[Closed] Returning rider looking for a top hardtail...

I'd add a Cotic to your list.

Kona Honzo !

I was just going to add cotic. but didn't like adding what I was using.
I have owned about 20 or so hardtails over the years. best 2 are a orange sub zero, which snapped. and my present solaris max.

My shortlist was:

[b]27.5[/b]
Stanton Switchback
P7
Chromag wideangle
Shan
Blue Pig

[b]29[/b]
Chromag Rootdown
Last Fastforward

Would have gone for the Wideangle if there had been any stock anywhere. None due until about Oct when I enquired.
So I went for a P7. Happy with it.

Bird zero would be my choice out of that list

I'd be torn between a Shan GT (29), or Stanton Switchback (27.5) if my budget would allow

I did go stright to buy a BFe275 when istarted looking but they've been out of stock for a while.

Out of the Stantons why do the majority seem to lump for the Switchback?

while trying to find a BFe just now I've also encountered Pace RC127+ o_O DAMN! That is one sleek looking bike.

Very happy with my Cotic Solaris (and Soul's before that). However, I would be tempted with the Sonder Transmitter if I was in the market for a new bike.

Oh and perhaps a Stif Morf !!

Haha came here hoping to narrow it down and my list is now a few longer!

Dartmoor Primal/Hornet?

I've got a stif morf which is excellent. Climbs well, descends ridiculously!

Mate has a P7 which is also superb and pretty close in geo to the stif.

I've ridden a 275 soul (& owned a 26 one previously). Great bike but slightly "older" geometry which limited its hooning potential compared to the stif I feel without gaining anything anywhere else. BFe has the same geo still? Not sure its worth the weight penalty compared with the soul as the soul is capable of coping with a lot of abuse

Rode a chubby solaris which was also really good but again if I was buying a plus bike, I think the sonder would be where I looked.

I ended up with a Chromag Surface frame off of eBay what's now built up with 140mm Lyrics and some nice finishing kit

Got a 2deg slackset to put in it next

I'm going to recommend what you ride and say Cotic BFe 275 😀 It's a smidge slacker (a degree or so I think) than the Soul 275 and it has chain guide mounts on the BB shell if that's on your checklist. Here's a gratuitous pic-

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Like yourself I came off some pretty old frames ('93 Hei Hei and '02 Handjob) straight into modern geometry and you'll be amazed the first time you pile into something technical at speed.
I went for a Slackline and I absolutely love it. I was considering a Soul but in the spirit of 'in for a penny...' I decided to go for something a bit slacker. The frame's well put together with nice manipulation of the seat stays to allow plus tyres, internal routing for the dropper which I was dreading building up but proved quite straight forward and nicely lacquered-over decals and head badge.
My mate has just had a Bird built up and it is really good value for money.
To be honest I don't think you would go wrong with any of those in your list.

I'd go against everybody suggesting the Switchback and recommend the Slackline. I've been on mine for a few months now and is amazing; size is perfect (geo different to Switchback) and being 853 means it's super comfortable. Yes it's expensive, but after riding BFe and Souls I would happily pay the extra, build quality is great plus I'm a convert to the lower/ slacker geometry. Cotic's are great, but high(ish) bottom brackets may be an issue if running 140+ forks...

I have a Blue Pig- got the frame second hand and swapped everything over from my old bike. I love it.

I love my Bird and ride it round Cannock all the time. Is a mk1 though so not sure how that translate into the AM/TR models.

whyte 90 series looks amazing for 2018

To be fair most of the bike suggested would be very good

I'd be happy with any of them! I had a similar short list and ended up with a Stanton Slackline.

Thanks for all the comments/additons to the list 🙂

Looks like I'm going to be planning one hell of a trip around the UK to give some of these a test.

If your budget is flexible get a BTR.

I've been very happy with my Cotics.

I've currently got a Solaris and Soul275 and previously owned a 26er Soul and their old CX bike.

I'd suggest the On One Ti 456 27.5" you can go w/ 4", 5", or 6" of travel fork and it's versatile for XC to AM hardtail! it's on my bucket list!

Onza Jackpot

If your budget is flexible as you say I'd steer you away from one of these. I have one and like it and I think the frame at £285 is reasonable value but the full builds are not. Also the frame weighs 7lbs and has a press fit BB (a plus if you fancy an ebb otherwise a negative I think). I don't think the head angle is as slack as quoted. The dropouts on my frame are badly designed or made though the spare I received was better.

TL;DR you listed some much nicer frames so get one of those unless budget dictates. Bird, Stanton or Orange would be my shortlist

Where do you live Op?

Yep Pace. Bit different, 853, not expensive.

Canfield Epo? Mate has one, it's a seriously capable bike.

I have a shan. 27 version and love it. Reasonably light but handles everything. Its the smoothest hardtail i have ridden and i think better than a BFe and certainly any 456.(ridden both)

Whatever you buy, just make sure it's a plus hardtail. The fatter tyres take hardtails to another level. I've got a Sonder Transmitter and it's brilliant !

I have a Pace RC127 and love it. A friend has a P7 and loves that too. Don't think you can go wrong with any of them really, pick one you like the look of and go give it some stick.

@jekkyl Coventry, West Midlands

Whatever you buy, just make sure it's a plus hardtail. The fatter tyres take hardtails to another level. I've got a Sonder Transmitter and it's brilliant !

This! I've got 26+ in my BFe and it is also brilliant.

Orbea Loki. Comes with plus wheels but fits 29 too for the muddy winter months when you don't fancy mud surfing on the plus tyres. In fact quite a few do that, but I'm not convinced by plus.

Consider a Dartmoor Hornet, a dream on aggressive trails and jumps, perfectly happy mile munching too.

Depends what you feel 'top' is, personally I would be aiming for a Stanton Sherpa Ti as a build 🙂

Definitely try 27, 29 and B-plus out before you splash the cash.

Each has its advocates, I am never going back from 29in personally (but am trying plus in the same frame).

You say 'all rounder' so that says Slackline to me, *has nothing to do with the fact i may or may not own one..

*i own one...

if you really are feeling flush why not get a custom Swarf. One of the most stunning bikes i've ever seen
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Stanton Sherpa. 29" also takes boost, and 27.5+, as above for the other Stanton frames, 853 makes it a pretty nice ride.

Off the shelf I'd be looking at some of the genesis tarn bargains floating around

I'd be wary on the B+ thing - I know it sounds ace, and surely is on some surfaces, but it is August, and in the UK that still means muddy (in parts) rides.

I was out Sunday and would not have wanted to have been on a big wide (heavy) tyre with mininal tread and a flimsy sidewall. Mud.

+ tyres are getting better, but more tread, and less flex in the sidewall = heavier.

Slackline, it can do it all (oh and I own one) 😆

But they really are a great frame.

core - Member

I'd be wary on the B+ thing - I know it sounds ace, and surely is on some surfaces, but it is August, and in the UK that still means muddy (in parts) rides.

Agree to some extent, but then some decent bikes have been built to be properly 29er as well, the Genesis Tarn, pace r127+ and Solaris max being 3 good examples.

Clockwork Evo Pro has been a lot of fun, good if you're a bit taller as super long. Have put a 2.8 Minion on the front, not enough room out back for the same, but not sure that matters. Goes v well.

Good point coomber, and I'm not totally against plus tyres, I just think on most of my rides at some point I'd be wishing I wasn't on them due to wet/slop/mud/sliding about.

Conversely, I'm not sure there are many times I'm currently wishing I had them.