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I feel a need to upgrade my 26" Scandal HT. I love it to bits but I needs something a bit more rugged as I'm feeling the Scandal is out of depth sometimes on the steeper stuff.
I want something a bit more hardcore and fun, I think I have settled on either the Soul or Chameleon. (other options appreciated) I am trying to arrange a demo of a Soul for October when I am next in the area.
The Scandal is 'old' so no dropper, straight steerer, QR etc etc, the only thing I can migrate from the Scandal is the saddle, bars, pedals and brakes.
Both bikes' full build options arnt exactly cheap so building from 2nd hand bits might be an option.
Given the fact I cant migrate much from the Scandal I would need to spend a pretty penny on bits also.
I think either way its going to cost me a small fortune.
Are the complete build kits good value?
So.... Build from 2nd hand bits over a few months or buy complete?
Ideas, suggestions, advice always appreciated guys...
Someone's selling a solaris max on ebay for 1450 with very nice build kit that looks to be in good condition. I had my eye on it for a while until I decided to go something different instead. Might be worth considering if you're not opposed to the 29 inch wheels fitted.
Depends how much of a hurry you’re in. The base chameleon build is poor value IMHO, but you’d still need to be patient to build it up cheaper.
Last year there were cheap Fox 34’s for a couple hundred from bike discount and CRC, drivetrain / brakes can be picked up fairly cheaply as new second hand (some people instantly upgrade when they buy full builds) and droppers are sub £100 for brand x if you time it right. Forks and wheels is where it’s a waiting game. Having said that my brother got some great DT Swiss wheels from CRC I believe for sun £100 (1/3 retail). Superstar tend to have a fire sale most years - have picked up decent wheels for £100 a pair in the past.
So for me, I’d buy frame and build up slowly whilst riding the scandal, then sell the scandal. But that requires patience...
Shameless plug. I have a nice speced soul for sale in the classified section.
Hey guys.. I can't go 29 as I'm too short and want to keep the fun factor. 27.5 is big enough. I'd be looking at either a xsmall or small soul. But hopefully a visit to cotic next month should confirm.
I think I will go the build route as I enjoy the build phase. Frame first then the agonising wait for bits to come up in sales/classifieds, then the inevitable credit card binge as the wait gets to much to cope with..
You can fit your straight steer fork to the cotic, Hope, Bottom cup + Adaptor. (Long as the steer is long enough)
You can fit your straight steer fork to the cotic, Hope, Bottom cup + Adaptor. (Long as the steer is long enough)
Ooooo, fancy.. I never knew that could be possible.
if you want straight 27.5, not +, the chameleon is out anyway - 27.5+ or 29 on those.
Or you could by my 26r Soul in Medium for much, much less 🙂
i got the d spec chameleon from the spanish santa cruz dealer on ebay, stripped it,
kept the frame, stem, wheels and tyres, sold off the rest then built it top spec.
£500 less than the top spec one with the same fork, drivetrain, wheels and hope brakes..
chain reaction have carbon mavic wheels XA pro going cheap £540 (after BC discount)
and also £199-209 for the aluminium XA or crossmax wheelset including tyres, maybe a good starting point
if you want straight 27.5, not +, the chameleon is out anyway – 27.5+ or 29 on those.
Del, you are right there mate.
I was just about to post to ask if you can run the SC with non + and you have already answered it. I guess it lowers the bike too much without the added bulk of the +.
I have a Cotic demo booked for October so lets see.
Any other suggestions over the Soul that I should be investigating.?
Cotic Soul demo done while I was in the area on holiday this week..
The guys at Cotic were great and built me up a new bike for the demo and sent me on my way. No hard sell.
The Soul is a nice frame indeed, it handled my poor line choices well and was a hoot to jump about on. I completed the demo loop and then tackled the rocky downhills a few more times each.
I was bunny hoping higher, manualing better, getting over the rear wheel and was having some good fun.
Obviously very different from my uber light On-One Scandal and Giant Anthem X.
My only reservations are its weight (the demo bike was mid spec and a bit of a lump to be honest to it) I'm under 60k so a heavy bike feels heavy, and cost (£650 for the frame).
To address the weight issue I will need to throw some serious money at higher end parts so the final build will be costing a fair bit. 🙁
I cant migrate any of my parts from my 26" Scandal or Anthem X.
Sooooo. my next question. what else is there out there that I should consider before I jump in?
I cant really think of anything else around the same price based around a 120mm fork, dropper and this new 'slack' geo (but not too slack).
Stanton's are too aggressive for my riding.
Chameleon is + only.
Stiff Morf is heavier and dont like the colours.
Nothing from On-One for a while (if their new frames arrive)
Was looking at another soul (had 2) or a Morf. Ended up getting an Airdrop Bitmap, very happy with it. Not steel though.
27.5 hard core hardtail. Setup up with 140 Fox 36. Climbs remarkably well.
Hey guys.. I can’t go 29 as I’m too short and want to keep the fun factor.
That has to be really short given the height of people I know riding 29rs!
You tried some xs ones?
As for new or used builds going fully over to new standards in one jump might be easier as a full build.
I'm 5'5" and the 29ers I have ridden just feel too clumsy for me on anything other than fast gravel or straight singletrack.
Fair enough know plenty shorter having good fun on them. Sounds more like a feature of the bikes not just the wheels though.
i was going to mention the airdrop too. it looks a lot more like a chameleon than the current chameleon IMO ( i have a 2013 cham and and 2017(?) so feel qualified to comment! ), and i actually considered dropping the current chameleon for one recently. looks like a hoot.