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I've recently had my On One Parkwood 27.5 stolen and my insurance have made a cash settlement. So I'm looking for a suitable hardtail replacement. My requirements are 27.5 wheels, decent forks and a good drive train for trail centres and riding in the Pennines.
Sonder - Transmitter
Ragley - Marley 2.0
Mmm, purple Sonder..
Seat tube angle on the Marley is slack, so check (geometrygeeks) the reach vs. top tube for how stretched out you want to be standing vs. sitting. You might find you want the reach of say a large but the top tube of a medium.
I had a v2 Transmitter which I swapped the frame on for a Marley in L as the XL transmitter was a bit too big, both great bikes for your needs I don't think you'd be disappointed with either, as said get them into geogeeks to check how different they are from the parkwood.
The Transmitter is a solid option - I suggested one for my mate and it’s gradually growing on him. He went from an early 2000’s Kona Caldera to the Transmitter and initially he found it wasn’t as quick to turn or react to things. That had a 69 degree headangle and very short reach though - the Sonder is properly modern with a 65 ish headangle, steeper seat tube and decent reach. He’s now loving it - going a lot faster virtually everywhere and finding he can do more stupid stuff on it without getting bitten.
The value for money particularly frame only on the Transmitter is great too.
What’s your budget?
If you’ve got a healthy one to play with the Stanton Slackline or Switchback are lovely frames - although I’d probably try and do a build myself as their standard builds aren’t great kit for the money.
I’d also look at the Vitus Sentier if there’s any stock (I think just over £1k there was one with a Bomber Z2 fork on last time I looked), and see if Orange still make a Clockwork Evo in 27.5” wheels.
You can demo the transmitter and get the fee back if you buy it. Worth doing if you're near an alpkit.
Sonder would be my choice, great to deal with and great value. Have ridden the previous transmitter and it was a very fun and capable bike.
One alternative that springs to mind is the Saracen Mantra
Budget won't stretch to Stanton levels of investment. They are very good looking bikes though.
May well be selling my 2017 Ragley Mmmbop (medium) with Fox 36 forks if that’d be up your street? Drop me a line if so.