Mountain Bike Buying Advice

[danleather]

Hi, can anyone help?

Im currently interested in 2 hard tail mountain bikes - GT Avalanche Expert and Norco Fluid 2 (both 2020 models).
Im mainly interested in using it for bike rides on trail and pavement, as well as the occasional commute, so would want it to be able on both well.

If anyone has nay advice I would greatly appreciate it as im to of touch with mountain bike spec and things.

Thanks

 

[rivers]

What kind of trails? If it's a bit of single track, towpath, and gravel, no need for a hard tail. A gravel or hybrid that can take wider tyres will suit you fine and be a bit faster on the pavement/commute. I've taken my gravel bike on blue rated (so beginner) MTB trails locally in bristol and on Ben Nevis up in Fort William, plus loads of single track, bridleways, etc.