Mountain Biking - A new frame or a new bike?

Those of you who've read my previous post will know that I've recently got back into biking after not riding since 1995.

Obviuosly things have changed a heck of a lot, I bought a hardtail GT from Halfords with a good if basic Deore spec at a very good sale price. The idea being I'll see how I get on if I really enjoy my riding I'll upgrade. Thing is I am a little old fashioned and to me hardtails were still the daddy of all bike designs and disc's brake's are really only for racers. I now realise I was wrong and its going to cost me big time to upgrade to a bike that will suit the style of riding that I do the most of.

My problem is basically this, I bought a new handbuilt wheel set (not cheap) but I did not get disc hubs cause I thought I'd never want to upgrade to disc's. My riding style is a mix of XC with light Downhil and Freeride, so I would also like to get a Full suspension frame. But most FS frame are disc only and that is going to make the option of building my own bike (which appeals to me a lot) very expensive

So I have 3 options buy a complete bike on 0% credit which I would rather not do. Buy a second hand bike, or hopefully find a FS frame that excepts V-brakes but will suit my style of riding.

I have a budget of £500-£700 max for a frame or second hand bike/frame. Or if I'm to go the credit route I'd like to pay in the region of £1600.

For the frame's I had been looking at Giants XTC NRS which I've seen for £550 with a Rock Shock rear shock, but I've decided its to XC based and will not be tough enough for me. The only frame I have seen that is in my price range from new is a Club Roost XC4 Enduro (different from the XC4 I think?) its a single pivot bike with 4 inches of travel so its a good match for my Zocchi fork which is also 4 inches, the XC4 also has V-brake mounts.

The frame is looking like it could be more trouble and cost than its worth. For bike from new, I like the look of the MarinTARA/QAUD bike's but have never heard from anyone who owns one. The Marin Wolf ridge is £1700 (£100 over budget) but has a very appealing spec with :- Hope Mini's, Mavic X-223 rims, Fox Forx Talas R, XT/LX mix, Truvativ Stylo ISIS crankset, FSA finishing kit. Basically all the stuff I'd build a bike with myself

Also the Marin Rock sprongs which is a TARA but not quad link rear suspension design, at £1200 it is very appeal but there is a few parts I'd replace unlike the Wolf Ridge which is perfect as it is. Magura Julie brake's, Truvativ 5 D crankset, Zocchi MX Pro ETA 120 forks, most of the other stuff is the same.

Also I've considered a Specialised Enduro but to get the approx same level kit as the Marin Wolf I'd have to get the Expert which is £1900. Or there's the comp for £1700 with Manitou Black forks instead of Fox Talas forks.

Connondale Jekyll 800 or Norco Six, although the Norco may be to heavy for XC work and long distance riding that I do a lot of.

I'm want a do anything bike the Buzz word seems to be trail bike. So I'd like to know if anyone owns any of the bikes I mentioned, and your opinion on which is the best go anywhere bike that is as good goin up hills and traveling long distance's as it is going downhill.

I'd particularly like to know more about the Club Roost XC4 Enduro frame, to me the XC4 looks like an Orange Five bike which I have also considered, I could afford to get the XC4 2moro and have enough parts to build it up as well!! It just that I'm a bit worried the XC4 will not be strong enough to tackle small drops and the light DH and FR that I do.

Evo

Dear Evo, given 1500quid the Enduro is the best you can get. It is actually the best for up to 2000-2500quid. As a frame only you got the choice of the EnduroSX for 699quid. Norco are excellent as well, but given they have a small history in the UK market, i wouldnt trust the distributor so far.

My opinion is to go for the Enduro complete bike, since the idea of discs will cost you a new wheelset given your existing parts.

I recently got the Enduro SX frame but i already had discs and a disc wheelset so the result was cheap-ish.

Steer clear from Marin imho.

O.K why steer clear of Marin? to me the bike's look very good (to me!) but I have never heard from anyone who ride's them? I know lots of people who ride and love the Enduro though.

I've got a hard decision to make and whilst I would really like a Full suspension bike I've got to ask myself will I really use it? or will it just be an expensive toy that will only really get used to its full 4 or 5 time's a year when I go to Wale's?
I do ride a lot but where I live (Oxford) a hardtail is more than good enough.

I'll have to give it more thought.

Evo

if you're seriously considering the norco six, it'll more than likely be a bit heavy for your liking. it's designed to be more of a freeride bike than an all around trail bike - it's basically the original fluid, but with more travel (w/6" front, 6" rear). a better bike to consider if you're looking at norco would be one of the 3 fluids. they're pretty much the same design as the six, but with lighter tubing and slightly different geometry. they also come with three chain rings as opposed to the six's double.

here's a link to the fluids if you want more info:
http://www.norco.com/bikes/2004bikes/allmountain.htm

The Jeckyll 800 is a nice bike, affordable at least in the US and can take a beating. The Enduro series are also nice. My suggestion would be to get an Enduro frame used or something, and build it up/get a shop to build it up with the parts you want. This may be a slighly more expensive route, but in the end, its really nice to have a custom build.

One of the problems when you start out, or as in your case- restart, is the cost of eqipment, and whether it is suitable for what you want. Ok so you bought a GT from Halfords. Not my favourite store, or my favourite bike, But at least you are back riding. Now the problem is to get a bike that is suitable for the type of riding you want to do. One Point I would raise is Cost. What you are looking at in the full suspension style of bike is going to cost you a lot. You should find a local Bike shop, and see what they can do about trading yours in for the bike you want, or even look at Secondhand.
Failing that, persevere with the aggressor until your skills and knowledge come up to par, and just keep riding.Then in a year or so's time you WILL know what bike you want, you will have had your moneys worth out of the GT, and you will have regained the skills you lost through giving up riding for all those years.