Help a grumpy old man choose a bike to die with...

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Help a grumpy old man choose a bike to die with...

23 posts & 17 voices | Started 6 months ago by crikey | Latest reply from dropoff

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crikey - Member

I never ask for bike related info because I'm old and therefore think I know everything...

I'd like a new mountain bike to last me for a few years and I'm getting a bit stuck. I'd like something like a Santa Cruz Chameleon, but built up in a XC style spec; I've never really got on with full suss, always feel like I'm dragging un-needed stuff about for the odd occasion when it gets bumpy.

Essentially I'm looking for a hardtail that is closer to a cross bike than a downhill bike, but will cope with the occasional outing with my suspended mates without being a long travel burly salad dodging thing.

In simple terms, which On-One?

Posted 6 months ago #
Surrounded By Zulus - Member

What you need is a Rock Lobster from Merlin.

They do a alu one for £200, a 853 one for £250 and a titanium one for £650.

Posted 6 months ago #
crikey - Member

A mate had a Rock Lobster, and it was good, but a bit flexy/steely/twangy for me.
I'm thinking a Klein Attitude with attitude, a bit like the attractive larger lady who would be value for money but light on her feet?

Posted 6 months ago #
aw - Member

Klein Attitude...what about mine pictured here

Posted 6 months ago #
buttercup - Member

I'd go for the on-one. Can't beat £175 of glory steel.
I was recently thinking of swapping my bluepig for a Summer Season.. but they are pretty much the same bike..

Posted 6 months ago #
allthegear - Member

Why not get a cross bike, then? Ride it down the trails with the young'uns on their bouncy things and make them look silly..

That kind of hard-as-nails-old-bloke look.

Rachel

Posted 6 months ago #
crikey - Member

Sorry, I'm not being very clear. I have a Klein Attitude which is a lovely thing but is a bit too retro racer to trash, and I have a cross bike which I love, just done the 3 peaks on it.

I want a hardtail that is a bit burlier than the Attitude, but not a jump bike/all mountain thing.

I'm looking at the On-One carbon bikes, but I dunno?

Posted 6 months ago #
IanW - Member

Same sort of thought process brought me to a Salsa Fargo, just need to buy one before I change my mind ..again.

Posted 6 months ago #
samuri - Member

Why not actually a Chameleon? Lots of people use them as XC bikes, me included.

Funnest bike ever.

Posted 6 months ago #
crikey - Member

I'm considering one, I do like them, but would aim to build it in a more XC style than as a batter yourself bike.

Dunno. Dunno. Dunno.

Posted 6 months ago #
nicko74 - Member

I can't help thinking Cotic: possibly a Soul, Soda if you like the idea of 'bike for life', or BFe if you want something with the potential for flinging it down a hill. Yes, more expensive than On-One, but the build quality (IMHO) is better, and the overall feel is one I prefer.

And

a bit like the attractive larger lady who would be value for money but light on her feet?

Your concept is intriguing to me - can you explain further? Are you suggesting that you measure women by their value for money (pound for £)? And whether they have good footwork??

Posted 6 months ago #
wrecker - Member

It is indeed a good measure of a woman.
Great call on the soda or soul.
I'll add the Brodie holeshot Ti.

Posted 6 months ago #
crikey - Member

Are you suggesting that you measure women by their value for money (pound for £)? And whether they have good footwork??

On occasion it helps to have some form of discriminatory factor, otherwise you could end up with anyone!

I feel I shall investigate the potential of the 456...

Posted 6 months ago #
oldgit - Member

Oooh tough one.

BTW did it hurt asking a question on STW

I always fancied a Stiffee in XC guise, don't know if they still do them.

Posted 6 months ago #
jockhaggis - Member

Chameleons are great. I have one built up fairly light with 140 forks and use it for most 'everyday' riding.

Other than that, a lot of people like the Cotic Soul.

Posted 6 months ago #
ton - Member

i keep going thru this. wanting 1 bike that will last, i will be happy with and is ok at everything.

had a stiffee, it could possibly (with the right wheels and seatpost) be ok.
never had a chameleon, and with the slightly longer toptube, this could be the top of my list for choice.
has a rocklobter 853 too in the past, very nice, but a bit to flimsy/delicate for me now.

Posted 6 months ago #
spikyjames - Member

Kinesis XC Pro 3?

Posted 6 months ago #
crikey - Member

I shall ponder a while longer.

I notice the lack of enthusiasm for the carbon on one, and shall include this in my calculations.

Posted 6 months ago #
chakaping - Member

Carbon 456 sounds like a great choice to me.

It's stiff but not harsh, very light and has really nice geometry.

Love mine and can't imagine wanting to change it.

Posted 6 months ago #
mccett - Member

The carbon On One is a great bike and i loved riding it esp with big forks....how long are you expecting to live though?
Not because of any issues about longevity, its just that after a while having something that resembles a tossup between a Stealth bomber and a UPVC window gets on your goat. Sold mine. Maybe one of the coloured ones would have been better.

Cotic or some other Ti thing. Hummer maybe?

Posted 6 months ago #
crikey - Member

Like carbon, got 2 carbon roadies and would have a carbon crosser in a mo.

I'm just being hard to please, I'd like a cross bike that would do DH really..

Posted 6 months ago #
phil56 - Member

no intention of testing the theory, but if I was going down the one bike route I'd agree the Salsa Fargo makes a good argument. Seriously good fun.

Posted 6 months ago #
dropoff - Member

Stiffee The one do it all bike. Would like to say handjob but I've never ridden one and they did get some bad press a few years ago.

Posted 6 months ago #

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