As above, or is it just for high speeds on steep slopes?
I've owned and ridden a few new skool HT's that are very similar to this.
Its not going to be a jibby, poppy, jumps off every tiny trail feature kind of hardtail. It will be very stable in chunder and pretty good on technical climbs. I've not seen modern HT with a lower BB and it should corner like its on a wall of death ride.
Depends on your riding style and where you're going to use it as to whether its the right bike.
Thanks. That's what I was thinking too, although not as eloquently 🙂
Hopefully some owners will pop up to confirm or deny this.
I bet it'll be more playful than you think. I've got a Zero29 and it is the most fun bike I've had. I do a lot more jumps and drops on it than before.
@stevenmenmuir cheers. How do you find the low BB and how stiff is the zero29? Does it beat you up?
29*2.5" tyres definitely help in the comfort stakes. You get used to the BB, you sometimes have to give technical climbs a wee bit more thought and try and avoid deep ruts but I think the benefits outweigh the negatives. Street Pigeon has a video about the Forge on YouTube which you may or may not find helpful.
I think it will be more playful than you think, I took my 29er hardtail with similar geometry to Twisted Oaks bike park (quite tight and jumpy if you don't know it) and I was blown away how well it worked and was right at home on it. I also own a 4x bike so have a comparison with a proper playful hardtail
It's not everything, but for a 29er 430mm chainstays (435 on L/XL) suggest it would be.
Thanks for all the comments. I think there's enough support here to suggest that it is likely to be a playful bike, so I've pulled the trigger and have a frame on the way. 🙂
