Sanderson will feel fine at 120, though 130 may start to feel a little slack. It is a very refined ride, though the top tube is long, so more of an all day ride than a hooligan.
A big plus (maybe) is the full cable routing...
Oh I could wax lyrical...
Jay
Rock lobster team tig 853. All you want and much much more.
Yes. Lovely bike. Shortish, which means it's very, very good on tight twisty stuff like the Labyrinth at Swinley. Lighter tubing than other 853 frames, so gives it a teeny bit more flex. The perfect bike for the smaller rider, for sure.
DeKerf Team, at a price tho'.
Thinking of changing my steel 456 for something a bit more compliant/lighter.
A soul is the answer.
I swapped my 456 for one, and it is both lighter and more compliant, and generally livelier. A very good ride in fact, just not quite as good on the rockier descents as the 456.
sv - MemberNorthwind, yes did wonder about the C456 and read the 'vs Soul' thread with interest. You ridden both? If so what is your preference? With my 456 I can't get the XC feel/climbing ability from it even at 110mm.
Still trying to decide really... It's definately the best hardtail I've had since the Soul, but it doesn't quite have the perfect balance... Feels just a tiny bit too long, and less agile, but weirdly not more stable. And doesn't climb steep stuff as well either.
But on the other hand it was cheaper, it's lighter, and it's very close to the Soul even on the parts where it's not as good. And there's a bit more potential to mod it, with the tapered headset and replaceable dropouts and such.
Both mint really 
Can't yet choose between them though, need to give it a few more months to get out of the honeymoon period. (Loved my Mmmbop for a while, then went off it, then suddenly and without warning couldn't stand it! So maybe that'll happen with this one too)
Another vote for Kenesis Decade Virsa Prestige. Big in name, big in goodness. Skips along singletrack like a cyber-gazelle, even with a biffa like me onboard.
I liked my Whyte 19 steel, it did the whippy steel thing really well... but I kept taking it beyond its comfort zone so moved it on... but I do miss it.
Sanderson Breath currently topping the list...
C456 too much bike for the stuff it would be used on, I have a Pitch for the bigger stuff. Did like the RL853 but read a review saying it's an old design with a dodgy paint job.
sv - Member
C456 too much bike for the stuff it would be used on
Use it just like you would a Breath? 456 winds down to short travel very well, mine is mostly a 120mm bike.
A sanderson breath as aforementioned would not meet your specification. I'd compare it to a karate monkey which is made from recycled wrought iron fencing. There's a myriad of choices only you can decipher. So... get to the shops and have a look at what takes your fancy. Forget on*one or any other lump of cheap pig iron. You'll have to spend a little more to get a little more.. Niner? Gunnar... etc etc
My 2002 Lavadome rides great with 100mm forks, whippy like an ice cream. Get a Kona.
Pipedream Sirius.
A sanderson breath as aforementioned would not meet your specification
Why? It's lighter and probably more compliant than a 456.
right,after just coming back from doing a night ride (which was awesome/haven't ridden at night for over 6 months) on my duster.am not biased in the slightest (but here's a video of my bike when i just got it
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BopOcqdgpGk i seriously love my duster though 
A sanderson breath as aforementioned would not meet your specificationWhy? It's lighter and probably more compliant than a 456.
Obviously didn't read my post! Besides comparing these two bikes when the guy's asking for advice on a steel hardtail is just plain silly.
I read your post and reached the same conclusion as SV. Sandersons aren't made of gas pipe in my experience.
HJ
hi sorry went out after i posted, it climbs very well at 120, as mentioned it does have a long top tube, i asked and sanderson said it had been designed to ride like an old kona, but with a short stem, this was one of the reasons i bought it as i like the old kona feel.
i mainly ride south downs way and around winchester, usually quite far and it is a great bike, i'll upload some pictures later for you.
if your anywhere close feel free to come for a ride.
I've got a Breath and a friend has a 456....
the Sanderson is so much more compliant, springier then the 456. both ridden on the same trails and the Sanderson is a much better bike to ride on gnarr XC trails.
the 456 can be hammered on the roughder stuff though and that is where it shines.
but unless you're riding v. technical trails, DH or rough alpine trails i'd get the Sanderson over the 456.
Thanks Alpin/Richen does look a tidy frame. 456 for sale...
ive got a dialled bikes prince albert at the mo with 140mm revs on and its a bit of a bruiser, i think i prefare my old handjob with 120mm forks on, it just felt quicker more responsive.
Depends what your budget is like but if you cam afford it get a
Chromag Sakura
Light strong responsive decent angles - best steel hardtail I've ridden
Cove handjob gets my vote
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