Need a new winterised hardtail, fed up destroying my fs bike in the clag and would like another HT.
Given they are a few miles away, Shanda Bahookie looks just the ticket. Rigid, steel, 29er

Lovely bike for sure, but for my idea of a winterised hardtail, the full bike costs half what a Bahookie frame costs.

Looks great. Belt-driven rigid singlespeed option with a square taper crank for the ultimate winter bike.

My mate’s got one, very similar to my Salsa El Mariachi.

Niner SIR9 was also on the list

I would go for a SC chameleon, in 650b+ guise and single speeded. Would be a great winter hooligan bike IMO.

SC chameleon, in 650b+ guise and single speeded

I have exactly that but it’s a bit different in intent to what the OP is looking for! Great fun though.

Always used to enjoy riding my Singular Swift as another option although that appears to be a brand on the way out these days. The Shand will be lovely though and if you can afford a custom frame, then why not. I would certainly have the Shand over the Niner given the little cost difference.

isn’t there a titanium one imminent?

A Ti Shand ? That would be nice. This is a replacement for my (admittedly too small) Serotta which my wife has stolen !