[Closed] Which hardtail frame should I get?

My default answer to this question is a Bird Zero.

Something from Cotic

Thanks for the replies.

The bfe looks like an option, although I'd have to replace a fair few parts, like my dropper.

I like the look of the bird zero too. At first look it seems to be aimed at a longer travel fork than my 130mm Pike though, will this ruin the handling?

I was recommended Stanton by a mate but the switchback and slackline both seem quite short in the top tube, not sure if anyone can offer an informed opinion on either of them?

Thanks again

Just saw the tr version of the zero...

I can highly recommend the Bird Zero tr, I'm running it with 130mm pikes and it's superb. In terms of length it's pretty long, it feels a fair bit longer than my stumpjumper full sus so will suit if you like a things a little more roomy! Good all rounder in my opinion.

Ragley Blue pig or piglet would be top choice depending on travel. Lots of nice looking hard tail frames though.
Cotic BFE/Soul
Transition Transam
Privee Shan
Stanton Slack line

Long travel hardtails are awesome.

John

Another vote for the zero tr, still love mine.

The Privee Shan is probably the best looking hardtail I've seen! Those colour schemes! Probably to pricey for me though, as again, lots of new components and wheels needed.

Thanks for all the options on the Zero. I'm going to book a demo day on the tr as I'm only an hour from their base and guessing I can take it to Swinley. That will give me an idea about frame size.

Matteggleton and bagstard, could you tell me what size frame are you on and your height to give me a starting point?

Thanks again for all the ideas, lots of options to look at now!

I was recommended Stanton by a mate but the switchback and slackline both seem quite short in the top tube, not sure if anyone can offer an informed opinion on either of them?

I have a medium Stanton Sherpa, it doesn't seem short (50mm stem). But I guess it depends on how short *I* am.

I am 5'11" with long legs and short body, I ride a large with a 45mm stem. My friend is 5'9" with short legs and long body and rides a medium with 50mm stem.

My other bike is a size large commencal meta AMV4 which I would prefer to be a smidge longer in reach.

Custom built? My mate got one from Small town boy designs, he told them exactly what he wanted, mega slack, long but with short chainstays, It's mental, IIRC it's 63.5 deg, and goes like stink.

IIRC it was 400 quid, this was in 2016, so will have gone up a bit.

Nukeproof Scout?

Cheep and cheerful, should tick all your boxes.

Orange Crush?

Did well in reviews 2016-2017.

So what is the budget?

John

I looked at the scout as it's cheap on chain reaction, but I've read it's quite stiff and I'm hard on back wheels as it is.
I hadn't thought of the crush, I'll have a look at that too.
In terms of budget, I just need to keep costs down as much as possible as whatever I spend will be on top of what I still owe for my current bike. I can sell my current frame and recoup some of the layout on a new one, but if I have to change lots of parts which won't cross over it'll quickly become unmanageable.
I guess £500ish and hope someone really wants my 909 frame...

I looked at the scout as it's cheap on chain reaction, but I've read it's quite stiff and I'm hard on back wheels as it is.

Yeah, I read that too - I'd say its no stiffer than its ally competitors.

It feels marginally stiffer than the Commencal it replaced but far more compliant than an OO 456c and fairly similar to a SC Chameleon.

If you're killing wheels you'll kill them on any hardtail, FWIW I'm running mine on LB carbon wheels and don't find it overly stiff.

£500 is good amount. Most of what I suggested should be in range. What size frame would you be needing?

John

Sorry, just seen your height in your first post.

John

http://www.plushhillcycles.co.uk/7528/products/2016-ragley-piglet-frame-green-black.aspx?origin=pla&kwd=&currency=GBP&gclid=Cj0KEQjwoqvIBRD6ls6og8qB77YBEiQAcqqHe8xDVoSfXDDIWrh5RWhOkI88Rlk79TNbVKx20U1yrjAaAtHb8P8HAQ

Great frame in a great colour!

I would have thought the Privee Oka would suit the fork you have. They can be run with 26" wheels as well if that's bothering you. (they do a dropout set that will correct the geometry)

Bird Zero, can definitely recommend - plus customer support is fantastic.

I was recommended Stanton by a mate but the switchback and slackline both seem quite short in the top tube, not sure if anyone can offer an informed opinion on either of them?

I'm on an 18 long Switchback and reckon it feels pretty good with a 40mm stem, certainly a good chunk longer than the previous version.

I'm a big fan of Stanton bikes but they'll blow your budget following the recent price hikes. Shame. The new Slackline is a particularly good bike to ride in my experience having borrowed one for a few weeks from Dan last year.

The Morf frames are pretty long and work well at 130mm fork.

I'm the same dimensions as you and find my new Slackline spot on (60 mm stem). It was superb at BPW last week and the paint work is lush (red).

I like the look of the Stantons, but like you say, can't justify the expense really.
Just booked the zero for this Saturday, so I'll report back on that. I'll spend this evening looking at the Crush, Ragley offerings and trans am. I couldn't find a Privee Oka in large which is what I think I need.
I'm demo'ing a large which will be my first taste of a longer bike.

As a cheaper and less trendy option you could try a 70mm stem on your whyte? My transition Covert is a medium frame with a 585mm top tube. I'm 5'10 but with a 30" leg. I have always run a 50mm stem. The bike always seemed fine to me until I bought my fatbike which has a 610 top tube coupled with a layback post and a 70mm stem. The fat bike is really comfy and the bike I ride most of the time. I went back to my full sus the other day and it just felt a cramped and quickly became uncomfortable. I rode it a couple of times to get used to it again but it still felt the same so I have slid my saddle right back and stuck a 70mm stem on it. It's only an inch or so but it has made a notable difference to the fit and feels a lot better. The 70mm stem has made sod all difference to the bikes handling. Might be worth a shot?

I got an Easton Haven (a great stem) off of here in 70mm for £20 in case it didn't work out but it's all good.

Certainly not as exciting as a new frame though.

John

Mondraker Vantage?

As tilly mentions the support from bird is like nothing else ive experienced. The frame warranty can even be carried over if you purchase a used one. You'll have a hoot on the demo. Looks like you have plenty of options to consider

I love my Dartmoor Primal 27.5 (the pic isn't mine, BTW).

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Large p7 frame from Sunset , cheeky discount and bang for bucks much better than the crush ,reynolds tubing too , 140mm forks but never out of place with 150s

So many options now!
John, I've been running a 50mm stem but got a 65mm arriving tomorrow as I wanted to see what difference it would make. I'm hoping it will create enough space to make me stick out the Whyte for a while longer. Problem is ive got it firmly in my head it's too short, so hoping the demo this wkend will help a bit with this.
It's not so much when seated, but when out the saddle on steaper stuff, I just feel too far over the front wheel and want more up front, we'll see. (Longer stem may exacerbate the problem but I'm still learning how this all works).

I'll have a look at that mondraker now.

Back to the bird, can I make a 130mm fork fit the am without ruining the handling/geo? The stealth black has caught my attention...

Thanks again for everyone's input

Interesting...

Sherpa and change the wheels?

If it's on the steep stuff then you could go with a riser bar, again minimum rise bars seem to be in fashion but some 30mm riser bars would probably help. A bigger fork would have a similar effect although just as expensive as a frame.

From what you are saying then a longer bike might not fix the issue. I have something for you to try and it's free, move your brake levers up, think around 15 degrees. It will feel very strange at first but stick with it. This massively helps on descents and you have much less chance of rolling your hands over the bars when using the brakes. It helps keep you in the centre of the bike and more behind the bars if that makes sense. I was told to do this by Jedi and it made a massive difference for me. I rarely get arm pump riding like this as you don't have to grip the bars as hard.

John

Thanks John, that makes sense. I'll try moving the brake levers this weekend and muck around with the stem lengths as well. I'll let you know how it goes.

Hi sorry I've just seen your post, I'm 5'7 and ride a small with a 35mm long 0 degree stem 20mm rise bars and sizing is perfect, the size guide on birds web site is pretty good to and the guys there will be able to advise. With reference to the 130mm pikes, you can usually just change the air shaft in them to adjust the travel (mine were 140mm stock and I switched out the shaft for the 130mm version) shafts are about £30 retail. Whole build came in at 11kg with pikes and full hope group set (no eight weeny parts apart from seatpost and bars) which is respectable.

Was in a similar situation as the OP and finally went for a Commy Meta HT frame which should arrive tomorrow. Pretty cheap and quite exciting, at least on paper...

Very competitive area. Pretty sure you'll be happy if you demo a zero tr!

For those still interested...

I demo'd the large tr around swinley but found it a bit too long - back ache and lack of response on tighter corners. Went back and demo'd the large am after finding I could lengthen my fork to accommodate this frame - loved it.

I'm taking it for a blast in peaslake next weekend to make sure, as this is where I generally ride.

I hope to have one by the end of the month!

Toby, two of us recently took the medium and the large TR out for a day, I'm 5ft10 and my mate 5ft11.

The two bikes felt very different, neither of us got on with the large and both liked the way the medium felt, it was more sprightly, responsive & fun.

I picked up my Medium TR on Saturday, first ride yesterday on my local trails and know I made the right choice.

If you can get a mate to take the medium TR when you have the AM then you can do a back to back test. (Bird only charged us the £10.00 for the pair).

That's a good shout actually. I didn't want to try the medium as it's only 10 or so mm longer than my current bike but worth finding out as demo's are cheap.
Thanks for the input.
Toby

Both the Oka and Shan from Production Privee will take 26 or 650b depending on dropouts....

Both are ace.

Always wanted a Shan myself...
Also look at Trillion cycles.
[url= ]Prime[/url]

If you want long, and you liked Whyte then try a Mondraker.

I got a 26" Shan frame for £250 off pinkbike and transferred all the bits off my old Enduro.

Spent around another £150 on bits that I didn't need, but wanted

For those interested....
Following a few demo days, I've ordered a zero am frameset. Extending my pike to 150 and all other components will cross over easily. As before mentioned by others, bird staff very helpful and accommodating to my needs.