Idly musing
There are modern trail geo hardcore hardtails (lots)
There are modern geo rigid bikes (stooge)
But the former are designed for 130-150mm forks, the latter would ride like a chopper with a 100mm fork.
What 29er hardtails are out there with decent trail bike style reach, head & seat angles but designed for a shorter fork?
I think the Nordest Sardinho 2 is what I'm talking about. Any others?
https://nordestcycles.com/en/product/sardinha-2-frame
That nordest is more intended as a bikepacking bike. And pretty sure some Stooge owners do run suspension, although 1 1/8 headtube reduces your options. Not sure Stooge geo is "modern" either, in the LLS sense, it's more "different" geo.
I'd say that pipedream reflects what I'm looking for.
anything alloy or even carbon that will be a bit lighter?
Only the mk3 stooge was designed with a fork long enough to swap out for suspension.
As above, Pipedream Sirius. Check latest video on Hardtail Party youtube channel.
Also, BMC Two Stroke.
Trek do a nice frame only short travel hardtail? And the specialized Chisel?
SolarisMax is a modern geometry hardtail that rides very nicely at 120mm. I keep meaning to stick the 140 pike off the big bike in to see how it rides but haven’t yet!
For context- I had a mk1 Solaris that did years at 100mm, bumped up to 120 with a slackset and then moved all the kit across to the Max. I reckon the changing head angle etc means the 120 feels similar to the old 100 in how you use the suspension. Ish. Probably shocked if I changed back!
Not the super long reach of the Solaris: Stanton Sherpa - modern angles and designed around 120 mm fork
I run my Scandal at 120mm. Modern geo, not heavy, cheap and rides well.
Those Pipedream seatstays look well beefy.
Had a Pipedream Scion and hated it - rode like it was dead compared to the Soul (snapped) it replaced.
Love my Stanton Sherpa which fills the OP's needs.