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Hi all. I usually ride with two of my best mates and one of them has just traded his full suss for a gravel bike meaning that our routes have changed and my Stage 5 is overkill when riding with him. I've been selling off bits and pieces and have got enough for n+1 so had thought about getting a gravel bike. Thing is, I have a road bike that I like but wouldn't really want two drop bar bikes and I'm struggling to convince myself a GB is anything other than a bunch of compromises at the price point I'd be looking at especially when you add fashion tax to secondhand buys.
With this in mind I've started thinking a light, short travel hard tail could be the ticket. Problem is I've spent years thinking bigger is better so don't really have any knowledge of what's available in short travel world. Requirements are 29", 100/120mm fork, carbon or aluminium frame, not race stiff or too race focussed geometry. Budget is around £500 for a frame, £1000 for a bike and happy to look at new (no chance atm) or more likely second hand.
What should I be looking for?
I'm still in love with my Santa Cruz Highball after 3 years. So much more capable than it looks on paper. I use it on everything from 1000m elevation commutes on tarmac, flat gravel commutes and gnarly XC.
But that said, if you're looking at secondhand it's down to the best thing that comes your way.
When it’s back I stock the Voodoo Bizango Carbon probably hits a lot of the requirements. In due course an upgrade to the wheels and away from Sram SX to something posher would probably save a chunk of weight.
Recommending what you have - I still really like my Marin Nail Trail. I’m a habitual parts swapper but it’s felt spot on out of the box, stem, bars, saddle, grips all kept stock, I’m even still using the Nic / Ralph tyres it came with. Put on a dropper and changed the fork for a Reba to drop a bit of weight, that’s been it. It’s long-ish and slack-ish but not out at the extremes.
There used to be a few about discounted but probably long gone now, would have to look for used.
Assuming the Bizango Carbon comes back that’s a great frame but with some heavy parts. Good to upgrade down the line though.
Depending on their pricing structure at the time, I'd suggest an On One Whippet.
I bought it as frame and carbon forks and it rides very well, even in rigid mode.
Have some bargain Rebas to go on it (from the Germans) and it will be a great bike for what you're describing.
I use a Specialized Chisel for that. Trad xc geo, but very light Alu frame that is also comfortable.
Oh yes, I’m still kicking myself for not picking up a Whippet when they were cheap (<£500 with a carbon fork). It’s about the only thing that would tempt me to swap at sensible money.
The new Rockhopper looks a bargain. Not sure on the weight though.
Boardman MHT 8.9 has Rebas, SRAM Eagle, tubeless wheel/tyres and is £1k.
I have the earlier 29er Pro and it’s been a good bike.
Trek pro caliber alloy, I think there called X-Caliber now. I ended up with the Trek as I couldn't at the time get a Chisel, think you can still get the frames for £600. I'm really happy with the Trek but for some strange reason still want a Chisel.
Cheers all, I'll have a look. I plan to do a light build and run pretty slick tyres (something like Kenda Small Block 8's) so had considered a race type bike but imagine they're pretty uncomfortable?
Chisel and Trek look like what I think I want....
I'd go for a Cannondale FSI .
I usually ride with two of my best mates and one of them has just traded his full suss for a gravel bike meaning that our routes have changed
Bin him off and keep your cash. He'll be back.
Does sound like a racey hardtail would fit the bill. Not a million miles slower than a gravel bike with fast tyres.
Something from the cube range to match your budget? Radon, Rose and Canyon were all on my list when I was looking. Perhaps a Vitus from wiggle if they are not too racey for you.
What size are you? I might be splitting my DV9 in the classifieds.
I wanted a bit more than your budget, but if you're an XL let me know if the frame is of any interest.
Bin him off and keep your cash. He’ll be back.
After I tempted him in to a little bit of 'proper' riding yesterday he's bust. Bet he's researching a new MTB as we speak!
Thanks again all, plenty to look at. I've a spare pair of 140mm 29er forks in the garage so I'm desperately trying not to but something a little more robust! Highball looks lovely but carbon only now so a bit spendy.
I’ve been riding an xl 2014 pinnacle ramin 5 for the last couple of years but the frame is now surplus to requirements. It fits the light racy 29 hardtail bill. Swap it for this 2
140mm forks? (Only half joking)
+1 for the Specialized Chisel. The spec on the Comp X1 model appears to be very solid indeed, and reviews are favourable. High quaity aluminium frame, decent fork (Rockshox Judy 29 Gold Solo Air, 100mm travel for M-XL), Shimano MT501 brakes and SLX gear shifting, and bolt through axles front and rear. It leans towards old school xc geometry as others have said, but that isn't a problem for me. Price on Specialized website is now just below £1k, but the problem is finding one for sale at the moment.
Product page: https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/shop/bikes/mountain-bikes/cross-country-mountain-bikes/chisel/c/chisel
Review 1: https://off.road.cc/content/review/specialized-chisel-comp-x1-3062
Review 2: https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/bikes/mountain-bikes/specialized-chisel-comp-x1-review/
I’ve been riding an xl 2014 pinnacle ramin 5 for the last couple of years but the frame is now surplus to requirements. It fits the light racy 29 hardtail bill. Swap it for this 2
140mm forks? (Only half joking)
Cheers for the offer mate but it's prehaps a bit older than what I want.
Chisel certainly fits the bill so will have a hunt about.
Why not keep up with the Jone's and get a Gravel bike? Fine for keeping up with your mate and does something different to another MTB.
I know what you mean but I struggle convince myself that one would suit me more than a light HT. In some respects getting said HT would give me greater range than my carbon road bike, a gravel bike and my big old full suss.
Stock is also an issue and I’m inpatient!
So the Stage 5 is probably (IMO) over biked for pretty much anywhere in England bar the Lake District. If that's the case, what's the likelihood that you'd be better suited with a decent all-rounder hardtail (29, 120/130mm, dropper) than a skinny race bike? Not sure what your local trails are but presumably you'll still want to be able to chuck your bike around.
Agree on the Stage 5, it’s ace but a lot of bike. Got it as a warranty replacement for a Segment that was spot on although I really like the 5 so far. That will be for Gisburn, The Lakes and the like. I have my road bike that doesn’t get much use but is great when it does. I want something in between while still keeping the others. Maybe building a ht around my spare forks is the answer but I’ve got it in my head I want something lighter and more XC oriented compared to the P7 I used to have as that was an alternative to the full suss rather than a different option for different purposes.
That Decathlon looks decent Crikey.