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Hi all
I'm looking for my next bike and currently eyeing up the likes of ragleys blue pig/ piglet,cotics bfe and anything that looks like it may be a hardcore hard tail type frame..
Anyone like to throw any suggestions at me.
Ive only had 26" bikes before and Ill happily stick with it or try something new I'm not fussed..last bikes were 2012-trance x, 2013 alpine 160 and a Whyte something or other.
I had a break from MTBs for a couple of years due to personal reasons but ready to come back with the intention of keeping it simple,fun and cheap
You're spoilt for choice these days.. don't rule out 29" - they're a world apart from the XC-focussed bikes of only a handful of years ago.
A few to throw into the mix:
Stanton Switchback / Switch9er
Nukeproof Scout
Kona Honza ESD
Orange Crush / P7
Commencal Meta HT AM
Pace RC627
Stif Squatch / Morf
Sonder Transmitter / Signal
Pipedream Moxie
Personally I wouldn't rule anything other than 29 IN these days for a Hardtail.
Pretty much anything from one of the known brands such as the examples above, with reasonably modern geo, a dropper, wide bars and able to take a fat 2.4-2.6 tubeless tyre at low 20psi will feel like a revelation to you compared to bikes from even 7 years ago I reckon.
Simple, cheap and fun, take a look at a second hand surly krampus.
So much fun.
I'm still enjoying my OnOne Big Dog if you wan to dip the toe back in at the cheaper end of the market before throwing some wedge down.
How cheap is cheap? Not many of the go to frames come in less than £600 or full bikes below £1500.
I've had a Orange P7 and thought it was ace fun. I was also eyeing up a Pace or Stif. Plenty of choice depending on your budget. If you want cheaper than mentioned have a look at On One.
I'm enjoying my on one hello Dave.
I rode my Orange clockwork 120 round the same trails as the hello dave the other week. The hello dave was loads more confidence inspiring and fun 🙂
You’re spoilt for choice these days.. don’t rule out 29″
This. As someone with a Solaris Max I have no clue given how good parts of these days why anyone wouldn't get a 29er. The days of them not being "playful" are well and truly over. I currently have a Rocket and feel like next year I may swap it for a RocketMax
Cheap and very good On One Big Dog. Love mine
How cheap is cheap? Not many of the go to frames come in less than £600
£285 for my DMR (or £320 full price on DMR website +£6 P&P)
Will take a small 29 tyre as well
You’re spoilt for choice these days.. do
Except that availability is an issue at the moment. Otherwise like all your suggestions
Add an Orbea Laufey to the list. Really good bike even in the base spec.
But as above, actual availability for anything is the bigger factor!
Most the brands you list are not really cheap. You can probably get a decent FS for the price of a Cotic hardtail TBH.
Something like a Vitus hardtail might be more what you were thinking of, this looks particularly good VFM and spec - when it comes into stock...
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-sentier-29-vr-mountain-bike-2021/rp-prod195562
I absolutely love my Bird Zero 29. Hasn't missed a beat in the last year and a half. Done big xc rides on it and lots of enduro trails. I kept my old Ti456 for local tamer trails but I haven't had it out of the shed since getting the Bird as it's so good at everything.
This has had a better response then I expect..thank you..
By cheap, i mean under a grand for a used bike,be it one I buy ready built or one I build my up self from starting with a used frame...I definitely don't want a budget fs, hardcore ht all the way for me and preferably steel as I've never ridden a decent steel bike and I want to see what it's all about.. I've got a feeling that a blue pig will answer all of my questions...if I could find a new one in stock right now then I'd be very tempted to raid the piggy bank too..but I can't..(plus the uncertainty of lockdown affecting work means I need to keep to my budget really)
This thread has given me lots to think about already so cheers .the search is on
You could have a look at the On-One Big Dog from Planet X. Steel frame and some good deals at the moment on whole bikes.
One-One Scandal also worthy a look even though it’s alloy.
That new Stif looks lovely. The Morf is the only bike I’ve ever really regretted selling. Just such great fun to ride and fitted me like a glove. If I was in the market for a HT I’d be all over the Squatch.
https://www.dmrbikes.com/Catalogue/Frames/Hard-Tail/Trailstar
or one I build my up self from starting with a used frame…I definitely don’t want a budget fs, hardcore ht all the way for me and preferably steel as I’ve never ridden a decent steel bike and I want to see what it’s all about..
In stock NOW ready for dispatch...
Bought one a bit over a month ago and hadn't ridden my FS until today (and that was a before putting it to bed ride for lockdown #2)
That new stif squatch looks lovely. I got a used LLS 29 frame a few months ago (last fast forward), built up with fox 34s, 1x10,180 dropper and 2.4-2.6 rubber it’s really capable.
Availability is the issue though. Long lead times in new bikes and not a lot available second hand...
For a bargain Have a look at the planet x jumping Jack flash.you can always upgrade the fork at a later date.doubt it will ride any different from a steel frame tbh.not dissing steel I've got a sturdy steel dh bike but the flexy feel of steel has gone. Get the best bike you want.steel probably has a better fatigue record than alloy though and looks better.hope this post does not get deleted like I suspected my last one was.steel is real.it can also be repaired easily so it's better for the environment.
Fair enough my post was not deleted I stupidity put it in another steel post.