[Closed] Long slack hardtail for the long legged, long arms, heavy type

My mate got a custom made frame from small town boy designs, in raw lacquered steel. Pretty much mojo geometron geometry, it's a demon! All for 400 quid, cracking buy.

If you're that tall would you not be better with a LT 29er eg. Trans Am or something?

Curtis do a downhill hardtail. Now that is slack

BTR do a slacker one - 64 degrees IIRC

Last Fast Forward

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Swarf Spline

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My tweaked Zero AM has ultra aggressive geometry, thanks to a -2 deg Works headset (zero stack lower cup) and 130mm Pike - it's basically the same as a BTR Ranger. On flatter trails it's not very tolerant of my more shambolic riding moments as the über low BB gives no room to pedal in the rough or when cornering, but when riding well it's awesome (and its intolerant attitude forces me to ride better). And on steeper trails where you're rarely pedalling it's as good as hardtails get.

Last fast forward looks pretty sexy!! Could go for one of them, 650b are fine, that's my full sus, definitely more nimble than the big wheel. Guess a 29er with a nice low bb would improve things a lot.

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It's had a few changes since then, bars gone higher, saddle up too, cranks now 165mm XT rather than 175mm SLX, pedals now my trusty Vaults.

I met Adrian from Swarf on his local trails a few months back and I'd be tempted to get something with similar geometry to my Bird custom made by him when funds allow. I like the idea of using moveable dropouts like on my Banshee to optimise the handling for different trails/conditions and his steel frames look lovely (and I think some cunning tube work could smooth the rough a smidgeon...)

Just seen the price on the spline!!! Ouch!!!, cheifgrooveguru don't rub it in on the zero!! I love that bike, but not having the ribbing for next few years while I ride it!!!

If you slackenize your hypothetical Bird couldn't you rib your mate about his bike being too much of a steep angled XC mincing machine? 😉

And have it sprayed a different colour so mines 'a full custom' 😉

Any pictures of the STB custom bike?

Last fast forward looks pretty sexy - in promotional pics, then you see a real one and it looks like it's been crashed into a wall!!

FTFY

Probably will look like that with two weeks with me. Any know what reach is like on the trans AM? Thoughts on a high latitude?

Chromag Rootdown BA

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Chromag Primer

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I have the old less slack Rootdown and it's really confidence inspiring. The BA version (the Primer is the Canadian built version of the BA) would be amazing.

P7 over the crush if you go orange, P7 is slacker (and steel!)

Whyte 905/909 has got to be in the list also.

nairnster - Member

Any pictures of the STB custom bike?

Nairnster, drop me an email and I'll send you a note of his instagram pics.

Edit: second the chromag

I'm 6'5" 110kg and have a whyte 905. It fits my well though I did have to swap the bars to some riser bars for better fit.

Oh like the sounds of small town boy designs, will investigate further!

The Next Gen Stanton's come in regular and long

I'll say what I always say, Kona Honzo in Steel, Alu or Ti.

I've ramped mine up to 140mm and stuck a -2 headset in it.

Its an absolute beast.

OnOne 45650b for decent value, burly-framed slack goodness (65.6 deg HA) ... I've found mine a great bike, very confidence inspiring having come from a more XC/trail-oriented Boardman.

If in the market now, I'd take a look at the Sonder Transmitter - mate has one and loves it!

Really like the look and geometry of the rootdown ba 663mm effective top tube! Brilliant. Know of any uk distributors?

Chromag are sold by Shore Lines.

http://www.shore-lines.co.uk/

John is ace to deal with, a top chap. If he hasn't got stock now, he'll be able to tell you when he will have (probably not long) if you drop him an email.

Commencal Meta HT CrMo. Fantastic bike

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I have a 45650b, and they are not long. Pretty short actually.

I ditched my NP Mega for a transition trans am 29, running it with 130mm forks and a -1 degree works headset. I'd intended to use it over the winter then but a new big bike but I've not missed it. Merlin had some good frame deals a while ago too.

I have a 45650b, and they are not long. Pretty short actually.

+1 new Orange P7. 100% happy with mine - it's so well thought out in terms of geometry and travel. A true all-rounder for me, and ridiculously fun to ride.

- Love[s]r[/s] the Bird zero [s]but mate has one[/s] so that's that sorted then!.

Ftfy

A P7 build could be an option would like to say keep it british but at least chromag frames are made in the same country as the company - shocking pinks is a free option just now as well.

Scrap that Chromag made in Taiwan as well.... P7 back up the leader board!

I'd be very surprised if you didn't take to a P7. I'm 5' 10" and just get away with riding a medium. One thing I would say - probably worth getting Pikes if you can afford it. The bike is slack, low, long and fast, so slightly chunkier forks are great for the rocks of Calderdale. 140mm is spot on though.

I bet the P7 frame is made in Taiwan too...

I'm the same size / weight as you my friend. Have recently purchased an Orange Crush in XL and its a scream to ride. I cannot recommend it enough. P7 is slacker by a degree but I think we are splitting hairs here, it will go down anything you have the bottle for and is zippier due to be lighter and stiffer. Not a cruiser, but if you like to take the bike by the scruff of the neck its a brilliant choice.

I notice how they hide the hideous dropper routing on the P7 in all the promo pictures.

The Chromag Rootdown BA ticks all my boxes, I even sold my old frame in anticipation, unfortunately John (Shorelines) will not be importing them, l was told that a considerable increase in price and lack of available sizes (only one batch being built) were the main reasons, along with the Canadian built version (Primer) being 27.5 + compatible and likely the basis for a new Taiwanese version next year.

Probably Taiwan, yes. Not bothered where it's made though, just how it rides.

Think 99.99% of all bikes are Taiwan steel/Ali/carb these days to be fair. Shopping hol with a large suitcase is probs a good idea!

What's your budget VitusBigWheeler?

Frame probably between the £400-£550 mark. Will probably up cycle most the rest or replace as I go

And yes before someone says it - i know I won't get a home grown frame for that. Or unlikely anyway

I've built up and recently started riding a Chromag Rootdown (original version) in replacement to an ali Pinnacle frame - 130mm forks etc etc..

It's FANTASTIC - granted, 3lb heavier than the ali frame, but riding it is so much more fun, hoppy, boppy, and fast up and down 🙂

Will post pics, but I'm loving the steel 29er HT category y'know!

DrP

And yes before someone says it - i know I won't get a home grown frame for that. Or unlikely anyway

😆

I had a suggestion, but yes, you won't get a homegrown frame for that.

😀

Some major chromag fans out there

Orange crush here same as you 6.3 but heavier, actually ride a large 19in great frame comfy and very quick.
I've seen a new p7 and Gotta say it has the gate like look about it due to a higher top tube than the crush for me!
Also worth a look the production privee oka! Steel long and low very crush like in angles!
Must say though having come from about 3/4 other steel frames in the last few years the crush is a very compliant frame as good as some comfort wise and better than others!
I'd get a ride on one if you can though for fit because I'd say your able to fit both lrg and Xl frames

Yeah think I'll try find a crush demo near by. Seen both crush and p7 lately and like the look of both, not done the whole steel thing yet so that may sway it. Like the idea of a chromatic but limited availability is an issue

My mate's Small Town Boy frame, full custom geometry for £400

goodgrief.
Do you have any contact details for STB please?
I don't do facebook.

Here's an email addy for Steve, he doesn't have a website
salter1144@gmail.com

Instagram?
https://www.instagram.com/smalltownboydesigns/

Cheers.