.uk/produ ... m1b0s2p199

    Giant XTC 4 (£550) - http://www.stonehengecycles.com/product ... iant_xtc_4

    Trek 6000 (£550) - http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/mo ... ies/6000e/


    Ive read a lot about the GT and Hardrock, and had a go of both. The HR was a couple of years old but impressed me, and I suppose what I like about it is that it just feels a proper solid bike.
    I do prefer the 08 avalanche over the 09, but ive only heard good things bout the GT, especially the review on here and what you guys all say...

    However I know absolutely nothing about the Kona, Scott, Giant or Trek?????
    Can anyone help with info/comparison on any of these please? Are they not in the list because they are not good enough, or because they havent been looked at yet?

    Spec wise what is the best of these bikes? Is the GT, Kona, Scott and Trek better than the cheaper Hardrock?

    Thanks for any advice guys, it will be very much appreciated... oh and sorry for hi-jackin this top drawer thread (cheers supersonic- great help mate).

    Paul.
    <a><img></a>
  • kuddly
    kuddly Posts: 12
    Has anyone seen the Bianchi MUTT 7700 I think its got a XT groups set for £1000. I fancied an Orange P7 S (buy the bike with the cycle to work scheme so limited to £1000) but the spec on the bianchi seems to good to dismiss although the Orange is £100 cheaper with probably a better frame.
  • got a focus killer bee, the best 800quid I've spent.
    struggle to find better value for your money
    63 miles to go and the break is up the road
  • easyg
    easyg Posts: 266
    Hi Sonic,

    Surely, the 2009 Marin Rocky Ridge has to go in there, poss in a 1k+ category?? (Not that I'm bias or anything)

    Is the 2009 Orange Crush out yet? if so that must be worth covering in your list too?

    Great work as always mate.
    "If you think straight enough, you can see round corners"
  • Paulfitz,you could make a case for any of those on your list.All good bikes,the Kona and Giant in previous guises have won MBR mag`s annnual dirty dozen (test of entry level bikes).
    I have an XTC and love it.
    There is a test of £500 bikes in this months MBUK.Merlin Malt 1 came out on top,over Hardrock Pro,Trek 4500,Scott Aspect,etc,mainly by virtue of its better spec.
    Most of the bikes did OK,and it is becoming increasing difficulat to get a bad bike.
    2006 Giant XTC
    2010 Giant Defy Advanced
    2016 Boardman Pro 29er
    2016 Pinnacle Lithium 4
    2017 Canondale Supersix Evo
  • paulfitz
    paulfitz Posts: 103
    Cheers spidey,

    Its lookin like im gonna go for the HR Pro Disk now... gonna wait till after xmas and see what discounts there are.

    :twisted:

    Cheers for the heads up on that Dirty Dozen test... will have to take a gander at that.
    <a><img></a>
  • Might be a link to some of the tests on the MBR website,but I assume youv`e found the reviews on the homepage here?
    Sometimes there are magazine reviews on the manufacturers own sites.(Only if their bike did well,mind!)
    Not sure you will get a better deal by waiting til after xmas.Most bikes are reduced in August/ September to make way for the following model year,though there are loads of 2008 bikes still around.In the case of the Hardrock,though,I`d take the 09 model.
    2006 Giant XTC
    2010 Giant Defy Advanced
    2016 Boardman Pro 29er
    2016 Pinnacle Lithium 4
    2017 Canondale Supersix Evo