I am looking for a steel frame 100 -120mm hardtail frame and have my eye on either of these.

I mainly ride on the south downs and singletrack around Brighton but also do the odd trip to wales and forests in the North.

Anyone got any remarks on either of these two?

Cheers

Nick

I have a Duster SS and I havn’t touched my Yeti 575 for over 2 months as its that good. Paint is a bit brittle tho and chips easily. Really nice geometry tho if you fit a 100mm fork.Mine has Recons.

I’m in the same location and a similar position (though looking for something that can go longer on the front in future). I haven’t tried anything yet but my impression from the specs/reviews is that the Charge Duster is on the quick steering springier side, more of a local singletrack/downland specialist, whilst the Ragley Piglet is much slacker angled and noticeably stiffer (look at the tube diameters!) so better suited to gnarlier riding.

I would agree with the above comment, I’ve had a duster for a few years now, but have recently been riding longer travel hardtails.

When I’m riding local singletrack which is generally not that gnarly, I’ll take the Duster as the handling through the tight singletrack is brilliant (cross country BMX is how a mate described it).

When I visit the highlands or want to do some longer distance stuff in the mountains, I’ll opt for the longer travel hardtail. The Duster never felt like it was holding me back in the big stuff, but the longer travel bike just felt instantly more at home.

Thanks for the above guys very useful. Do you think it would be ok to put a 120mm fork on the Duster?

I ride a duster ss with rigid forks.

Bought it second hand as a winter hack and an introduction to single speeding, cant recomend it enough. Chiefgrooveguru got it spot on, it excels on tight single track.

I have just fitted mine with 120mm recons, not really tested it yet though. Hoping to get out later in the week, if I do I will let you know how it feels.

Cheers GMF85 please do let me know as would be really interested.

Nick

for half the money and just as much fun i’d look at the On-one 456 as well, great rides for the dosh!

The Duster is probably good for 110-115mm on my RS Revelations. Unless I was pointing downhill I personally wouldn’t want to go anymore than that.
If you buy the duster frame only – you’ll get the Tange Prestige tubeset.
This is a lighter tubeset than on the full-build.
I recall Nick Larsen making his case for 100mm travel hardtail bikes. Hence, the Duster being designed around a 100mm fork.
I’ve ridden my Duster around Afan and it coped well.

I’ll be selling it on shortly – so if you’re interested in a Tange Prestige Duster in 16in – drop me a line 🙂

120mm fork will be fine, the angles with be slacked out a little but if you prefer a slower turning bike then all good.
The Duster is a great bike, they have gone super skinny now but you can still pick up some of the previous framed bikes.