which bike?

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by _cant_think
hiya

ive decided 2 get me a new xc bike but im torn between the giant xtc se4 ( http://www.devercycles.com/bicycles-mountain-giant_xtc_2004.htm )

or the gt avalanche 1.0 disc ( http://www.realcycles.com/products.php?plid=m1b1s2p123 )

any thoughts?

cheers

Well there both nice but it looks like they both have those new crappy intergrated headsets which destroy the frame over time (theres a good review of the major disadvantages of these on the chris king site)
For that price I would look at getting a more custom style bike, the sort of thing they sell on the merlin site (http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/acatalog/Merlin_Bikes.html)
or keep looking untill you find a bike without those intergrated headsets, perhaps buy a last year model as you can get a better deal that way.

out of the 2 i would say the avalanche 1 disk or u could get the GT Pantera my next bike hopefully

A custom built bike is a good idea. I can recommend the Avanti competitor or the Easton whiskey pete frame. A custom built bike is often cheaper too.