Can a well put together hardtail - with the right geometry - do more than a XC full-susser? TLDR: yes.
Still riding my 2020 529 especially during the wet winter we've had (still having?). The sliding dropouts do move unless you're very careful how you adjust the bolts. Loctite was the answer and happily stayed put for the last few years, giving a few extra millimetres chain stay and more tyre clearance (early 529 had less).
A great bike capable to go from the steeps, flow and bike packing. Suspect the 629 has been made a little more hardcore to distance from the 429 and so probably slightly less versatile.
I’m sure it’s very nice but what fork travel is it and is that static or sagged geometry? And what makes it better than a Moxie or BFe, etc?
Just looked, says 140/50mm now, also can be MX'd. I had a 627 up until last Autumn and they really are lovely bikes, very neat and tidy. 853 tubes too compared to 4130 on most. Haven't read the article yet but mine was certainly versatile as it was at it's best bashing about on the moors but was also a comfortable Trail Centre bike or mile muncher with the right tyres. 2.6 on the back made it as forgiving as a short travel full suss.
My hardtail is a 529. Hands down best hardtail I've had. I love the versatility. Can be taking riding singlespeed xc on day 1, built geared taking it down tech lines or over jumps on day 2 or stick a rigid fork and a rear rack on and go bike packing or cycle touring on day 3 with a few easy parts changes.
I've not had any problems with dropouts moving.
The only feature I've preferred from my previous hardtails is the double down tube bottle mounts on the cotic Solarismax. Was a better use of the space in the frame main triangle (I'm in an XL)
Its a shame they don't offer the 429 with slidey dropouts. I think that might be the sweet spot for many people who want to stay more at the long miles/xc side of things
This invites comparison with the BFE. What are your thoughts?
My thoughts are that, on paper, the Pace has a steeper seat angle than the Bfe. Although that would likely be cancelled out if running with a mullet set-up. Pace is possible nicer tubing. Bfe is UDH but can't run full mount transmission. Pace has sliding dropouts... that's what puts me right off... they look ugly and aren't very secure imho.
I'd go Bfe 🙂
FWIW, BFe - slacker seat angle (even factoring in mullet RC629), higher BB, longer seat tube. Both fine bikes though.