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I need a hardtail as my +1 and I keep coming back to the BFE longshot. The only drawback I can see is the 142 rear axle, but I can live with that. What are they like to live with, is it the sort of bike you would be happy enough peddling all day? I have had a Solaris in the past and several Souls and my most recent hardtail was a Genesis Tarn, what I am looking for is a longer travel Tarn...
I built one up as a winter hardtail 6 months ago & I seem to ride it more than my Mondraker Foxy!
It's main purpose is for up & down Wed night rides around Calderdale,
I've also done quite a few 20+ mile rides on it & it pedals fine, I originally built it up with my old 2X 9 gearing but recently changed to a GX 1X 11 which appears to make it feel lighter to pedal (could be in my head though)
It goes downhill like a missile too 😊
Why does the 142 bolt through put you off?
If I was looking for a +1 I'd go for the Solaris - very adaptable and extremely capable in Longshot format. It's my only mtb now, and until my back gives out I can't see me looking elsewhere. It does make every other bike feel a bit weird once you're used to it though!
Nigew, brand new wheels last Autumn in boost. Brassneck, what I am worried is that a Solaris will just feel a bit like my old Tarn, which while no bad thing, is itself quite similar to the 27.5 Anthem I have now.
It depends on what you want the +1 bike to do. SolarisMax with 29er wheels if you are wanting to do the miles. Bfe if you want smaller wheels with a hint of hooligan. Both are good.
What about the longshot soul? Will take a 140mm fork, boost rear wheel. 2.6 tyres make it feel enough of a hooligan for me.