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Hi
I'm just considering whether to trade-in/sell my Whyte T130S and get myself a steel hardtail. If I'm being totally honest my riding does not really require a 130mm travel trail bike. Most of my local trails are pretty smooth and I'm not a hooligan rider (being self employed means if I prang myself I don't earn, so I'm pretty much wheels on the ground!) If I go further afield I ride the blues at FoD, with a bit of Launchpad thrown in. Once/if the current situation resolves and we can ride further afield then maybe mid-Wales (Doethe valley) is on the cards. Maybe a bit of bikepacking too?
So, this brings me to what hardtail? I like the look of an Orange P7 (27.5 probably) and Sunset MTB have some good deals on at the minute. Or a Cotic Soul (not as good a spec or price at the mo). Or...what? Probably about 130-150mm fork, XT or GX group. Rather not self-build.
Suggestons and experiences please.
Of course this may not happen, but at the moment I'm still working and if that carries on I may be able to pull the trigger later in the year, so I'm filling some time now by day dreaming!
Singular, or Shand?
Onza payoff, 4130 cromo. 120mm 29er. Rockshox revelations, slx 10 speed. £699 on onza website in black
+1 for those Payoffs on offer currently - that's an absolute bargain!
If looking at Orange and Cotic it would be rude not to look at Pace as well.
You havent mentioned budget as this list could get very long indeed.
I'm sorting out my Cotic Solaris (2nd gen, pre-longshot but not the original true XC model) which is 29er, 120mm fork, size large. If you're interested DM and I'll ping you when it's on the ebay.
Oh yeah, budget! Depends what I could get for the Whyte but I'm guessing absolute top end would be £3k, probably with some on 0% for 24 months (maybe). The Cotic Soul with the Helm fork and XT or GX group, or the P7R with Pikes is what I've looked at so far. Will have a browse at Pace and Onza forthwith.
I guess what I'm after is suggestions but also riding experience. Are they springy, twitchy, dead feeling, quick, dull, fun? My local riding involves steep little climbs out of Cotswold valleys, so something that can climb but is fun whizzing along/back down would be nice.
Onza Payoffs are out of stock.
3k will get you a bloody nice bike!
Your not a hooligan rider, but you are after something that takes a 130 - 150 fork? Thats not exactly xc territory.
In finest STW style I'm going to recommend what I have because it will comfortably handle everything you did on your t-130 too.
Trail Spec €2085
Enduro Spec €3085ish
Always hankered after a Stanton Sherpa - think they do a couple of builds, one is definitely under £3k.
In the end I went with an on-one Big Dog because I couldn't really justify the spend £3k spend.
For £3k you could have a really nice steel frame with Carbon wheels and all top end kit, world is your oyster really. If you want something fun, nimble and engaging I'd be looking at 27.5"/650b wheels and not too long/low/slack. I reckon for woodsy singletrack geo from about 3-4 years ago or a bit more was spot on.
Ragley Blue Pig, or if 29" wheels are in the mix then also look at the Ragley Bigwig or Norco Torrent.
I've had a P7 and they're great bikes
In the market for a HT frame at the mo and keep coming back to the Pace bikes. As has been said, with 3k to spend you can have pretty much any of them!
What about a BTR or Curtis!
I'm not sure what kind of riding the OP is most interest in, but after owning a good bunch of different steel hardtails over the last years I'll just leave some comments.
I'd say most riders (with the exception of lycra xcers and guys after a sort of grownup dirt jumper) generally look for an hardtail that can in some way be as close as possible to a FS in comfort and performance. If you fall in this description, you can take this into consideration:
- consider 29er wheels, the bigger rear wheel helps to settle down the rear
- longer, slacker modern geometry also helps to calm down the bike and add more comfort
- you mentioned "springy". If you were referring to the "feel" of the frame material, I'd say that most modern steel mtb frames (specially after CEN) don't feel any different to most aluminium counterparts. They're all pretty stiff and most compliance will come from wheels and tyres
- when looking at hardtail geometry charts, check if the figures are at static or sagged state. If you have a FS geometry that you like, don't look for the same numbers on a static hardtail geo chart. Mind that, when sagged, hardtails get considerably steeper and longer.
If I was in the market for a HT, I'd also prefer to get a burly one and put lighter wheels/tyres if I wanted to pedal a lot. An aggressive hardtail pedals really well on lighter shoes.
My top picks would be:
- Pipedream Moxie (No1 by far)
- Cotic SolarisMax
- Stanton Switch9er
- Pace RC529
- BTR or Kingdom if budget allowed
you mentioned “springy”. If you were referring to the “feel” of the frame material, I’d say that most modern steel mtb frames (specially after CEN) don’t feel any different to most aluminium counterparts. They’re all pretty stiff and most compliance will come from wheels and tyres
I agree.
Big tyres, springy bars and saddle are more important than frame material. Better Ali and carbon frame design now means less difference under CEN.
But then they look purdy.
Personally, for that money, I would Shand up...
I have a PP Shan and its brilliant
Dialled Alpine.
Sorry, please help, I'm stuck in 2008.
Chromag Rootdown is an option. Long, low, slack etc 29er. Built one up recently and it rides very nicely.
A sick bike...maybe.
So I actually have one of the sicks frames from Marino and have got a couple of thoughts and experience.
29er wheels seem to help a hardtail roll over every a lot better (with no suspension to help to move the wheel out of the way).
A tyre insert help to protect the rear wheel and allow a more comfortable ride due to being able to run a lower pressure.
The more modern long, low and slack geometry works wonder with very little issues with a pedaly all day ride (as long as seat tube is steep enough).
Rather than just picking based in on brand, set out what features you actually want (length, chainstays length, tyres size to fit ect)