Mountain bike, 26"/650b, £1000?

[Jody]

Why not pick a short travel FS if you want something comfy.

 

[Crackle]

You can have a stiff back end. My FF29 is very stiff and when coming from my cro-mo Marin I noticed it immediately. It has advantages and disadvantages but can be mitigated by position on the bike, you soon adjust, tyre choice and pressure. The main thing I noticed was not my teeth rattling, after all, it's a hardtail but the back end skipping and chattering more. Changing to a grippier tyre, lower pressure and learning to keep my weight back compared to my Marin solved it. I wouldn't spend any time dwelling on that aspect of the review.

 

[fossyant]

There is a massive choice.

Don't forget to consider Boardman. Blooming fabulous value. The HT is a 29er and the FS a 27.5.

I am massively impressed with my FS Pro for a grand.

 

[fossyant]

What about BTWIN. Some crackers in their range. The 920/740 have a huge spec.

 

[3narf]

You get an awful lot of bike for your money with the Bird's and can build to the spec you want. Fossy beat me to it but I wouldn't question a harsh rear end on something without suspension. Other than flexy stays I don't see how it can be anything other than harsh

Hmm... It is possible if the frame is well designed. My Orange is quite compliant but my wife's Hardrock Sport (c. 1990) could definitely be described as being at the harsh end of the spectrum! It is a very small frame, though, which must have a bearing.

 

[3narf]

Why not pick a short travel FS if you want something comfy.

I definitely want an HT. Even if I did buy a full suspension bike, I'd still want a hardtail!