Which mountain bike for under £1K

Posted in Mountain Biking

I have the go ahead to buy a new bike! I have done my time on a heavy old bike and spend the last 3 years on a £30 hardtail. This has stopped me wanting to enter some adventure races, trailquests or even enduros.

After much internet searching I have narrowed my search down to a few bikes.

merlin malt 4 First up is the Merlin Malt 4. A sexy bike, race ready and UK specific i.e it can handle mud! If you have been out on some of the trails recently round Yorkshire you will realise the importance of this.  I am really struggling to see any cons to this bike at all? Great reviews, cool white looking and would also be a reasonable all dayer.

rock lobster sl Second choice is from the same company, much the same kit but a different frame. The Rock Lobster Tig Team. A hardtail with great reviews. Slightly heavier than the Malt but maybe a  bit more robust and more leaning towards an all dayer than you can rag around than a racing steed. Initially I was looking at the steel frame but with none in current stock, the  smooth look of the black frame and the comments on forums then the Easton frame it is.

Now these are my two favorites, but there is more in contention.

The Edinburgh Cycles Shadow Mountain is another keen choice. They are bringing oput an 09 model shortly and the kit cannot be sniffed at and it is a keen looking lightweight bike. It would probably not hold value well but with the kit spec then the possibility of just swapping out frames is a possibility. A lot of bike for your money but can I wait?

Others I thought of but I think I have now discarded are the Scott Scale 50. I feel the spec ain’t great and I am paying for name. GT Zaskar is another that is a sexy bike but I cannot help feel that I prefer some of the others I have mentioned.

Can anyone else think of other options for a speedy xc bike that is suitable for racing, but also suitable for speedy trail riding?

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6 Responses to “Which mountain bike for under £1K”

  1. mick Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 8:00 pm

    Orange P7, a classic steel for £999
    http://www.orangebikes.co.uk/2009bikes/bike.php?model_id=92

    I know it’s greedy but I’ve got two (orange P7s that is).

    mick.

  2. kateC Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 8:28 pm

    i think the best thing to do is test ride as many as you can

  3. Anthony Says:
    February 9th, 2009 at 2:30 pm

    Hi Mick, Good to see you are reading! My mate has an Ornage P7, two may be a bit greedy though? Will give you a shout when I get the bike, maybe a bit of midweek riding when the weather is a bit better?

    You at noonstones? Running much at the moment?

  4. Anthony Says:
    February 9th, 2009 at 2:32 pm

    @kateC rode afew friends, soon wrote off full suspension. Rode a steelie and wrote that off. Now tried the two bikes from Merlin and reckon the black Rock Lobster is the way to go.

  5. James Says:
    February 24th, 2009 at 8:26 am

    I recently took delivery of my 2009 Rock Lobster from Merlin (aluminium). I am blown away at how nice it is to ride for a hardtail (I’ve just come off at full sus Commencal Meta 4). I think you’ve probably identified the difference between the Malt 4 (more race focused) and the Tig Team (more compliant, slightly heavier, all day trail bike). Either would be a great bike, so long as you choose the one that suits your riding.

    The other option you may want to look into are the Boardman bikes. Updated for 2009, and probably the best spec at the price out of any bikes. Geometry is probably setup more towards a trail bike than XC race bike. Very light weight.

    http://www.boardmanbikes.com/mtbht/ht_Pro.html

  6. Anthony Says:
    February 25th, 2009 at 6:40 pm

    Hi James, yes I got the difference between then two, went down to Merlin to have a proper look the other week. Both got same geometry its just the malt is a fraction lighter and fancy tubing. Bloke in the shop basically said it comes down to which one you like the look of the best. Reckon I will go with the same as yours, glad to hear you are liking it!

    I did like the Boardman, but just not quite sold on them.

    You still ride the full suss or you converted?

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