£700 budget what to get

[Cubist]

At 6'2" you could ride a large. Halfords and others seem to insist on sizing MTBs like Roadbikes. I am 5'11" with a 34 inside leg and ride a 17.5 inch hardtail, and a 19 inch full suss. As long as you aren't cramped, you can run a hardtail with loads of seatpost showing.

 

[Gazza1591]

I have tried the boardman in the 19'' frame and was to small, it just felt all wrong being on it. Or I would of had it for sure, and as for the canyon I'm not a fan of the looks of it. I like the look of the giant, and as you say it's now under budget, but if I can find better that will come in an xl frame and I like to look of it. I have no worries about going up to my original budget

 

[Gazza1591]

s this any good ?

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b1s2p3845/GT-ZASKAR-COMP-2012

 

[tigger]

s this any good ?

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b1s2p3845/GT-ZASKAR-COMP-2012

Looks pretty well specced for the money... would a 29er suit you better though?

 

[Gazza1591]

it may do but hard to find one i like in my budget that is not to bad spec wise aswell ?

im torn so far between the GT and the Giant

 

[tigger]

Found a Cube for you, need to add about £20 for shipping...

This one has to be a winner! 21 inch in stock, don't delay! Air forks the works...
http://www.bike-discount.de/shop/k1275/a78788/cube-ltd-29-black-anodized.html?mfid=41

 

[Gregcycle]

Found a Cube for you, need to add about £20 for shipping...

This one has to be a winner! 21 inch in stock, don't delay! Air forks the works...
http://www.bike-discount.de/shop/k1275/a78788/cube-ltd-29-black-anodized.html?mfid=41

I would go with this one gazza, it's good value and quite sexy actually!

 

[Hudsy86astley]

I bought this specialized 6 months ago 29er don't think the spec is amazing but I think it's a great all rounder n worth the money

 

[I like Skol]

If you like the GT you already have why not do something like THIS? For less than you are going to spend on a mid-range specced bike you could transform your current steed into an XT* equipped range-topper.

* Other groupset providers exist. Past performance is no indication of future potential... Blah, Blah, Blah!

 

[BigCam]

I'd look at Merlin's own brand...
http://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-malt-26-mountain-bike-65355.html
£25 over budget and out of stock, but an excellent spec.

 

[AndyRM]

What @I like Skol said. You've a decent frame there, and even if you don't have the knowledge you could factor in the cost of getting it stripped and rebuilt in a shop.

 

[tigger]

@Gazza1591 . So what did you get?

 

[KierenT]

Bought my son a Matts 500 (http://merida-bikes.com/en_gb/bike/2012/13/MTB Hardtails/Matts TFS 500-D ) last week - pretty well specced, and got it discounted down to £475 due to it being last seasons stock. Had a good plug through the mud, very quick on the steering; bit too quick for me, I'm used to a 29'er.

 

[Psyclist]

If you like the GT you already have why not do something like THIS? For less than you are going to spend on a mid-range specced bike you could transform your current steed into an XT* equipped range-topper.

* Other groupset providers exist. Past performance is no indication of future potential... Blah, Blah, Blah!

I was reading through not expecting anyone to have the same idea as me, until then.

I have an Aggressor frame which I'm going to build to a decent spec. You'd be able to upgrade the Aggressor to a nice sepc with £700. I'm getting a used Reba fork in vgc and drivetrain, hydraulic brakes etc. for mine and I have a smaller budget than £700.

So, +1 to Skol. Just upgrade the GT you have.