[Closed] Trail happy HT 29r recommendations

Kona Honzo
Canfield Yelli Screamy
Canfield Nimble 9
Chromag Surface or Rootdown
Transition Transam 29
Titus Evo Fireline thingy (out in 5 weeks?)

Singular Buzzard looks good

Giant XTC29 composite.

Cotic Solaris? You could build one up for that if you hunt about on the classified for parts.

Yelli.

lol let me borrow your Yelli if it's not a super duper giant size 🙂

I like my SantaCruz Highball.
[IMG] [/IMG]

Charge cooker?

Has to be the Yelli Screamy!

Mini-hijack: where's the border between a trail 'HT' and an XC? Just head tube angle?

Kinesis FF29

mattjg - Member
Mini-hijack: where's the border between a trail 'HT' and an XC? Just head tube angle

Also this confuses me too

I have a Solaris that I ride for local xc and welsh trail centres so does this make it a trail or xc bike or is it more to do with fork length or ha that it has......

.

I suspect it's a bit of a blurry line Frankers - and that's probably exactly where the Solaris is pitched too.

Cheers guys. Steps out for a few hours and...

Thanks for the list Clink some bikes to read up on, the Transition does look very nice but a bit toppy for my budget. Already done the 'big' purchase.

That Highball looks lovely Shortcut, it's in the right ball park so must go take a spin.

Mini-hijack: where's the border between a trail 'HT' and an XC? Just head tube angle?

Point it down hill and do you get that 'yippy' sensation or 'sh*t' best watch my line...

Leaving figures aside my classification for an XC bike is light, fast but probably (not always) a bit twitchy due to geometry and weight. Good for racing. For a Trail bike it's still quick and nimble but feels more planted and secure. Slightly heavier and probably slacker but mostly it's a combination of unique rider size (weight, leg, reach etc) combined with a bikes unique feel. That's why testing is so important, what's good for one is not necessarily good for another and what might be a small difference can make a whole world of difference on the trail.

That's why we like discussing this so much... lots of opinions! 😉

Ta.

That's why we like discussing this so much... lots of opinions!

I find talking bs about bikes infinitely preferable to discussing real life.

Another vote for a Yelli. It really is a superb frame for hoofing down singletrack trails quickly. If you're around the surrey hills and xl size you're welcome to have a go on mine.

I bought mine second hand from someone on mtbr if you're not fussed about new......and given the new price for the frame over here is 😯

Edit - Matt that also applies to you if you want to see the answer to your question above. Night and day between the swift and i love riding the swift but its an entirely different bike.

er... Canyon?
mines great and the 2013 ones are even better....

http://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes/bike.html?b=3015

@gotama thx, yes I looked at those, crazy money in GBP, second hand is a good call I think. Ta for the offer but on an XL I think my feet wouldn't touch the floor. I'll keep an eye out for you.

I'm still in the market for another 29 HT myself - my plan is to have one setup as SS rigid for the slop and another, poshed up a bit with gears and suspension, for going quicker. But I've also become Surly-Krampus-curious which puts something of a spanner in the works!

ps now have a Hans Dampf on the front of the Swift and liked it so much I just ordered another for the back. So 'rigid fat tyre' seems to be where I'm heading ...

Ragley Big Wig?

Stuff on their FB page.

my banshee paradox loves the trails it rides in the Borders of Scotland...

There's the new Pipedream Skookum coming out sometime soon, but I suspect I'll be getting something handmade and Italian for the same price as a Solaris.

There's the new Pipedream Skookum coming out sometime soon, but I suspect I'll be getting something handmade and Italian for the same price as a Solaris.

Pipedream looks lovely, but many full-sus 29er have shorter chainstays than those now.
You're getting a Gas 29 then?

You're getting a Gas 29 then?

Highly likely! Just swithering over size.

And colour.

And whether I want the race or the trail Stambek; would build up with carbon forks so probably the former. Great email response from them! Whereas Pipedream promised photos a week ago... 🙄

Know much about them? I don't think there's any in the UK.

Another vote for the Giant XTC29ers. I've owned the aluminium version and now have the carbon version, and (perhaps strangely?) I preferred the alu version for general natural trail riding. I've played about in bike parks on both bikes, and even got down a full on DH course on the alu one without any twitchiness or drama - they really are [i]way[/i] more than capable than their 'XCey' image.

I've also spent a couple of days demoing a Solaris on familiar trails (and managed to do back to back runs with Solaris & XTC Carbon). I found it very difficult to decide between the two, but if it was my only/main trail bike, I think I'd go for the Solaris. Personally, I thought the XTC was better in slower trials-ey technical terrain, and there's no getting around its stiffness and weight advantage - but when the descents open up, the Solaris had got the extra stability & surefootedness to really let it run.

HTH

I'd vote for a Yelli, as that's what I have and it's ace... though your budget wouldn't be able to build up the bike (without a lot of head scratching)?

[quote=[url= http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/trail-happy-ht-29r-recommendations#post-4312398 ]Clink[/url]]Ragley Big Wig?

Stuff on their FB page.

Interesting... and quite smart looking. Should be around the £300 mark. Bargain! Geo is much the same as a Canfield 29er (Yelli/Nimble9). Strange it's for 120mm forks, considering the head angle is so slack (68.5deg)... though usually going up 20mm on any particular frame is "usually" okay. Still, one does wonder why they didn't just go for 140mm right off the bat? 😯

Im looking for a similar bike myself, the yelli or banshee paradox V2 would be in contention if they were half the price.
Got down to the Kona Honzo or Genesis High Latitude as was concentrating on frame only option, as again I have a budget
The Kona Taro bike would be interesting if the spec wasn't so poor (or am I expecting too much).
Been pushed away the Honzo due to the weight & pushed towards a whyte 929, though I wasn't/not really looking to spend that much (pity no frame only option)

Waiting for a my m8's insurance replacement high latitude to turn up, so I can give it a go & I'm investigating a demo of the whyte

chumba HX2, Yelli, Nimble 9, Paradox, Transition. Or a 2 souls if you can find one

Have to say i hated my xtc 29er whereas i love my Solaris. Sold the xtc to Will on here.

edit; will does seem to like it .

[url= http://www.chromagbikes.com/frames/rootdown ]Chromag Rootdown?[/url]

Transition Trans Am 29?

Hey Gotama, I ride around the Devils Punch Bowl and often pop up to Peaslake. Fancy hooking up for a ride one weekend? I'd like to see your Yelli and it's a good excuse to pop over that way for a ride.

z1ppy.

You can have a lend of my Yelli before you dismiss it as too expensive. 😉

I really don't need temptation like that! Well ok maybe I do, will no doubt be in touch...

Bend it and mend it rules apply. 😉

But feel free to try it out.

Guys, could we have some pictures to brighten up the thread? HT 29r only.

Surly Krampus rumoured to be another £100 or so on your budget, when it comes out.
If you fancy something a bit left-field...

I've run this with a dropper post, & not found it at all wanting on anything I've thrown it down. Not my favourite type of riding though.

[url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7049/6928670323_a2bbd4c3c4.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7049/6928670323_a2bbd4c3c4.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/takisawa2/6928670323/ ]IMAG0327[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/takisawa2/ ]pten2106[/url], on Flickr

I like that. Very nice.

[img] [/img]

chumba HX2 on the left

nimble 9

[img] [/img]

Paradox

[img] [/img]

yelli

[img] [/img]

transition trans-am 29er

[img] [/img]

Livin' out in Hong Kong now... so had the Yelli frame shipped direct from Canfield. The built kit was mostly from the awesome chappies at 18bikes.

The Yelli in its normal "monster truck" trim:

[img] http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VIEmR2ufuN4/UF7gJapXRXI/AAAAAAAABuI/GQiVTqjlt2E/s565/2012+-+3 [/img]

... and with the spare pair of super-discount wheels from CRC and Conti Race Kings (as it has been bone dry for weeks):

[img] http://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-aZd-ZybElZ0/UIOr2oO5uKI/AAAAAAAAB38/JGbnOvDPqMY/s753/2012+-+1 [/img]

One day I'll be man enough to tackle this (I'm sure the bike can!)...

[img] http://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-juXHqHforbw/UF7gJa8YbzI/AAAAAAAABuQ/1mgLq5C3edM/s565/2012+-+4 [/img]

Jonstanley, not sure what you've ridden by way of other 29rs but I'm curious whether the Yelli gives any typical 29r advantages away with it's slack angles? Does it still gallop down the trail?

[quote=[url= http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/trail-happy-ht-29r-recommendations/page/2#post-4314065 ]ask1974[/url]]Jonstanley, not sure what you've ridden by way of other 29rs but I'm curious whether the Yelli gives any typical 29r advantages away with it's slack angles? Does it still gallop down the trail?

The fork is a Talas, so half the time I set it at 110mm... so with the sag, head angle is around 69.5 degrees (Canfield geo numbers are static, so 68.5 @ 110mm). Fork fully out at 140mm, static head angle is 67 degrees... sagged would be around 69~68 degrees. Not a million miles from a Cotic Soul or Ragley Blue Pig... just with big wheels.

It's pretty much all 26ers out here of the yawnful Giant, Merida or Trek variety... and those that have throw a leg over and given my Yelli a whirl commented how much speed it carries... so much so they had to feather the brakes, whilst the same bit of trail on their own bikes, they'd have to be peddling. Stable yet nimble... good amount of twisty tech stuff here.

No issues with getting it up to speed in the open, as again same people were surprised the bike in said trim was around 28~29lbs... it rode like a much lighter bike, say the 24~25lbs mark.

I've had no 29ers to throw a leg over yet, here... and my Cotic Roadrat in Monstercross trim would be a really apple/oranges comparison.

Maybe you can score a 2nd hand Yelli? As in the end, you never did specify if the 1500quid "limit" was for what... as the Whyte 829 you started the topic with is a snip under 2 grand for a complete bike? Is it just frame+fork and possibly wheels (re-lace existing hubs on 26er wheels, if they are bling-ish ones?), plus whatever donor parts from existing bike(s?) you've got.

Decisions, decisions, decisions!

PS: I'm still liking that Ragley Big Wig though... should be a good'un.

Here's my Kinesis FF29, built up towards the XC end of the spectrum, but they're warrantied for 120mm forks and you can sure get big tyres in there too.

[img] [/img]

Ask re a ride.....yeah no worries. Drop me a mail (in profile) and we'll sort out a weekend. Had my yelli with 140mm at the front and recently dropped it to 120, undecided as to which is best at the mo.

Mattjg - keep an eye on that dampf on the rear of your swift if its a 2.35. I noticed some very slight scuffs on the inside of the chainstay with a nic in there and think it might be rubbing when the tyre is muddy. Due for replacement so may go for something slightly narrower.

Yelli does'nt so much gallop down the trail as stampede!!
Started off at 120mm,then 130mm and now the full 140mm...considering putting a -1.5 slackset just for shitzngiggles next.
At 120 with a longer stem its very nearly xc(ish).At 140 with a little stem it's just a hooligan but still capable of doing the miles but in a more winchy style (did 5 1/2 hours round snowdonia today).
This is mine in 140/big tyres/short stem mode (still sub 27lb though)
[img] [/img]

Cheers Jon very handy. As it happens £1500 is all in, the 829 is discontinued now and can be snapped up for £1500 so I've stretched my (allowable) budget that far. After my last purchase I'm keeping my wallet under tight control.... 😳

Still, I'm starting to get the feeling this is a highly desirable bike so might have to take Gotama up on his kind offer.

Hmmmm....

Really loving those Canfields especially in sic green, but at £850 a frame are they really worth double the price of the Kenesis FF29 or the Solaris?

Mattjg - keep an eye on that dampf on the rear of your swift if its a 2.35. I noticed some very slight scuffs on the inside of the chainstay with a nic in there and think it might be rubbing when the tyre is muddy. Due for replacement so may go for something slightly narrower.

Ta for the heads-up, I'll put some tape in there and keep an eye. Statically they fit ok but that's not allowing for frame flex of course.

Really loving those Canfields especially in sic green, but at £850 a frame are they really worth double the price of the Kenesis FF29 or the Solaris?

Life is short and you're a long time dead. Get the frame you want. (Says I, having walked away from a Niner because I thought they were overpriced. But as a consequence of closing that door, others have opened).

1 point I'm liking about the Canfields is that for anyone with maybe enough space for > 1 HT, they need to be different. And it is different. I like it's been made to do a thing well rather than hit a middle-ground.

1 point I'm liking about the Canfields is that for anyone with maybe enough space for > 1 HT, they need to be different. And it is different. I like it's been made to do a thing well rather than hit a middle-ground.

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s155p4370

bargain

My Canyon
[img] [/img]

but £1500 (£1430 +pp) will get you the new 2013 9.9
[img] [/img]

Aren't those a bit xc I thought the op wanted to head towards a more "trail" orientated bike

depends on your definition of 'trail'.... 🙂

mattjg get your point of view precisely, that is why I love them so much but as a first foray into the 29er brigade I'm not sure about the initial outlay perhaps can import one direct from Canfield, with duty and shipping think it should be around £560, an amount that I might be able to live with

for sure. I don't have one BTW, I'm just staying I like where they're coming from. but you're making me want one!

@jonstanley liking the brave colourway, yeah we note the bars match the stanchions. steerer needs chopping tho.

Life is short and you're a long time dead. Get the frame you want

Cheers to your dad from me too my friend, and I bet nothing would make him happier then seeing you enjoy your new bike.

matt i think a bit too much Merlot mate but cheers for that

it's brandy tonight, in an effort to fight off the dreaded lurgy

good luck I think you'll need more than brandy!!!