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So I’m in the market for a new HT. it will be my only bike and used for everything from all day rides, to acting like a child on the local trails, occasional trail centre visits and pootling about.
I was going to go short travel full sus, but I love a nice hardtail. So far I’ve found three that I can afford. One, maybe two, used and two new. The last HT I had was a Stif Morf and it was great. Also had a Trans AM 29er which was nice apart from weighing more than a boulder. No idea how they managed to make it so heavy!
The bikes in question are below. Thoughts and opinions sought:
Cotic Soul 2018 model - Used, great spec and condition. Had a 26 Bfe years ago and an OG Flare previously. Liked the Bfe, not sold on the Flare. Think it was the seat angle and basic x-fusion fork and shock that didn’t work for me.
Kona Big Honzo CR DL - New at a good price. Think I’d want to swap the wheels to 29 on this and possibly slacken the HA. Press fit BB is putting me off a bit. Never had a carbon frame or a Kona though. Surely I should own a Kona at some point.
Sonder Signal Ti - Never had Ti, always wanted to give it a go and it’s shiny! Looking at NX model new and another better spec one used. Reviews seem to point to it being pretty good.
Give me your thoughts oh wise people of STW
Traditional rate what you ride post-
I've got a Soul, it's excellent, ridden everywhere, from 24 hour races to uplift days at BPW. Since I have owned it I sold my full suss & now only have this.
Kona got very short chainstays? Other than that it looks very tasty as an XC/trail crossover thing.
Are Sonder soon doing a steel version of that HT?
On-One have a ti Scandal in the pipeline I saw.
Yeah, seen some prototype pictures of the steel Sonder. Looks pretty nice. The Kona actually has pretty long stays at 430. Think the 29er version has shorter. Also looking at the Ribble HT 725, but can’t find much info on it.
The Soul does seem like a good all rounder option. Heard too many horror stories about On One and I don’t think they’ll have a 10 year guarantee like Sonder.
Have you got a preference on wheel size? It sounds like you like a lively bike rather than a more stable one - something like the Soul sounds good. But perhaps avoid anything too ‘hardcore’ as you might find that a little dull.
The Soul sounds a good option, but I’d also look into the Ti options, because shiny.
Shiny is always tempting 😀 no real preference on wheel size. I’ve found other factors to make more of a difference. Tried both, enjoyed both and couldn’t tell much of a difference in all honesty.
The only thing that worries me with the 27.5 is longevity. Seen to be fewer of them around each year. With 26 at least there were years worth of spares to be had. Probably me being paranoid, but this will be the last bike I buy for a good while.
What about a Solaris? Or Stanton Sherpa?
The Kona actually has pretty long stays at 430. Think the 29er version has shorter.
OK sorry, you are right. But 430 is still short in 29er world FWIW.
What about a Solaris? Or Stanton Sherpa?
None used that I can find and new is way beyond my price point.
Anyone mentioned getting a Bird yet?
Don’t like the look of Bird frames. Fat alu tubes on a HT just look a bit shit imo. Steel or Ti with a bit of carbon curiosity 😉
I always thought the stif morf looked class. Why did you move it on?
Love my Soul, preferred it to the solaris, better at picking my lines. With some chunky tyres on it flies downhill 🙂
I always thought the stif morf looked class. Why did you move it on?
A Flare came up at a really good price and I thought I'd give full sus another go. Regretted it after a couple of rides. Sold that to help fund a holiday and bought a Stooge Speedball with the leftover cash. That thing was a right laugh, but I missed the front fork and general manoeuvreability of a hardtail
Love my Soul, preferred it to the solaris, better at picking my lines. With some chunky tyres on it flies downhill
Any particular reasons why you prefer it? I've seen more information on the Solaris Max than I have on the Soul.
A P7 frame from Paul’s in either 650 or 29? Then build it up.
A P7 frame from Paul’s in either 650 or 29? Then build it up
Seems a bit pointless when I can get a full bike, that appears to be better reviewed, for a decent price and upgrade where needed as money allows. Not really drawn to the P7
I felt the Soul to be more maneuverable so I could pick my lines down the trail rather than just smash over everything.
To clarify it a little I went to one of the demo days to prove to myself that these new hardtails weren't much different to my old steel hardtail. I rode their demo loop first on my 26" Cove Handjob, then the solaris (felt WAY different to the cove - front wheel somewhere way in front of me, it felt fast but smashed over everything).
Then the Soul, and it felt just right, ability to alter your line when you're part way round the corner. Towards the end I was deliberately choosing bad lines (into rocks etc) just to see if I could upset it - nope.
I picked up a soul nearly 2 years ago and have done nearly 2000 miles on it. I like it cos you can transform it with with skinny(ish) tyres (cross country) or 2.6 ones for out in the peaks.
It's almost as quick as my mates on full susses and it's cheaper than running 2 bikes
Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like what I’m looking for. I’m not the fastest of riders and only interested in small drops and jumps (at the moment). I just love having to pick a line and think ahead. Smashing through everything just doesn’t really appeal as much.
Macc Forest is my local loop with the peaks not far behind. Going to look at the Soul shortly. It’s a great spec with a Fox 34 running at 130, fox dropper and SRAM carbon roam 60 wheels. Not much I’d want to change tbh. Finishing kit is a tad bright, but then again it’s a bright orange frame!
If you don’t get the Soul, I would heartily recommend a 650b+ with 2.6 - 2.8 tyres. Not too slow rolling and fun!
Got it!
That looks great! How much was it?
Got it for £1.7k the guy I bought it off was a lovely chap. It’s basically like new. All I need to change are the grips and pedals. Can’t wait to get out on it 😀
That looks sweet 😎 Let down only by the moss in your pavours and the fence requiring some love.
I’m not expecting either of those to be attended to with your new arrival demanding attention 😉
I’ve gone for the natural look with the fence. Block paving is the work of the devil and I’d replace it if I had the funds. Really can’t wait to ride the Soul. The weekend can’t get here quick enough 😀
Welcome to the club! I ride a soul and it's by far and away the best bike I've ever had. It's currently set up in a very xc way but I've had it with big tyres on doing black runs and peaks last year. Amazing bikes.
That looks great, well done for getting it sorted so quick.
That looks sweet and I love it in orange!
I’ll report back once I’ve got it dirty 👍🏼
That looks lovely. I would like a Cotic but I'm definitely at S-1 already.
There's a guy in a recent thread asking about new hardtail frames. Think he's going to be offloading a Stanton Sherpa soon if that's of interest.
In the next couple of weeks I will have my Large Stanton Sherpa up for sale if thats what you're after 😉
Thanks, but too big and a couple of hours too late!
What a fantastic buy.very well specced and in the best colour.
#Jealous.
Congrats.
Woah there! Second best colour!
Lovely! Don't think you'll regret that!
Thanks all. It’s actually a bit of a treat for myself with funds from my last bike and the rest on a zero interest credit card.
Needed to cheer myself up. Had a drunk driver hit my house, take a chunk out of the living room and drive off the other weekend. Big hole in the house, dust, broken radiator pipe, cracked plaster and window frame moved slightly. Luckily the buggers number plate fell off right outside the house and he was arrested.
Two days later a dear friend dropped dead of a heart attack out of the blue at 42. Single dad leaving eight year old twins behind. Bit of a crappy couple of weeks so thought why not, you only live once. Expensive bike for me, but glad I’ve got it.
You are making me doubt my decision.I was also in the market for a new HT to replace my 10year old Soul which has been a constant when FSes have come and gone. I decided on a Solaris over a Longshot Soul mainly because I had 29er bits that could be transferred from an FS that I have lost interest in. I am now wondering whether I should have bitten the bullet and gone for the Soul but I am sure when the Solaris arrives I will love it!
@FOG, i had a demo on a SolarisMAx and was a really great fun bike capable of far more that i could do for sure! Your have great fun with it 🙂
If there had have been a great used Solaris or Sherpa around it would’ve made things more difficult. I’m sure you’ve made the right decision. Depending on what colour you’ve chosen of course!
Its got to be steel or preferably Ti if you can afford it
Recently built up a lovely Kingdom Vendetta. Used nearly-new parts with some discounted new bits to keep the cost down. Still cost 2K but is really bling. Instantly my favorite bike ever. Super fast up or down hill