Best hardtail under £1k??

[DjSki]

Looking for a new bike to replace my aging Cannondale.

Looking for something light and good looking with as many XT components as possible.

Have been looking at Merlin Malt 4 and Rock Lobster Tig.

Any other recommendations??

W0uld love a Marin Indian Fire Trail but too much money.

DOon't want another Cannondale.

Cheers, Guy

[snotrag]

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?...

Possibly the best specced and lightest hardtail for a grand - the Scandium frames great too. People may be noticing a recurring theme in some of my posts but they really are very, very good.

[WildCards]

Hang on, where's Mk1Fan? Ahh, he's not about, in that case i'll say the Boardman Pro -> http://www.boardmanbikes.com/

You didn't hear it from me though, awight?

[prand]

For Scandium -

Revolution Shadow Mountain (Edinburgh Cycles)
On-One Scandal

But my personal choice (because I now own one, as my Cycle-2-Work scheme wouldn't let me have one of the above) is the Boardman MTP Pro.

500km and I'm still very happy!

[mk1fan]

Using the vagaries in the OP I think you're looking for an XC machine? I'd look at the Boardman and the Revolution. Edinburgh have also released anew range below the Scandium bike too which is worth a look. You'll get an Orange P7 too but they're heavy. The Commencal Combi is worth a look (HT not the FS) too. But the Rock Lobster is a great machine - repeatedly winning awards and tests.

TBH you'd do well to find a bad bike. I'd root around your LBSs and sit on a few. See what's comfortable and then compile a short list.

As an aside I will shortly get round to writing a thread listing out what to consider / look for when buying a bike. Similar to the sticky in the Biker forum.

I'm touched you're missing me WCs ;-)

[WildCards]

mk1fan said:

I'm touched you're missing me WCs ;-)

I miss basking in your glowing aura of legendness!
Way OT but when are we going to get a ride in then? All recent PH get-togethers have been binned at the last minute.

[Pikey P]

Iv got a 06 Orange Crush. It puts my old Zaskar to shame. highly recomended.

Edited by Pikey P on Friday 4th April 13:11

[dubbs]

The lightest hardtail you'll get will be a Carbon Specialized S-Works. Mate of mine has one built up very light.

Depends on how much effort you put in - you'll save a few hundred grams by going XTR and more by careful selection on wheels.

I'm just building up an Ibis Mojo which will be full sus but lighter than my hardtail by the time I've finished :-D

[snotrag]

dubbs said:

The lightest hardtail you'll get will be a Carbon Specialized S-Works.

For a grand!? Where!

Unless you mean in general. In which case, there are many bikes that could be lighter than a factory Carbon S-works Stumpy.

[mk1fan]

The lightest mtb currently is the Dave Hinde Olympic model. But the build cost is waaaayyyy over a grand.

OT - Will post up our next Wales trip details once we've organised them.

[dubbs]

You'll need to build it up but the frames can be found occasionally on ebay secondhand - other option would be the ally version which, being an s-works, is still built with lightweight in mind.

Only thing with a lot of the superlights is the longevity of parts and frame bearing in mind they're built for racing on really.

Always fancied a titanium litespeed myself :-)

[GHW]

Pikey P said:

Iv got a 06 Orange Crush. It puts my old Zaskar to shame. highly recomended.

Edited by Pikey P on Friday 4th April 13:11

And I've got the 07 version



Perfect for when gravity's on your side - a bit too much of a big heavy monster for XC though (imho).

Edited by GHW on Saturday 5th April 00:21

[DjSki]

Been to Merlin, the Rock Lobster it is going to be, still undecided on spec though. Seems amazing value compared to other bikes.

Re Scandium frames I have read some things on frame manufacturers websites about the life of the material that sounds like they are suited more to racers who replace their bikes frequently.

Cheers for all you comments

[mk1fan]

I think you've made a good choice in the Rock Lobster. I'd be tempted with the '853'.

[mat205125]

Read the April MBUK £1000 hardtail review yet?

Loving the Orange Crushes above

[choc]

saracen have a nice carbon framed beasty for about a grand (if you dont mind having a saracen sticker on your bike that is)

[rhinochopig]

Kinesis frames are very good. I have the basic one and it's a superb ride - not at all harsh like a lot of Ali frames. Chainreaction used to do a deal complete bikes.