Hi, bit of wishful thinking maybe, but idly wondering / wishing about updating my hardtail. I've a titanium Torus (Burls design) hardtail 29er, medium, 460mm reach, 71degree head angle, 610mm ETT, 100mm forks, v light set up which I do enjoy and it's comfy for me at 5'11".
It's about 7+ years old so not on current trend of geometry. My riding is all speedy, singletrack blasts, nothing v technical or gnarly.
Love the design, individuality and look of the Curtis bikes, XC7 and XC9 and like the mktg spiel about 27.5 wheels which might suit my riding.
Also hanker back to an older classic Swift Singular as they look gorgeous, but wonder if my rose tinted enthusiasm will be disappointed with the ride.
Or go for the beautiful Fairlight Holt and it's mix of modern + old school geometry?
I guess I'm wondering, beyond looking at the bike, would there be a real world riding difference, and if so what?
Yes there would, but mostly on technical terrain. Longer lower slacker makes for a more capable bike in steeper and more technical terrain, however it also means that you have to ride a bit more dynamically to pressurise the front wheel.
26.5 has mostly been relegated to rear wheel mullet duties these days, because of the superior rollover of 29ers.
If you wanted to ride more technical terrain then I think you’d feel more confident on more modern geometry, however if you’re sticking to relatively gentle XC stuff I’m not sure you’d feel much benefit and may even not like it because of the front wheel washing out and the longer wheel base.
I like my super slack hardtail everywhere.
My hardtails head angles went
Raleigh rsp 71
Norco fireball 71
Cove stiffee 69-70 depending on fork suuuuper slack for the time
Orange Clockwork 120 with -2 headset. About 65
On one hello Dave 62.
They have all taken a bit of time to adjust to, but each is better than the last everywhere.
They were all fun. You don't need to change a bike you are having fun on.
If it was my money I'd go for the fairlight. They look mint. I'm sure it will ride awesome 😎
I'd keep well away from 27.5 if you want to retain any value in the bike as the market for them has disappeared outside of kids and small folk. Decent tyres are becoming hard to find for sensible money too.
You'll certainly notice a difference at first, especially if you get one with a steep seat tube as your riding position will completely change. Worth it though, modern bikes are loads of fun and IMO better for the changes. Even XC bikes are getting much slacker.
For an XC bike, unless you're absolutely minute, you don't want to bother with 27.5" wheels... Aside from the lack of decent XC rims/tyres/forks in that size, there's just zero benefits to the smaller wheel and lots of downsides for XC.
As for geometry... Well your current bike is reasonably long anyway for an XC bike, certainly in the reach figure. Your Head Angle is old school steep though for sure.
I've got an unfashionable XC full sus bike in the shape of a 2019 Rocky Mountain Element that has a 69deg head angle, which was already out of vogue for its time (and its replacement in 2022 went to 65.5deg), but for more mellow riding I find I really love riding that bike and its very engaging... But I wouldn't want it any steeper I don't think. On a longer travel bike, I've got to the point now where anything much above 65deg HA actually feels steep! It's horses for courses...
Individual geometry numbers do not a bike make though of course...
The Fairlight Holt does indeed look superb, although so does a Curtis XC9 for sure! Either way, I think you probably want a slightly slacker more modern bike but without going so far that way that the bike becomes dull/boring or too long for the kind of XC stuff you enjoy... A little longer and slacker will most likely increase the descending prowess, but go too far and it can feel like you're a passenger on the bike rather than the rider...
On one hello Dave 62.
They have all taken a bit of time to adjust to, but each is better than the last everywhere.
Does 62 really ride better everywhere? I tried a hardtail with a super slack angle and while it was brilliant downhill, I found it unengaging on the flats and uphills. Perhaps I just didn't give enough time to adjust
Agree that the Fairlight Holt (well any Fairlight) is a mighty tempting bike
Curtis XC9 is 68° HA , my AM9 is 64.5° for reference as has been said don't bother with 27.5 . If you are anywhere near Mid Somerset you are welcome to try mine plus Curtis HQ are just 3 miles down the road
Taken delivery of a Holt this week and it’s a very lovely thing. Did also look at an XC9 which are also gorgeous but Fairlight take Cyclescheme so that swung it.
the finish on the Holt is first class and there has clearly been a lot of thought behind the design. Now just waiting very impatiently for the final build parts to arrive…
Have been lusting over a Holt since summer, jealous.
Pics when it's ready please!
Edit, should have read the full thread lol. Enjoy the holt !
On one hello Dave 62.
They have all taken a bit of time to adjust to, but each is better than the last everywhere.
Does 62 really ride better everywhere? I tried a hardtail with a super slack angle and while it was brilliant downhill, I found it unengaging on the flats and uphills.
For me yes.
I've seen a lot of hello Dave's for sale. The seem a like a pretty unusual bike, and I wonder if a load of people have tried it and not liked it.
I even like it bike packing. Stable, smooth, great pedaling position. I'm tall, and the super steep angle puts me in a great pedaling position.
I've got up stuff on it, that I've not got up.on other bikes. Got better, got fitter- perhaps. I rode it a lot on COVID round my local stuff . Maybe it was practice.
But I like it 😄