Hi folkks,
I am looking to buy a new bike, fully rigid (or hard tail only at a push) cross country up to £1000. I am looking for something with a decent spec, with hydaulic discs a must and minimum deore lx groupset. Having trouble finding such a bike as standard and was wondering if a custom built job would be a better idea. Any advise on this would be welcome!

Cheers,
Stewart.

Sounds like a Merlin to me!

Brant at http://www.on-one.co.uk is knocking out his rigid disk-only ti fork for £150 at the moment. The steel version I have is very nice.

We've got Soma Fabrications' Groove for £255 frame only or £340 frame and forks which leaves you plenty of spare cash to spec the bike up with. If you want more details either mail me direct or take a look at the site - www.sortedcycles.com.

on-one inbred geared steel, frame and forks will cost you £300 (ti forks add on about another £100) that leaves you 600 or 700 quid respectively to spend on the build. i just got a geared inbred and after a bit of trawling found XTR front & rear mechs for £100 from wiggle!
a deore groupset should cost you about £140 from wiggle but your LBS should be able to match that.
stifsport do sme really good deals on hope disc & wheel packages, my minis on xc hubs, mavic rims & dt spokes cost me just over £300.
sticking with the on-one theme, a seat post, seat post collar, stem & handlebar will set you back around £85.

right, let me tot that one up £825, that really leaves you just the seat, headset and tyres to find, i would reccomend specialized, hope, & maxxis!

hope this useful!

(i have far too much time on my hands and a mind full of useless rubbish)

Stewart, how about finding a suitable spec hardtail at your dealer and asking him to put rigid forks on it? It'll be cheaper than a custom build as the dealer can sell the suss forks. Marins come to the dealer without the forks fitted and I'd be suprised if they're the only ones.