^OPM^

My current MTB is an 06 marin eldridge grade which has served me well over the years.

However thinking about letting it get through all the winter crap and then over winter buying a new bike preferably on the C2W scheme.

Been looking on CRC website and they have some nice bikes around the £1000 mark- a few i found below - any reviews on them?

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=75058 - Kona Kula Gold Hardtail Bike 2011 - always thought of kona's as good race focused bikes and no namby pampy features etc.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=75077 - Kula Deluxe MTB Bike 2010 - again a nice kona but 2010 model?

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=57167 - Cube Ltd race 2011 - a bit unknown but its a got a fox fork which my current bike has and i like them.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=67798 - Vitus zircon 1 2012 - again unknown bike think it may be CRC own make but good reviews on site, very low weight, and i like idea now of only 2 chainrings but its SRAM- unsure never had SRAM before?

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=72843 - Cube LTD Pro 2012 - another cube but no fox fork.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=66764 - Commencal Supernormal 2 Mens Hardtail Bike 2012 a bit of a wildcard choice slightly unusual styling on the top tube.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=75051 - Kona Kula Hardtail Bike 2011 - another kona but getting cheaper.

All damn good bikes i think but choices are hard.

The kona's don't tell you weights so unsure on that part.

For info i'm 5'8, consider my self a decent rider-good uphills not so good downhills, ride mainly trail centre type stuff but not the downhill courses obviously and like to ride hard and fast.

So views or questions please.

apac

iTrader: (2)

can you not get a hardtail Rockymountain for 1K?

^OPM^

Don't know-never considered one of them tbh-have you any links-found an old one for £1300

apac

iTrader: (2)

They are considered top of range maker of MTB's. Small outfit and not a 'catalogue' company . I have not got a link, just thought it worth mentioning in case you may want to look into further. Maybe a sale item on Chainreaction may bring one down on price?

P1Fanatic

C2W seem is not not worth it these days imho. At least if your company follows the rules about asset transfer cost at the end of the term and adding it to your P111D as a taxable benefit.

^OPM^

say again in english please

Ian E

iTrader: (1)

I've got a Kona Kula - bought it this year from Chain Reaction but its an 09 model - top bike, rides well and very light. I've had a number of Konas over the years and always rated them.

If you order from Chain Reaction and go via Quidco you get 3% cashback.

Cheers,

Ian.

^OPM^

Yes i rate kona's altho never had one just always rated them.
Only problem is there is no kona dealers in about 40 miles from me.

DYK

Someone on another bike thread mentioned Canyon bikes which are manufactured in Germany,the specs for the money are top on these bikes,and that's what i'm going for,when i'm not feeling in a stingy moment to spend some money,it is like three grand or just short of with are lovely VAT which you could buy an entry level bike for..

greenonedave

If you have been so pleased with the Marin why not get another ? I had a Marin and was so impressed with the quality, my next bike will be a Marin.

P1Fanatic

I bought bikes on C2W scheme for 3 years on the trot and each year they made it less attractive. To the point now where I would not bother personally. The govt have made C2W unfavourable unless your buying a sub £500 bike and are in the high tax bracket.

Littleted

http://www.orangebikes.co.uk/bikes/elite_pro/

always had them a bit out of your bracket but worth it if you do leisure lakes Interest free

I have
http://www.orangebikes.co.uk/bikes/five_s/

and and Orange E8 pro ltd edition

very UK centric, and very reliable, my brother whos a pro for specialized moved to orange as he liked them so much, he now has the 5s and Bloods

^OPM^

Surely even for a basic rate tax payer like myself and on a £1000 i still gain as i am surely saving the 20% tax on a £1000 and the national insurance on that sum also plus i get to pay it off over a year interest free?

Midlife......

iTrader: (2)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandsty...e-bargain-ends

Not the bargain it used to be, the final payment to my employer was £15 but I guess that will change.........

Shaun

GazTheHat

If considering Cube, i'd check out this site, they are well known and the bikes are much cheaper...

Cube Ltd Pro £818
http://www.bike-discount.de/shop/k18...-anodized.html

Ian E

iTrader: (1)

If you do decide on a Cube it might be worth waiting until September/October - Chain Reaction tend to sell off the current years models then. I paid £950 (list £1400) for a Cube AMS Comp a couple of years back.

stonefish

I just bought this one,, great bike absolutley loving it.. good price to
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/product...id=m1b4s2p3484

corradoboy

Don't know much about current bikes, but saw these two on HUKD recently....

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=55733

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=75107

^OPM^

mmm just read it and i see what you say-instead of paying like 5% of its value to company after the year which be £50 it may now be 25% which would be £250, which when added to the payments over the year is hardly a saving-more just like an interest free loan.

^OPM^

mm they are cheap-even cheaper then crc which tend to be cheap as well-think i need to find a local cube dealer to see bikes in flesh.

tony de wonderful

If I ever start cycling again which I doubt because of my back, but if I did I'd get a steel frame, maybe a five inch fork and build it as a single speed.

RB5 Boyo

I was looking for a new hard tail bike in May to get me into mountain biking a bit and after getting some advice from friends in the know, i bought the Kona Kula, last bike in your list above....





All i can say is im glad i listened to people who knew what they were on about....bike is pretty damm good to say the least, light as a feather and loads of great features on it like the hydraulic disc brakes which are bloody brilliant, recon rockshox front shocks with remote 'poploc' lockout and good Shimano wheels and loads more bits as well.

Really cant fault it, yes its last years model but that means nothing to me and it does everything and more i need it to, im out on it now every chance i get during the week and weekends too whenever i can

I had intended spending no more than £350 on a bike when i set out to buy, but im glad i went that bit extra and bought the Kona, well happy

And as far as CRC goes, they have to be about the best mail order company i have ever dealt with, unbelievable service and after care, although i didnt get the bike on mail order as they are local to me over here in N. Ireland, but for all other stuff i have bought since they are hard to beat!!

Kevin

Frosticles

iTrader: (1)

I have an On-One 456 carbon. Absolute dogs danglies. Great frame, rock shox revelation rlt 150mm front shocks. SRAM X9 gearing. Avid elixir 7 brakes with 203mm fronts & 185mm rears. Weighs 9.5kg.

Midlife......

iTrader: (2)

CRC as in Chain Reaction Cycles........ lost credit card details..

http://road.cc/content/news/33383-ch...rd-fraud-issue

They seem to have got it under control now but what a nightmare, just Google.

Shaun

Silverrally

iTrader: (3)

Very good bikes I'm on my 2nd

Dave Hedgehog

iTrader: (1)

The new charge duster was on some massive discount at wiggle.
Steel frame hardtail with 11 speed hub gears - a seriosuly nice bike!

markjmd

iTrader: (11)

You would hope so, after more than a year:

"Online retailer working "round the clock" to investigate by Mark Appleton on March 17, 2011 - 15:51"

^OPM^

How much did that cost and where from?

^OPM^

certainly looks very nice indeed

Frosticles

iTrader: (1)

Built it myself.

Carbon frame was £299
Rockshox Revelation RLT's were £300
SRAM X 9 gears - £200
On-One Maxel adaptable wheels - £200
Shimano XT crankset - £140
Avid Elixir 7 brakes - £200
Carbon bars - £120
On-One ultralight stem - £40
Stinger - £25
Bash Ring - £20
Selle Italia seat - £40
On-One Smoothie Mixer headset - £40
Schwalbe Tyres - £80
Stans No Tubes Kit - £55
On-One twelfty seatpost - £20