Talk to me about Santa Cruz Chameleon?

Trek fuel?

Nah, done that. No need to revisit previous bikes.

Commencal META HT

In the long tradition of suggesting what I have chosen...

I just love it, so versatile, so maneuvrable and not even harsh on 2.6/2.8.

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I can't believe the price of that Chameleon. I have built mine for £1,300 out of far better new components. (now has the Ribble Revs).

Maybe have a few rides on a HT before you commit, so switched back to one after years on an enduro bike and it was certainly an eye opener (and teeth rattler!), I love it now but it definitely highlighted the weaknesses/laziness I’d picked up after 8 years of long travel full sus bikes.

What about something like a Moxie, or On One HT?
Ragley HTs are pretty nice (see the MmBop thread from a few days ago)
A friend has a newish Chameleon and loves it. I think his is a mullet at the mo, but he does say it’s quite stiff (as are the Commencals).

The Status 140 also sounds good and you loved the big one.

Scandal ticks some boxes and on a budget.

The worry on the Status is that it's a bit bulky for being different. Would it give me anything over the Slayer.

How about a Nukeproof Scout 290?

That Chameleon has dreadful spec for the money - recon / sx etc

Pro version of the Nukeproof is cheaper, has Lyriks / SLX etc

Yeah they've been considered. Not dismissed as such but Shimano seems to be their thing

No real issue with Shimano 12 speed drivetrains - slx is fine. I run both GX and Shimano and they both do the job. I’d say Shimano rear mechs need a bit of maintenance - but at some point the GX clutch will lose its mojo and go all flappy so it’s swings and roundabouts.

You could go frame only and build up something yourself - loads of alloy hardtail frames around and seemingly more bargains on stuff like forks - been a load of lyriks discounted popping up on adverts the last few months. On a hardtail a take off 36 rhythm / 36 performance would also do a job.

Just to add - I wouldn’t take sx or nx over any Shimano 12 speed drivetrain either

I have mixed and matched. SLX 12 mech + shifter with GX chain and NX cassette+cranks. Works solidly and will hopefully last and cheap consumables.

The Scout is a good shout, and building your own is so satisfying + gives a fairly customised and "unique" feel to the bike, even if it is placebo.

The pre-built isn't very good value from Stif.

You can get a very nice bike for less if you go frame up.
E.g. Charger 2.1 Pike or Lyrik Ultimates for ~£500, SLX drivetrain etc. If you live near where Bird Cycleworks are based (Hook) they've got loads of discounted bits.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/birdcycleworks

Could make most of a drivetrain and grab a fork.

Stif Squatch.

The Stif bikes are nice.

True and at least you get decent forks for your £2k.

Whilst on the subject of Bird how about the Zero 29?

Looks like for about £2.5k you could spec one with a Pike or Formula Selva R (very nice fork), dt swiss / Hope pro 5 wheelset, GX eagle (although rear mech currently out of stock), Code RSCs (or you could go G2 RE to save some money), maxxis assegai / dissector tyres and bird finishing kit with a 200mm dropper.

We've got both a Chameleon and Status 160- very different bikes.

The Chameleon is fun for messing around on tamer trails, as a mullet and with its steeper h/a its very reactive, but its not a LLS hardcore hardtail (I bought it as a frame, full builds look well overpriced).

The Status is great for playing around at bike parks and steep stuff, not so good when there is lots of peddling (not sure what if any difference the 140 makes).

I'd suggest you look at the Bird Zero 29, light, reactive and great on both tamer trails and steep stuff, mine is now with my daughters partner, an "enthusiastic" 100kg lad and its surviving the FoD downhills!
Its clearly different to your Slayer, good fun to ride, with the ability to spec it how you want from a great Company.

Canyon stoic?

https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/mountain-bikes/trail-bikes/stoic/stoic-4/3339.html

Lot of bike for the money. I bought the previous one a couple months ago when they were on offer, few spec changes but otherwise identical.

Had a scout before in 29 guise and think they’re excellent.

I’d be considering a Ragley Big Wig or perhaps a Kona Honzo ESD. I’ve dropped a Novyparts splug in the Revelation on my Big Wig which has made it much more controllable, might even go for a coil conversion on it too. Or sell the fork and drop a Fox in it.

I’m very tempted by the ESD though as would love to run a bike like that singlespeed.

You had a status before, so you know what to expect. That was only a year ago. With all your bike swaps you can appreciate that a hardtail will be a lot different to that. Like with the ebike thread, seems you are choosing bikes either on the deals you can get, or otherwise choosing bikes a bit randomly without too much thought? Maybe just thinking out aloud. If its a hardtail, the idea of a scout or a scandal would be my choice over the chameleon which is poor value for money. But if a smaller travel full susser, id got for a bird for vfm, else a mega from crc, or one of many decent second hand deals around on whatwver bike you like.

I apprecaite you say there is a budget to look after but given your spending in recent years and the fact you say you have spare tyres, wheels, brakes, cranks, cockpit and probably more why wouldnt you build a bike out of those parts, and buy just a frame and forks? Bird have pike ultimates for 499 on eBay, that and any decent hardtail frame would be a great start.

Maybe just thinking out aloud

Often yes 😁

Sometimes they come to happen, sometimes not. The Ebike had a lot of merit, right up until it didn't. But still slightly does.
This was a bit random, but I can't help finding the yellow ones very very nice.

Yeti Arc framesets are on offer at Bike tart for 1300. Still spendy but may give you less of a crossover build.

Pace RC529 mullets well. 2.8 on the back takes some of the sting out too.

We have 2 Chameleons in the household.

Mines the lesser spotted carbon frame and the wife has a 2022 alloy frame, both built from frame only purchases.

I’ve had many different hard tails over the years and to me the Chameleon just fits and feels right. Built with some nice kit, a Fox 34 130mm and non fashionable 27,5 plus wheels, it handles any terrain I wish to ride - mainly trail centre and peaks / Wales non jumpy type riding.

Admittedly I do wear rose tinted glasses because I have a nostalgic passion for Santa Cruz bikes as my first full suss frame was a new Superlight in 2000. They’ve stuck ever since.

The wife’s bike was built relatively cheap with low level SRAM but decent wheels. That too rides well and she uses it for bike packing in the main.

Happy to go into more details if needed but to surmise I’d say mine is the best hard tail I’ve had over 30 years.

I have the carbon chameleon.  I love it. I have two sets of wheels on light with schwalbe rocket racing Ralph & Ron’s and another with maxxis dhr/dhf.  It’s not super slack but it’s always good fun with a 120 pike and 29” wheels.  The light wheels make it like a xx race bike and the heavier ones more downcountry.

I ride mostly in the lakes and often prefer taking it out than my bigger bike, as it makes everything fun!

An Orange Crush MX version seems to tick a lot of boxes

https://www.sunsetmtb.co.uk/shop/index.php?product_id=11423&gclid=CjwKCAjwjMiiBhA4EiwAZe6jQ3g3xUmqXQUpi7QefozJYRQJIbc1W6Pjk9DK4WEX_3GL4l0Rw9x_ERoCu_0QAvD_BwE

cheap too. Plus externally routed cabling which is nice.

Any logical reason to avoid these ?

It's not exactly sexy is it?

It’s not exactly sexy is it?

Oh i dunno... it's got a fair bit of merit, right head angle, 12sp, decent forks, brakes, external cabling.. Ticks the mullet box... it's deffo 'different' enough to the Slayer that i can self-justify having both

they were selling those Chameleons during black friday for £1600. Even then they didnt scream value.

I enjoyed my Ragley Big Al when i had it.

Price looks good, I rode one for a few weeks, it felt very "mullety"in tracking round tight turns up and downhill. I'd fit a bigger rear tyre as the frame was quite harsh.

Few thoughts on the orange:

Geometry all looks good as does the fork choice on there.

Brakes are meh but think you have some spare codes.

Why have they put sx eagle on a hardtail of that rrp - it really is fit for the bin. If you go that route I’d ditch the mech and shifter and fit GX instead. Keep the cassette - it’s a bit heavy but it’s steel and should last a long time. If it’s an sx powerspline bb / crank maybe run it until you break it. They’re not meant to be very good.

Looking at the reach on the large I don’t think you’ll like that - it’s static 480mm so will get even longer under sag. Would think given your preference for reach that the medium is a better choice.

On the comment above about it not being very sexy I think it’s an ok looking hardtail actually. It’s not steel / boutique or anything - but decent. Might be quite fun with the smaller rear wheel than a full 29er - but the rear wheel will hang up more in ruts.

I find running a 2.6” tyre in the back of a hardtail makes it far more forgiving than a 2.3” one. Quite like a Forekaster (old one) / Rekon for big ish volume but fast rolling tread.

I have an Orange Crush 27.5" front and back and loves it.
A mate has a Orange Crush MX and also loves it.
Great bikes!

Ive also looked at the Arc, Chameleon and other frames of late . I did have a Meta ht and while being ace down hill it was a heavy pig going up . The Big Al on the other had was brilliant and if I do change thats where I will go back . The Ragley frames are well made and half the price of the SC Chameleon ..for me thats £400 saved for a good set of wheels or axs groupset .
The arc although very very nice isnt slack enough at 67o for my tastes and after the the demos of Yetis I did last year I dont fancy the paints chances

My hello dave is a beast. Good spec for the money. As others have said, 2.6 in the rear and it actually feels like it has a small bit of rear travel. Brilliant bike

The first thing I would do is ditch the SX and stick on NX or GX. Both work fine and if it’s your spare bike then no point spending a fortune on it until you know for sure if you’ll keep it or not. I’ve got NX 11 speed on my HT and it’s been faultless.

I have a slack (63.5*) full 29er HT and I’m tempted to mullet it and fit shorter cranks. If I sold it and bought something else it might be mullet or full 275 as I’m not an XC boy and enjoy whipping it around berms and DH more

Looks like the chat/ OP might have moved on, but another carbon Chameleon owner here - bought frame only, and I have mine built with 29 wheels and a 140mm Revelation and a mix of SLX and XT that I had already. Love it to bits, and rarely use my ‘big bike’ (Whyte S150) for anything other than occasional trail centre days. It was bought as a ‘do it all’ hardtail, and performs that function admirably. Carbon was an indulgence because it looked pretty.

Looks like the chat/ OP might have moved on

It's still in my head as a possible.. But usually if i'm going to click then i'd arguably have clicked by now. So it's likely to be a no. I'm away for the weekend as of today and busy so didn't want to have something going on or potentially getting delivered while away too.
It's still on my list of possibles but i'd say the Crush MX is potentially higher up the list and maybe even the Status 140.

I don’t think the status 140 is miles different from the Slayer is it? Would almost think you’d want a downcountry style fs to be different from the slayer - but then if it’s for mucking about in the woods mostly doing silly things on janky built features the hardtail would probably suit that more.

It would involve some patience but you could custom build a Marino hardtail frame so it’s steel and exactly what you’re after…although you’d hate the lack of communication from Marino 😝

Get something like this if you want to be different

I don’t think the status 140 is miles different from the Slayer is it? Would almost think you’d want a downcountry style fs to be different from the slayer – but then if it’s for mucking about in the woods mostly doing silly things on janky built features the hardtail would probably suit that more.

It would involve some patience but you could custom build a Marino hardtail frame so it’s steel and exactly what you’re after…although you’d hate the lack of communication from Marino

After a lovely ride this morning... i think a nice reasonable weight HT is the best plan. Whether the Orange Crust fits that bill in terms of weight is open to debate... but it's got the geometry, spec and wheels i fancy.. If it had a set of 36s it'd be even better.. but we can't have everything.

Get something like this if you want to be different

The Ford Fiesta ST of bicycles... i couldn't carry that off.

I've just built up a Chameleon as a do it all hardtail. Found a frame at a great price and built it up from a mix of secondhand and discounted new components. It came out MUCH cheaper than buying a complete. Managed to pick up some Fox 34's 130mm brand new for £400, and the frame was £650 already invisiframed, with MX and 29 dropouts.

weeksy
If it had a set of 36s it’d be even better.. but we can’t have everything.

Factory Grip2 36s in 140mm guise are half price on Wiggle, and EXTRA15 gets more off. I have a set, and delighted with them

They'd be ideal on your light HT.... or your Specialized 160mm Park Bike or whatever you settle on in between 🙂

I wouldn’t worry too much about really light weight - my hardtail for playing on when I don’t want the full suss experience is about it 30lb give or take.

Heavy steel frame (3.1kg with axle and seat lamp), Pike Ultimates, GX Eagle, Xm421’s on Erase components hubs (or I have a set of winter wheels that actually have hub seals that are a little heavier - Hope pro4 front and Superstar V6 rear hubs with xm481), codes, 2.6” tyres - albeit it has carbon cranks and bars to try and nip a bit of weight off.

It feels waaaay quicker than a coil spring enduro bike - just feel like sprinting everywhere on it.

In predictable STW-style, I'll throw the Bird Forge into the mix.  I've ridden/owned loads HT-wise from On One, Cotic, Whyte, Trek, Kinesis and was looking for something pretty versatile that could do longer XC rides, but also not get out of its depth too quickly on techy trails (ubiquitous up here in Aberdeenshire).  Bike Bothy did a cracking job, and were super-flexible on components, including allowing me to use wheels and a few other bits that I had lying spare.  So far used it for ski touring access use into the Cairngorms and local loops incl the new local trail centre, Tarland.  (it'll be at Nevis Range this weekend, if you want a closer look)

There are a load of very different riding hardtails out there.

Your size and weight are significant factors in how a HT frame will ride. For example, if you are over 6 foot and +200lbs, your frame will flex a lot more than if you were a little chap.

Also, chainstay length makes a big difference in how a bike rides. The SC Chameleon is 425mm at its shortest, which is very playful. Not as playful as an RSD Middlechild at 415mm but still in the short range. The Cotics are at the other end of the scale and come in at 444mm, which is much more stable for high-speed ploughing.

I have one of the new SC Chameleons in XL, which is fantastic. If you choose the 29er dropouts, you can drop the BB even lower with a mullet wheel. This will also slacken the head angle a little, which is cool.

I bought a frame and built it up to my spec - XT, 140mm Lyrics, Ibis wheels with Onyx Vesper rear hub, and Surly Sunrise Bars.

I had A chameleon 29er when they first came out in the really nice olive green / purple combo.

Notes on that bike. the basic bike is well quite basic. The 34 fox grip forks were ok but nothig better than ok the sram level brake looked cheap performed ok but felt a bit on or off.
Forks got upgraded to some reduced height Pikes and the brakes to some Hopes.
I had also bought both sets of rear drop outs and 2 sets of wheels so could run it as 29er or 27.5+ this was part of the appeal of the bike.
I ran it 29 first then 27.5+ with some 2.8 maxxxis tyres. I persevered for a long time with 27.5+ before admitting it really wasnt for me and took the fast rolling pace and some of the fun out of the bike.
Then.... i realised I had almost enough parts to build another bike, minus a frame. The new One-On Scandal came out with the usual on-one price cuts to get some chatter going about the new bikes, so i picked up a cheap Scandal frame.

Now the Scandal is a bit slacker than the Chameleon, not loads, but a bit. It isnt as well finished but its very similar.
So I put the scandal together with all the left over bits, and... well for me it was better.
Maybe not for everyone, but for what I was riding which is a bit of everything from biggish days in the Lakes to some bike packing it just rode a bit better. I think most of it was the slacker head angle as most of the geometry is similar.

Im no brand snob, so I kept the pikes and the hope brakes, put the original parts on the Chameleon and sold it on. Built the Scandal up with the Pikes and a second hand reverb dropper and as a 29er it was a hoot.

Then..... as i was on the On-One mailing list the new Vandal titanium version of the Scandal came out, same geo, funky ti frame, i had to try it..... so far so good. never really missed the Chameleon, was a nice colour tho!

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Thanks for all the info/updates... Hopefully it'll remain a good source of info for anyone searching for similar in the future. FWIW i'm currently not jumping in and buying anything, with the amount we're using all the bikes currently and the upkeep needed from running the big DH races, i just don't really have the time and space for another bike.. As much as i want one and was considering a Ragley Blue Pig as the choice, i've got so many things to do on a weekly basis at the moment it's ridiculous.

I've still not pushed the button on a HT...

Although the Ribble HTs are pretty awesome looking, but i do wonder if there's actually a space in my life for a HT and if there is, doesn't it really need to be lighter/faster than a burly HT.

My riding mate has just jumping in on a Trek Rail.... so basically i'm slightly stuffed now for the forseeable future lol. So maybe a lighter, faster HT needs to come in to compensate a bit.

My current shirt list is
Ribble HT275
Trek Roscoe9
Orange Crush MX

That's about it at the moment... but i think the Trek actually ticks more boxes than the others in some ways.. I don't want to go daft light and 100mm HT as i'm so far from an XC whippet type... but i think the Roscoe 9 is a decent compromise all round maybe.

The spec in the roscoe looks alright, but if the geometry charts I found are right the reach figures are astonishingly short and the head angle is a bit xc leaning for a trail hardtail with a Fox 36 on it. Also is it 27.5+ or 29er. All the pages I find say both sizes on it and are conflicting.

I don’t think I’d buy one of those despite the good spec.

Ribble ht725 always looks good but I bet they’re a chunk heavier than the Trek - but their geometry is much better when I looked at it. Heard lots of bad stuff about Ribble customer service.

Have you looked at the Bird Zero 29? Think that runs a 130mm fork / decent light alloy frame, nice geometry and customer service. The Forge is even nicer but I think it’s more of a hooligan hardcore hardtail then the zero 29 which feels more ‘trail’.

I’m going to mention it again but the Nukeproof Scout is also right in the area I think would suit your needs.

The Ribble looks ok, decent geometry but I suspect you’d want or need a fork upgrade before long.

Trek appear to have confused the Roscoe geometry charts on the page with a hardtail from 10 years ago.

As said above. Nukeproof Scout, Bird Zero 29 for a great all round hardtail. I’d throw a few of the Ragley models into the mix too.

On the more hardcore end, again some of the Ragleys, Marin El Roy (2022 models seem cheap) or the Hello Dave. All come with the sort of spec where the only reason you’ll have to change anything is because you want to.

The BLue PIg is my favourite of the Ragleys, but i worry it's a bit hefty and not really giving a lot back for being a HT as it's a bit restricted by it's weight ?

I've had loads of hardtails over the years at all different price points and the current On-one Scandal is the best I've owned. Light enough for XC, slack enough for when it gets rowdy.

For an aluminium frame, it soaks up bumps way better than the 853 Solaris frame I had previously

No Scandals at a sensible size available (new)

If you're open to used ones, I've seen them go for peanuts. My Dad and I both picked up GX specced ones for £500-600 used.

Chucked a light wheelset on, and good to go.

Hard to beat the Blue Pig for components at that price point. A Lyrik on a £1500 bike is very compelling. Makes the spec on your other options seem very stingy.

For what it’s worth my brother has an older Ragley Marley, albeit heavily upgraded with Saints/ Pikes/ DH tires and wheels. It’s very hefty but he had no issues riding it at Dyfi. The modern burlier hardtails like the Blue Pig might not have the same ‘spring’ as a super light 100mm XC machine but they make up for it in how they ride and complete versatility. Provided your ankles and shoulders can take it, they’ll do anything from bridleway jaunts to full on bike park uplift.

If you like the Blue Pig but worry on the weight just get the Mmmbop? Same geo isnt it (like the Big Al and Bigwig). The alu frame ragley bikes are very good and CRC still has some brilliant deals on them.

As above, so many Scandals sold they pop up for peanuts second hand all the time

Definitely suggest the mmmmbop over the blue pig. You’ll save a chunk of weight. I wouldn’t consider either particularly light.

Personally I think the whyte 905/909 hardtails are amazing trail hardtails that can do most things well, especially if you put faster rubber on them than the stock 2.8’s.

I’m not a fan of the roscoe.
The crush mx doesn’t really fit your light/trail remit in my eyes.

What about a Sonder transmitter?

What about a Sonder transmitter?

Don't know a lot about them in truth.

really fit your light/trail remit in my eyes

I'm not sure what does in reality, which is why i've not actually pressed the button on anything at the moment. I think "yeah that's the jobbie..." and then a No pops in with a bit of a reason.. I was out on the Slayer again yesterday (and Monday) and i'm properly enjoying it... but a lighter faster bike still appeals for some of the XC stuff.

The Sonder Transmitter is ok - but I don’t think the specs / prices are brilliant like they used to be. A mate bought one frame only to move across stuff from an old full suss Kona and broadly he likes it.

Compared to my Marino the geometry is actually very similar but it’s a bit lighter even with lower spec build kit. So the frame must be fairly light (or mine is biblically heavy).

If you want to go cross country fairly swiftly on it I’d aim for a 29er instead of 27.5” personally. They do drop into bumps less / keep momentum up better and modern 29er geometry still keeps them fun to ride. Maybe ditch the Ribble HT725 on that basis.

Is seriously give the Bird Zero 29 a look as well as the Scout and maybe an alloy Ragley 29er. A mate just ordered one of the ragleys - the he one with a Lyrik for about £1500. Spec can’t be beaten for that price.

Birds don't do a lot for me.
Scouts are a bit Marmite... i'd have a yellow one but not the other colours
Ragleys i do like though and they are specc'd well i agree..

I'm not convinced any will give me the ability to stay with my mate though lol.. But we can't have everything in the world now can we.

I mean a hardtail is probably going to give you a bit more acceleration and climbing speed on non-technical stuff / fireroad a bit it’s not magically going to help you vs a motor sadly.

The zero 29 is quite different to the Aether you had - which I still say was too big / long for you.

give you a bit more acceleration and climbing speed on non-technical stuff / fireroad a bit it’s not magically going to help you vs a motor sadly.

Oh i hear you. The only answer to playing against a motor is of course a motor. Or patience from the other rider. If i'm desparate i've got the wifes Eeb for that, although it has had a few hissy fits when out recently. But i am trying to resist the Eeb even for this stuff as i don't want to be 'one of them' ... silly as that sounds, i'm not ready for my own Eeb yet.

But the Slayer is overkill for plenty of my riding, although that's not actually an issue as none of my riding is timed in any way, so if i take 60 mins or 65 mins, it makes very little difference.

It’s more the feel you’ll get from a hardtail - mine makes me want to stand up everywhere and sprint around like a loon.

I try not to stand up pedal on the sentinel / any full suss I’ve had as it’s not very efficient

In the time honoured recommend what you own… Stanton Switch9er. I have the Ti flavour but only because one came up for steel price second hand when I was in the market for one.
I use mine as my XC/light trail option when I don’t want to pedal the 170mm bouncer about.

Think you need a Chameleon @weeksy 😆😆

Will give you a slightly different feel when playing with the dropout options, both for a mullet setup and regular.

And don't discount eebs if the chance is there. They are amazing bits of kit by and large and open the door to a different riding experience.

Think you need a Chameleon

Even if I do, I can't find yellow ones.

If I want a posh HT, it has to be noticed.

No yellow Scouts or Birds around?

As much as I really like the Chameleon frame I can’t get over how staggeringly poor value for money the build kit on them is. You’d end up replacing the drivetrain, fork and brakes within a year!

Have just built up a Honzo DL (similar geo to chameleon) from spares & s/h bits, frame was £250 and Marzocchi 140mm Z2s were £200 both mint (Z2s are great fork)
2.6 (well spesh 2.6 is more like 2.4 & a bit) tyres and it absolutely rips, I've barely touched my full suss since I got it
Yeah it's a bit more punishing but it certainly makes the ride entertaining!

https://flic.kr/p/2oyXmMv

Full builds of a lot of bikes seem to be poor vfm and your always comprising on some bits

I’ve had a Roscoe and currently have an Orange Crush.
The Roscoe was from 2019 so not sure if the geometry has changed. I didn’t like it, I’m only 5 foot 8 but felt cramped on a medium. Large felt to sit up and beg.
My Orange Crush is a 27.5, nicer to ride than the Roscoe. It’s hefty though, mine is the Comp spec with SX and a Rockshox 35 Silver.

It’s disappointing that the Orange Crush Pro is also SX for £2600, or £1700 for last years model. Does come with a Lyric Select.

I’ve also had the Fuel Ex and have a Remedy. The Orange is used a lot, it’s not what I consider a fast bike, even on climbs, maybe with lighter XC tyres it may help a bit, but not too much. I don’t think it climbs much better than my Remedy tbh.

Absolutely unscientific, but my times at Llandegla are pretty much identical between the Orange and the Remedy. The Fuel Ex being the quickest….I mention Llandegla as it’s got a fair bit of climbing with a good mix of different types of trail.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/134628763212?hash=item1f587fe64c:g:Q3sAAOSw5P9kmFiZ&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4GBYZZ7H2AgOvPPRnkUoJ%2F2IIwvWJ14%2Fy%2BLWzY5q8g96moeTQzh1XKnyl7CEQn6hMFJXWe6njWjkgR2FEkgGBwGOE5U0MoKeYzsF1UboK%2FbqEPvIguG1Rm9TKWWqnHOtJiLIvHHV43aAqQBl3x4Mc9P9BnZIlqUJx%2Fo%2FwBlHA%2FjzqyF5fc0vSzND6y0ok%2BIxEEsV8KtfNlArGdESj3uNXtp0ojEokiGqY3u8ncN98EDnEt7kRx7TLH3%2Bj5j2cwaJ6CEaHdO7LxiyrKInZzPNyZSHF9WC3iZKnI5ts1U2yTJ2%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR8S8qreqYg

That's a nice thing for not a lot of money... I'm half tempted.

You're way too keen on shopping but I can't fault your enthusiasm 🙂

Yes that is nice

Yes, that's a very good looking bike/spec for the money! I still keep an eye out for that frame colour in a Medium to come up, but they never seem to (or are £2k+ for a full bike!).

one of the new Saracen mullet hardtails?

https://www.saracen.co.uk/collections/hardtail-lsl

Buy the bike.
Buy the bike.
Life’s too short, but the bike.

I've been too busy in truth. I looked at the Ragleys on CRC as well, but in simple terms, I've just not really got around to anything at the moment.
I need to borrow a HT really for a ride to see