[Closed] XC Hardtail - Sonder Ti / Stanton Sherpa or Santa Cruz Highball

A pal has the signal ti. It’s not really xc geometry though as you say. It’s not mega lls either... great for Cannock, maybe overbiked for roads and field edges... I’ve not ridden it but it is a gorgeous frame. He has the gx/pike build and although a lot of money for a hardtail it really is lovely.

Have you looked at the Cotic range? My husband loves his Solaris (although it may be too heavy for you) but he thinks it’s a great do everything bike.

Unless you're using a rigid carbon fork and very light parts everywhere else you'd struggle to get a signal sub 11kg. Its a great frame but I'm not sure I'd recommend it for the riding you describe. Maybe the broken road would be more suitable.

What about santa cruz chameleon? Could be a good leighweight compromise between xc/trail.

I’ve had two Highballs. The first gen was super stiff (one reason that I sold it). But the latest Highball is not and I found it a comfortable bike for long rides. Not sure how the geo stacks up against the others you mention. I do know that in CC mode (if you’re buying frame only) it’s ridiculously light. I put together a good build for a lot less than a comparable full bike price.

Why the Highball and not a Chameleon - if you want a ‘do it hardtail’ that’s pretty how SC market The Chameleon. Current version is a fantastic bike; I run mine with 2 sets of 29er wheels fitted with narrow xc tyres for long easy rides, and chubby tyres for days when I’m playing in the ‘gnar’. It will also run 27.5 if you swing that way, and can be run singlespeed as well.

I’m waiting for an 853 Sherpa for similar reasons to you (couldn’t stretch to the Ti). @shackleton has one of the Taiwanese frames in Gen3 flavour. Looked at exactly the same others as you (without test rides) and decided the Sherpa gave the best all day balance, but still able to ride downhill when needed. I believe it means I will now fall into the Downcountry niche of the moment ;-P

Broken Road sounds like a better bet for the riding you describe than the Signal, which is more like an enduro-lite bike that can be pedalled well enough, rather than an xc bike.

I've got a V2 Highball - imo the ideal XC bike, in fact the ideal gravel bike too. You'll easily build one under 10kg. I use mine for everything from lunchtime 10 mile smashes to all day epics. I have slacker bikes which are probably a bit better for trail centres etc, but if I only had one bike it would deffo be the Highball.

The new one is apparently a bit more 'compliant', although the V2 is fine as far as I'm concerned - imo you can build far more compliance in with tyres, seatpost, seat etc anyway, so that wouldn't be bothering me.

Anything that isn't carbon or Ti is going to be expensive to build to be actually light unless you have an extensive parts bin, or are actually building a proper XC bike.

I was looking at a Sonder Ti too. My old HT is a 26" Lynskey 456Ti and so I'd an 'affinity' with Ti, and getting it through C2W.

But, I bought an On One Scandal in the sales for £1000 instead, rather than commit to a long-term C2W (if we get laid off etc, it's taken off in one go without the discount).

Yes, it's 13kg (large) but it rides great (yesterday I did 40 miles & 5,000 feet)

It'll also lighten over time as the cheaper components wear out and better ones are put on plus I swap and change stuff (wheels etc) I've spare. Even just a tubeless conversion saves a fair bit, as the tubes weighed 220g each.

Don't overlook better 'value' bikes IMO.

If it was my choice, I'd go with the Highball. One of my favourite hard tails I've owned was a Cube Reaction GTC and I can imagine the Highball being a lot better (while still being aimed at the same sort of riding).

for the money on a sc highball I'd be looking at yeti Arc frame £200 cheaper
perfect for a 120mm / 130mm fork.

In the process of building up a Ti Signal taken me a year to buy after borrowing one for a week. It was as capable as my 27.5 Evol full suspension, I,m building up with beefy tyres  29er 2.8 front 2.6 rear and an SLX groups so not really worried about the weight.

Rich just waiting fro a rear tyre and dropper post to complete the build

Full Member
Broken Road sounds like a better bet for the riding you describe than the Signal, which is more like an enduro-lite bike that can be pedalled well enough, rather than an xc bike.

That was my thought. A mate has one in order for rides local to Hitchin and some further a field. A bit old school but that seems correct for your usage

for the money on a sc highball I’d be looking at yeti Arc frame £200 cheaper
perfect for a 120mm / 130mm fork.

True, worth a look, and there's something about a Yeti, but if you're going down that road (slacker, bit more hardcore i.e. heavier) then you can drop another £100 to the SC Chameleon. For XC style I'd still get a Highball.

I've had a Signal Ti for a couple of years now and it is comfortably the best mountain bike I've ever owned. For old school XC rides it just cruises superbly. I regularly take to Leeds Urban Bike Park and it rides brilliantly. A day out in the Peaks? No problem. I've ridden more, gone further and enjoyed my riding more than ever.

Thanks for the replies all - I'm even more confused!

Need to have another look at the geometry. I like the idea of a short chainstay (Highball / Signal) & want something efficient to pedal without being as twitchy as my Acid (545mm top tube / 70deg Head angle / 72 deg seat angle & 1050mm Wheelbase)

Interesting the SC isn't seen as too harsh as that is a concern - I hadn't considered a Chameleon as I thought that was a slacker ride...

I'll check out the Broken road in more detail as well - Ti Bikes are sooo pretty...

I don't need anything too Enduro as I use my Bronson for that kind of riding.

I bought a Taiwanese sherpa and I love it for longer rides and trail riding but it isn't a classical xc bike. I have a banshee prime for more enduroey riding and it is the perfect complement.

Id say the geo is spot on (6ft with 34"legs on a 19" frame) for me. Long enough chainstays to help on climbs and descents, short enough to chuck about. Reach is good without being superman stupid. Finish is excellent, I can only imagine that the UK built Ti ones will be works of art.

PM me if you want more gushing praise!

I think Sonder will do custom frame builds (longer/shorter/lower/taller) on the signal ti, I mentioned running a 150 fork to a lad at Alpkit in Gateshead and almost certain he said they could tweak the geometry to suit as its designed for a 130, didn't mention how much extra it would be tho

I have a Broken Road for almost exactly the same use case as you. I'd been out of the loop on MTBs for a while (last bike I bought was a 2010 stumpjumper FS) but I've been struck by how well it handles more challenging terrain. I've been cruising over stuff that used to stress me out on the FS.

It's about 11.5kg with a dropper and heavy flat pedals.

Just received my Sonder Signal Ti frame this week - promised end of August but only arrived this week. First impressions are the frame looks very well finished & good quality for the money. Looking forward to building it up over the winter.

Sourced a rear tyre dropper on its way spin around the block its ace 🙂

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I went to buy a highball but no bikes to test.
Prior to this I went to buy a Signal TI from Neil in Alpkit Nottingham and bought a frontier instead. Random.
Great bike though.
After being told I had to just buy the highball I called Neil and he said pop over. I had all intentions on buying a Signal. Got the frames out but settled on the BrokenRoad.
Ive ridden for years, ride anything g and everything. I also travel and the BrokenRoad does everything. Packed, loaded, xc for miles, it's been up and down yorkshire dartmoor and everywhere else.
I bought a second pair of wheels so two sets of rubber, and also a Travers xc Prong rigid carbon fork to get it down to 10KG when you want some fast xc or quick road.
Love it, best thing I ever bought.
Signal looks lovely apart from the top tube to seat tube join. Hate it
Main reason I didnt buy it.

Signal looks lovely apart from the top tube to seat tube join. Hate it

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Its the best part

Stevious - I have a Broken Road on order

How have you managed to shed the weight? My medium build comes in c12.5kg

Have you changed the wheelset? Also what Tyres are you running?

Many thanks

Nowad - have you got a 29er wheelset for the Broken Road? Mine is on order and will come as 27.5+ on 2.8 wtb’s

Have you ridden the bike on 29er? Be great to hear your thoughts . I’m going to be using the bike for XC (very mixed conditions) and bike packing next year
Cheers

Yeti ARC is a stunning bike & ive always loved Yetis, but I think I’m looking for something more SC

Sourced a rear tyre dropper on its way spin around the block its ace 🙂

[url= https://flic.kr/p/2k3GN4d ]124027553_10159127420711474_8905569158335350775_o[/url] by Richard Munro, on Flickr

That does look lovely!

Grrr. How do I quote someone else’s post?!

@paulmac135r - warning, this is a stealth ad!

I have an alu Highball up for sale in medium - full bike with nice spec (SRAM X1 groupset, Hope headset and hubs, Stans rims, Thomson bars and stem, Rebas) - it's in gloss red and in lovely condition - probs less than you're planning to spend on a frame - happy to give you the details if interested

(only difference to spec from the pic is it doesn't have the Thomson seatpost anymore)

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@lillski74 Yes came on 29. Run the standard love mud wheels from new 2.5 front 2.4 rear and all good. I bought a pair of Hunts as everyone moaned about the weight of the love mud. Total toss on the weight. All the excess sat in the front wheel and only 300gms diff in the Hunts.
On the hunts a run 2.25 and with the carbon fork in it's under 11kg.
It runs fast. It's stiff when you need it but very comfortable.
Rack up big miles fast or slow.
Best all round bike I've ever owned.
I would take the custom option and cut the rear rack mounts off.
Get over to a shop and test one.
On the 2.5tyre side. I'm 50 years old. Its gotta be skinny tyres and 50psi for me until I rode this. 20 psi is a whole new world.

Saracen Zenith Carbon looks like a decent, light XC/trail hardtail. Might be some deals about.