I recently bought an On-One Big dog hardtail, which is designed to be my multi day bikepacking/can still ride a trail if I need to bike. I like it, it's comfy and capable.
Riding it has made me realise my Canyon Nerve FS is a) a bit dated in geometry and b) a bit small for me.
The FS is for fun days out, where I might be on the bike for 4-6 hours, there might be some swoopy singletrack, a few small drop offs and a fair bit of climbing. I also live in Twickenham so there's 10km of "boring" before I get to anything so it has to pedal well.
So, I think my criteria for a new bike are:
29er (boost)
No more than 140mm travel, probably 125-130 would be better.
Modernish geometry, reach - 460 ish in a large to match the Big Dog.
No more than £2500
Ambivalent on frame material. Carbon probably out of question due to cost.
Something like an SC Tallboy (maybe over budget), or a Marin Rift Zone (if I can find one) could fit the bill.
Any other suggestions in the "shortish travel but modern" category?
Sonder Cortex
Cotic Flaremax - maybe beyond £2.5k
Scott Spark/Orbea Oiz TR Alloy for the terrain you talk about (other 'downcountry' short travel FS are available). 120 travel on my Oiz, very capable. Doesn't feel like a compromise on anything except really rocky steep stuff. The Orbeas are very well equipped at your price point - 34 StepCast fork on the H20, Shimano 12 speed etc.
Don't know what size you mean in regard to reach - Oiz TR is 450ish in L, 460 in XL.
Stereo 120 TM?
20" is 460 reach
https://www.cube.eu/en/2020/bikes/mountainbike/fullsuspension/stereo/cube-stereo-120-hpc-tm-29-greynorange-2020/
Welcome to the 'shit, Ive been riding the wrong shape bike for years' epiphany.
Happened to me too, and cost me the price of a canadian FS a couple of years ago after getting a Last Fastforward.
A friend has a new Orbea Occam which is lovely so in your case, maybe the Oiz? I think some of them can be had around that price?
Giant Trance 29er 130/115mm. The most funest and capable I've owned!
Bird Aether 7?
Bird Aether 9C
Bird Aether 9C
Tempting - is there anything other than a picture yet?
Sonder Cortex
This is winning so far I think.