Afternoon all.

Back in 2006 I built up a Cove Stiffee with RS Rev 130mm forks, Mavic 321 wheels and a smattering of Raceface and Hope stop/go bits. The intention being to have just one bike to cope with anything I could throw at it (not a big ask tbh – this generally meant keeping at least one wheel on the ground and handling anything from canal towpaths with the missus, arsing about in the woods to steep uppy downy and sometimes rocky stuff in the Welsh hills).

The Stiffee performed admirably (it’s certainly more capable than I am) until I virtually gave up cycling in favour of hill walking and running for a few years.

I dragged it out of retirement around 18 months ago and have been enjoying intermittent hoonery ever since. Even swapped it over to 1×11 (I like!) Anyhoo, now idly thinking of replacing it with something new. I like the idea of a UK made steel hardtail but have no idea what’s what currently (turn your back for 5 minutes and wheels have got bigger – wtf was that all about??). It would need to be as fun and involving as the Stiffee and cope with all sorts of natural terrain. Probably want to go bikepacking too. No interest in 29ers or balloon-wheeled clown bikes. I’m 5’8″ and the 17.5″/Medium Stiffee has been spot on.

Ladies and gents, your recommendations please.(‘Just keep the Stiffee’ is also under consideration, but I like the idea of something made in the UK)

Ta.

Not many are actually made in Britain, but there are some:
Enigma
Swarf
Curtis (some)
BTR
Shand (most)(might be 29er only)

Are you sure you mean “made in Britain” or are you after a frame from a British company?

Obvious candidates are;
Stanton
Cotic

Whats your budget? UK made steel HT would set you back around £1000 for a frame.
UK designed UK company would be less, although Cotic and Stantons prices are creeping up towards that mark, bloody brexit!!

As others have said made in the UK is few and far between although there are some.

My recommendation would be to look into Stanton bikes.

They have 3 bikes in their current line up…

Swithback…full in hardcore…lots ride them all day but they really are capable of some abuse. Think DH HT/Enduro/Trail ridding. (27.5″ Or 27.5″+)

Slackline…trail HT…all day bike, not as knarley as Switchback but still very strong and very capable. Think Enduro/trail/XC. (27.5″ or 27.5″+)

Sherpa…trail/XC HT…all day bike, very capable 29er. Think Enduro/Trail/XC. (29″ or
27.5″+)

All three models come in Steel & Ti. Also all frames go through the full testing on one frame so they’re very strong products. I’ve only ridden the Slackline & Switchback which are sorted, apparently the Sherpa is to, I’ve very very tempted to trade in my Slackline for a Sherpa.

There’s a great ‘Stanton Owners’ group on FB, if you want to see/find out more.

Are Charge still UK made?

Thanks all.

Yes, I suspect I really mean UK designed by a UK company. Apologies, I thought we made more frames over here.

Budget? Fairly flexible tbh. I suppose £2k or thereabouts for a complete bike. Will have a look at Stanton.

Cheers.

Why not 29?

29er wheels on hardtails are a VERY GOOD THING.

Defo try one before you dismiss out of hand.

If UK designed.

Pace RC127
Stif Morf
Cotic Soul

Orange P7 also.

I love my Cotic Solaris though, built it up about 2 months ago and absolutely love it. I’m only 5’9½” but I like the 29er thing for covering ground and it’s still plenty playful. I got one of the last ones before the new version came out and running it with 100mm forks.

Really like my Pace RC127, they do a RC127+ which takes 650+ or 29er wheels too. Orange/Cotic/Stanton worth a look as mentioned. Though I’d probably go for a BTR if I had the funds!

Love my 2016 Orange P7 with 140mm Pikes – it’s fast, fun and very versatile. Does everything here in Calderdale – cheeky steeps and super-rough rock gardens through to 30-mile xc loops over the Pennines. Ride it all year round too. Had it 1 year and it’s been faultless. Would easily convert to a bike packing rig (part of the reason I chose it). I’m 5′ 10″ and just get away with a medium. Large would also fit fine.

Another vote for Stanton – I’m on my fourth now although the latest one was not technically by choice (number three was stolen).

I really like the way they ride and the new geometry has made them better, although they’re still not a long as the competition but I think that’s partly down to Dan preferring a shorter bike.

The new Slackline (or Sherpa) would probably be most suited to what you’re looking for; the 853 frameset is really nice to ride. With some careful buying you should be able to build up a nice bike for £2k even with the price rises.

Stanton are definitely at the top end price wise for the current steel hardtails but do cosnsider that they are all Reynolds steel.

Pace and Orange make some cracking looking bikes at the mo too.

monkeysfeet – Member
Are Charge still UK made?

i don’t think they have ever been anything other than UK designed and made in China

Apart from the Ti frame iirc

Cotic.

Cotic anything! My old 26″ wheeled Soul was the bet climbing bike I’ve ever known.

Ragley Blu Pig or Piglet. I’d go for the Big Wig personally, but it’s a 29er.
I’d urge you to try a good 29er before you reject them completely.

Also stanton all the way, there’s no other hardtail for me, I’m on my 3rd, and I’ve also built up a dj frame as a mini trail bike for my 8year old. They just ride amazingly, I’ll never own anything else.

Probably need a username change then

“cope with all sorts of natural terrain
go bikepacking too keeping at least one wheel on the ground and handling anything from canal towpaths with the missus, arsing about in the woods to steep uppy downy and sometimes rocky stuff in the Welsh hills”
Sounds like a 29er would be ideal

Rocket dog, yeah I know, I did try and change it but it wouldn’t have it for some reason

i don’t think they have ever been anything other than UK designed and made in China

I thought they were made in the Republic of China (Taiwan)

My Charge Plug frame was indeed made in Taiwan

Stanton buddy. I am on my third! Had a steel mk1 Switchback, then Ti mk2, now on Ti Sherpa. They are very capable bikes. From your description I would probably go for a Slackline.