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Trek Stache? Even bigger wheels and less travel.
I've looked at pretty much all of the above and discounted them as generally the reach isn't enough.
Bear in mind that on hardtail the reach increases with sag, on a FS bike it reduces, so you don't want to match the figures of the latest long/low/slack FS bikes.
Also bear in mind that the more 'downhill' biased a bike is, the SHORTER it's reach will be. Beyond a point (both track steepness and bike length) you reach a point where you're stretched out so far that you can't move weight back off the front wheel. Long and low works on flatter courses, but less well on full-on downhill tracks. E.g. a medium Giant Reign is ~45cm reach, the medium Glory is 42cm.
Whyte 529/629 looks good actually!
66.5' HA, 449 reach, 440 CS. That's with a 120mm fork.
I reckon a 1-2' slackset could make it rather nice, maybe with a 130mm fork.
None of the specs are particularly exciting, but plenty of scope to upgrade on the solid geometry.
For all that faff, A Last fastforward has the same reach and head angle (with a 140mm fork).
thisisnotaspoon - you reach a point where you're stretched out so far that you can't move weight back off the front wheel
Yes and no, I'd like to try my Honzo with 25mm more reach but a 25mm shorter stem. Everything but the front centre would be the same.
I went from a 26er FS, to a 29er HT, and ruddy love it!
I went steel as I like the look, and also, I THINK (probably without factual basis) that's the ideal material for this bike!!
Chromag Rootdown. What really makes it is the pike forks (140 solo air). They are amazing!!
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DrP
If you made me buy a HT frame today I'd probably go for the newer Stanton Sherpa - looks like a splendid all rounder and very handsome too.
Still not quite as long as I'd like, but I've found another HT with the same reach to ride surprisingly well with a 60mm stem.
Still not quite as long as I'd like, but I've found another HT with the same reach to ride surprisingly well with a 60mm stem.
Pffft. I've just put an 80mm stem on my QH to compensate for extra stack height and lay-back from a -2 slackset. I was worried, but so far it seems ok!
I've got a first generation XL Honzo. The frame weighed in about 7lbs if I recall (I built mine from frame only). It's a fun bike but I haven't ridden it in a while as have ended up on the road bike more. Must wipe the dust off it and get it out again. It rides lighter than it feels on the scales. Running mine with 140mm 20mm Revs, made a surprising difference over the 120mm I started with.
no affiliation, but I found the honzo frame for sale here
http://shop.bikesandbuddies.co.uk/kona-honzo-al-dl-frame/dp/5367
if people are after one