Despite it being steel it still feels lighter than my mate's alu Boardman HT. I've not had them both on the scales though so can't say for sure.
Just to add to the steel hardtail luuuurve, heres my P7. I absolutely bloody love this bike! It doesn't feel heavy at all. Far from it. My extremely nice 140mm full suss Cannonade Trigger regularly gets overlooked, with me preferring to take this out instead. Steel frames are just far nicer to ride than alloy ones IMHO, and they just look 'right'
Have you had a look at the new P7. They look lovely! I really really want one, but the 'I want a new Orange P7 to replace my present Orange P7' is not going down well with the committee
[img] 
[/img]
Your lawn needs a trim Binners.
Love my steel hardtail... it's the bike I ride every time. My mate got one too after seeing how much fun I was having compared to the full sussers... for some reason a hardtail makes me feel like a kid again - zipping around pinging off everything...
This
[URL= http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll306/scienceofficer/Bikes/IMG_20141109_082031_zpsru9rw5kz.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll306/scienceofficer/Bikes/IMG_20141109_082031_zpsru9rw5kz.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
Is within a pound of this
[URL= http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll306/scienceofficer/Bikes/P1000605_zps2ea34623-1.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll306/scienceofficer/Bikes/P1000605_zps2ea34623-1.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL].
I've been riding the full suss for the last 5 weeks, but I've been missing riding the hardtail. It's my go to bike for local riding. The full suss makes my local riding 'too easy'.
Not sure I'd give up my Last for ut, but this looks pretty ace
http://enduro-mtb.com/en/liteville-h-3-b-review/
Mainly ridden steel hardtails and currently have a Transition Trans AM 29er. Didn't get on with it at first, but after lowering the forks to 120mm, shortening the stem and fitting a low riser bar it's brilliant. Not felt under biked on anything and it's also currently my only bike.
It weighs a lot, but I honestly don't notice it and the bike just feels solid, confidence inspiring and tough. The only thing that would convince me to get rid of it would be a Kingdom Vendetta (or another steel bike when I get bored). I honestly feel no need to own any more bikes and I used to have three. Not owned an Alu bike for years.
edenvalleyboy spake thus-
Love my steel hardtail... it's the bike I ride every time. My mate got one too after seeing how much fun I was having compared to the full sussers... for some reason a hardtail makes me feel like a kid again - zipping around pinging off everything...
Yep. I've binned my FS off and now just have a steel hardtail and a couple of pairs of wheels for different stuff- one with tyres for doing skids and wheelies and the other for doing sweet jumps 😀 😆
Of the many bikes I've owned, the only one I regret selling was a 2011 Kona Unit, rode it SS or geared, every now and then I ask the buyer if he wants to resell it back to me.
New Units have a more trail geometry than old ones AFAIK.
If you want to go fully rigid I'd explore the 27,5+ path, the Genesis Tarn 10 is damn sexy.
They will have to prise my Niner from my cold, dead hands.
Even now, 5yrs on, it still rides like nothing else I've ever tried.
Supple yet lovely responsive ride. It just feels more lively than anything ally that I've tried.
That blue pig I'm looking at is over 31lb. Thats heavier than my Canyon! I know its not all about weight, its about how it feels. Still tempted though.
I sacked off my 160mm gnarrpoon for a Ti Switchback because I kept on riding the steel Switchback instead of my Banshee because for 95% of my riding it suited me better. The Stanton was surprisingly light.
[img] 
[/img]
I never thought I'd get one, but strolled into Recycle in Penge, and there was a Generation, 1 year old and mint, exact same spec as the one I'd been gawping at in MBUK.Did exactly what a steel ht is supposed to, plush ride, soaked up chatter, and pinged me down the trail. went everywhere 2 gears faster, because it always rewarded another kick of the pedals.
Lovely bike @nedrapier. Funnily enough, the first Dekerf I saw in the flesh was in Recycle. I loved that shop and bought traded a few bikes in there, last one was a Yeti Ultimate. Not a good looking bike, but great to ride.
I'm another who doesn't 'get' the On One hating. My evo 2 got nicked, so I got a 45650b in the totally awesome 'raw', with a dropper for less than £1,200. I love this bike. It needs riding quick to get the best out of it because it is so capable, but I can't hold that against it. Steel hardtails rule!
Clean lines, narrow tubes and a buzzy rather than thumpy ride quality.
I traded an orange 5 for a genesis latitude 26" 853 a few yrs ago. Great bike, lovely zing and nice looking. It was a great alternative to a soul at the time and I'm really pleased with it. Spe nt the last few yrs commuting ( just up and down the street on a single speed '93 orange clock work that I've had since er, 1993 with big apples and I love it. Tempted to go rigid on my latitude.
Just been dabbling with a rigid fattie which has tempted me to go rigid on the latitude...
There's not enough Soul in this thread so here are two -
[img] 
[/img]
We changed from 100% Aluminium to 100% Steel earlier this year - also big changes (for us at least) from 26" to 650B, 3 x 9 to 2 x 10 transmission and some additional slackness in head angle.
So far we are very happy. BTW bikes weigh in at around 26lb.
[URL= http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u414/leythervegas/HINDLEY-PC/20160808_115151_zpsz0bwzmgl.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u414/leythervegas/HINDLEY-PC/20160808_115151_zpsz0bwzmgl.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
Finally got sorted. Went for most of your advice and went steel. Mainly due to the fact I have always wanted to try one as well as seeing a bargain that I couldn't turn down.
Its an Onza Jackpot chro-mo frame with Hope wheels, 140mm Revelations, XT brakes and Sram 1x11 gears. Think its the ideal setup for me, the Spectral I had before was brilliant but only for what it was designed for not the riding I do 95% of the time. Hope your'e right about how plush they are, got some big rides planned. Will report back.
^ That ought to do it! Looks great to me!
That looks lush...
(Even better in the SPARKLY PURPLE their show bike is in....)
[img] 
?oh=ab0bede6aa967bf786a8d60d65652464&oe=58583514[/img]
Looks mint
Looking at the payoff (29er version of the Jackpot) as a 40th present for myself, would be interested to hear your thoughts on the ride
What's this? A steel hardtail thread?
Well...I've had a few...
:breaths in:
KonaLavaDome (no pics)
SpecializedStumpjumper
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/2/2307456_20d29f8c4b.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/2/2307456_20d29f8c4b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/cPVJ ]StumpySS[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/danclairelees/ ]Dan and Claire Lees[/url], on Flickr
DialledBikesPrinceAlbert
[url= https://c5.staticflickr.com/1/114/291799644_b57a9997d2_b.jpg [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/rMxSm ]IMG_1658.JPG" target="_blank">https://c5.staticflickr.com/1/114/291799644_b57a9997d2_b.jpg [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/rMxSm ]IMG_1658.JPG"/> [/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/danclairelees/ ]Dan and Claire Lees[/url], on Flickr
DialledBikesLove/Hate
[url= https://c6.staticflickr.com/1/198/442004437_a73cef5fcc_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://c6.staticflickr.com/1/198/442004437_a73cef5fcc_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/F4owa ]Rebuilt Love/Hate[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/danclairelees/ ]Dan and Claire Lees[/url], on Flickr
RagleyBluePig
[url= https://c7.staticflickr.com/4/3365/5846768830_25ef2aa1fa_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://c7.staticflickr.com/4/3365/5846768830_25ef2aa1fa_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/9UEdF9 ]Peaks pig[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/danclairelees/ ]Dan and Claire Lees[/url], on Flickr
SurlyKarateMonkey
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7608/16952148152_c428e0d243_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7608/16952148152_c428e0d243_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/rQ1c3q ]Pre HONC shakedown/prep ride for both me and the #surlybikes #karatemonkey[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/danclairelees/ ]Dan and Claire Lees[/url], on Flickr
SurlyKrampus
[url= https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7288/16708354227_592b87b9ea_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7288/16708354227_592b87b9ea_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/rssFAT ]Current Krampus build.[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/danclairelees/ ]Dan and Claire Lees[/url], on Flickr
ChromagRootdown
[url= https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8626/28062012164_cde060db3b_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8626/28062012164_cde060db3b_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/JKK9xW ]2016-07-31_07-36-03[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/danclairelees/ ]Dan and Claire Lees[/url], on Flickr
:breaths out:
They were/are all lovely. Some had that whippy steel feel, some didn't. When you start slapping 140 or 150mm forks and 2.4 (or even Plus) tyres on the frame, that whippy feel doesn't really make any difference.
OP - You'll notice there is a Blue Pig in the list, was one of the Mk1 frames. Fun bike and very fast pointed down. Very good climber too on steep stuff. However it was a bit of a chugger on the flatter trails.
I made the jump from 26 to 29 and to be honest I'm not sure I would go back to smaller wheels on a hardtail.
That being said I'm not convinced by 29+ for hard riding as the tyres (specifically the sidewalls) weren't up to it. 2.3 or 2.4 (with a decent sidewall) on a 29er is fine for me.
The current bike, Chromag Rootdown is definitely the best bike of lot, as you would hope. It feels like it takes the best bits of the Ragley and Karate Monkey, sprinkles in some Whistler magic bear poo and distills them down into a very very good all round package. That being said it does benefit from a set of Pike RCT3 on the front. The ability to make the spring rate more progressive is a boon on a hardtail. Dropper posts really help too.
Some beauties there pal. Glad these are so popular, I wasn't keen on being too "niche".
That looks bloody lovely!
Did you get any luck with getting this years P7 binners or did the committee stand firm?
Its very much a work in progress. 😉
I'm somewhat besotted with my Solaris which I only acquired on Saturday from Rogan Josh on here. It's my second Solaris having always regretted selling my Mk1 a few years ago.
Hopefully I'll be out on it later for the third day in a row.
Anyway. Here it is...
[img] 
[/img]
[img] 
[/img]
funkmaster p, I may be selling my vendetta if this is of interest to you (or anyone else for that matter!)
Thestabiliser - Well first impressions are really good, rides very nicely and feels much lighter than my Canyon especially when accelerating. Frame feels plush and confidence inspiring. Like it. Would be a real flyer as a 29er.
Need some advice on tyre combinations for my Onza Jackpot. Currently have slaughter 2.3 front and butcher 2.3 rear both tubeless and its perfect for my local trails. However when I go to the lakes next month to do the borrowdale bash will I die? Obviously I could do with more grip at the back but don't want to lose how it feels to ride now. What combos are people using on rockier rides?
You have Slaughter front and Butcher rear?
My 2016 P7 is bloody mint. Still, current safety regs mean that steel frames are now overbuilt, so the difference in ride between steel and aluminium probably isn't what it used to be. New Orange Crush is aluminium and is supposed to be surprisingly comfy.
Whoops! No, other way round, well spotted George
Right... was figuring as much since you talked about needing grip out back. Purgatory?
Finding the Minion SS(slaughter equivalent) surprisingly capable.... might ger away with it as you are
Just found a slash in my rear tyre so forced to replace it. Gone with your recommendation George - a Purgatory. Lighter and grippier according to all the reviews and feedback.
When are you posting a picture of it?
on last page chief
funkmaster p, I may be selling my vendetta if this is of interest to you (or anyone else for that matter!)
Ooh! Why are you thinking of selling and what size if you don't mind me asking? Apologies for thread hijack 🙁
I think it's "Steel *can* be real".
I've had a recent Inbred and tbh I really don't see anything to recommend apart from bang per buck cheapness. I'm led to believe by some that the pre CEN reg bikes were much more fun and that beefing them up to pass the safety tests killed the pop. Maybe.
I have an old Mk2 26" Soul which is everything they talk about in steel attributes. It's a lovely bike (although the frame is currently sitting in a box). It's worth noting that very big riders will notice chain stays flexing just pedalling the thing round the carpark.
I have a Soul275 which is good, but not quite as much - although what it loses in springy poppy fun it gains in do anything go anywhere dependability feeling without being as buzzily solid as my old Chameleon which had a similarly indestructible feeling.
My very favourite 'steel is real' rides though would be an old 26" Orange Clockwork or an 80's Kona Firemountain. Both of these bikes feel confident but don't buzz you with chatter and have a lovely musical, tinkly bell sound as you gently run hose water over the tubes when washing them. The Kona was never mine and the Orange is too small for me and doesn't support disc brakes - or else I'd probably not want anything else...
I love this forum, and especially threads like this.
And I love my BFe. I also loved my old Marin Rocky Ridge alu HT, but I loves my steel HT more.
Steel hardtail =
[img] 
[/img]
Carbon hardtail =
[img] 
[/img]
We all know which is better. But we all know which is [u]best[/u].
The Latitude and high Latitude look pretty damn nice. 2016 models are in the sales!
dannyh - I'm luckily enough to have a steel and a carbon bike so best of both worlds haha 🙂
I love this forum, and especially threads like this.And I love my BFe. I also loved my old Marin Rocky Ridge alu HT, but I loves my steel HT more.
Agreed. Any pics of your Bfe John?
I am a genuine steel fan now. However the frame I have is a little short for me so have decided to put it up for sale and swap my bits to a Bfe or Soul. Shame as it is a real beauty. Anyone interested let me know!)
Would be nice to see some Cotic photos to inspire me. Not sure which way to go. Love them both.
funkmaster p, I may be selling my vendetta if this is of interest to you (or anyone else for that matter!)
Ooh! Why are you thinking of selling and what size if you don't mind me asking? Apologies for thread hijack
It's a large, the old adage of i'm trying to buy a house really, I only have the space and funds for one bike at the moment, unfortunately I've reached that point in life where something has to give. real head over heart decision as I lusted after one for a long time!
I'll shoot you an email as well if I can find it, save hijacking the thread any further.
