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I'm in the pondering stage of deciding whether to get a lightweight HT & ditch the Freeranger gravel bike. The obvious choice would be to get a Whippet frame & swap the bits apart from brakes, forks & possibly the front chainring.
I've done 1000 miles on the Freeranger but still hate the dropped bars (achey triceps after 15 miles & I've tried different stems, different saddle positions etc.) Some would say to put flat/riser bars on but as far as reach goes I'd need a 200mm stem because the reach on the hoods is fine.
I love the speed I can get around on the Freeranger but miss being comfortable! I'm 5'4 & 1/2, the FR is an extra small.
Oh, what lightweight forks too?
Ta.
Bikes like this are my favourite type of bike... always keep an eye open for what's around incase I break mine tomorrow. Top of the list would be to get a SantaCruz Highball frameset and build from there, I'd run a Sid SL Ultimate, bars at 700mm, ESi grips for comfort...other stuff less important as long as it works. Very low twenties lbs easily achievable. or sub 20lb chi-chi. Done.
Without doubt the Whippet frame gives exactly this.
Maybe not the PX std builds but, the frame (and carbon fork) rides very well indeed with a light overall weight.
I initially bought it to scratch a rigid SS itch, which it also does well but I soon found out I don't really like the type of riding that lends itself to.
Only sold mine as the way it rode the best for the riding I do was with a suspension fork and gearing, which took it too close to my main HT, a SC Carbon Chameleon. The Chameleon is still light because of the kit I put on it but it is much more burly and capable than the Whippet build was.
Trek ProCaliber, not cheap mind but lovely frames.
https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Trek/Procaliber-97-Mountain-Bike-2023/VOCK
My kind of bike! I'm currently on a Trek Superfly with carbon rigid forks, Hope hubs & crest rims, Rocket rons, carbon bars. It FLIES! I also have a Cannondale CAADX cross bike and I find the Trek far more versatile for my local riding.
Airwolf T1000 would be my choice if you've got half an eye on budget.
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/airwolf-t1000-29er-carbon-hardtail-thoughts/
Selcof carbon risers from PX
Carbon seatpost from USE Exposure outlet
Selle X1 seat (light enough, very comfy for me)
Some RS rebas from CRC for £250
Lightweight wheels and tyres.
I've got the rigid whippet. Did the SDW in a day on it in July and didn't feel beaten up at all. That was with 29 2.6 2.35 tyres and carbon post. Most of the time though it's 27.5 3/ 2.8 with a dropper and that's real fun on the south downs.
I built up a Titus El Viajero in February which comes in at just a smidge under 10kg, so not far off the FreeRanger and that's with a suspension fork and 2.4inch tyres front and rear. A Yeti ARC would get that down to 9.2ishkg, but would add almost £2k to the price.
Don't discount rigid forks. They are a lot nicer when you have 2.3" tyres on.
My Salsa El Mariachi is my fave bike ever, rigid. It feels a lot nicer to ride generally with a rigid fork, in all situations except a really rocky descent, so I put up with that for the benefits elsewhere. It's not light, and they don't make them any more, but a rigid MTB is perhaps a good replacement for a gravel bike.
Up until recently I had a Ragley Trig and On One Whippet as I was in a similar position to you where I was not sure I got on with drops and wanted to try a proper XC bike. I also suffer shoulder/neck pain by the end of a decent drop bar ride.
Went for the budget SX build + carbon forks when they were £800. Quickly went tubless and put some better tyres on then later fitted a dropper. Rode them both on the same trails so was able to do a decent comparison. You'll not be surprised that they were very similar on canal paths, gravel roads and light off road with the Trig being much more comfortable + fast on road but the Whippet coming in to it's own as soon as the terrain got a little naughty (once I'd made the upgrades). I found the On One to ride much more like a GB rather than modern HT if that makes sense which I put down to geometry rather than the rigid forks.
Sold the Whippet recently as we had an unexpected bill at exactly the wrong time so one had to go. TBF if someone had bought the Trig first I'd still have the Whippet but out of the two I preferred the Ragley so was happy with the result. Keep away from the SX build though, it's turd, go f+f instead.
I've recently gone from a Procaliber to a Chisel. While not quite as comfy as the Procaliber with ISO speed it's not far off and I much prefer the geometry of the Chisel plus it has a BSA bottom bracker. If I was going to do it in hindsight I'd have gone for a frame only rather than a full bike.
Scott Scale. If you go for the less fashionable 27.5 there are bargains out there !
2017 rc 700 pro. Full Xt/fox 32 with nice syncros finishing kit £850 🙂
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The reason I mentioned the Highball as a frameset is that although spendy it is not that bad for a CC frame compared to the usual bigger brands who seem to only want to sell a top tier carbon at more, a procaliber SL is more for example. The threaded BB on the SC is a big selling point, as it should be on any bike, handling/ geometry is right where it should be IMO. The SP Epic Ht is a great bike but framesets are usually only available at silly SWorks money, sometimes the standard level come on the market but not often, and the full builds are not great value at the mid price point (or any)...I have an older gen cannondale (flash) which is fantastic, but I'm not sure that the newer slacker variety would make such a great allrounder, however undoubtedly good on a modern racetrack- and going down the leftfield fork route is not one I'd take again...mine's been on its last leg for a while now. The Scott scales above are great and a classic choice, gotta be 29er though unless vertically challenged.
I third the Scott Scale. I almost bought one instead of my gravel bike, it absolutely flies.
In the end I got a great deal on the gravel bike and that sealed it for me.
Ooohh some food for thought there chaps thanks!
A rigid fork on a Whippet should work ok, I've got some 650b wheels with 50mm tyres on & I'd keep the Redshift stem from the gravel bike.
I'm going to have a few drinks & think a bit more!
The Scott scales above are great and a classic choice, gotta be 29er though unless vertically challenged.
At 5'4" & a bit I think I fall into that category. I'd look like a monkey on a mangle.
esselgruntfuttock
I’m going to have a few drinks & think a bit more!
Oh my a very dangerous combination!!
specialized rockhopper.
both myself and francesca have one now.
mine has 120mm reba's on it with 1 x 10 deore. daughters has tora's on it with 2 x 10 shimano.
both were well under a grand. but i do realise that may be a bit too spendy for a tight arsed old sod like you........... ;o)
I’m not sure that the newer slacker variety would make such a great allrounder
It really does. I have a Scalpel HT and it's fantastic. Not much slower than my Reilly gravel bike on road but much more capable off it. The Lefty seems fine too, but haven't had it long enough to know about longevity. Probably over budget for the OP though, although I do have an XTC Advanced in his size to get rid of...
I went down the Cascade route had the SIDs fitted. I like my full sus but was missing a quicker 'lighter' hard tail feel and have found wide bars a bit of a pain on the climbs. PNW drops are at the wider end as it feels a bit like going back to narrow bars and bar ends. Just need to remember to get myself set onto the drops at the start of a descent as mid way switch takes a bit of thought. Did a not too technical 50km round N end of Windermere last weekend and could deal with most things. Where it didn't go that was more fitness and skill than bike. Still working through the limits of what I feel happy riding on it.
Chisel, Dial and Whippet all seem to hit the light weight hardtail brief. There's also the Broken Road.
At 5’4″ & a bit I think I fall into that category. I’d look like a monkey on a mangle.
I don't think you should rule out 29 based on height. My 5'4" other half has just swapped the 27.5 rear of her Mega for a 29er and couldn't be happier. There are lots of shorties round here on 29.
but i do realise that may be a bit too spendy for a tight arsed old sod like you……….. ;o)
Too right, & I’ve told you before, I’m more Yorkshireman than you! 😂😜
If you haven't seen it already, check out the dude who does really good reviews of hardtails on Youtube (if you're into that sort of thing) on the site called 'hardtail party'. One bike he really raves about is the Marin Team Marin 2, not one that gets much exposure, but a lot of bike for a decent price tag - one of his favourites from a long list of detailed reviews.