Didn’t actually mean to get this…
Admin balls up at work meant an existing cyclescheme voucher got cancelled half way through. Rather than restart it, I got sent a fresh new voucher. Oh well…
I’d been eyeing up a Holt for a while, liked the mk 1 but 27.2 seat tube diameter and longish seat tube put me off. Mk2 came out and fixed that, so the voucher mix up accelerated the purchase.
Bought the XL frame and fork from Fairlight (who were great to deal with) then sold my existing hardtail (custom Waltly ti) to fund some of the other bits. One or two items from the parts bin but mostly all new, Black Friday sales were kind.
just back from a shakedown ride and it feels great. Previous HT was ti which was smooth / compliant to the point of vagueness, one before that was a Chameleon which was the opposite! This feels a great mix, comfy but not cosseting. I think it will be perfect for local riding (forest singletrack and coastal heathland in Suffolk) plus some bikepacking trips.
Colour is a bit boring but I didn’t have the balls to go for the purple, and the moss isn’t that nice in the flesh (imo). Liked the sand mk1 but cest la vie. Silver components brighten it up a bit and there is a brighter stem cap on order to break up the silver on the bars.
Very pleased so far and looking forward to a proper spin over the weekend.
fully aware the drive needs weeding and sweeping!
Trying to add photos…
i bet that covers ground at a decent pace!
Very nice indeed. Any idea what it weighs?
Yes - 27lbs on the nose. Feels quick!
That looks very classy! 👌
(I'd have definitely gone for the mauve one though!)
One day, I can see myself being a Fairlight Holt owner
As a fellow Suffolk'ite and general Fairlight fan I thoroughly approve of the XC nature of this build 😎
Nice. Looks very proportional for an XL.
Very nice build indeed. I do like the idea of a Fairlight.
I've recently succumbed to the fact that I need an XC bike. Well... a fairly sprightly hardtail on XC tyres at least. I went a bit more trail geo with Stanton Sedona frame in the end, but it's much the same fun.
It reminds me a bit of something like a Morgan - modern, but retro. Looks really nice.
Oh great. Thanks for that. Now I've been pointed back to the Fairlight website and hankering again for a Secan, and I've already checked down the back of the sofa several times to find the necessary funds.
Great bike though. As munrobiker says - modern but retro. Simple, understated but very tasty indeed.
Looks ace👍
Very pretty, i love the silver dropper. Needs some more stealthy fork decals though I reckon.
Yes agreed - was expecting them to be silver! First in the list to change.
Love the frame colour, have never been able to love silver finishing kit. From the amount of post and steerer spacers I'd have said you were on the very upper limit of that frame size, then you tell us it's an XL! Do they do an XXL or are you 8ft tall?
Thanks! Got a proper ride on it yesterday and it’s an absolute joy.
@rocketdog - I’m 6”5! As a tall rider it’s a choice of riding with a stack of stem spacers and lots of post showing, or riding a gate. They don’t do an xxl holt so the choice was made 😀
I'm a tall lad, 6'5", and a huge fan of Fairlight - I've a Secan and a Faran. They're both in the 61 Tall geometry, which suits me perfectly.
While the bike itself looks beautiful, this just looks compromised on fit at the front end for someone of my height, just looks too small. To me anyway! How's it going with the bike, set up and fit? I'd be mad keen to get one, but will check out the geometry on some alternatives too e.g. Cotic Solaris.
Still really enjoying it, though the weather has been awful so only ridden it about 400k in total.
im definitely on the upper end of sizing at 6’5” though that makes it very lively on singletrack compared to my previous HT. it’s very much an (unashamedly) XC bike. have made a few changes to the original set up, put on some risers yesterday for a test - just been out for a spin and they feel spot on. There are probably laws against risers on an xc bike but to old to care! Will try and post a pic - will remove the anodising off the bars in due course.
No other changes planned, all the components have worked well, and it’s an incredibly smooth and quiet ride, no cable slap or creaks whatsoever. Looking forward to some warmer weather for some longer rides and bikepacking.
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