[Closed] Its Friday: Long travel 26'' HTs .... Inspire me.

Curtis with 140mm Bombers;

[URL= http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff167/LukeBurstow/DSC_0628_zpsd58793ed.jp g" target="_blank">http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff167/LukeBurstow/DSC_0628_zpsd58793ed.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

[now has a 27.2 Lev fitted]

found a slightly better pic of the bike;

[URL= http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff167/LukeBurstow/072_zpsdff16bab.jp g" target="_blank">http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff167/LukeBurstow/072_zpsdff16bab.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

I love my Ragley... Wish it had a tapered steerer and a more dropped top tube, and OK maybe a wee bit more flex in the rear end but still, it is mint

[url= https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8381/8587569718_d39085b0a4_h.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8381/8587569718_d39085b0a4_h.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/e5RxhS ]IMAG0293[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/53860438@N06/ ]Northwindlowlander[/url], on Flickr

Enduro racin

[url= https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7316/9938878316_a4804b1f5a_h.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7316/9938878316_a4804b1f5a_h.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/g9gmfY ]!cid_F784396A-976F-4E7E-943F-BCF8AFE71230@gateway_2wire[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/53860438@N06/ ]Northwindlowlander[/url], on Flickr

or XC racin

[url= https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3699/14080974969_05a6fa5b05_h.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3699/14080974969_05a6fa5b05_h.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/nshFhv ]IMG_2719[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/53860438@N06/ ]Northwindlowlander[/url], on Flickr

My short list was

Transition transam
Stanton slackline
Evil soveriegn

Went for none of them in the end! Got a stanton switchback instead at 650b as I already have a 26 FS

Got a stanton switchback instead

Have you built it up yet?

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Waiting for my Switchback to come, Hopefully end of the month

[url= https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5555/15216811045_d25d48a313_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5555/15216811045_d25d48a313_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

My ti slackline is on here http://www.hardtailnation.co.uk/2014/07/south-wests-shredder-steve-death/ can't post photos up as I'm stuck in the desert with shit Internet signal and just my iPhone! Love my slackline, it's a beauty but I wouldn't say no to a Shan either, very nice looking bikes and great geometry - the only thing that puts me off is the press fit bb which seems unnecessary

My Brodie Holeshot. Gone now, and I hope the new owner enjoys it as much as I did.

[url= https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6165/6166821023_873ef93b9a_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6165/6166821023_873ef93b9a_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/aoWz3p ]It lives![/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/77122468@N00/ ]NeilCain[/url], on Flickr

[url= https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3715/9183197402_d1bf900582_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3715/9183197402_d1bf900582_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/eZuhDG ]July mountain biking in the UK. #mud #wet[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/77122468@N00/ ]NeilCain[/url], on Flickr

[url= https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7085/7157140466_35357a8bcc_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7085/7157140466_35357a8bcc_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/bUsdvy ]Post-Dyfi Brodie[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/77122468@N00/ ]NeilCain[/url], on Flickr

Here's my old Blue Pig. Sold the frame 12 months ago to fund a Spitfire but would definitely have another if I was in the market for a LTHT, although I do have a soft spot for the Privee Shan in Gulf racing colours:
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Shan ...
[URL= http://i1350.photobucket.com/albums/p763/Karl33to/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140518_181212_zpsda76efot.jp g" target="_blank">http://i1350.photobucket.com/albums/p763/Karl33to/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140518_181212_zpsda76efot.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

[URL= http://i1350.photobucket.com/albums/p763/Karl33to/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20130907_144734_zpsytwch6vn.JP G" target="_blank">http://i1350.photobucket.com/albums/p763/Karl33to/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20130907_144734_zpsytwch6vn.JP G"/> [/IMG][/URL]

As mentioned, the BB is a pita, but that's soon forgiven when you're riding it.

I could post a photo of a Cotic BFe, but it's probably not that inspiring really.

Oh, go on then. It now has X-Fusion Velvets in place of the coil Pikes.

[url= https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7368/12030745213_4fc641c88b_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7368/12030745213_4fc641c88b_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/jk7HpB ]Untitled[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/33937408@N00/ ]Rick T.[/url], on Flickr

My Ragley Ti - like Northwind's but better…

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No the switchback hasn't arrived. I'm undecided how to do it just yet too. Probs some sort of 150mm lakes natural trail bomber, in current lingo "enduro lite"

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Steel 456 with 120/150 revs.. I hated it in this guise, twas a divey, bucking mess.. Much better with 100mm travel for getting rad to the power of sik

another Shan here. It's unbelievably good. I'd even say the BB isn't that much of an issue TBH.

Run mine with 160mm lyriks and it'll still do XC 😆

My ragley marley.
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Got a new CB iodine 3 wheel set sat in the box for when I get around to it.

Evil Sovereign with 150mm, builds into a fantastic bike that's as capable as a full suspension in most situations. The only negative is the straight steerer limiting fork choice.

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I've just broke mine (mk2 Dialled Alpine), been offered a good deal by Mike but just considering others so the more pics the better!

Has anyone got a Mk3 Alpine, any good?

Another BFe. Currently at 130 but was equally good (if not quite as nimble) at 150.

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Kent Eriksen
[url= https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8346/8239782404_a08d7ae365.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8346/8239782404_a08d7ae365.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/stewno1/8239782404/ ]image[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/stewno1/ ]Stew1978[/url], on Flickr

Any excuse! My Dartmoor Hornet with 150mm Pikes. Brilliant fun, climbs well at 150mm and absolutely flies down. 12mm rear means it's pretty stiff on drops and probably helps in the corners too. That said, it didn't destroy my body after a 40 mile day ride, so a good choice for whatever sort of riding you do.

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My 456 sporting a set of 150mm Sektors. Bloody love it. Now reduced the mince and upped the enduro with a dropper.
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My Slackline. Messed around with Fox 36 TALAS 160/130/100 but now converted to FLOATS at 140.

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I want every bike in this thread

Gone but not forgotten...

[URL= http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w248/wiggles_p/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-03/bc33f436-dd56-4549-9baf-d01d30a98607.jp g" target="_blank">http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w248/wiggles_p/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-03/bc33f436-dd56-4549-9baf-d01d30a98607.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

(Dialled Alpine)

Mmmbop, now getting on a bit and batters me on long rides but I won't be changing it any time soon.....[URL= http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq245/SimonB_09/Mobile%20Uploads/2013-04/IMG_20130412_172120_957_zpstt4a1ah7.jp g" target="_blank">http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq245/SimonB_09/Mobile%20Uploads/2013-04/IMG_20130412_172120_957_zpstt4a1ah7.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

150mm c456, and here i am not using any of that travel:

[URL= http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q137/max_torque_2006/OnOne_c456/c456_PH_hop_1_zps0487a593.jp g" target="_blank">http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q137/max_torque_2006/OnOne_c456/c456_PH_hop_1_zps0487a593.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

😉

Hey Yunki I recognise those woods! Only one place in the world looks like that 😀
Yet another Ragley Ti - like BadlyWiredDogs but with a nice straight down tube 😉
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Thought you might appreciate a wee video as inspiration as well Mark

http://nsmb.com/chromag-collectors/

Enjoy

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A couple of my previous ones as well:

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NS Surge with zocchi rc3ti 150mm forks

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Dialled PA with u Turn 140mm pikes.

My Sov.
[url= https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7314/10153515494_6c48678ca3_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7314/10153515494_6c48678ca3_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/gteqpY ]2013-10-01 14.05.10[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/67673780@N06/ ]warpcow[/url], on Flickr
and enduroing:
[url= https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3904/15219822321_4dd52e2817_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3904/15219822321_4dd52e2817_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/pbVyVF ]_7D_7514[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/67673780@N06/ ]warpcow[/url], on Flickr (photo by Aron Gooch).

I used to ride my old Blender with 140mm forks but it feels so much better with 120mm, I just don't get long travel hardtails at all. Here's my 2nd Blender, probably the best HT frame I've ridden. I want to try a Slackline though, this isn't the best for climbing with a 67 degree seat angle and short tt. Still, I managed 28 miles round the Long Mynd with it so it can't be too bad 😆

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Here's my Slackline.

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Love this bike. It's just fun to ride. It's too small for me and not as fast as the Rune, but I just don't care.

It replaced this.

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Which was a good bike, but not one that I ever really gelled or clicked with.

I love long travel hardtails and if I can sell my Rune, I'll happily live with a Skackline that actually fits me. I was gong to drink the kool aid and get a Switchback because it's 650b and therefore future proofed but I'm going to bury my head in the sand, stick with 26 and get a Slackline Ti (if someone buys my Rune).

Just as everyone was starting to go all 'Murdered out' I decided to build an antidote. One year on and I still love my Dialled Alpine. Even more so now that it finally has a reliable fork!

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^Whinlatter^
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^Ulswater Bridleway^
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^Helvellyn^
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^Helvellyn^
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^Lift from French to Swiss alps^

Wanted a Stanton Slackline but got this Ragley Blue Pig frame off here for £70, and I love it. Needs a black stem though. And the fork lowers painting...
It replaced an Orange Five but I think the Ragley is more fun.

[img][url= https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3874/15223170445_c91b668a00_o.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3874/15223170445_c91b668a00_o.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/pcdJcX ]Ragley BP[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/55623703@N05/ ]Adam Branston[/url], on Flickr[/img]

Thanks all.

An awesome set of bikes on the thread.

I would love a Stanton Slackline to accompany my Sherpa 29 but I think the 18" would be too small.

Do you all run maximum travel all of the time?

No. My Prince Albert was mainly run at 95mm unless I was in the alps our somewhere similar. My surge was actually preferable with the longer travel - it had a very low bb. I have the pikes reduced to 130mm on my bfe.

So it depends on the bike really.

My Stanton stays on full travel all the time. It's not the best climber, but it feels horrible if I use the ETA. It started life with so e 130mm forks from the BFe but it didn't feel right. I think it's feel better with 150mm.

How about a long travel hardtail 29er.

[url= https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8250/8605945061_ebff95c997_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8250/8605945061_ebff95c997_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/e7tHD8 ]2013_0331welshweekend0040[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/18504429@N00/ ]multispeedstu[/url], on Flickr

456 Summer Season with Talas. Rarely in LT mode as it works great between 110-130.

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My Slackline Ti sporting 160/130 dual pikes. It's so light for being a LT HT it's ridiculous...and the ride is even better than the Soul it replaced (which was a proper shock). I hope I never have to sell her!

[URL= http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/ag36/matther01/IMG_20140913_131725718_zps8de79aa7.jp g" target="_blank">http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/ag36/matther01/IMG_20140913_131725718_zps8de79aa7.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

130 on the ups...160 on the downs

My 140mm chameleon, I love this bike. So much fun to ride 🙂
[URL= http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h214/Stu_Fraser/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-06/434CF7E6-2F22-47F3-8F32-43A62E53A83B_zps0mfuz0se.jp g" target="_blank">http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h214/Stu_Fraser/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-06/434CF7E6-2F22-47F3-8F32-43A62E53A83B_zps0mfuz0se.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

Run my Shan at full travel nearly all of the time, if you drop the fork on technical climbs the low bb can be an issue with catching the pedals on stuff, so will only wind it down if there's a massive long fire road climb.

[url= http://flic.kr/p/oVbiPv ]My Cove Stiffee[/url]
Fitted with 140 u turn dual air revs, cheapo clarks brakes which work with zero rub or faffage, XT and SLX 1x9 30t NW, fulcrum UST wheelset and Thomson stem, seatpost and race face bars. This frame brought the forks to life when fitted on my 456 I was always underwhelmed by them. It is without doubt the best hardtail I have owned and is one that I will ride until it dies on me. Only downside is 30mm seat tube........not much choice for dropper compatibility so it's arse in the air and pray or undo the Hope QR. 😆

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My 456C. Didn't really like it to begin with. Put some faster tyres on it. Forks were faulty from new,then when they went on the 456, were just wrong. Mojo rebuilt with an FOC replacement damper, as it was an issue on that year, so 2013 internals. Goldtec hubs, TA rings. Shitty smoothie headset now working with better sealed bearings, but will change it when it dies. Weapon of choice for local rides. 3rd ride this week for it , in the morning. Triple rings means gnarly climbs and 40 mph possible. It just rides so well. Whippet is going to get stripped and sold. When it dies, which hopefully isn't soon, not sure what would be as good.........

I would love a Stanton Slackline to accompany my Sherpa 29 but I think the 18" would be too small

How tall are you? I'm 6'2" on my 18" Slackline.

Cotic BFe. Even on uplift days it stays between 100-120mm travel. Tried it once with 160mm fox 36 forks, it was utterly horrible.

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Do you all run maximum travel all of the time?

.....Until I saw that pic. of matther01's Slackline Ti 😉

I used to wind my forks up and down with my BFe and C456, with the Ragleys I don't think there's any need- it's a ridiculously good climber, I don't really know exactly why it's so much better than the similiar-numbers 456. Titanium innit.

Do you all run maximum travel all of the time?

I'm now running dpa Lyriks on my Alpine which stay at 130mm for most riding as the bike feels more flickable. I do crank out to 160mm for very steep and/or technical rocky descents.

@ ska-49/anyone

What's the bike in the photo you posted?

[img][URL= http://i.imgur.com/G05JuJ1.jp g" target="_blank">http://i.imgur.com/G05JuJ1.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL][/img]

My 456-Evo, lovely bike, it had everything.....wonderfully responsive frame, plush coil spring fork, compliant 27.2mm seatpost, slack angles etc etc...loved riding it.

For some reason i butchered it to build a 45650b.

The 27.5 version of the 456 family is brutally capable, it is long, low and bludgeons it was through anything....but its not fun, there is no playful steel 'twang' from the rear triangle, the bike steers like a barge in comparison to 26ers etc.

If i didnt have a Ragley Piglet i'd be hunting around frantically trying to build another 26 inch hardtail, there is something just right about them, like a large BMX...bigger wheeled bikes lose this feeling in my opinion.
I cant see 26 wheels going anywhere soon, i know the Enduro scene and DH scene will move across because ultimately they want the fastest bikes and 650b seems to be the way to go...on a FS i can see the point but for dicking about in the woods its 26 inch wheels every time for me.

Euro - what size is the 456
I'm looking to build a 456 myself but can't deside between a 18 or 20" (6.2 or 188cm - retired bmxer)

I don't know about the older 456 like Euro's SS, but in 456 EVO2 Ti sizing, at 6'2'" I'm very happy riding the 20" frame.
140mm 44RC3Ti fork, 50mm stem and 745mm bar. Often use it for big mountain days in the Lakes and find it very competent over technical stuff.

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guess it's due it's annual wash...

Edit to say it's a 456EBB Prototype and yes, that is a spanner on the downtube for the alfine hub.

My Kona Steely, love it so much I got rid of my (rarely used) FS bike.

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Sheephills, it's a gate-like 20" frame. I'm 6'5" and got it so i have a bike that almost fits me (it's got a 70mm stem on). For general cycling it's grand but even with the seat slammed it's a bit tall for jumping - can't do x-ups/turndowns as the bars only go to 90 before hitting the toptube 😕 (have a few spacers in but have also tried high rise bars - . clearance is ok with high bars and tons of spacer but really tall front for cycling) and on supa steep stuff it feels like my weight is too far forward. As one retired bmxer to another it'd recommend 18" if you want to throw it about a bit.

Euro, yes it has to be a Little gate-ish to be able to pedal for longer time.