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Hi,
My first post, been riding a kona hoss for about 6 years and want something lighter and that i could possibly start xc racing with. Been looking round, but now wondering if I could start with a new frame and fitall the gear from the hoss and then replace for lighter stuff bit by bit. The hoss currently has mainly xt gear and cranks, deore shifters, hayes nine brakes, its 27 speed.
So whats your thoughts? Different bike or frame? Was looking at the kinesis maxlight frames (would everything fit?)
Advice appreciated.
Have you been riding a Hoss because you are a big heavy lad or no particular reason?
No real reason, I am 13st.
Hello & welcome to the mad house.
Plan is quite sound, though dependant on stuff like you fork steerer length & the new bikes head tube length. Along with the seat post sizing (minor), and whether the brake line are long enough (should be fine but), and what type of BB are you running (external's are fine but square taper or such, require a new BB if the BBB width are different), I would assume your XT is HT II though. A new headset may also be simpler than trying to move one over (even if it is compatible).
Lots of minor things on a 'swap' can put you back days waiting for the right 'size' part to arrive. Spend a bit of time researching your current bike and the new frame to work out the incompatible parts & deal with that pre-change over & it should all go fine.
Nowt wrong with the maxlight frames, as long as your've taken a gander at what else is out there.. such as the On-One ali/carbon HT frames.
Hey there
I have a Hoss too and I would like to had something. XC bike are going to ride very very differently to your hoss. You'll find most of them too twitchy and not forgiving enough going down. I would stay away to anything UK design and look around other BC made brands for a similar geometry.
The cove HJ or chromags bikes look like the best choices.
What forks does the Hoss have on it I think that would be a good way to look at what frame to transfer it on to. If its 100-120mm travel I would say a 26" wheeled on-one Scandal would be great for xc racing.
In the end you may be better off getting another second hand hardtail for XC and leaving your hoss for bigger technical rides that would wear your XC race bike out. You always need more bikes 🙂
I built my maxlight in Febuary and, assuming you mean the XCpro3, can quite honestly say that after spending months considering other options such as ragleys and cove I definetley made the right choice, super light and fast I can't see how you could beat it for XC, certainly at the price. It is a little twitchey but I find that makes it more responsive when required. as for build, the only unusual part is that it requires a zero stack headset, although these cost no more than normal headsets just look on chainreaction cycles. Singletrack magazine have one on long term and seem to really rate it, the only fault they have found is that after a long ride it's stiffness makes it quite uncomfortable. I often spend hours in the saddle and have never found this but I suppose everybody is built different. I really cannot say enough about this frame, and it looks the absolute mutts nuts! everywhere you go it will turn heads. Try - www.fatbirds.co.uk they sell them for £379.99 and I believe the frame is now supposed to retail at £500 not £450 as it says. Good luck the only real choice should be white or blue.