Hardtail for £600-650

[Fenrir]

I've got a little more free time on my hands than usual, and I've been taking the bike out a bit more. It's perfect mountain biking terrain around here, and I've been enjoying it immensely, but my bike is a 25-year old Saracen. It weighs twice as much as modern bikes, the brakes aren't as good as they once were, the chain rings are worn down (and one is even slightly bent), it has no front suspension and it wails at me if I stick it on the highest gear. Now, all these problems can be solved by throwing enough money at it, but when that's all done I'm still left with a 25-year old bike, and, well... things have moved on a bit.

So, I want a new one. Thing is, I know very little about buying bikes. I'm looking to spend £600-700 at the very most on a bike that'll last me a good many years and will cope equally well with roads and trails.

I visited a couple of bike shops this morning - a Trek specialist and a Specialized... specialist

, and was impressed with some of the models in particular (Trek 4500, Specialized Hardrock Pro, Specialized Rockhopper), but there was one piece of advice in common: they advised not to buy a bike until I'd tried it. Now this may seem like common sense, but there aren't a huge number of bike shops around here and they all seem to sell Trek and not much else, which is all fine and dandy - both my parents have Treks and love 'em - but I'd love a bit more choice, so what are your thoughts on buying bikes online without first having tried them? I'm thinking in particular of the Merlin Malt 1, which everyone seems to rave about, but Lancashire is a good long way for me.

Thanks for putting up with the wall of text, I always write too much

 

[Cyclist33]

Try before you buy. The Hardrock Pro is ok..

 

[Cubist]

Boardman Comp.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_777747_langId_-1_categoryId_165499

 

[pubrunner]

I'd take a look at a Merlin Malt.

I purchased a bike from Merlin Cycles a few years ago.

I found the company very helpful and easy to deal with.

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+...ikes/Merlin+Malt+1+Bike_MERLIN-MALT1-BIKE.htm

 

[Fenrir]

Yup, that's one of the bikes I've been looking at. I've heard great things, but having sat on a few more bikes this afternoon I now realise why people advise to try before you buy... also I'm not too impressed with their website, the specs are VERY frugal.

At the moment, I'm leaning towards the Specialized Rockhopper. I found a 2011 model going for £599 as they're bringing out the 2012 model, so I'll probably pick that up in the next couple of days unless I find something stunning... took it for a spin round their carpark (I know, great way to test a MB, right...) and it was very comfortable

Cubist, I'll pop down to Halford's tomorrow morning and have a look at the Boardman comp. Trouble is I'm damned if I can take Boardman bikes seriously after those godawful cheesy TDF ads

 

[007fair]

I've got a little more free time on my hands than usual, and I've been taking the bike out a bit more. It's perfect mountain biking terrain around here, and I've been enjoying it immensely, but my bike is a 25-year old Saracen.

I have a 23 year old Saracen A Tuff Trax in bright yellow!

 

[Angelfishsolo]

At the moment, I'm leaning towards the Specialized Rockhopper. I found a 2011 model going for £599 as they're bringing out the 2012 model, so I'll probably pick that up in the next couple of days unless I find something stunning... took it for a spin round their carpark (I know, great way to test a MB, right...) and it was very comfortable

My concern with that bike is the 80mm forks.

 

[Fenrir]

From what I gather 80mm vs 100mm seems to be a matter of personal preference - smoother ride vs sharper handling. Not having had a bike with suspension before, I don't really have a point to compare from, so I don't see how this can really affect my buying choice.

On the other hand, I've found plenty of threads about people sticking 100mm forks on Rockhoppers without a hitch, so that MAY affect my buying choice.

Had a look at the Boardman Comp this morning... seemed very much the same as the other brands I looked at, but it being Halford's didn't get a chance to try it. I can't see myself buying it over the cheaper options I found, though.

Thanks for the feedback, all!