Need a new mountain bike

[_rubinho_]

OK so ANOTHER bike has been stolen, after losing my Marin hard tail in 2010 I've now had my Kona One20 taken They cut a bike rack off a concrete floor with an angle grinder to slip off the very expensive and practically impervious lock and chain the cycle was secured with!

I'm pissed off but I never really got on with the Kona. As it was a replacement bike which I had to get from an approved supplier (Wheelies Direct, who were fking hopeless) I had limited choice so it certainly wasn't my first option. I got it in an 18" which felt too small so I replaced it with a 20" which felt too large. It was a heavy beast too.

Anyway, it was insured for £1000 for which I pay a £100 excess. My insurer, Barclays, say I have to go through Ival. I'm looking for a full-suspension for XC and trails up to around £1500 but preferably less. Any recommendations?

Has anybody dealt with Ival before. I tried asking whether I could speak to them and see what selection they had before deciding whether to make a claim but I was told I wasn't allowed. After my dealings with Wheelies before I'm not keen on using an insurer's "recommended supplier" and would much prefer £900 cash to spend in my own time in a shop I choose so I can get a good deal (rather than lining the insurer's pockets).

[_rubinho_]

That's what the bds did!

[Pulse]

Blimey, that is gutting! Do most of us have insurance for their bikes? I may need some for mine then!

[P-Jay]

I'd go for a Lapierre X Control or Zesty depending how XC or 'Trail Bike' you want to be. Although if you want a 26" wheeled bike you'll need to act fast, all their new bikes are going to be 650b or 29"

[CoolC]

Gutting. You have much higher security than I do in my garage. How did they cut through the bottom plate, angle grinder?

I don't really know enough to answer your question, so I'd just suggest going to local shops and seeing what "fits" and take it from there.