So I finally got my first hardtail MTB. Thanks to all from BikeForums who
helped me out. Guess the new Post your Rigs is the ideal place to showcase. Brick wall on a overcast day makes a surprisingly good background. I'll do a proper photo shoot sometime. Felt Q720:
The shifting was set up so well by my store it's a dream, at times so quiet and quick that I don't realise its happened:
Two small changes to the stock version: grips changed to Bontrager foam ones (I REALLY didn't like the stock grips). I thought foam grips would be way too soft and spongy, but they're actually very nice, firm and grippy. Also went clipless with the basic Shimano SPD pedals:
I could go on about how the fork isn't up to the rest of the bike, but I'm a cyclist, not a component weenie and to be honest, I can't even tell the difference between that and higher-end forks. The thing rides like a dream, and I'm happy as a pig in mud.
And that's mah first hardtail.