Which 29er Hardtail frame...?

The Pole in the Classifieds

NS Eccentric? £149 on crc

The Pole in the Classifieds

Too big, too heavy, too Enduro for me... I looked at one ages ago, I'd need the small and even then it's still quite long/low/slack and they're over 3kg frame weight.

NS Eccentric? £149 on crc

I ummed and ahhed for 2 days on one of these. Something about it not quite right for me, considered one years ago and can't remember why I didn't buy it. Then decided "sod it, it's £150" and... They'd sold out of mediums! 😂

'New' Cotic Solaris: https://www.cotic.co.uk/product/solaris

It's just become a 'mountain bike' again - not XC, not enduro, just looks a bloody decent hardtail for all sorts of riding. Not cheap, but it's also not dear by todays standard, not for 853 steel anyway.

Scandal pretty much fits the bill although maybe not 'special' but really really good frame for exactly what you describe.

I would probably replace my Scandal with the new Solaris though because I just like Cotics.

Production Privée Shan GT 😁

Ticks all your boxes.

I have it with a 180mm dropper and (I think) 170mm cranks, not sure of BB-saddle height but can check later.

https://singletrackmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/review-production-prviee-shan-gt

https://singletrackmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/readers-rides-bike-check-shias-production-privee-shan-gt-935/

Sonder Signal? There’s a couple of steel ones on ebay. I bought a ti second from the Alpkit ebay store and it sounds similar to what your describing

Marley looks good except the BB is pretty low and the seat angle rather steep. Previous gen Big Al is better on those fronts (for your specs).

@mboy - just sent you a PM

Pace 529

New’ Cotic Solaris: https://www.cotic.co.uk/product/solaris

It’s just become a ‘mountain bike’ again – not XC, not enduro, just looks a bloody decent hardtail for all sorts of riding. Not cheap, but it’s also not dear by todays standard, not for 853 steel anyway.

Chatted to the Cotic guys @ Ard Rock about it... Looks good... Gonna be a few months wait for it still though, and they've pre-sold most of the first batch already! Also arguably it's quite expensive for what it is.

Scandal pretty much fits the bill although maybe not ‘special’ but really really good frame for exactly what you describe.

It does for sure... But PX being PX, frame only price is not much cheaper than a full bike... Which makes it a lot more expensive than the Ragley.

Production Privée Shan GT 😁

Wanted one of these so badly when they first came out... A friend got one almost as soon as they did, and was subsequently very unimpressed with it (paintjob aside). Could never stomach the cost for a plain 4130 steel frame in the end. Does look like it would be fun though, but the fact my friends frame was 3.2kg (against a claimed 2.6kg) didn't help either... I ruled out a Stanton Switch9er in the end for the same reason.

Sonder Signal? There’s a couple of steel ones on ebay. I bought a ti second from the Alpkit ebay store and it sounds similar to what your describing

I had a Ti one... Well... It's identikit brother, the ill fated Titus Zestar. BB height was about 10mm more than quoted so I always felt perched on it, and I had a large with a 40mm stem when arguably I should have got a medium and run a 50mm stem on it. It also didn't feel special like a Ti frame should, like other Ti frames I've owned or ridden in the past... The steel one is just a very heavy version (like over 3kg) of the same thing.

Marley looks good except the BB is pretty low and the seat angle rather steep. Previous gen Big Al is better on those fronts (for your specs).

No frame only on the Big Al any more in a medium though... Saddle rail adjustment gives approx 1-1.5deg effective adjustment, so could just run the saddle rails a bit further back... BB drop is workable, would give in the region of 305mm static with 2.4" tyres I believe. Also can run longer dropper on the Marley cos of the seat tube shape, but if anyone knows of a frame only Big Al in medium, I'm all ears.

Pace 529

Too long... Also no mediums. Looks lovely though!

I recently got the new Big Al and have been very impressed with it so far, especially for the money. I don't think you could go wrong with the new Marley 290 for what your wanting.

Pace 529
Too long…

and from Pace 😉

shirley a light weight 29er FS would be more suitable, given your recent issues?

I had similar requirements to you and I just picked up an On One Big Dog. Not ridden it yet but it's more trail geo than enduro sled. Other things to consider:

• Nukeproof Scout
• Cotic BFe Max
• Bird Zero (or Forge, but that's probably a bit too slack)
• Pace RC529
• Pipedream Moxie (quite slack but has sliding dropouts so can shorten the chain stays, and run with shorter fork)
• Stanton Switch9er

Nukeproof Scout 290 I'd say ticks most/all boxes? They were punting out 2022 frames at £300 for a while on CRC which included headset & seatclamp but may no longer have stock?

I have the 275, it's squarely what I'd call a Mountain Bike. Doesn't feel super slack or burly, rides along nicely on more relaxed trails but can also be chucked down anything you'd reasonable consider riding on a Hardtail. Basically fit the tyres that suit how you want to ride it!

I imagine it's the same bike pretty much as one or two of the Ragleys, but lose track of which one! I'd say between a Ragley or Scout whichever one is on offer/in stock and you like the look of would be a safe bet?

Came across the Coal Pony earlier and liked it

In the spirit of recommend what you have, if you'd like a fun bike, the Starling Roost is...er...fun - this is mine

shirley a light weight 29er FS would be more suitable, given your recent issues?

I still have one of those. It will be used a fair bit as and when I'm up for doing longer rides again. I just want something relatively cheap I can keep in the back of my van, steal a 30min ride on here and there, even use for riding between shops. An old Whyte 5/629 would be ideal frame only in Boost, but it means sitting watching bikes on ebay then a load of crap parts spare again...

Primarily this is also an exercise in making use of good spare parts that I don't want to give away at a silly price too.

I have the older Big Al and it is lovely. The new 29er Marley is basically the same bike, whereas the 23 Big Al has gone more LLS

Scandal +1

Yea the price is silly, either wait it out or keep an eye 2nd hand. It's a rod they've made for their own back, it's a really good frame, they could have set the RRP at £550 from the start and no one would have batted an eylid, it's a great frame. But now that it's been sold at £199 or whatever, that's what's in peoples heads.

I'm just debating a fork swap on mine to shed some of the OEM weight of the 35's and Goma's, although if I ditch the Goma's the weather will dry up!

I like my Chameleon but I wouldn’t describe the ride as forgiving!

In 2020 I bought a new Scandal frame for £160, ridiculous!

Buy a 2021 big trail 400. They should be well cheap by now.

Sell off the bits or keep as spares.

The frame is the same as the current 2023 one.

Reviewed really well everywhere including here.

"All the hardtail you'll ever need" I think is what singletrack said.

I love my 600. Fantastic bike. Climbs well. Descends well. Will fit three bottle cages of that's your thing. Great on xc as well as bike parks.

I used to have a scandal, sold it, regretted it, and bought a new (to me) one recently.

Great things and appear to fulfill your brief well.

Buying new though I'd go for the 2023 Marley 290. I was looking at the 2022 big al as a scandal alternative before my one came up but the 2023 Marley 290 is essentially the same.

Another Big Dog advocate here. I run one with a very, very ‘aggressive hardtail’ build and it’s really excellent. Regularly ridden at BPW and Dyfi and seems to be just in that nice point of stiff but compliant.

With a slightly more trail focused build it would suit your needs beautifully. As would the Marley, although I’ve found Ragley aluminium frames to be quite stiff (not harsh, just a very firm ride).

I'd buy a huntsman frame but you have to buy a bike from on on one. Cheap enough though when they do the 799 deals just sell it all off

I bought a 2nd hand Orange Clockwork Evo 29er a month or two ago. Great bike. Not super slack and steep. Light enough. Cheap enough and looks superb. I got a 2020 orange (the colour) one. Nice and comfortable for cruising on fire roads if you're looking to replace a gravel bike and yet still confident going down tech. I specifically bought that model and year because I didn't want it slack and steep. Plenty of tire clearance for going larger than the Vittoria Aggaro's it came standard with and I'm soon going to stick a 36t chainring on the front so I can get more power down.

Cotics BeFemax - not least as they had a couple of frames on offer as seconds

<p>I have a Last Fast Forward in large that I’m just about to split. Not boost but can come with a rear wheel. </p>

Stanton Sherpa or Switch9er depending on your riding preferences.
I loved my Cotics but the paint quality on the Stanton is out of this world.

I had a Scout 290. Ran it with 2.6 tyres and inserts so pretty low pressures and it still felt pretty harsh. That was coming from a run of steel frames. Went back to a BFEMax (which doesn't meet your brief!) and absolutely love that. Feels way more compliant as well.

My daughter has a SolarisMax v2 I think. We built it up light with a 120mm fork and it's a fantastic thing. Although not the lightest frame to start from.

Britango? https://nordestcycles.com/producto/cuadro-britango-2 - sure there is an english button somewhere on that site! I had a Bardino for a couple of years and only moved it on as I wanted to try something else.

Merlin Malt 29er steel frame?

£395 with possibly more off if you have loyalty points.

Head angle may not be slack enough though

Stanton Sherpa

I was going to suggest this, until I read the criterion about a lowish BB. Other than that, it's a superb all-rounder which would be perfect for the OP's requirements IMO.

A discounted BFeMax is a great shout, brilliant bike

Sounds like a Whippet frame is needed, if you can get one at a good enough price.

Vote for Stanton Sherpa here.

I love mine.

Banshee Paradox? Not exactly cheap but they look great and people seem to agree with the "alu frame that feels like steel" thing. Even though I'm currently building up a 27.5" FS I'm still looking at 29er hardtails and the Paradox has caught my eye!

I was in the same boat with a box full of spares and really fancied a Cotic Solaris max for the same reasons but they were having a sale on the bfe max at the time that twisted my arm and I have no regrets.

For anyone who cares...

After a lot of overthinking, an opportunity presented itself. I saw a Merida Big Trail frame only in size Large (455 reach, so more like most brands mediums) advertised after one ride as the owner has replaced it with something larger, not realising the Merida comes up a bit small... £200 inc headset and all ancillaries and it's on its way to me... 👍🏻

Cool colour too... It's the 2023 Sparkling Black Gold colour! Looking forward to getting it built...

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Nice! I’ve been eying one of those since Benji reviewed one a while back. Just need to convince the boss I need a third bike bike first…

If it doesnt suit you, those ragley frames (big al and marley 29er) are currently down to £279 at chain reaction.

that colour is awesome

Didn’t you used to have a Kinesis Sync? That would still have fit the bill apart from boost and internal dropper routing wouldn’t it? I’ve still got mine, as nothing else seems to beat it for my local riding.

 I saw a Merida Big Trail frame only in size Large

Looks lovely, but that's some BB drop looking at it. Not seen figures on paper though, so maybe not as bad as it looks

Love that colour! Be interested to see how you get on with it, I was looking at the Big Trail a while ago before ending up with a CRC sale Vitus.

that colour is awesome

Isn't it just! All the matt finishes on most of the Big Trail range really leave me cold, and then there was a few gloss black ones too which is OK but a bit boring. This Sparkling Black Gold colour is a massive step up, looks almost like one of the Nissan/TVR "flip" paints from the 90's from some angles...

Didn’t you used to have a Kinesis Sync?

Good memory!

That would still have fit the bill apart from boost and internal dropper routing wouldn’t it? I’ve still got mine, as nothing else seems to beat it for my local riding.

I sold it early 2015 after a year and a bit of fun on it. Jonnyrockymountain off this forum bought it off me funnily enough. I really enjoyed that bike, but its geometry was already a little dated when it came out. A measured 70.5deg head angle with a 120mm fork fitted and 73deg seat angle... I wanted something a bit more contemporary, also a lot cheaper...

Looks lovely, but that’s some BB drop looking at it. Not seen figures on paper though, so maybe not as bad as it looks

66.5mm BB drop apparently... Should be approx 305mm static with 2.4" tyres, which is certainly low but I like low BB's anyway. I've had a couple of HT's with sub 310mm static BB height before and liked them. It's not sub 300mm static like some bikes are heading these days, which I think is too much personally... Bird's Zero 29er frame for instance, something like a 290mm static height with 2.6's!!!