[Closed] 27.5 do it all hardtail recommendations

Not particularly light (around 30lb with pedals and big Maxxis tyres) but the 27.5 Orange P7 I've had for two years is the best hardtail I've ridden. Amazing fun, great on steep, techy or rough stuff, but also good for 30+ milers in the Pennines too. Very reliable in the set-up I went for, which is basically Pikes, Hope, XT, Renthal.  Only just changed the transmission after two years of hard riding including two Yorkshire winters. Everything else has been faultless apart from a new Reverb on warranty.

Cool thanks. One of my colleagues has a Crush that I’m tempted to try.

Love my chameleon but it is a little on the small side...

One of the more typical suggestions, but the Bird Zero is excellent. I've had my AM boost a couple of months now and genuinly can't fault it. Really surprised how well it climbs and is brilliant going down hill.

In the tradition of recommend what you own, Bird Zero AM (or TR if you want a bit less gnar). Will handle pretty much anything you can throw at it, and do it fast. Very versatile bike imho, and great customer support.

The P7 and Crush look like good options too.

I wouldn't rule the new Solaris out though.

Another in typical tradition, Stanton Switchback. Just as fun and capable as my Bronson.

I've just bought a new Whyte 909 and it's an incredibly capable and fast hard tail - plus tyres are definitely the way to go on a hardtail IMO.

The 905 - the model below mine, has been lauded as the best hardtail MBR have ever reviewed and the 909 got a really good review on here too. Only thing I've changed is a super short stem, some 800mm Burgtec bars and a bigger front rotor - believe me it's incredibly fast and you'll want more stopping power!!!

The Transition Throttle seems to be available for about £1150 right now. I know a chap with one and he seems very pleased with it.

The Air Drop bitmap keeps catching my eye.

I'd imagine your spoiled for choice as there's  lots of nice hardtails out there.Stanton do 2 - a great and capable all rounder-the Slackline ( I've had  one for 2 years now) ,  or it's more aggressive burlier big brother the Switchback . Being steel they won't be  the lightest option  but they sure ride nice.

both on offer at the moment :

https://www.stantonbikes.com/product-category/frames/steel/

Onzadog

The Transition Throttle seems to be available for about £1150 right now. I know a chap with one and he seems very pleased with it.

I was just looking at one in a shop ten minutes ago - it's an awfully pretty frame, that.

Thanks for the suggestions. The Stanton and Bird look good.

im erring to the Stanton..

Sick Bikes Wulf

Nephew has a Crush and that's great too.  Bit lighter than the P7, but not steel.  Mind you, 'hardcore' steel frames aren't as skinny and compliant as the steel frames of old, so the advantage of steel over aluminium is possibly less than it used to be. P7 with 2.4 (tubeless) tyres is still springy and comfortable enough for me though.

Agree with the above about my 2017 P7. Got it for short blasts and arsing about but it’s great at putting the miles in too. A true all rounder.

How about carbon Sonder Transmitter  https://www.alpkit.com/sonder/sonder-transmitter-carbon

If your budget allows look at the kingdom Vendetta, £1500 or cheaper for a titanium hardtail.

+1 for Stanton Switchback. Super capable, amazing fun. Not very light, but you'd never know from riding it.

Shug ?

I was going to recommend the new soul, it's flipping quick, point it downhill and it absolutely flies and also loves any twisty wooded singletrack.

It's not loving the slow road climbs but that be more the tyre choice (2.3 vigilanties) rather than the bike. I've not had it long enough for any big days out yet

Another vote for the Stanton Slackine - the latest version is bloody brilliant. I think I preferred it to my Mk II Ti Switchback if I'm honest.

Really like that Shug. Can't justify it, as I have a perfectly good steel hardtail already. But want.

Stif Morf? Great bike and capable of pretty much anything you can throw at it.

I keep repeating on these common "which hardtail" threads that the Whyte 900 series are possibly the best 2018 hardtails designed for the UK. You won't find any end of season bargains as they don't discount, but they're worth every penny. The key is how we'll they've been thought through for the task at hand, which is to ride UK trails every bit as well as any other bike, FS or otherwise.

Pinnacle Iroko?

Incidentally I have a 2018 Whyte 905 which is the most fun bike I’ve ever owned. And I did get it discounted when buying it from my lbs 😜

Production privee oka. Amazing bike. I have its bigger brother the shan. You need to get one secimd hand though as all sild out.

Absolutely love my Bird Zero AM. Just about as much fun as I am capable of achieving on a bike, given my limited ability! The TR is meant to be more of a do-it-all bike, but I use my AM to commute to work, and for all my other riding here in Sheffield. Even did a big near on 6 hour ride not too long back, and it was very comfortable. The only stuff it hasn't been beautiful on is the BMX track, but that's more to do with the inappropriate soft tyres at way too low pressures for that type of riding. It was awesome in the winter's heavy snow. Plus it is rather lovely to look at, even for a chunky frame.

All that being said, I'm sure most of the recommendations here will be totally fine. I looked at most whilst figuring out what I wanted for my 40th. The Production Privee Oka, a BFe and the Stanton's were very high up my list.

The stanton’s do look very very nice. If I were to get a new hardtail frame I’d be very tempted - although perhaps the weight over a decent aluminium hardtail  might sway me to something a little sprightlier - especially as I’ve got a big fs bike for chucking down silly stuff.

When I get on my current hardtail it feels very light and nimble in comparison - if a bit twitchy.

Bird Zero TR here, loving it.

Running mine with a 140mm fork (130 is recommended) and it's ace.

I was going to suggest pinnacle iroko. Its got great balance. Im now selling my 29er ht and my whyte t130 as i dont use them anymore only my iroko 3 with dropper!

Thanks everyone. Really appreciate it.

Ive got a brilliant shortlist now. Can’t thank you all enough. I’m a bit out of touch (13 years) with bike technology 😉

Previously had an aluminum hard tail (Ragley Mmmbop). Was lighter than Stanton, but not sprightlier.  Also had a Dartmoor Primal. I think it's the super short chainstays on the Stanton which make it such a joy to ride.

Cotic Bfe 27.5 new geo!

I am amazed no one has mentioned it already. It literally does everything superbly.

Another Whyte vote here, best I've ridden in 20 plus years on MTB riding.