[Closed] XC hardtail - recommend me a (re)build

It sounds like you've the ideal bike already, and only a couple of years old.

Just ride it IMO.

As above, why do you need to change bike?

From the wording it sounds like your bike is perfect for the the riding style and feel you want. Going steel over carbon for a lightweight (almost) race machine seems a bit of a right angle to me.

Titanium maybe but to better what you have will take a lot of pennies.

If your exiting bike is still ok and you have money to spend, I'd maybe look at a n+1 and buy something more playful to help your confidence with the downs and to just play more.

Agree with the above, although I (more than anyone!) fully understand the reason for simply wanting a new bike.

What I would say regards to steel frames, being someone who loves one, and has owned at least ten (Cotic, Dialled, Genesis etc), be wary that although it may look cool, theres a good chance of you ending up simply with the bike you had before, but heavier. Particularly something like a Kona Unit.

I love steel, it lasts well, and they look ace, and small frame builders can use the material to create interesting designs and features easily, however I've said it many times on here that the potential advantages of a steel frame (over alu or carbon) are steadily eroded by improvements in suspension, increase in wheel size, use of dropper posts (stiff) and ever decreasing tyre pressures.

Finally:

I have accepted that I am naturally pants at descending but conversely love an uphill; therefore, 100mm and ideally rigid fork capability are a must.

Think about this..

If your fit and can climb well, but not that good at the tech/descents... Why not build a bike that assists your weak areas and plays to your strengths? You can get away with a heavier, slacker, more 'fun' build, because you can drag it back up quicker than most, and the bike wil allow you to descent faster and with more confidence.

(If I were you, I'd be looking at something like a Nukeproof Scout 290 or other 'trail' type alloy frame, plus a Fox 34or RS Pike. Minimal weight penalty over your current build, will allow you to descend and corner faster and with more confidence).

If it were me (and I very, very nearly did buy one from a frame and build it this way) I'd go with a new fork, like the new Rockshox Sid in 120mm and add a dropper post. Will not take away too much from the bike's speed but be more capable on the descents. You could even just add a dropper to start as that would make a huge difference. The Mantle is really nice bike, the main reason I didn't go down that route was I didn't have the funds for new wheels so used my existing 27.5 wheels on a Cotic Soul instead.

Crikey, I didnt even think of that as a concern but if the bike doesnt have a dropper, then absolutely that should be the first thing to change IMO!

Try a rigid fork on your bike?

Thanks to all - clearly I have more to think about, including changing a few parts on the Genesis.

I used to ride a dropper and thought I'd fit one to the bike as soon as I got it, but all this time later and I've not really missed it for the kind of trails I ride!

I guess there's a lot of versatility I could take advantage of within the bounds of my current setup, e.g. rigid singlespeed lightweight; 120-forked with bigger tyres for trail capability etc. Maybe I need to just have a play with this rather than swap the frame.

If it were me, I'd fit something like a Pike or Fox 34 with 130 mm travel, plus the longest dropper post you can fit in there, and the fattest tyres that will fit (tubeless, of course). A dropper post makes a massive difference on descents. Less flexy forks with longer travel and grippier tyres run tubeless at lower pressures will also make a huge difference to descending. A 20 mm shorter stem and raising the bars can also make a massive difference.

Keep the bike as its a cracker, and buy rigid fork or dropper if that suits...unless you really want a new bike...but it would be expensive to buy anything better!

I want a Genesis Mantle after reading this thread!

I know we debated new bikes / frames on WhatsApp, but some good points made on here. Dropper / 120mm SID onto the mantle - and maybe a 2 degree (not half 🙈) slack set would make it quite a bit more towards trail, whilst keeping it lightweight and fast cross country.

After I had a few crashes in a row a couple of years back I found getting some coaching got me going better again. 3 hours around FOD with Katie Curd made a huge change just with some basic changes. Covid allowing I have another session of coaching with her in December to try and push on further again.

If you go down the custom frame route check out marino bikes - i believe they have a UK contact but not 100% sure they are a US company and have some good reviews.

Essentially you just need to know our figures and they will make it up for you, seem to be well made from what i have seen.

https://www.marinobike.com/product/custom-hardtail-mtb-frame/

Or Stanton Sherpa??

If you go down the custom frame route check out marino bikes – i believe they have a UK contact but not 100% sure they are a US company and have some good reviews.

Peruvian actually. The UK side is selling off the peg, you still need to go direct for custom. It's also worth noting that whilst he has a good rep there have been issues and it's a long way to send a frame back.

Another read and some more posts later I too hadn't noticed that you don't have a dropper post on your current bike.

I know you've said that you don't think one would improve the riding you currently do - but there was also a suggestion that you are not too comfortable when pointing downwards.

I probably felt the same a few years ago, having tried a dropper and dismissing it after one ride as it just felt weird and didn't seem to offer much. I therefore continued to always feel slightly on edge going down hill.

Another six months later I tried with a dropper again and this time persisted. Altering my riding style and position to accommodate it, and importantly not just using the post on steeper downs, more adapting to use it when I had to cross wet roots / rocks or any other situation I'd normally just stand up. In doing so I realised I had a lot more freedom of movement and my riding was transformed literally overnight. Wouldn't be without one now, despite holding off for so many years.

Combined with a beefier fork, your bike might give you more security and push your riding on, but equally it could very well take the edge off the light point and shoot nature of it today.

If you have the funds and space I'd still suggest a second bike, with the traits above. Just to give you a different angle on riding. If you find it enhances all aspects then maybe look to add a dropper to the main bike and /or longer forks.

EDIT - re-read again the OPs comments further down and now see he used to ride a dropper so will no doubt know all the guff I spouted. doh..

Will leave it in as hopefully others may read this whilst wondering about a dropper post.

[img] [/img]

Here it is in current form... matching backdrop purely coincidental!

You'll spot the layback post, as it's a Medium frame despite Genesis' fitting chart recommending a Large (they didn't recommend sizing when I bought it and I often downsize on frames).

Goods point being made, including about coaching.

The Alma you mention is also available in aluminium, not to be dismissed out of hand, and much much cheaper. Nothing wrong with the Mantle though as others have said. Looks a really nice set-up, and going longer in the fork won't necessarily help.

yep - not sure I'd put a longer fork on the mantle, although you could do that as a stepping stone to the inevitable new bike. I still think a carbon chameleon would tick all your boxes though...

Chameleon is a good all rounder tbf and still pretty light. Probably a better trail / fun bike than the Mantle.

Still think some 121 coaching would help get your confidence back. And then just going out and riding some more tricky stuff with other people. Riding with Neil / Ian / Mark had made me do more adventurous things and I’m gradually improving as a result.

I’m selling a Specialized Chisel frameset. Xc geo but long and very comfy (despite being Alu - read the reviews. In classifieds if you are interested- comes with carbon forks.

I thik I'm probably quite similar to you. This autumn I've put a dropper post and 'aggro' tyres (HRII front, Forekaster rear) on my 100mm travel xc race hardtail. It's given me way more confidence and made riding more fun. If ou have money burning a hole, maybe a spare set of wheels so you can have one set up with fast rolling xc tyres and one set up with grippier tyres for messing around on.