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Currently on a nukeproof scout but think a bit a bounce is needed
Looking to swap everything over so 29 wheels 130 forks (but could swap these out for a bit bigger)
But thinking something trail,(aggressive ish similar to the scout) 100/140 travel
And about 1000 to spend max what options are out there happy second hand too
Scandel or Big Dog. One On direct sell via ebay shop soiled frames. Got mine recently for £250. They are both really capable with the Scandel being slightly more assured down high speed hills and the long chainstays of the Dog perhaps edging it up very steep climbs.
Smuggler
Sonder cortex with the cane creek upgrade
2nd vote for smuggler. Just built up a 2017 frame I picked up from eBay for £500.
It's a full sus I'm looking at, a smuggler but 6'2 think I'd need a xl frame
For a bit more you could get a new Bird Aether 9AL. Can’t see anything I’d change about it; suspension design, geometry, dropper post insertion (the problem I find with many otherwise great frames), etc.
In a similar position looking to swap bits from a HT 29er, my shortlist is: Smuggler, Stage 4, tallboy, cortex. Struggling to think of any others right now.
The older Smugglers - 2015 to 2017 - are a bit short in reach by current standards. Mine’s a large and reach is 457mm - you’re a couple of inches taller than me so you’d need an XL. The later models are longer. I keep meaning to put an angleset in mine too. Solid frame though!
Finding one and in budget is not going to be easy but adding to the ones mentioned so far, Norco Revolver, Scott Spark and Intense Sniper all have 120mm versions...probably be fine to run 130mm forks (Spark comes with 130mm forks for 2021 anyway) on those if you cant drop the fork travel.
Frankly I think the Cortex would suit plus you're getting a brand new warrantied frame for your budget
There is a 2017 XL smuggler on eBay at the moment but they want a lot of money for it. It’s been on a while.
I’m 5’10 and on a L which is just about right.
the only thing about the transition smuggler is that the rear tyre clearance seems minuscule on 2017 versions.
Keep an eye out for a Orange Segment, especially the mk2 as they do not fetch the money other Oranges seem to. I loved mine, was ace.
Sonder Cortex seems a good option for a brand new frame of the reach vs seat tube height suits (quite long seat tubes vs reach for me) in budget with warranty etc.
As above, new Bird Aether 9AL brand new is a few hundred quid over your budget but looks a better bet in terms of geometry and I suspect (but don’t know) the Aether is a better quality frame.
As others have said a fairly new smuggler frame might work - the later model the better.
Giant Anthem - bit more xc orientated than the above but a year or so back I think they were a bit more trail than the current model.
Trek Top Fuel / Fuel Ex from a few years back maybe?