I have a 456 Summer Series with pikes at the moment, but its a bit of a handful on the climbs so wanting to change the frame and forks to something that i can ride some less aggressive trails(local pentlands trails) and maybe some xc races on.
Ive been looking at 120mm forks with the Cotic Soul, which seems to be the only steel frame anywhere near 4lbs.

The big question is do any aluminium hardtails ride with anywhere near the suppleness of steel?

Thanks,
Stuart.

I love my rock lobster for that kind of stuff.

kinesis XC120

i got a steel pipedream sirius, which feels nice and twangy on rough stuff.
an alu giant xtc which is a bit of a bruiser!
and a scandium kona kula, which is kinda inbetween

but no aluminium frame i ever tried feels like steel even cheap steel

Scandal's pretty comfy, lots of flex in it. I didn't really like how mine handled with the forks over 110mm though… Descended alright but it was a bit ponderous. I could make it ride OK with 130mm in the front but then it wouldn't climb. No competition with my Soul at all really, the Soul manages to do both things while the Scandal could only do one at a time.

The big question is do any aluminium hardtails ride with anywhere near the suppleness of steel?

Depends on the intentions of the frame designer – I've got an Easton alloy Rock Lobster (Tig Team SL) that is way lighter than 4lbs, and way as supple as the Soul I had a few years ago.

Live in Midlothian so, as a Pentland rider I therefore assume you're reasonably local, you'd be welcome to pop over and have a look.

I've always ridden alu bikes and was really surprised how comfy my old cube reaction was. Most comfy alloy bike i've owned, and i've had a few. Plenty stiff in the right direction though.

What woodey said, K Maxlights are designed for exactly what you just said you want.

Kinesis MaxLight XC is the most compliant Aluminum frame I have ever ridden – cheap as chips to. I was somewhat surprised by its springy ride.

Thanks for the responce.
Looking at the geometry of the xc120, the effective top tube looks quite short? ie the 50 is about the same size as my 16" 456.

Suppleness?
Who knows – I've ridden plenty of aluminium frames that are soft and floaty feeling. And plenty of steel frames which are harsh, hard and minging. A designer can make a frame feel how she wants, almost regardless of the material used. Heck, I've ridden several stiff and uncomfortable titanium hardtails, nasty! Doesn't matter what it's made of, ride a few and see what you like.