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I've been in retirement from riding bikes for a few years as I got burnt out with aging and still trying to ride like I was in my 20's still.
I've got an XL Hello Dave thats practically worthless 2nd hand so would prefer to swop the frame over to something not quite as slack or hardcore.
I think it has 160mm Pikes - could they be reduced in travel to suit something?
I'm a bit out of the loop manufacturers wise but I'm looking for more of an all rounder/bimbler.
Has to be steel, my ethics don't allow carbon, and my aging body won't allow aluminium (I've had plenty of aluminium hardtails in the past).
Budget wise I'm looking at Taiwan produced rather than bespoke/artisan.
Needs to be an XL with a decent length head tube as I'm 6'5"
Any ideas greatly ignored!
Pace 429 or 629? They make lovely frames that ride superbly.
Theres a bigger difference between a good compliant alloy frame and a rock solid cheap one, than there is between just saying generically 'steel vs alloy'.
Particularly since the vast majority of steel bikes these days are way to solid and overbuilt - not many actually have the fabled steel any more based on my experience!
Theres a bigger difference between a good compliant alloy frame and a rock solid cheap one, than there is between just saying generically 'steel vs alloy'.
Particularly since the vast majority of steel bikes these days are way to solid and overbuilt - not many actually have the fabled steel any more based on my experience!
The dent resistance, nicer 'lines' and fabled softer ride quality are my reasons for steel. I've had many generations of Chameleons and quite a few Cannondale's to know I don't want aluminium.
Also interested in this one due to elderly El Mar (though really what this needs most of all is a new fork, or at least a new CSU)
Sonder
Cotic
Orange
Stiff mort ( if there are any left)
They would be where I would look.
What's making you want to change the hello Dave? I've been riding mine as a dad bike to an from nursery and school not what I thought was going to be it's job when I bought it.
The pikes should just need an air shaft to reduce the travel.
Cotic or Stanton Sherpa should fit the bill. Could be worth looking at titanium, again sonder or Planet X etc
Not an area I know much about, but Pipedream Moxies seem to get recommended.
I love my pace rc529.
Versatility wise, let me put it this way...
It's been on local classic xc, single speed and geared
It's been bikepacking with rigid fork set up more like a gravel bike really (and has rack mounts
It's been to the local jumps
It's been down the most technical local descents I've got (think mini Hebden Bridge)
Super versatile
If you're looking secondhand (I would), the Cotic Solarismax will probably work well in XL.
Longer chainstays than some, will be more in proportion with the longer front - and while it was a little stiff for me (but not harsh) at 78kg, you may weigh a little more and be in the sweet spot.
Fairlight Holt?
May require a fork swap but it seems pretty spot on what you're after,
Cotic BFe Max - I had one in yellow in XL (187cm) and it was a good size. Best hardtail I've owned.
Ritchey Ultra? Love mine. Would need different forks though as designed for 120.
A secondhand Mason Raw on ebay at the moment. Not great pics ....it needs black tyres ! Not cheap but another bike to add to the list.
The Stanton Sherpa is a good shout and would have worked but.....ideally it needs to have the same sized seapost as the 'Dave (31.6mm)
Drop the forks to 140mm for a Nordest Britango or leave them be for a Nordest Bardino - have first, had second. Both fab bikes and really nice people to deal with.
Cotic BFe Max - I had one in yellow in XL (187cm) and it was a good size. Best hardtail I've owned.
Referring back to the post above, that is exactly one of the bikes I'm thinking of. I enjoyed my Cotic Bfe, it was super fun and had good geo however it offered absolutely none of the 'fabled steel ride' and was harsher and more uncomfortable than the aluminium On-one frame that succeeded it.
And of course, it weighed a tonne. I love steel bikes, I really do and I have owned loads but the assumption that buying steel means it rides well and pliable, is just plain wrong - and vice-versa for alloy and carbon too!
Yes, yes, yes all day long for Bird Forge. In 853 or ask if they have any stainless ones left?
Cotic BFe Max - I had one in yellow in XL (187cm) and it was a good size. Best hardtail I've owned.
Referring back to the post above, that is exactly one of the bikes I'm thinking of. I enjoyed my Cotic Bfe, it was super fun and had good geo however it offered absolutely none of the 'fabled steel ride' and was harsher and more uncomfortable than the aluminium On-one frame that succeeded it.
And of course, it weighed a tonne. I love steel bikes, I really do and I have owned loads but the assumption that buying steel means it rides well and pliable, is just plain wrong - and vice-versa for alloy and carbon too!
Do you mean the original 26" BFe? I had one of those and it was surprised at the lack of back end compliance! My HT journey since 2005 has been mk1 Soul > Kona Explosif > Genesis Altitude > On-One 456 Summer Season > Cotic BFe 26 > Genesis Latitude 29 > Norco Torrent AL > BFe Max 29er.
I didn't intend getting the BFe Max as the Torrent AL rode well and wasn't a bad weight, but it was just missing something. BFe Max frame was an impulse buy after appearing locally in the classifieds. Just felt 'nice' compared to the Norco that preceded it. I'd probably have been better suited to a Solaris Max as I'm not 'core enough for the BFe Max (let alone a Hello Dave), but the BFe Max was still brilliant.
I had an MK2 solarismax and don't like it as much as the pace rc529 I replaced it with.
Solarismax lost out on geometry (seat tube too slack) and also on versatility as not single speed capable and no rack mounts.
Solarismax does however have more bottle boss points so wins on that front
Later solarismaxes might be better geometry though
Maybe a bit of cheeky Ti instead? Arguably more comfortable than steel - my Vendetta is certainly more compliant that the Last Fast Forward or Pole Taival I had before.
https://planetx.co.uk/products/on-one-vandal-titanium-mountain-bike-frame
I'd look at the Stanton Sedona. 31.6 seat tube and made specifically for non hardcore activities without being a head down XC racer either.
I've got a Moxie which I love and would be the last bike I'd ever sell, but I have plenty of local rides out of my door for leisure/fitness that are definitely better on something lighter with XC tyres. Currently, I've got an aluminium Ragley frame built up (which I meant to sell) with Racing Ray/Ralph rubber, which is filling the role pretty well. But when I can afford it, I will be getting a frame swap for a Sedona. For old man comfort reasons as much as anything.
I have an online hello Dave and a ridgid forked Vandal as a commuter/ gravel bike.
I don't notice any difference in the compliance of the frames.
It is ridgid with 2.1/ 50c tires but there is no magice carpet ride from my Vandal frame.
On the other hand I can feel flex through the hello daves backend.
Maybe a bit of cheeky Ti instead? Arguably more comfortable than steel - my Vendetta is certainly more compliant that the Last Fast Forward or Pole Taival I had before.
https://planetx.co.uk/products/on-one-vandal-titanium-mountain-bike-frame
Sorry no titanium, i have issues with weld qualities when it's used in bicycle manufacturing.
Ragley Big Wig if there’s any around second hand?
I'd look at the Stanton Sedona. 31.6 seat tube and made specifically for non hardcore activities without being a head down XC racer either.
I think we have a winner!
The description reads like what I'm after - a poppy version of the Hello Dave that works at lower speeds.
The HD is/was great but it needs absolutely ragging to get anything out of it and I can't do it justice anymore.
I've got a retro steel Kona and a steel PP Shan - my alu Ragley Big Al rides better and is more 'compliant' (nevermind lighter) than both of them 🤪
Not that I'm suggesting one, it's more 'aggro HT' than you want, but just trying to change an opinion that might not actually be valid...
When looking at HT frames recently, I quite liked the look of the Kinesis FF29 as a "sensible" trail bike, the angles aren't bonkers (65.5 HA / 76 SA), it isn't silly heavy, it's designed for a 140mm fork. the Dropouts are sliding so you can tweak chainstay length and/or opt for a SS setup.
In the end I only went with a used Ragley because I wanted to try silly Head angles and a "hardcore" HT type setup.
But the FF29 still looks like a good option IMO.
The dent resistance, nicer 'lines' and fabled softer ride quality are my reasons for steel. I've had many generations of Chameleons and quite a few Cannondale's to know I don't want aluminium.
The general dent resistance I'll agree with, but modern alu frames are definitely as if not more comfortable these days. Saving 1-2lb is a bonus!
I went for an On-One Scandal because I didn't want something quite as hardcore as the Dave and it fits that brief nicely.
And to be fair Cannondale's and Chameleons have a reputation for being very stiff.
If you can find one, the on-one huntsman is a really nice ride. I’ve got mine set up singlespeed for winter duties but I’ve been thinking of sticking some gears on it lately as I reckon I’d get a bit more use out of it if I did. 
If a soft ride is important I would avoid most steel frames 😂.
I think a Big Al on 140mm would work very well for the OP if he can see past pre judice and myth.
Might be interested in the hello Dave frame if it needs a new home 😉
Duplicate post
Orange P7 for the win. Buy 2nd hand, find one 2/3 yrs old in great condition and you'll get a bloody brilliant ride for a bargain with change for upgrades if required.
"If a soft ride is important I would avoid most steel frames" - I don't understand this statement, perhaps it applies to some steel frames but it definitely doesn't apply to the P7.