XC/MTB Upgrade

Does anyone here ride a MTB or a XC type of pushy?
I'm keen to update my hardtail with another but am being swamped with choice in the $700 - $900 range but all are built to a price.
If you ride what do you have?

Really depends on what type of riding you do, have used a full suspension giant when I do adventure races but found im loosing power with the rear suspension when going uphill, have now changed to hard tail and find it better, either bike can be used for down hill, another point is disc brakes I find mechanical better than hydraulic also less to maintain, carbon frames are getting better but I still use alloy mainly because of price for what I do, for everday use and occasional trail riding soft tail are really comfortable, but if you get serious hardtail, carbon frame, good group set, light cranks and disc brakes, Felt are pricey but Giant make good bikes for the price, not sure what you ride now but $700 to $900 should get you a good bike with good gear, check out Polygon bikes on internet they seem good for the price, and well made

I can't comment on their Mountain Bikes but I've had my Reid X3 urban for a year now, very happy with it and you get great bang for your buck with the level of equipment for $$ spent

I saved a extra $50 buying it online (eBay) but still collected it from my local store ready to go

Pair of his and hers giants 27.5" here. $650 each, hydraulic brakes, lockout front suspension. Light years agreed of the bigw specials we were riding before. Brakes are ridiculously good. If you do more onroad get the more road oriented tyres as the ones on the MTB are pretty draggy.

Thanks guys. Good intel.
Mainly want to do rail trail and light off road stuff. Too old for serious mountain biking.
I tested a Scott Aspect 950 today $799 and it was very slick just going around the block.
I'm keen on the Specialized Pitch Comp $850 and I've been offered an all day test. These bikes are almost identical in spec except the Scott has 29" wheels.
Giant and Trek are also in the mix. 
Current mount is a 11yr old Radius (Apollo) hardtail 

I don't know if you've ridden 29'ers or even 27.5" MTB's, personally they are much more "user friendly" than a traditional 26" MTB

Checked out the specialised pitch comp and looks like a good bike for the price has everything youll need for what you want to do, specialised make excellent road bikes and also top end carbon mountain bikes, youll definitely appreciate the disc brakes, one finger operation and the gear change levers, good all round bike

Yesterday I pulled the trigger on a Specialized Rockhopper. The next model up from the Pitch.
Black on black rolling on 29” wheels. It’s bloody awesome.

Very nice. A work mate has a specialized and said if you have one to make sure you check the grease in the headstock. His one the bearings started to rust after a few months due to the design which allowed water into that area. Specialized weren't very helpful when he complained about it... Apparently it's normal wear for a $3500 MTB. Apart from that he raves about how good it is.

reddog wrote:Very nice. A work mate has a specialized and said if you have one to make sure you check the grease in the headstock. His one the bearings started to rust after a few months due to the design which allowed water into that area. Specialized weren't very helpful when he complained about it... Apparently it's normal wear for a $3500 MTB. Apart from that he raves about how good it is.

Thanks mate. After researching lots of bikes in the $700 - $900 range I’d say the headstock design was common. Certainly all 1 1/8 headstocks. The fancy bikes have tapered headstocks so might be something in that. The guys at my local shop were very helpful and patient after I changed my mind a few times so I’m sure they’ll be onto it if it’s common. They only sell Specialized and Merida.

Looking forward to your first "Ride Report" in the "Ride Report" thread.

2wheelsagain wrote:Yesterday I pulled the trigger on a Specialized Rockhopper. The next model up from the Pitch.
Black on black rolling on 29” wheels. It’s bloody awesome.

It needs some proper pedals.