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I'm thinking about getting a new hardtail and would like some ideas about what to look for. Budget £1.5-2k. Would definitely consider second hand.
I have a few things in mind but I'm not going to say what. I've always gone for steel hardcore hardtails in the past but I'm open to other possibilities.
I've got an enduroey full suss for gnar stuff.
I'd want a hardtail for a) flowey trails, jumps, pump tracks, bike park stuff and b) bikepacking. Are those two thing compatible? I've no idea.
What wheel size should I look for? What Frame material? What bike? That sort of thing
I've got an Orbea Laufey - 29er, 140mm, alu. I love it. It's meant to be my everyday bike, for when I don't want to use the more expensive FS, but it is very, very capable on the same terrain as the FS. S Wales valleys type riding, mainly. It would be fine for all the things you've mentioned, but I'd normally use my gravel bike for bikepacking, depending on terrain.
Second hand Stanton switchback?
It’s going to be a compromise to hit both comfy for bike packing (and having loads of fixing points if that’s your requirement) and nippy and lively for pump tracks / slow trails etc.
I didn’t have the bike packing requirement and just wanted fun but capable geometry so designed my own hardtail via Marino.
It’s broadly a medium in most brands - 445mm reach / 65.5 degree head angle / 74 degree seat angle / 425mm chainstays (650b wheels) / 45mm bb drop (I think from memory) / 390 or 395mm seat tube / 140mm Pike.
The thing is hilarious on flow trails, decent on even tight pump tracks, jumps ok and will deal with tech off piste pretty well for a hardtail.
I kept the seat tube angle slacker at 74 degrees to keep a sensible ett for pedalling longer / bridleway style rides where I don’t want to drag the heavier full suss bike round. Lots of hardcore hardtails are steepening the seat angle for decent winch / plummet but might make you a bit cramped on longer and flatter rides.
I think broadly my geo is very similar to a Sonder Transmitter - or a 2018 Vitus Sentier but with a slacker ha and shorter seat tube.
If you can get bike packing stuff that doesn’t need bolt on mounts than either of the above could be a good compromise.
I’m 29er on my full suss and I find it turns well on proper trails - but the smaller wheels work better on pump tracks and stuff like that. However bike packing if you want the bike to smooth stuff out then 29er is probably a better option.
Depends which your priority is I guess.
Both the options I mention above are alloy - the closest steel things I could find (if that’s your preference) are the Ribble ht725 and the Stanton Switchback / Slackline.
Marino is a good option if you have months spare and don’t mind the roulette of when you might get your frame - and with no useful communication from the manufacturer!
I've used a sonder transmitter for overnight bikepacking (jennride) and was able to get stuff on including small tent, and they're good for rough stuff and trails. Think you can get a carbon one for under £2k I tell a lie. Looks like all alu now https://alpkit.com/collections/sonder-transmitter
Second hand Stanton switchback?
Titanium one up for 3k on FB currently would be nice.
Cotic Solaris might be worth a look? I think it has plenty of bosses for mounting bikepacking bags, etc.
It might not be the ideal pump track bike but IMO if you want pump track, jumps, bike park, and bikepacking from one bike you have to make a compromise somewhere.
I'd be looking at Pipedream. You should be able to build up a decent one for £2k
https://www.pipedreamcycles.com/
Hard choice between a Moxie and a Sirius
A chameleon would also be nice, would be tough to get a good spec for £2k.
Nice yellow frame in large here.
https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Santa-Cruz/Chameleon-Al-29-Mountain-Bike-Frame-2022/XGMV
Nice Whyte 905 here.
I really like the Salsa Timberjack but seems almost impossible to find one in the UK.
Bigwig gets a fair bit of love on here. There was new one posted on here a few weeks back from memory.
Good spec for the money.
https://www.bikeandspanner.co.uk/m1b0s2p7957/Ragley-Big-Wig-2021
Nukeproof Scout ...end of!!
It'll do everything you want and then some.
My HT does all the stuff you want, just needs a bit of bodging (jubilee clips) for the bikepacking bit (I did the Badger Divide earlier in the year, camping) and you'll get a new one for the lower end of your price range - an On One Scandal.
with similar criteria I bought a new Giant Fathom 29 1 last year and it does the job well. Out the box it was pretty good, I have however dome some major upgrades to axs shifting and dropper, and slx brakes. For bikepacking i swop out the axs dropper with a fixed post.
This has pipedream sirius s5 written all over it.
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