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so I’m doing that thing again and getting itchy about changing bikes (reasons this time though!).
I recently built up a nice XC whippet hardtail and it’s very enjoyable to ride! Did my first Race on it too last week!
jumped back on my Hightower the other day for the first time in a few weeks (had an off and got a bit banged up), but it just feels really sluggish now!
Going for a proper ride on it this weekend around the lakes so that might make me get a feel for it again, but I suspect that I’m just a fan of hardtails...
What frames are out there that are boost and are similar to the Hightower? I guess the obvious choice is the Chameleon, but other suggestions would be good.
not too fussed on material (carbon, steel, Ti, Alu). If I was to swap, it would mean that I’d have to sell the Hightower frame and swap all the bits over.
i reckon I could get a nice frame and bits to build it up with the sale of the Hightower frame and shock.
What size is the Hightower? I have a freshly built up chameleon that has yet to turn a wheel in anger but I’ve already got itchy feet.
Regardless, the chameleon builds up nice and light and for once they’ve designed a frame that actually fits me!
The Hightower is an XL and I just bought a new shock too (CC DbAir IL). I'm 6'2" and it feels spot on with the fit, but it encourages me to go faster than my ability allows downhill!
Had a look at the Solaris Max too, they look interesting 🙂
That new Trillion looks ace, as does the Solaris Max
Scout 290, fashionably slack/long/low, loads of tyre clearance. All the parts will swap over as well. Downside of a hard tail is that when it gets rough, it gets uncomfortable.
I'll have a look of Trillion, sounds interesting.
Had a look at a Scout too, out of stock on Chain Reaction, but not checked if they sell them anywhere else?
Not too bothered about the extra discomfort 🙂
I'm about to put an XL 2souls quarterhorse frame on the classifieds. It's a victim of a combination of new house (less storage) and the fact that at 6'4" it's a smidgeon too small for me.
One of the first 29er hooligan hardtails. Great geometry, handles superbly, 853 throughout so light for a steel frame. Going to be asking £200 posted. Let me know if you're interested. Email in profile.
Cheers
I REALLY like 29er hardtails with proper (ie not steep) angles and nice 120-150mm forks.
I have a Chromag Rootdown and it's ace but if I was buying today I'd probably be giving my money to Cotic for a Solaris Max.
The thing about stiff hardtails like the Scout isn't discomfort so much, it's control- I loved the overall handling of my Mmmbop and I really like the Scout too but the stiff rear end means it gets kicked about more and doesn't track or grip as well. Swapping to my Ragley Ti from the Mmmbop was like adding half an inch of extra tyre.
But equally, some people really like the stiff feel so it's not better or worse... I liked everything else about the Scout but I couldn't live with it, ymmv.
I'd have to see how I get on with my Hightower this weekend before I decide, but I'd be interested in seeing it if it has a boost rear end (wanting to keep my existing wheels).
The stiffness might not suit me. I think that's why I didn't like my Commencal to be honest...
Basically it would have to be a Golilocks of a bike and I think the Solaris Max or the Chameleon is the benchmark so far.
cant recommend the chameleon highly enough although i'm running it 27.5+ 2.8" rekon, it doesnt have that backend we all know "Downside of a hard tail is that when it gets rough, it gets uncomfortable.", for me it feels like riding downhill on your favourite arm chair..
i'll buy 29er carbon rims later this year, as i'd like a bit more speed/ lighter wheels than the RF arc 40 stock
took it to boltby bash, cutgate/the beast and also nan bield pass in the lakes, it never felt out of its depth,
granted I'm more middle of the pack on the bigger stuff speedwise.
it'll never be as fast as my Lefty XC whippet but it felt like a pogo stick the only time its been to cutgate
The thing about stiff hardtails like the Scout isn’t discomfort so much, it’s control- I loved the overall handling of my Mmmbop and I really like the Scout too but the stiff rear end means it gets kicked about more and doesn’t track or grip as well. Swapping to my Ragley Ti from the Mmmbop was like adding half an inch of extra tyre.
But equally, some people really like the stiff feel so it’s not better or worse… I liked everything else about the Scout but I couldn’t live with it, ymmv
That's my justification for a custom built Curtis!!!
Scout is a perfect bike for year round local "xc rides", which entail everything from the 4x/pump track, street riding and general abuse, which an xc bike would quickly expire from.
Although slightly regretting selling my smuggler now, as this time of year the ground has dried out and a bit of squish out back would be nice. Stumpjumper ST is very tempting as an N+1
Northwind +1.
Think you've pretty much described my riding there!
I've already got the wheels though (having sold that exact same combo plus wheels you're using)!
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Hands down a Curtis, durrrrrr!
For "comfy" aluminium I've been wondering what a Specialized Chisel would be like with a slightly longer fork and a -2 degree headset. Shame they don't do the frameset in UK (I think would have to be a US import).
I actually looked at a second hand Chisel for the XC whippet. Aren't they basically an aluminium Epic? Might not even be able to fit one of those headsets as I thought they were just bearings in the head tube?
I'm going to see how the Hightower feels on the Ambleside/Coniston/Grizedale loop I usually do on Saturday.
If I did decide to do a frame swap, at least I should get a decent amount to be able to choose pretty much whatever frame takes my fancy 🙂
Chisel looks like regular press in I think (but internal not external)
I'm currently making a new steel frame for summer (1 week in and so far got a curved seat tube brazed to a bb shell and a half mitred down tube...). Chisel is one of my fallback options if it ends up too heavy for xc duties 🙂
Sounds interesting. Wish I had the option to knock up a hardtail frame in a shed 🙂
Kingdom Vendetta LS? No idea if it meets your requirements but I'm lusting after one right now, so... And this thread is lacking some titanium 😀
Yeah, not much titanium has been mentioned 🙂
I've not looked at them much, but as long as they're boost and 29er, they'd be on the list! Figure I've got to own at least one Ti bike.
Yep, 27.5+/29er, boost and/or non-boost, internal or external cable routing and I think they'll do custom geometry too. 1.8kg upwards frame weight. There's a cheaper Vendetta X2 version without the custom CNC parts and the internal routing option.
£1575 for the LS and £900 for the X2 version (frame only). 🙂
Hmm, tyre clearance doesn't look great on the Kingdom though (29x2.35). That might just be in my head as I doubt I'd run anything bigger than that anyway.
Would definitely be an option.
I reckon a hardtail can be comfy enough for a decent ride. My carbon Cube Reaction (although with a 27.2mm carbon post) feels very comfy over long distances, and that's with 2.2 light race tyres fitted.
The Sonder Ti Signal is a good looking option.
Not as gnar as Kingdom but better for it imho.
I've just built this up. Got it made by Waltly in china. Process was really straight forward and works out fantastic value. Rides great!
That's very nice! It kinda looks like a signal Ti.
I'd actually forgot about Sonder, that's another one added to the list.
My kingdom vendetta LS is top drawer.
My kingdom vendetta LS is top drawer.
Pics please.
For inspiration for the OP, obviously.
Yep, I approve! 🙂
Might need some inspiration if I don't enjoy tomorrow's ride!
The Kingdom stuff is ace but I think the Sonder is a better bet as an all rounder.
To be honest it is more than enough bike for 70% of riders, the Kingdom is best in the hands of the other 30%.... but this just brings up the point of where an individual is at with their riding and where they want to go and what terrain they are riding.
Either way both would be wonderful to own and the direct from China idea is one I'm currently exploring.
Good luck OP, trying to figure what HT is frying my brain.
Well, I went on my ride round the Lakes today on the Hightower....
Still undecided if I should change! It's weird really. I loved the Hightower, then I built the Cube Reaction up and love how quick and light it is. Now the Hightower feels like too much bike (even on fast, rocky descents that I like).
I've spent a lot of money over the past 3 years on different bikes, suspension etc and I've never felt like I've ever had a bang on setup. I'm probably either too picky, or just bad at setting suspension up.
To be fair, the rear shock is the best I've had on a bike, but now the front doesn't feel as good. A hardtail will probably slow me down on the descents that I do, but it certainly won't be less fun. I think I'd actually enjoy slowing down a bit and picking lines etc.
Once I make the decision to change, it will be permanent for a few years though (can't afford to keep changing bikes at the moment). This means that I'll have to advertise the frame and shock, and sell before I decide what bike I'd like to go for.
I've also never been really attached to any bike I've had. A lot of people talk about the one bike they'll never sell, or wish they hadn't sold. I've not experienced that. I wonder if a nice Ti hardtail or a Cotic would change that?
I'll stop rambling on and have a think 🙂
Still loving your old bird aeirs johnw1984. Agree when a bike fits as you like it then you have that great feeing of contentment
If looking at ti what about a sick bike grizzly wulf Like the vendetta but more clearance I think
Hmm, I've just spotted a Pipedream Moxie. Anyone ridden one of these? Price doesn't seem too bad for the frame.
Ah yes, my Aeris! I do look at old pics of me riding it and wonder if I gave up on that too quickly 🙂
Glad you're enjoying it though!
I have been on a Moxie for a few months and don't believe a HT can be better than this.
http://forums.mtbr.com/29er-bikes/pipedream-moxie-1068714.html
Always useful to do a good ride thinking "what would I change?" Moving round the bike trying climbing in different positions, what if the bars were 10mm forward? etc.
Moxie looks interesting.
I started with short stay 29ers back in 2011 and 420mm or less is a favourite. Each frame gradually goes longer, but long plus slack just gets too cumbersome for me (current build is 69 ha sagged).
Now have a front triangle to braze tomorrow. Maybe it will be finished for summer after all..... Must sort some pics.
Personally I think you'll regret selling the full suss after a while if you enjoy rocky descents. Hardtails are great fun, but it seems daft to gave 2 hardtails rather than 1 hardtail and a full suss, in my opinion. I always find having two very different bikes to be preferable to more similar ones.
Obviously it's your money so do what you like, but if money is tight then I don't think I'd bother swapping bike frames.
Not everyone has the attachment to certain bikes that they wouldn't ever sell, in fact I doubt most people do. I imagine a lot of people say that when they first get a bike, but after a year or two then the love has probably gone.
If you're having issues with suspension set up, then maybe hire a Shockwiz or get the suspension sent off to someone.
Thanks a lot for that reply, I needed someone to give me something from the other side of things. On reflection the rear shock is really good, but the front seems to not be as good now.
I'll have a bit of a play before I make a decision, but you've helped to slow me down 🙂 I tend to make rash choices over the smallest things. Really need to stop that.
I can lend a Shockwiz from a mates bike shop for a small fee, so I think I'll have a go at that first.
I'd like to lose a bit of weight on the bike too (my weight is a work in progress), but to be honest, it'll be ££ for a few grams here and there.
The hardtail idea will no doubt be in the back of my mind, but I guess that's why I got the XC whippet. I'll have a fiddle and a think 🙂
Why not keep the high tower and get something a bit more trail friendly as a hardtail to sit alongside. Love my steel genesis 29er and the fact it can handle everything in the lakes (even better since I fitted a slack set) but i came from full sus and whilst I love how snappy and quick the hardtail is there are times I wish I had full sus (living in lakes) .. keep it I say , once it's gone it's gone! Speaking from experience here.
Space and money really. Got down to two bikes now, but a trail hardtail would basically take the role of the Hightower.
I’m going to stick with it for now and see if I can tweak the setup a bit.