OK. I'm new to mountain biking but I've narrowed my choice now to:

Gary Fisher marlin Disc 2009

CBoardman Sport

Both seem good in terms of kit although teh CB has teh upper hand I think. Going to test ride both at the weekend but has anyone got any viewd they'd like to share?

Thanks all

Boardman,  lots of Halfords to go back to when and IF it breaks, not that it will.

Neither

Genesis Core 20 at that price

Sadbloke, Riding out the recession! wrote (see)

Boardman,  lots of Halfords to go back to when and IF it breaks, not that it will.

MBR thought quite a lot of it and the Halfrauds location did occur to me although the Fisher dealer is a short walk from my house and the Halfrauds is about 10 miles from me. Any particular reason for the Boardman other than number of stores?

Bournmouth, is that in Hamphire ?

XCman [ KB ] wrote (see)

Bournmouth, is that in Hamphire ?

Duke wrote (see)

XCman [ KB ] wrote (see)

Bournmouth, is that in Hamphire ?

Dorset but close enough - where? Primera?

Down south its all London

Pedals Cycle Centre

or

Chase think thats down south as well.

I went for the Comp originally but Halfords fucked up so many times that they gave me the more expensive one.

Halfrauds - dontcha just love 'em?

To be fair to them they came good in the end but it was a stream of issues:

Ordered a medium on day 1.  Called them a week later to be told that bike had been ready the day after ordering but they hadn't got around to telling me.  When I turned up the bike was a large and therefore way too big.  The next day they'd prepared a medium.  The brakes (Juicy 5's)were so poor I could pull the lever all the way to the handbar.  I was told they were poor quality brakes.  Turned up the next day and brakes were marginally better but still not good enough. I said I would take the bike and pay to get the brakes sorted myself and bill them.  Took the bike outside and sat on the saddle and promptly fell off the back as it hadn't been tightened up at all.  Took it back inside and was eventually offered the Team which I took (boxed) somewhere else to set up.  Oh the joy.

Basically it came down to having one bike mechanic and him being off holiday.  Rather than getting cover they used the student part timers to do the work.

That's ok.  Some people are only interested in image and how they are percieved by others.  Nothing wrong with that I guess.

What can I say?

He rubs my rhubarb the wrong way.

Thanks.  I was unsure how to be disparaging towards you.

Well well.

 The Genesis Core20 was a nice bike. Light and kitted out but no lockout (I will use it to commute as well) and the welds are really untidy!

The Boardman was also good. Gorgeous looking and comfortable but the Knobs at Halfords managed to piss me off enough to make me reluctant to give them my money.

So this morning I ordered a Specialized Rockhopper. Really good feel to it. It wasn't in my initial selection but, hey!, I hadn't seen it as cheap as I bought it this morning.

The chap in the shop in Winchester was really helpful without being pushy, keen to tell me that the same frame is used right up to the top of the range 'hopper and that in time I could upgrade as the need arose. Much rather that than the £100 dearer machine is pushed on me.

Looking forward to my first ride back from the shop!

 Thanks for your help everyone who did...