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130mm travel fork (I have a revelation spare)
27.5 inch wheel
Steel preferred but open to aluminium
I'm 6ft2 and ride an XL Spec Camber which fits me well.
A general trail hardtail so it'll get used for leading rides (MTB leader for my school) rather than head banging in the woods (I'm dismantling my beloved 26 inch chameleon for dirvetrain, barkes and finishing kit) as the joints they can't take the pounding anymore. Also therefore not massively expensive as it'll spend some time in the school store.
Looked at various things and not really feeling inspired. What's out there? It's been so long since I built a bike that wasn't 26 inch wheel I've no idea whats out there as a frame.
A 29er 😜
thestabiliser
MemberA 29er 😜
I had enough problems making the jump from 26 thanks!
Sonder transmitter(up your fork to 140/150mm. I’m running 140mm on mine it’s a great all rounder and a bargain. Full internal routing too.
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I could be tempted by the Airdrop
Cotic Soul
Pace RC627 steel
Orange clockwork or clockwork evo. Both alloy.
stantons gotta be worth a look
nukeproof scout (alloy)
transition throttle of you can find one (carbon though )
main thing is these are all 148boost wheel now so you might want to check your wheels to.
Steel: Stif Morph
Alu: Orange Clockwork / EVO
Genesis Tarn?
Are you buying new wheels or using old ones as it will make a difference if new frame should be Boost or not (not sure what your old one is?). If non boost then the On-one Deedar is a great value frame, especially with 20% off
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/FROODD27/on-one-deedar-275-steel-hardtail-frame
27.5”
Ragley Piglet - Steel 130mm
Ragley Marley - Alloy 130mm
Ragley Blue Pig - steel 150mm
29”
Ragley Big Wig - steel 140mm
Ragley Big Al - alloy 140mm
Worth noting of your still on 26” wheels times have changed a bit so your finishing kit may not fit as bikes will all be “boost” now do wider hubs and longer axles on cranksets to match.
Thanks all. Wheels will be bought for this but a preference is there for non-boost so I can swap them between this and my camber if needed.
Surprised no one mentioned Bird here. Any thoughts?
I really like my Bird Zero TR... It's bright green! 27.5" 130mm fork, non-boost 142x12 rear axle. £300 for tangerine orange XL frame https://www.bird.bike/product/zero-tr-frameset/#please-select-your-frame-size-and-colour
Scout 275.
IMO, I dont buy into the whole steel is flexy since mainstream stuff goes through CEN testing. Want a bit more compliance, put 2.4 tyres on there.
I second a Bird Zero TR frame.
I built up my hard tail on a second hand Zero Mk1 frame and it is a great bike.
I think steel bikes are very rigid these days so you may be better with alloy
Dartmoor primal 2020
Bird Zero TR is a great bike.
Some mad crazy recommendations there for a bike that is going to be running a Revelation fork aka crap, especially for an XL size rider. Is going to be used mainly for school guiding and will be left in the school store.
Seriously, go buy a second hand anything that fits.
Boost or non boost is irrelevant, just bung non boost wheels in it with adaptors.
Oh yeah, try and forget that you won't like 29er, it's ideally suited to hardtail for guys who's old bones are aching.
Thanks to all for giving me ideas. Frame ordered. The Bird Zero TR won partially due to being the one I could rob the most parts from my chameleon for. A lot of there’s needed longer forks than my revelation.
29er defo worth a look (not that I have one) for what you’ve suggested as it’ll have better rollover of obstacles and therefore likely easier on your joints. Or go for a short travel full suss like the Bossnut at the cheaper end of whole bike builds.
If you’re buying new wheels anyway I’d get boost ones, or pick a manufacturer who do non boost ones but sell boost end caps to give you options at a later date (Hope, maybe Hunt etc).
Hardtail wise what’s the budget - and are they older 32mm stanchion revelations or the newer 35mm ones?
Frame wise it sounds like you don’t want / need anything too bling or hardcore long and slack. Thinking of the following:
Any of the Ragley 130mm frames above
Vitus Sentier (if you can get frame only - this is what I did in a sale - built with pikes / Gx 11 speed / Dt e1900 wheels etc - it’s hilarious fun but it’s fairly stiff)
Orange Clockwork Evo
Bird Zero TR (note this is a non boost frame)
Sonder Transmitter
Onza Jackpot - this is a bargain steel frame although geometry not quite as modern as some bikes
OnOne Deedar - think this might be steel / not too expensive
Most of the steel frames are expensive these days though - certainly ones that use better than 4130 cro mo:
Stanton
Cotic Soul
Ribble Ti
Just noticed you posted whilst I was typing / trying to get a toddler into bed.
The Bird is probably ideal - modern but not crazy long / slack. The company are great to deal with too - I’ve had an Aeris 145LT previously and now have an Aether 7
Bird is the correct decision, you have impeccable taste 😆
I absolutely love mine (despite the ‘crap’ Revelation fork). I run mine at 140mm rather than the recommended 130 with no ill effects.
I love my Dartmoor Primal.
I think ‘chuckable’ is the industry bullshit standard term.
Stanton Slackline or Sherpa 👍
I got a Pace RC627 last summer, size XL. I'm really pleased with it. It has a compliant ride out back but retains it's stiffness to let you really attack decents. I have 140mm forks on mine and it fits my 6ft 2 frame nicely. This year's model is slacker in the head angle - if that is what you want.
I nearly got a Soul as I had heard so many good things about them. They're usually specced with 120mm forks so yours should cause too many issues with geomtery.
Other than that the Sonder Transmitter looks good value, as does the Vitus Sentier.
It also depends on your budget......
Since when have revs been crap forks? They’re a great option for an all round trail fork.