[Closed] New Hardtail Frame Options

I’ve got a stooge ti and love it, but just bought a vendetta x3 which is very similar geometry just a bit more rowdy and going to use that for mainly the big downs

Sonder transmitter?

A Ragley? Not sure which their 27.5 steel hardtail is, think it’s the Blue Pig. I’ve got the Big Wig which is lovely.

Hello Dave?

Bit left field but I've heard good things

Ribble ht725
Marino custom frame
Pipedream Moxie if you don’t mind a low bb

BTR in the flavour you fancy. Expensive, but you get plenty of time to save up…

The Pace RC 627 is a great riding bike. The only weak point is the sliding dropouts are a bit delicate if you want to run single speed. They are fine if you stick with gears and don’t touch them.

BTR would be a brilliant thing. 8 month waiting list and their social media posts yesterday said they will put prices up soon (they’ve been holding off), but you’d get a bike worth the money.

Stanton worth a look too but not sure of max tyre size

This bike will be geared so 627 dropouts not a problem.
Hello Dave is 29er
Moxie / ribble / ragley are options but starts the 4130 vs 853 debate but I always wanted an 853 so it doesn’t tick the box. is that silly?
Stanton, switchback is 631, slackline an option but is geometry conservative? and it’s most of the cost of a kingdom.
Transmitter is aluminium so out

Rubble HT Ti, Kona Honzo ESD both worth a look.

Personally I’ve been very impressed with my Kingdom Vendetta X2. Wasn’t an intended purchase but circumstances brought us together. I’ve been surprised and pleased with how well it rides and how capable it is.

Dartmoor hornet if you like your other Dartmoor. I'm selling one at the moment 😉

I have a Pace RC627 but wouldn’t have another one. Lovely bike in a lot of respects but the bb is stupidly low, even with 170mm cranks

Another vote for Pace. Love mine. Lovely bike and great company to deal with. Yeah, the BB is super low and you do have to be conscious of it at times, but as soon as you're pointed downhill, she's a ripper.

What's wrong with the Dartmoor (that you want to fix)?

What about an 18 Bikes no. 7 then? Ticks the 853 box. Not sure when they’re making more but give them a call and talk things through with them.

https://www.18bikes.co.uk/18-bikes-number-7-frameset-78399992.html

How much money you got to spend? One of these might fit the bill

https://cyclorise.com/products/why-cycles-s7-v-2

Possibly obvious suggestion, but the Cotic SolarisMax can run as 27.5+* and has an 853** front triangle.

* appreciate 27.5 x 2.6 might be a bit of a sub-plus tyre size: personally I'd just run it and worry about low BB as and when, but if you were concerned an email to Cotic would probably tell you one way or the other.

** 4130 stays, tho, so may be out depending on how wedded you are to 853 🙂

Well I bought a Ti frame thinking it would last forever, unfortunately it cracked on the top tube. I’ve just built up a Pace RC529 and it’s lovely , only ridden it once so far but it’s more forgiving and comfortable than my Ti bike was.

* appreciate 27.5 x 2.6 might be a bit of a sub-plus tyre size: personally I’d just run it and worry about low BB as and when, but if you were concerned an email to Cotic would probably tell you one way or the other.

I've run mine with a 27.5 2.6 on the rear and it was actually really good! 3.0 on the front though.

I'm surprised no-one has mentioned Marino.

After yonks on steel (13 years on a Dekerf!), I'm fairly happy on alloy, but always get my head turned by a good steel frame. One thing: have you considered the tyres you're running? I find more supple / larger tyres make a bigger difference than frame material.

A good 29er will allow 27.5+ as well as have clearance for a good sized 29". I didn't really get on with 27.5+, but loads of people love them to bits. Nice to have options.

I’m surprised no-one has mentioned Marino.

They have…

In the Ribble ht725 and Marino you have Reynolds 725. It’s not 853 but it’s stronger heat treated tubing than 4130 (although it starts life as 4130). It’s still decent.

853 on most bikes will be front triangle only as it’s hard to work with for seat / chainstays.

Will you notice the difference? Not sure. My Marino is quite heavy but I’d say they’ve gone for strength over lightness.

If you really want 853 and money isn’t too much of an object a Curtis AM7 was in my list but it was very expensive and they wouldn’t do full internal routing which I fancied for a really clean look. Their raw frame with clearcoat and the brazing showing looks so nice.

Edit - 1 of the Stanton BT’s has an 853 option - can’t remember if it’s the Slackline or Switchback in their UK made frame range. Not sure what true clearance is like.

It depends on exactly what you're looking for and how much you have to spend. I couldn't find exactly what I wanted off the shelf so went for a custom Marino, it's not the lightest but it was cheap and fits me perfectly and is unique so feels far more special than any other bikes I own or have owned.

Hard for me to look past the Sonder Transmitter, 299 and in stock, bought a couple for others in the past. Got an XL coming Monday to replace a Production Privee Oka frame (stealth ad) as I wanted something a bit longer for my 6'3".

Pipedream Moxie?

27.5×2.6 tyres
150mm Pike forks
Looking for something confident down and still capable up

[ biased warning ] Cotic BFe, for sure, if you can get one.

I wouldn't get too hung up on whether a frame is 853 or not, by the time you have added 2.4 tyres and 150mm of suspension, you will be getting into princess and pea territory on ride feel.

My 853 Slackline was beautiful to ride, as was my 853 Soul. The Switchback and various BFe’s I’ve had never felt as nimble, but that was most likely due to the builds (burlier/ longer forks). All very good, well built and finished frames and I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with any of those listed above to be honest. Pace always got my interest, though never had a ride on one. I guess the defining factor will be availability unless you’re prepared to wait and spend more on something custom…

I have a BTR currently, and it's hands down the best hardtail I've owned. I've had a Bfe previously in 26" flavour, which was fun but for me the geometry wasn't really aligned with the frame stiffness, as in it was just a burly soul and to my tastes that geometry isn't gravity biased.

It's against the original requirements but with any of these hardtails if you want confident down I'd advise against a long travel fork. 150mm will feel far more unsettling on steep terrain and fast corners compared to 120mm/130mm. The geometry change as the front end dives through that extra travel makes a tangible difference, I first discovered this on the BFe as over the period of a year I worked down from 140mm to 120m and even as low as 110mm and while you have to work rough terrain a more with your body, it's far easier to ride technical and steep ground because the reach and head angle aren't all over the show. Just my 2p.