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Hello all,
Just wanted to see if any of you can help with MTB decision. Been mainly a roadie last few years, have had a gravel bike (Surly Straggler) for last couple of years which has re-invigorated my enthusiasm for off road riding however where I live (South Downs), I find that unless I carefully select the route, the bike can end up out of its depth quite quickly (byways/bridlepaths too rough/rocky or muddy). It feels like a better machine on New Forest tracks.
As such I have been riding my MTB more and more (and wondering if I ever needed a gravel bike...), a 2011 Scott Scale 970 - previously it had a hard life being rode around Swinley when I was working up there and a lot of replacement components (Suntour fork replaced with Rockshox Silver fork, cheapo MT-35 wheels when the original front wheel folded like a Calzone pizza). Its fun but a bit heavy and just feels a bit worn out (albeit the frame on the surface looks fine)...
Most of the riding I do is longer distances (30-40 miles) over South Downs type terrain, not too much technical riding, ability to cover distance over rolling gradients / poor surfaces most important. Family time restrictions mean I tend to ride fast (at least by my own standards) to go as far as I can in my allowed slot. I could spend a few hundred quid and replace the wheels and possibly upgrade to a new drivetrain (if they ever become available again), this would require custom wheels as it has QR on the back, then maybe a lighter fork but then in terms of cost this is edging towards new bike. Or I could bite the bullet and get something new, a carbon Scott Scale would be lighter but I would also appreciate something compliant, also been eyeing up Cotic Solaris Max / Stanton Sherpa, but being steel would need a more expensive build to keep weight down (looking at something like £3k), and these bikes may be more orientated at technical riding? Any recommendations? Have frames moved on a lot in the last 10 years, or do I already have a platform that is comparable to what is available today?
Have frames moved on a lot in the last 10 years,
Yes. I have a bunch of old 26" bikes and enough parts to keep them running, but it's not worth spending a lot of money on them. Better to just buy a new 29er than spend much on an old 26er.
Worth taking a look at this thread which covers some similar ground:
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/is-my-2006-stumpjumper-obsolete-2/#post-11852776
On one Scandal or Whippet and some lighter wheels or maybe something from Sonder
Have frames moved on a lot in the last 10 years, or do I already have a platform that is comparable to what is available today?
They have changed in 10 years but not so much for this
Most of the riding I do is longer distances (30-40 miles) over South Downs type terrain, not too much technical riding, ability to cover distance over rolling gradients / poor surfaces most important.
The biggest difference for that sort of riding will be the wheel size.
Actually, I just Googled to see the details of that model and I think it has a tapered headtube, which makes a big difference because your choice of forks is much greater than with straight steerer. You could put a 27.5" fork in there with 26" wheels and move the fork to a newer frame later, along with the hub rebuilt onto a bigger wheel. It would slacken the geometry off slightly, but I think you would barely notice. That way, the money you put into a fork and hub won't be a write-off.
It was a 29er frame, originally with straight steerer, however when I replaced the original Suntour fork I could not get a non-tapered, so I replaced the ZS bottom headset with an EC40/44 that allows me to run a tapered steerer (at the expense of 12mm extra crown height / slightly slacker geo)
Worth taking a look at this thread which covers some similar ground:
Thanks useful thread. Being a 29er I am not wholly convinced its obsolete, the main limitation is the 135mm/QR rear.
Compatibility issues aside, have the alloy frame constructions changed at all? The rear end of my Scale is ok but not plush. Is that likely to be the same with a 2021 alloy scale? Do the steel bikes feel noticeably more compliant?
Do the steel bikes feel noticeably more compliant?
Nope. Combination of being built to be abused and CEN testing means there’s not much in it for an off the peg frame. Not saying it’s can’t be made to be, but most new steel isn’t.
Rear QR is a non issue, non boost spaced DT or Hope hub is just a swap of end caps from qr to thru axle.
I just refurbed my Mk 1 solaris - new paint, new groupset, a set of Mavic XA elite carbon wheels that I got for < £300 (the advantage of a 135mm rear end). Looks great and still perfect for the riding you describe. If you like the bike, keep it. If you're interested in newer style geometry, sell it (stealth ad: I have a medium scandal rolling chassis with hope wheels and a fox 34 if you're interestde 😉 ).
My solaris isn't my only bike, and tbh if I only had one bike it would be a modern full sus, but it is still great.