Since I'm looking for a new bike I'd love a shout out of different ones I should give a look. My budget is about £500 (actually £600 but I know I've lost more than £100 in accessories I need to replace) for something that will be better than my Trek 4300 on the North Downs. It was fine for the time but I'm ready for a change! Would like a lighter frame, and would like to put disk brakes on it eventually even if I can't afford them right away so if I didn't have to change the wheels that would be a bonus. But not essential if there's something else with V-brakes that's far better than a disk-ready model. Happy to look at last year's models too of course.

So any suggestions? Just looking for any brands and models I might want to consider. Then I can go bother Evans all over London to test ride. That was fun last time. (even if I didn't buy from them in the end)

Tina.

I'm not going to suggest a brand particularly - I find Scott MTB's fit me best, but it is personal choice.  Justr try as many bikes as you can - when you find the right frame you'll know.  Just try to ensure that it as upgradeable as possible so you can fit disc breaks front and back (my old hardtail can only have discs on the front).

What I would say though, is look at bikes that are a bit above your budget too - you then have to get a bit cheeky and ask for a discount and/or odd parts swapped out for the ones you want.  the other year when I bought my full susser, I told the bike shop that I bought it from that I had been offered 15% at another bike shop - I didn't even need to show them the voucher (which I did have) - they matched the discount immediately.