I've got a Specialized S-works hardtail for racing cross-country, and an Epic full suspension bike. The epic is heavier and put me off riding it initially, but since I've been riding it I don't like using my hardtail anymore!

You should go and test an Specialized Epic or FSR 120, lots more fun to ride than a rigid bike.

I've got a Specialised S works M4 hardtail and its wonderful. I have never ridden a full sus bike though.

My Marin MV is way OTT for what I use it for now but it still gets a half decent run out pretty much every week.

Full Sus bikes are rubish on the road m8, theyre terrible, theyre really only for downhill, thats when they come into theyre own. Great if you do alot of Offroad.

/ian

and road bikes are useless for off road :) full sus isnt just for downill even xc racers use it but its a personal choice, i know i'd never go back to hardtail and if i want to ride on a road i use my road bike :)

I could really do with getting another MTB for winter etc, but I'm sooo out of touch with what to get or not to get now.

Last one cost me nearly 4K, but I don't want anything near that kind of ball park probably 1k I guess, I'm guessing the 2006 bikes will be out in a few months so hopefully pick up a good deal on a 2005 model

4K :o:o:o
bit on the pricy side mate,
I was thinking sub 1k , can't justify big wonga on a push bike, when the duke need maximum cash input.

red...

:o

I built my Canondale about 4 to 5 years ago. It cost me about £4000 back then. But thats when I was super fit and always on the podium of the XC races.:lol:

Ahhhh , the good old days. When I was 2 stone lighter and had a resting heart rate of 41 beats per minute.;)

oh and I USED TO SHAVE MY LEGS....................Let the flaming begin.;):lol:

DC:burn:

What you want is to get sponsored then you don't have to pay for bits :)

Mind you they are not always the makes you would choose yourself but its far better than paying for stuff :)

Also had some benefits that a few years after giving up I was able to sell all the old stuff on ebay and make enough cash to buy trick bits for the Duke :lol:

DC - Yeah I remember those days of being thin and fit... its just a wild dream these days :(

or have a job where you get given loads of stuff to test....

that sounds a familiar story, I keep convincing myself i could be as fit a I used to be when racing if i did train :) the 15 years in between haven't really slowed me down :)