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I`m going to get rid of my little piglet and am looking to get either a blue pig or cotic soul (second hand frame).
The reason is i just don't feel comfortable on the piglet. I find it incredibly hard work on the ups and can`t tune into riding on the downs. It may be because I have a 16" frame and possibly a bit small for me (5"10)
Any advice or thought welcome.
16" sounds the right size based on ETT. Blue Pig will be harder work uphill! What's the problem downhill?
Downhill it just feels like its kicking and bucking. It could be because i also have a 29er and always feels super smooth all round.
Is that causing you to shift your weight further back, thus exacerbating the problem? What fork's on it? What tyres?
Im not sure if im shifting weight back. Try and just let it bounce and flow. Rock Shox Recon Silver fork and maxxis high roller 2.1 tyres.
When you say 'I find it incredibly hard work on the ups' what do you mean? Hard to pedal or wandery in a geometry issue sort of way? Set-up can make a big difference if it's the latter - layback or inline post, low rather than high riser bars to keep weight over the front, forks etc.
I haven't ridden a Soul for longer than 20 minutes or so, but I had a Blue Pig and it climbed relentlessly well as long as you could keep turning the pedals and descended like a steam roller. But it was heavy in a 30lb-ish way with a Pike on because the frame alone weighs around 5.5lb. It's also appreciably slacker than a Piglet, which I've also ridden. The Soul's more neutral and conventional and potentially a bit lighter too.
Pigs are a bit of an edge of the envelope thing which you'll either 'get' or not ime. Can you borrow one for a go. Oh, I'm just under 5'10" and ride a 16" Ragley, sounds like it should be about right.
Im not sure if im shifting weight back. Try and just let it bounce and flow. Rock Shox Recon Silver fork and maxxis high roller 2.1 tyres
HR 2.1s are hopelessly small, more like 1.9s in reality and horrible, stick some big tyres on - 2.25 Ardents are good or something around 2.35, the Ardents are big for the nominal size, or 2.35 High Rollers. Not surprised it feels bouncy on descents with tiny tyres on.
I'd put bigger tyres on it and run them tubeless - something like 2.2 XR4 / Purgatory / Rubber Queen (all similar size to 2.35 High Roller but roll faster). 2.1 High Rollers are small! Check your fork isn't too bouncy, if there isn't enough rebound damping it'll dissuade you from keeping your weight centred. I'd buy a better fork before changing frame but that's an expensive upgrade.
What tyre pressure?
What actually happens when you try and go up hill?
What stem length?
I think mucking about with different stems, tyres and saddle position has to happen before you touch the frame. Until you know whats wrong you don't know what will fix it....