@chief i understand that the geo changes as the forks sag....i'm not sure what you're trying to tell me??
The whole point is the stack is similar to my Hightower, however the reach will be much longer - circa 30mm!
@beer247 - what size are you after? I have a Large near new Cotic BFeMax frame in the shed (in blue) with Hope Headset, in Clare but no hassle to get a mate to take it up to Dublin. Got some 140mm DVO forks to suit it also
“i’m not sure what you’re trying to tell me??”
Just to look at that sagged reach and stack vs your Hightower to check you’re ok with it.
@honourablegeorge an XL probably - which year is the BFemax?
It sort of defeats the object of the "down country" exercise though but guess its similar to the Nukeproof in geo if its the latest one
So, i enquired about the Nukeproof with the shop, they've sold it!
My mate who works there has a Ragley BigAl in XL for sale for €300 plus a set of SID Charger SL for another €600.
deal or not?
Well, to counter the cotic negativity my vote is for a solarismax.
I love mine and if I could marry a bike it'd be my solarismax.
beer247
Full Member
@honourablegeorge an XL probably – which year is the BFemax?It sort of defeats the object of the “down country” exercise though but guess its similar to the Nukeproof in geo if its the latest one
It's a year old. Lovely bike, just got swapped for a shinier one. L though, so maybe too small for you, although it's got quite a long TT for an L
Very like the Scout in terms or angles and intent, not really downcountry, but it's great on those Coillte hardpack trails and more than capable off piste.
Have you got any pics? 2021 model?
I used a Planet X Scandal for what you describe, with 120mm SIDs, wide carbon wheels, fast rolling tyres. Cheap but does the job. I also looked at a Specialised Fuse frame, but couldn't justify the extra £££££.
Sounds to me like you just need some xc tyres and wheels and learn to use the lockout lever
Sounds like you haven’t read the thread properly
George I’ve sent you a message
I’m another who use the On One Scandal to do exactly what you describe. I’d recommend 2.6” tyres though, takes the harshness out of it when you get there.
Not sure on taxes etc. Have a look on their eBay page too, they often sell off returned frames with damage (scratches and paint chips etc.)
I know OP has already got something else lined up but just came here to say On One Scandal! I use mine for similar purposes (tarmac miles to local endoooro spots)
Surprised it took so long to pop up as a suggestion!
My mate uses a Yeti ARC for same duties (apologies if you mentioned a budget in the thread that I missed).
Get honourablegeorges's BFeMAX. DC is just marketing-speak for "needs a slacker head angle".
Plus it's a nice color of blue, which will make you go faster for sure.
@Beer247 I don't know enough about Brexit and Irish border controls, but can't you get a train to Belfast, buy the bike you want and ride it back across the border? Ok it's technically (and probably legally 🙂 ) smuggling, but haven't the Irish been doing that since the border was drawn on a map.
'Nother vote for Planet X Scandal, I use it for exactly what you describe. It's perfect.
@rone I received Nitrous about a year ago. Swapped everything over from my Sonder Signal ti.
Pikes reduced to 120mm
Bike Yoke dropper +30.9 barrel
GX 12 speed
30 t AB oval ring
DCR wheels.
Swapping Pike for SID
May get Roval control or similar.
Probably sell Sonder frame and Pikes
I built it as I'm mostly doing XC on South Downs and never do more than a red trail.
The Signal was a huge amount of fun almost anywhere, but being over 70 I need something that climbs exceptionally well, and is extremely comfortable without resorting to full suss.
Nice one. I'm on rigid as I have a Turner Czar. But have rode the Nitrous a lot more.
Just be careful about BB height if you’re underforking a hardtail (I have no idea what the BB is like on a Scout to start with). They’re nice frames but I’ve only ridden them with 140-160mm forks though.
I think 120-140 is the sweet spot for most aggressive hardtail riding (depending on frame) as too much at the front means the rear struggles to keep up (and huge geo changes as it goes through it’s travel) and any less is XC territory and you’ll ire out/get battered on rough stuff.
you've probably described every bike I have had, but just to give you an idea -
Last bike was an Orange Crush pro, 2021. Lovely bike, capable of Lakes downhills/Trail Centre stuff and some old school XC. Cons- low BB.
Also had Cotic Solaris Max (first Longshot geo). Nice bike but didnt get on with it.
Cotic BFE - Mk1 - Probably the best H/Tail I have ever owned.
Salsa MUKLUK - Fat Bike (yes I know) but the most fun I have every had on 2 wheels.
ragley MMMM BOP Mk 1- in that green. Lovely bike. Could handle anything
i know where you are coming from in regards to costs - some steel stuff is just nuts in price.
You Could consider - STIFF Squatch, Trek Roscoe, Whyte 909/905
Big fan of my Pivot Les - can be run at anywhere between 100 - 120mm fork. Can also be run SS if that takes your fancy?
why o why did i start looking at the Yeti Arc, i can live without food for a few months can't i?
The Yeti is a lovely bike, but £1700 for a HT really hurts. It's also very stiff, so twice the pain.
😂 like I mentioned back on page 1 of the thread, I love mine 😎
@NormalMan, what forks are you running?
I had my eye on a set of SID Ultimates but they only go up to 120mm
I’m on 130mm Fox (mine was an original stock C1 build)
There are a few running 120mm on the Facebook group (not a member but have seen them)
There is a decent FAQ section on the Yeti site as to what works in terms of forks, droppers, etc
If you’re after a light 130mm fork for xc / t all I’d probably look at a Fox 34 or see if I could pick up a RS Reba. You get better dampers in the 34 though (at a cost). Could even consider a Pike - they aren’t too heavy.
The Big Al looks like a good all rounder: nice geometry, acceptable weight and the price of £350 seems reasonable in the current market.
Nice colour too.
Fork wise, I'd get a 130mm Pike.
And I assume they can still be dropped to 120mm if needed.
The BigAl is actually 300euro so in £££ even cheaper. includes a headset and BB as well.
Has anyone ridden the Radon Cragger?
Geo is a bit conservative but would prob make a decent fast hardtail if I swapped out the Minions for something faster rolling.
1300euro for the full bike as well!
'Down country',wtf is that all about?
More pointless marketing tripe from stateside that we're adopting here or what?
My kids who are usually on point with anything MTB related and they don't get it and they speak a language I don't get anyway, grunts, shoulder shrugging and dunno are some that come to mind!
You can always fit a angleset to the Radon Cragger and slacken it out if the head angle is a bit steep. That’ll slacken it out to about 63-64*x slightly drop the BB, steepen the seat angle and lengthen the wheelbase.
To be honest the stand geo on the Cragger 7.0 MS looks ok for most riding (but I’d still slacken it out to suit my purposes), it’s no Moxie but would still work well.
@Boredmarriedwithkids - it was something that Mike Levy said in a “tongue in cheek” way that gained traction and stuck. It basically means a bike with XC travel but Trail/enduro bike geometry that can handle a beating. Sort of like what most people probably actually need for what they ride.
In the past we all road over-forked XC or FS 4X bikes with wide bars and bigger tyres, etc that basically died or went through bearings and components at the speed of light.
Well, I have a never-ridden 2021, 21" Ti Stanton Sherpa frame which I really should move on so I'd let it go for a reasonable price to a good home. I currently have two other Sherpas, one steel, one Ti, built up rather differently and get on well with both. Please PM if interested
