Hardcore Hardtail (Frame Only)

Hardcore Hardtail (Frame Only)

Author
Discussion

Mr Scruff

Original Poster:

1,332 posts

216 months

Tuesday 21st June 2022
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I have too many bikes. I've no idea how, they just appeared in the garage when I wasn't looking - honest.

Anyway, decided that I want to make some adjustments. My Ellsworth Evolve C (full suspension, 29") is going, as is my Clockwork (hardtail, 27.5").

I want to replace with a hardcore hardtail, 29". Selling both the above means I should have some budget to play with.

Heck of a lot of choice out there though! Am looking at the standard options:

Yeti ARC
Santa Cruz Chameleon
Orange P7
Maybe Pace 592
Sonder?

Anything else worth looking at?

demic

375 posts

162 months

Tuesday 21st June 2022
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Cotic Bfe Max?

Pablo16v

2,091 posts

198 months

Tuesday 21st June 2022
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Some suggestions.....

Ragley Bigwig and Big Al
Nukeproof Scout 29
Stiff Squatch
Planet X Hello Dave
Ribble HT AL
Pace RC529

LankyFreak

670 posts

29 months

Tuesday 21st June 2022
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Norco Torrent?

GCH

3,993 posts

203 months

Tuesday 21st June 2022
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Ragley Big Al, Big Wig or Blue Pig
Pipedream Moxie mk3 (in pink plz)
RSD middlechild
Marin El Roy

i_alan_i

95 posts

229 months

Tuesday 21st June 2022
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I just built up a custom Yeti ARC as a replacement for an old 26" On One 456 Carbon. It feels miles faster, which is probably just down to the bigger wheels.

Well recommended, though I'm not sure if the cost gets you anything that is really better than a cheaper alloy frame: I liked the Nukeproof and Commencal options. In the end I went for the expensive Yeti because it was a birthday treat, and I just wanted it because it is a lovely looking and feeling thing

moonigan

2,144 posts

242 months

Tuesday 21st June 2022
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A lad I ride with has a Sonder. He loves it. He prefers fast, knarly type stuff so suits whereas I'm a bit of a lightweight.

Mr Scruff

Original Poster:

1,332 posts

216 months

Wednesday 22nd June 2022
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Some great suggestions - and photos! Thanks gents... The Yeti would be a pure indulgence, I don't need such a bike and wouldn't do it justice so am erring away from that a bit.

Do love the Sonder, and forgotten about the Moxie (definitely in pink).

Heart is saying Pace at the moment but will be some time before both other bikes get moved on so have some time to be indecisive!

P9DH

144 posts

77 months

Wednesday 22nd June 2022
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Curtis AM9...?

missing the VR6

2,323 posts

190 months

Thursday 23rd June 2022
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I'm not sure how you define hardcore, but I wouldn't class the Yeti as "hardcore" it's got a 67 degree head angle. If I wanted a trail hard tail I'd absolutely love one though.

I know it's the wrong wheel size but my Ragley Mmmbop has a sub 64 degree head angle and a 150mm fork. To me, that seems the region for a hardcore hardtail.

I'd also suggest the Orange Crush is the bike in Oranges range for you.

GCH

3,993 posts

203 months

Thursday 23rd June 2022
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missing the VR6 said:
I'm not sure how you define hardcore, but I wouldn't class the Yeti as "hardcore" it's got a 67 degree head angle. If I wanted a trail hard tail I'd absolutely love one though.

I know it's the wrong wheel size but my Ragley Mmmbop has a sub 64 degree head angle and a 150mm fork. To me, that seems the region for a hardcore hardtail.
I do agree.... the yeti is hardcore for dentists perhaps hehe

The mmmbop is 63.75 on a standard 150mm fork, but as you say thats on a 27.5 wheel.
The 29 wheeled big al and big wig (identical geo but in steel) are 65 degrees on 140 which is superb as standard. Increase that to 150 and its 64.5, 160 and it is 64...mullet it or angle space it and it can go even further.
Moxie is in the same range. The el roy is 63 degrees as standard.

65 is the hardcore cut off.

.Adam.

1,823 posts

264 months

Thursday 23rd June 2022
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dai1983

2,917 posts

150 months

Thursday 23rd June 2022
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Built a Big Al off the back of the HT Party review after considering a cotic, pace etc. Has 140mm pikes and had some burley but heavy wheels built up. Currently planning on taking it single speed...

Happy with it but I am far from hardcore and it climbs OK tbh. The reach isn't massive like the Moxie or Cotics and the seat angle is a bit slack compared to newer bikes.

Planet x have regular sales on their frames and one of the Titus frames is a titanium big dog with 10 year warranty.



Edited by dai1983 on Thursday 23 June 20:27

TT1138

739 posts

135 months

Thursday 23rd June 2022
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I’ve regularly posted up on here and about them but I own an On One Hello Dave and a Big Dog.

Both excellent bikes, and the weak link is the rider. The Big Dog is ‘aggressive trail’ and I’d call the Hello Dave an ‘enduro hardtail’. Both excellent value for money, just depends on what you want.

Wildfire

9,790 posts

253 months

Friday 24th June 2022
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Bird Forge with 160mm or slightly less aggressive Zero 29.

I have the Zero 29 and have never had an issue.

take-good-care-of-the-forest-dewey

5,207 posts

56 months

Friday 24th June 2022
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If you want hardcore, at the Enduro end of things, the Pole Taival is utterly fantastic.

Long, slack, super stable and a comfortable ride. Climbs well too for its size.

Mine... currently set up as a 27.5+ rear mullet for a bit of extra root and rock comfort.



Hardtail party loved it too.

https://youtu.be/ykop_QMSC3c


BaronVonVaderham

2,317 posts

148 months

Saturday 25th June 2022
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Another vote for a Bird Zero here.

But if you already have a 27.5 Orange, then why would you want to replace it with one with extra heavy clown wheels?

27.5 is more fun to ride, and imho looks far better.

bobbo89

5,229 posts

146 months

Saturday 25th June 2022
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I've got two aggressive hardatails, 27.5 Marino and a 29 Hello Dave. Both awesome bikes but are more in the lower end of the price bracket.

If I had some money to play with and wanted something a bit different/UK made I'd look at Coal Bikes, Radical All Mountain or 18 Bikes. I'd also love a Curtis, just for it's iconic look.

patchb

949 posts

115 months

Saturday 25th June 2022
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Production Privee Shan GT (titanium one if you wanna splash out a bit)

Stanton switch9er (again Ti option if you fancy?)

Tickle

4,932 posts

205 months

Sunday 26th June 2022
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Very impressed with my Slackline (quality and feel).

Stanton switch9er or Kingdom Vendetta would be my choice if going 29.