[Closed] Hardcore Hardtail

As mentioned, any stanton. All of the stantons. Get a stanton.

every 29er I have tried has been far from fun

Tell us which ones you've tried.

My 29er (Process 111) is probably the most fun bike I've ridden.

Honourablegeorge. Given your recent acquisition, I find your lack of hyperbole disturbing.

andysredmini - Member
No way would I want a 29er for the kind of fun riding a proper hardcore hardtail is intended for. Without wanting to start another wheelsize debate but every 29er I have tried has been far from fun. Probably very good for pure speed on xc type stuff but far from fun when it gets tight twisty and jumpy.

My Alpine Five is the most fun bike I've ever owned. It certainly has dealt with twisty and jumpy fine, including the Megavalanche last year.

Scienceofficer - Member
Honourablegeorge. Given your recent acquisition, I find your lack of hyperbole disturbing.

I'm still in new bike honeymoon, and only really had a spin and a half, so reserving judgement a little.... but the thing is bloody ace.

andysredmini - No way would I want a 29er for the kind of fun riding a proper hardcore hardtail is intended for.

Its not the bike its the rider.

With the right mindset and skill you could have a hardcore Shopper.

29ers fit me better so I end up riding better.

2001 Kona Scab

Ha .. the poor man's Dekerf Implant. I had a Scab for a while. Should've kept it, would be a great round-town razzer now.

andysredmini - Member

Without wanting to start another wheelsize debate but every 29er I have tried has been far from fun.

Bigwig and Nukeproof Scout are tons of fun So are my 2 big full sussers, Trailfox and Remedy. Big bikes but still agile and tailwaggy.

But I dunno... 29er wheels add capability but one of the things I liked about my Ragley was its limitation, I feel a bit like a 29er hardcore hardtail gets a little bit away from what I like most about them. Not because tehy're bad but maybe because they're good.

Northwind - Member

But I dunno... 29er wheels add capability but one of the things I liked about my Ragley was its limitation, I feel a bit like a 29er hardcore hardtail gets a little bit away from what I like most about them. Not because tehy're bad but maybe because they're good.

Have you ever been accused of overthinking things, NW?

Definitely not a 29er for me. I still hark back to the fact I rarely saw them in Surrey Hills and most certainly not in the Alps. Around flat xc territory yes.

EDIT: apologies for getting sucked into a wheel sized debate. I honestly thought 29 was dead and it was all 275 as the industry is just too embarrassed to go back to 26

But I dunno... 29er wheels add capability but one of the things I liked about my Ragley was its limitation, I feel a bit like a 29er hardcore hardtail gets a little bit away from what I like most about them. Not because tehy're bad but maybe because they're good.

😕 🙄 😉

I kind of get what NW is saying, there is one hill near me that I used to let go of the brakes and hold on, now on the hardcore 29er I have to be on the brakes as it frightens the crap out of me how fast its going, or more to the point it frightens the crap out of me how fast I'll hit the ground when it goes wrong.

jambalaya - I honestly thought 29 was dead

Dialled Alpine. Such a fabulous wee bike.

Is anyone using a 27+ as a hardcore hardtail? I´ve been getting a bit hardcore on my Orbea Loki recently and have done tens of thousands of meters of uplifted Pyrenees descending in the last few weeks. I´m really, really loving it and it´s amazingly capable.

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As mentioned, any [s]stanton[/s] Chromag. All of the [s]stantons[/s]Chromags. Get a [s]stanton[/s] Chromag.

Fixed that for you...

As for 29ers...

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That Chromag is a 6.5lb frame!

Get bigger legs

That Chromag is a 6.5lb frame!

What's your point caller?

You're confusing dead with not being pushed as the next big thing

2017, I reckon.

Chromags don't usually float my boat, but that Primer looks lovely.

It'd be heavier than my full susser!

I like a good hardcore hardtail, but part of the appeal for is that it's a bit lighter and chuckable than a FS.

That Chromag is a 6.5lb frame!

Your 2 souls does not look light, did you weigh the frame?

Nicolai argon
PB's Pyro's Swarf

Yeah. The chromag has nearly a pound on it. QH build is 29lbs.

honourablegeorge - Member

Have you ever been accused of overthinking things, NW?

Brain as big as mine, it's hard not to 😆 It's true though, often I'd ride my hardtail because it was less good than my full suss. Same reason I now ride my fatbike where I used to ride my hardtail. It had other advantages as well mind but that was always a biggie.

Northwind - Member

Brain as big as mine, it's hard not to It's true though, often I'd ride my hardtail because it was less good than my full suss. Same reason I now ride my fatbike where I used to ride my hardtail. It had other advantages as well mind but that was always a biggie.

I know what you mean...I think I like the variety too, and the buzz of hitting something on my hardtail that I was a bit nervous doing on the DH bike in the past

doug_basqueMTB.com - Member
Is anyone using a 27+ as a hardcore hardtail? I´ve been getting a bit hardcore on my Orbea Loki recently and have done tens of thousands of meters of uplifted Pyrenees descending in the last few weeks. I´m really, really loving it and it´s amazingly capable.

Doubt I'm "hardcore" in the sense that you are... but starting out on plus and it's great fun. I do have a longstanding ambition to visit you and do your backcountry trip... when funds/mates/wife are all in agreement.
When's the best time of year (next year, probably) for that trip?

The older (straight top tube) Chromag Stylus is lovely.

[list]Just an hour ago i bought an On One 456 Evo 2 raw frame with a few extras. The 26er will never die for hardtailing! 🙂

Plaid shirt and cut offs FTW! 😉

First ride out on my Mk II Ti Switchback.

Happy choppy so far.

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The new yoke massively improves tyre clearance and looks great.

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Honorablegeorge I don't want to disrupt this great thread by hawking my wares! Drop me a mail.

I've always wanted a Chromag since I saw gordymac from here's one. The Loki is the first non xc hardtail
I've ever owned though.

Is anyone using a 27+ as a hardcore hardtail? I´ve been getting a bit hardcore on my Orbea Loki recently and have done tens of thousands of meters of uplifted Pyrenees descending in the last few weeks. I´m really, really loving it and it´s amazingly capable.

I've just built a Sonder Transmitter - the Alpkit bike - with 650B+ or whatever it is. Still getting used to it, but it's brilliant over rocks and rubble even with 'just' 120mm up front. Loads of roll over, loads of grip, super confident feel. It's amazing for holding speed over uneven ground - the frame's proper slack and composed and a bit Ragley-esque.

I don't know if it's a 'hardcore hardtail', or what 'hardcore' is precisely, I think Alpkit call it a 'trail hardtail', but t has definite leanings that way...

Picked up my new Orange P7 frame today, new long and slack geo and bolt through rear end. Just waiting on the oil to service/lower my Pikes then it's all systems go! 😛

Mondraker Vantage??

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At least you don't have to look at it when you're riding it...... 😆

Looks like a lot of bike for the money too.

I have an original Chromag stylus that I used to run with a Hammerschmidt and it was/is a lovely ride.

Can't go wrong with a Stanton Switchback

First ride out on my Mk II Ti Switchback.

Happy choppy so far.

The new yoke massively improves tyre clearance and looks great

Does look good, great choice on the Manitous as well, I love them on my Ti slackline.
what happened to your old Switchback out of interest?

Cheers buddy.

The red steel one was sold for a Ti Mk I that some arsehole decided to help themselves to along with my other bikes. This one is my insurance replacement which I've only just finished whilst getting my garage more secure.

Love the Mattocs so far. They're a relative bargain from CRC at the mo too.

Bird Zero AM here. Been at the BMX track this morning, pumptrack and off to the dual track this afternoon. Also surprisingly rapid down rocky Peak descents. Not as fast as a dedicated bike for each of these but way more flexible. I have a new 155mm travel bike too but love riding the Bird. Just loving riding at the moment!

I love this time of year when everything is that fresh green colour...

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First long travel 29 after a Niner MCR and an inbred 29 and just before the bum saving USE post exploded,hence the angle. This is much,much more capable,just need to refit the vigilante and trail boss instead of the nics, they were on for a reason! Oh and decent brakes needed,but £710 with BC discount? Thats on one prices with decent customer service thrown in. Replacement cranks by Northwind BTW.

Duckman ^^^ what size is your sentier 29?

Rode my new P7 for the first time yesterday and I'm happy to report that it was predictably ace. Descents of every type were ridiculously good fun.

Large Warns. I am just under 6"3" with a 34" inside leg and it fits really well (steerer now trimmed)It is an absolute monster truck of a thing. But in stw fashion I am now lusting after the paradox that is on the classifieds...

Kept up with all the full sussers over the weekend on my 456 evo2 but you'll need to be a lower than low 26" freak for one of those 😉

Thanks duckman, that looks like a lot of fun!