£1000 Hardtail

[Normodog]

Hi All,

I'm looking at moving on from my 2011 Cube Attention. It seems things have moved on quite a bit since then.

I'm looking to spend a max of £1000, looking at reviews it would seem like some sort of voodoo bizango would fit the bill? Is this right?

I'm not 100% sold on 29 inch wheels, I had a go on a friends Marin full sus 29er and it just felt long and vague. However this is more than likely just that bike.

I don't want to be buying something that's out of date right away so should probably go 29 inch.

Things still look quite limited stock wise, unfortunately I take a Large frame so quite a common size to sell out.

I've looked at the bizango and also a whyte 801, I assume either of these will be suitable for trail centre type stuff I ride?

[LordHaveMurci]

Bought both my kids a Bizango during lockdown, mainly due to the great reviews.

Personally I’m not a fan of 29’s, I’d look for a used Whyte 905 as new as you can find in budget.
It’s what I’m tempted to do rather than repair my 21yr old Cannondale!

Look at the Vitus Sentier too.

Edited by LordHaveMurci on Saturday 22 October 22:00

[Percy Cushion]

Have a look at the Cube Attain.

[dai1983]

Can get a ragley Marley from crc/wiggle in a large or medium for 750 but is

Comes in a really nice green colour and a similar spec to the slightly more expensive base Sentier. Has a 23mm shorter seat tube and 0.5 slacker HA as well.

It's a 27.5er though

Edited by dai1983 on Sunday 23 October 00:19

Edited by dai1983 on Sunday 23 October 00:24

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Used Genesis Tarn 29er.

[Golfgtimk28v]

I've owned a few cubes and think my first was 2009. I've bought very expensive stuff and cheaper and the bike I ended up keeping was a 300 quid Go outdoors Calibre. Spend a bit in upgrades but really rides well

[Ambleton]

Keep an eye on PlanetX clearance section for a Whippet with the fork upgrade.

If you sign up you get a 10% off voucher too

Got my GX equipped bike for about £1k with forks and absolutely love it.

Edited by Ambleton on Sunday 23 October 15:50

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Byronwww said:

Have hard tails really moved on that much?

I have a 2013 Scott Scale 650b, I've only tried a canyon exceed CFR to compare it to and didn't feel much different to me - larger wheels and tyres made it feel a bit more sluggish if anything, fork was a lot plusher though.

I wouldn't say moved on I'd say changed.

The trend now is for awful flip flop steering slack angled forks etc.

Great if you are on a steep rooted British Columbian back country trail but when most of us are basically crap riders it's daft when most of the riding is undulating, climbing or flat here.

[Evanivitch]

Boardman MHT8.8 and money left over for a dropper post.

[Birr97]

dai1983 said:

Can get a ragley Marley from crc/wiggle in a large or medium for 750 but is

Comes in a really nice green colour and a similar spec to the slightly more expensive base Sentier. Has a 23mm shorter seat tube and 0.5 slacker HA as well.

It's a 27.5er though

Edited by dai1983 on Sunday 23 October 00:19

Edited by dai1983 on Sunday 23 October 00:24

Another vote for the Ragley Marley, rides great and it's really fun. Head angle is a good compromise for riding steep trails and pottering around on the flat.

[Ambleton]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

The trend now is for awful flip flop steering slack angled forks etc.

Great if you are on a steep rooted British Columbian back country trail but when most of us are basically crap riders it's daft when most of the riding is undulating, climbing or flat here.

Agreed!

That's why I like my Whippet. Round here it's mostly flat woodland trails. Bit of up, bit of down, but no long abusive descents. The HA on the Whippet is very upright and it's blisteringly agile. My pal rides a sloppy all mountain bike and described it as twitchy.

Point it at an ascent or a flattish trail through and it's very very fast.

[Normodog]

Cheers all I'll take a look at the bikes mentioned.

I prefer an agile bike as I'm not fast enough to take advantage of a slack 29er, so to me they just feel a bit numb and boring.

Looks like I'll be able to get a better deal with a 27.5 as less people want them.

[missing the VR6]

I'd be looking at Ragley if pos, I've an Mmmbop and the geo is awesome. We had a Marley on order for my fiancé but due to continuously moving delivery dates ended up spending twice as much on a full sus in stock elsewhere. Have a friend with a Blue Pig and he's a big fan.

[AshyS3]

Just bought a Vitus Sentier 29VR from Chain Reaction Cycles

was the best spec for the cash I could find

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-sentier-...

[adamlstr]

I have a 2020 On-one Scandal, and have done about 2500 miles on it since May 2020, it's very compliant and feels exceptionally planted... those miles being a 50:50 mix of road:trail.

https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBOOSCGX/on-one-scan...

The latest model is a touch over budget at £1199, but currently has a 20% discount code 'SCNGX20' available...

[stargazer30]

As mentioned Planet X or a boardman would be a good shout.

Stuff to look for
29r
1x drive train
hydraulic brakes (you be hard pushed to find cable brakes on a mtb these days)
Air forks if you can. If the fork says "suntour XCM" run!

[Normodog]

Unfortunately due to the cycle2work scheme my workplace runs I was pretty much limited to either halfords or tredz.

I've ended up going for a bizango as it seems to get universal praise from the mags and had the best spec for the price. Will fit a dropper post and upgrade the tyres at some point.

[LordHaveMurci]

Normodog said:

Unfortunately due to the cycle2work scheme my workplace runs I was pretty much limited to either halfords or tredz.

I've ended up going for a bizango as it seems to get universal praise from the mags and had the best spec for the price. Will fit a dropper post and upgrade the tyres at some point.

I thought they did a higher spec Bizango now that came with a dropper?

[Normodog]

LordHaveMurci said:

I thought they did a higher spec Bizango now that came with a dropper?

Comes with a better fork but no dropper I think. Also not in stock anywhere and painted hearing aid beige.

[S6PNJ]

Normodog said:

LordHaveMurci said:

I thought they did a higher spec Bizango now that came with a dropper?

Comes with a better fork but no dropper I think. Also not in stock anywhere and painted hearing aid beige.

You bought the Pro, not the Carbon? If so, yes, hearing aid beige (I have one also) but no dropper as standard.