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Looking to get a new frame open to options
Something aggressive and a playful edge, something that's okay for a good day out and something that's fun on the decents
Ideally something 130mm travel forks
Thanks
You didn't stipulate your budget, but if you want to actually talk to the chap who will weld your frame, 18 Bikes No.9
They're pretty light to, full 853 front triangle and Deda Zero rear.
Got their 500mm reach demo bike on loan ATM and it's bloody ace.
Stanton switch9er
Pipedream moxie (longer forks though)
Obvious Solaris is obvious. Ragley Bigwig is a big ol' lump, so not exactly spritely but the geometry's really sorted and the ride feel is nice
Santacruz Chameleon alloy?
Pace RC529
Orange P7 29
RSD Middle Child
Banshee Paradox V3
Santa Cruz Chameleon
Nordest Bardino
Nordest Britango
Though I wouldn't say 130 mm fork travel is hardcore hardtail territory, 130 mm is in the trail category for me. Hardcore is 140 mm and up I reckon.
Bird Zero 29
Cotic Solaris MAX. Perfect bike. Meets your criteria. Do it.
Kona Honzo, Calibre Line 29, Curtis, something from BTR. It depends on your definition of what constitutes a Hardcore Hardtail.
If you're looking for something with a slack head angle, low top tube and short(ish) back end then there are quite a few things out there. If it's a 29er version of what we used to call the 150+mm forked 26 hardtails of old then I think you're more limited.
Tom.kP
Though I wouldn’t say 130 mm fork travel is hardcore hardtail territory, 130 mm is in the trail category for me. Hardcore is 140 mm and up I reckon.
Tell that to BTR!
OP, Sonder Signal Ti worth a look, too. Especially if you want something with a nod to longer rides and a playful nature for single track, rather than a winch and plummet sled
Is it possible to have a LT 29er that's playful for short sessions but also capable of all day distance rides? I love my LT Stumpy 29er full suss but it just smashes through. I can't help feeling I'd enjoy a 29er hardtail more, for some reason.
New Solaris Max next week. No idea if it will the same or slightly less hardcore than current version, to perhaps move it away from bfe 29
Is it possible to have a LT 29er that’s playful for short sessions but also capable of all day distance rides?
I bought a SC Chameleon for that purpose - have two sets of 29” wheels for it, one with 2.1 tyres for ‘adventure’ riding, another wider set with beefier 2.4” tyres for gnarlier trail riding. The swappable dropouts on the Chameleon also give you options for 27.5 wheels, single speed, and small tweaks to the wheelbase.
Love my P7 29er
I had a similiar dilemma last year and narrowed it down to the pipedream, stanton, pole, cotic, norco and nordest as I was wanting a hardtail to have similiar geom to my full sus.
In the end I ordered one but cancelled it due to being mucked around with delivery times and poor communication. Then I went with one that was avialable and the colour i liked.
I never test rode any of the bikes, so my choice was based on geom, availability (and colour) and I'm happy with my choice.
But what was your choice?
Norco do one but it's very hardcore.the gt zasker looks good too although it's not that slack and more trail than dh.looks tough though.
I have a Ti RSD Middlechild and a couple of wheelsets.
27.5 with 2.8s for play rides - 415mm chainstay
29 with 2.6 for all day rides - 425-430mm chainstays.
Hello Dave from on one should be in the mix too.
I dont personally think long reach works that well on a hard tail, it encourages you just to hold on and blast through stuff but that doesnt work without rear travel. For me, shorter reach and an easier to lift/jump length suits a hard tail more.
Remember the reach on a hard tail grows by 5-10% when the fork sags, when you compare it to a full suss bike
You could always have something built for you if you're not in a rush.
This is going to be a replacement for my Last Fastforwards.
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I’m going to plug the seemingly forgotten Orange Clockwork Evo again. Seems to be Oranges forgotten bike, lighter and cheaper than the p7 but in Evo 27.5 guise very much in the trail / fun category the op describes.
Actual bike is slightly more burly in the flesh than it looks in the pics, it’s comfortable, reliable and a hoot on the trails.
New Solaris Max next week. No idea if it will the same or slightly less hardcore than current version, to perhaps move it away from bfe 29
Sauce? Sounds exciting, had been looking at a Taiwan Stanton Sherpa but if Cotic can finally do the solaris in a nice colour that would be enough to sway me. Shame about the new cotic headbadge though.
I'm loving my nukeproof scout. Has been used for big long days; and messing about on steep stuff
The scout is great. Simple and good everywhere.
Bfe max, excuse the part build :
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howsyourdad1
New Solaris Max next week.
Is that confirmed? There's almost none left but I'd only been expecting a colour change.
I have a Zero 29. Tried it and the Zero AM. The 29 was just as much fun and with 2.6/2.5 tyres had a bit more comfort and loads of grip. I don't get much chance to do longer rides but it seems like it's me that's the limiting factor on those rides, not the bike. And it's great fun on trails like the Golfie or at the local woods where we have some nice jumps, drops and berms. Bird are very helpful too.
Is it possible to have a LT 29er that’s playful for short sessions but also capable of all day distance rides? I love my LT Stumpy 29er full suss but it just smashes through. I can’t help feeling I’d enjoy a 29er hardtail more, for some reason.
You should consider a short travel 29er with fun geometry.
Best of both worlds, for me.
Is that confirmed? There’s almost none left but I’d only been expecting a colour change.
I have zero inside info, but I've been expecting a frame update for ages now. Probably just minor tweaks to tidy up the geo though.
Yeah been thinking just build what I want but Marino is snowed under for a bit so just seeing what's out there
Regarding a new Solaris Max, it came from the horses mouth. All the way to me here in Sverige. Sent an email to Cotic last week as I’m after one
Cool. I'll be awaiting that next Cotic email with interest
Scandal ticks all those boxes, cheaper and added bonus being 5-600g lighter than steel.
Im over steel, aluminium might not be as tough in shrugging off rocks and crashes, but as far as ride goes Im not convinced steel justifies the weight/price anymore.
On one hello Dave in recommend what you own shocker.
Fun in the woods today. 15 miles
Fun in the peaks the other week 25miles
Something aggressive tick
and a playful edge, tick
something that’s okay for a good day out tick
and something that’s fun on the decents big tick
Ideally something 130mm travel forks
Nope my forks are at 160, supposed to be 150mm
would you have any interest in a large kingdom vendetta, with 140mm pikes and a spattering of xt stuff?
I'm trying to consolidate my collection, and I feel my HT kinda needs to go as I've got a FS now for trail duties...
absolutely sublime bike.. nippy yet long and slack...a real head Turner...
will prob be looking around the £1700 mark...
will get up some lovely pictures ASAP!
DrP
being 5-600g lighter than steel.
Beware of generalisations like this.
Frame weight difference between a scandal and solarismax was 100 or 200g when I checked, iirc.
But I've had some very nice riding alu hardtails. I'd probably go that way if I wanted another HT, but something lighter than a scandal so it'd fare better in the odd xc race.
How about Chromag Surface? If you are feeling stupid buy a Doctahawk.
Any other options
Sonder Transmitter, carbon or alloy.
If you are going as far as the Scandel then On One Big Dog and Sonder Signal 29ers or on 27+ Ribble HT. But then one man's hardcore bike is another's general trail bike. The new Merida is coming soon but is said to be a bit harsh on the spine.
Shand Shug
I’ve had an Orbea Laufey for about 3 months. Can’t fault it. 66ha, 140mm Fox 34s, 4 pot XTs. It’s not heavy, and goes lie a cat off a hot shovel! It’s fun on the local Welsh off-piste stuff. It is long - too long to put in my car with both wheels on.
I'd pretty much decided on a Laufey until I found out that new stock isn't due until June 2021!
Perhaps you should have a look on the Marino U.K. website - last time I looked they had some 29er frames in stock.
I've just ordered this;
Norco Torrent is bout as hardcore as an off the peg steely can get!
Having ridden it a bit more recently and really enjoyed it, I think the BFeMax is the answer here. It's a great bike, climbs really well, surprisingly comfortable, and really capable. It's really very good.
Finally got my own 18 back in July, it's bloody ace.
That is all.
When i last looked at this i had it down to:
Pace 529
Orange P7
Cotic Solaris
I opted for the Pace and its bloody incredible. But this was before the new BFe which looks brilliant as well. Would love an 18 but thats pushing the budget a bit too far.
However, i wouldn't suggest a modern geo steel 29 is ever going to be that playful.
I just built up an on-one big dog with some of those unlabelled fox 34's and went all Ayrton Senna with it...
Hello Dave already been mentioned.
I've just ordered a Nordest Bambino. 64 degree HA with a 160mm fork: https://nordestcycles.com/en/product/bardino-2-frame
I'll tell you what it's like if DPD ever acknowledge they have to deliver it 😉
dartmoor primal?
https://dartmoor-bikes.com/hardware/enduro-trail/primal-29-2020
reach up to 470, 66 head angle, fork travel 130-160
cheap, too.. https://26bikes.com/shop/parts/frames/enduro-all-mountain/prod/dart-primal-29-frame
wiggle had a load, oem off some bikes sans stickers. I paid 350 for mine off ebay.
edit: mine are 34 rhythms, might have had other models not sure.
Nice one, thanks
Did the Honzo ESD get a mention yet?
Pole Taival is another option. Wasn't cheap when I got mine, and they've put the price up since.
But, its reset my paradigm on what hardtails are capable of.
Scienceofficer
they’ve put the price up since.
Pole aren't shy about that. They now want four and a half thousand euro for the Machine (frame only)
There are more alternatives around than 15 months ago,which makes the €800 asking price all the more rich.
I ordered a Switch9er.
Pole = lmao & GTFO!