Functional bikes. Not Porn not Anti

Depends what/where you're riding Dakin but I would go with something rigid that you can fit large tyres on. For climbing and commuting suspension of any sort is annoying and for riding swinley forest/epping/surrey hills its not really needed, obviously depending on the kind of trails you are riding.

Got quoted £1900 for a KM Ops from Brixton Cycles which is waaayyy too much.

SO. I'm thinking On-One 456 and then put a 29er Exotic Rigid Fork on the front and perfecto.