I've been riding a Cove Stiffee FR for around 2 years now and adore the bike, but wish to return to full suss. Ive been considering doing a swap literally to a full suss version of the hardtail I own. But since the Hustler frame is £1400, I would be mad not to consider what else that money can buy. Some brief background...
Previous to the Stiffee I owned a SC Bullit which was simply fantastic, around centers like Glentress it was bliss, and for general play around biking, be it urban or short blasts on tracks or country outings, it ticked every box. I wanted a move to a lighter, lesser travel bike as longer days out doing XC were tiring and it was apparent the Bullit was overkill. I fancied trying a solid hardtail and work on skills I may have been missing. The Stiffee didn't disappoint and trail center riding only suffers on rocky black runs. Downhill sections I can easily go as quick as on my old Bullit, and uphills are certainly easily. What I miss is the fun factor and comfort of full suss, and the added confidence to try new things. But I'd hate to lose the preciseness of handling and instant snap on turning the pedals, two things the Stiffee is superb at.
What type of riding? Anything from red/blacks at trail centers to 5-6hours in the Scottish wilderness. Ability to handle a week on Alpine trails would also be a must. Majority of riding though is on simple trails for weekly exercise and trail center or XC loop riding at weekends.
Ability? Intermediate
So could I ask what other bikes people would recommend for the same-ish money? I'll likely change the forks at the same time, but retain the rest, so full bike options are out.
Many thanks for any advice!
If you're retaining the other stuff then the hustler would be great because you'll have the same diameter seat post so that saves you a bit. FWIW I use my Hustler as my main bike. Big climbs, bigger descents, lots of mies and a lot of technical riding. I love it. I did the opposite to you, I tested a stiffee and loved it but wanted full suss so I tested then bought a hustler! Mine's done a whole season without blinking an eye.
[img] 
[/img]Nicolai Nicolai Helius AC.
Better made, more custom options, more modern geometry, paint that lasts, or anodizing too, etc etc....
Ventana El Ciclon.
Heckler?
I tried the Hustler, Nicolai Helius, and a bunch of others last year.
The Hustler was awesome, the Helius I found rather less so. I know I'll get flamed for this, but it just felt dull.
They were by far the best of all that I tried though, but I decided to swap from 26 to 29" and never looked back 🙂 Niner RIP 9 now and it rocks!
I have a hustler which i bought late 06, in the last six months i have ridden a meta 5,lappiere zesty,trek remedy and ex9 had each for over a week
and wouldn't swap for any of them! had two hustlers 05 the 06 and prior to that used to swap frame every 6-12 months but hustler seems to be a keeper!
Merlin do good full build prices at the moment .
The geometry on the hustler is spot on for whats it's intended for 🙂
And probably superior to that Nicolai Nicolai 🙂
I have a 2nd hand Hustler frame for sale, if you're interested. 17.5", newly replaced bearings and serviced RP3. Thomson seat post. Drop me an email if you're interested.
I was going to sugest Kit, but he beat me to it.
Buy his frame, get some new 150mm Revelations and get the shock pushed, put your old bits from the stiffee on, and away to play 😆 enjoy.
Thanks for the responses all - appreciated...
Out of all the suggestions, I think I'll try a Trek Remedy, Lappiere Zesty and maybe an Orange 5.
I've written off ideas about the SC Blur due to geometry, Nomad due to the weight (and cost), Spesh's..just not a fan, the Nicolai's and Turner's (sorry!) due to the prices.
There's something about the Cove's that I love, the geometry is so sorted for both aggressive riding and nice long xc days out. Think I'm 90% decided but what the hell, will try a few to seal the decision 🙂
Kit - would prefer to get a new frame - but thanks for the offer.
150mm forks are too much for the Hustler.
The Hustler is actually the FS version of the Handjob and Hummer. The G-Spot is the FS version of the Stiffee.
I can second that the Hustler is a great bike. Used mine in the Alps and on uplift days.
they are built to take 150mm forks but cove recommend 130-140
And the front triangle on the hustler is the same as the stiffee
The Hustler is actually the FS version of the Handjob
Owning both, this is not the case! Different geometry, built for different riding. As mushrooms says, same front triangle as the Stiffee.
_leon_ no worries, enjoy if you decide to get one. I would highly recommend that you contact [url= http://www.gravity-sports.co.uk/ ]Gravity Sports[/url] for a price. Drop them an email as there's not much info on the website...
150 Revelations are only 4mm taller than the old 140 (according to a recent bike mag. The Hustler can easily cope with that, given it's pretty low BB, 74 degree seat tube 7 68 degree head angle. Look like a winning fomula 😉
Having been told directly by Cove that even with an appropriate a-c 150mm is too much travel upfront, I'm happy to stand by what I said.
Owning a Handjob, Stiffee, Hustler, G-Spot and Shocker I can comment on the handling characteristics of each.
The Hustler XC share rough geometry with the Handjob XC and Hummer XC. The Hustler XC is intended to be an XC FS as the Handjob and Hummer are intended to be XC HT's - all be it Cove's take on what an XC bike is.
The Stiffee FR and (bb pivot) G-Spot FR share almost identical geometry - the G-Spot being beefed up even more over the Stiffee and having a longer wheelbase.
The Hustler is made from Easton RAD ali tubing as are the Stiffee and G-Spot but there the similarities end.
Well a kona would be good too .
6" up front is too much for trail centers and XC - I've tried it and have to say for me personally, or at least for the riding I do - its just unwarranted.
I've looked at the geometry tech sheet on covebike.com and the Hustler and Gspot appear to share closer geometry - at least from what I could compare. But I accept what you guys have said about the relationships - it does seem logical that the Stiffee and GSpot are related.
Here's a long shot - does anyone near west London has a Hustler I could head out for a ride with and give one a go?
Hi Kit
Have emailed you about your hustler frame.
Options I was looking at are the Blur LT, Zesty, Nicolai (yeah right considering the cost), maybe a kona dawg or coiler
-leon-, I'm in South London. Although I'm waiting for the main pivot bearings to arrive before the Hustler is ridable again. You're welcome to have a ride if we can meet up. My G-Spot won't be ready until the end of January but you're welcome to try that too if you can wait that long.
Hi there, yeah that'd be superb thanks - I'm thinking ahead for Jan-Mar next year anyway so no rush, just want to get the decision made and be sure all other choices are ruled out. Tried to find out how to message you, but cant see an option. Can join you in January then - I'm located around Uxbridge but no problem to travel. Cheers!
That morphed into the new G-Spot.
_leon_, we can meet up at the Look Out in Swinley if you'd like. My email addy is mk1fan@aol.com not sure why it isn't up in my profile.
The Hustler is 15.5-inch and the G-Spot is 17.5-inch.
I'm in the same position.
I've had a Cove Stiffee for 5 years. Love it, but I've noticed that landing off jumps and things is giving me knee ache. I'm considering getting the Hustler frame and swapping my bits over to it.
There are some discounted frames from 2009 around at the moment.
[url= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4796746336_693931255d.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/92961862@N00/4796746336/ ]Alps Summer 2010[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/92961862@N00/ ]tomstickland[/url], on Flickr
Me too. Thinking about upgrading to a Cove Hustler next year but worry my 120 Reba XX's may come up short.
Anyone any thoughts on this? Sorry to hijack a great thread Leon.
Have you thought about a Transition covert, can build up to a light bike, but can take trails, bit of dropping, alpine riding. Same Head angle as a Hustler, similar pricing, similar travel altho 160 up front. And easily sub 30 pound build plus different shocks can easily be fitted whether Rp3, dhx air and coil.
Holy thread resurection batman! 120 Rebas would be too short IMHO, I'd say 130mm as a minimum
Was dithering between the Hustler and a Ventana El Ciclon. I decided on the El Ciclon. Waiting on this being shipped out, cant wait! Even with import duty blah, blah the Ventana will work out cheaper thatn a 2010 Hustler:
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=PRODUCT&PRODUCT.ID=3678&MODE=
🙂