I need to replace my Scale 710 plus hardtail in order to preserve my lower back.
Its tremendously competent in anything and everything around here and while I'm set on a hardtail over the sloppy months, the Scale is just too harsh and the reach is shorter than my Genius.
I doubt theres anything steel out there that'll take a 3.8 tire like the Scale would if I could find one.. so 27.5x3.0" will do as I don't want to be getting into a fat bike frame..although I will be running 29x2.4 Barons more than anything else
I was all set to order a Solaris Max (L) but I wondering what the comparables are?
Mixing 29 and 27.5 plus tyres
The Solaris ticks the weight box as I'd like to be building at 28 lbs
~480-490 reach in a large, ~65deg HA, 140-160fork
NS Eccentric has a bit of extra weight over the Solaris
Nordest Bardino, again weight'ier
Pace 529, not quite enough tyre clearance?
Guerrilla Gravity pedalhead, not traditional enough tubing wise
Pipedream Moxie, nice but a bit heavier again
RSD Middlechild, heavy, not quite enough tyre clearance?
Chromag Primer, bit porky and pricey, nice that its welded in Squamish though
The only reason I haven't pressed buy on the Solaris is because I've had a 26" Soul (2013) but my 2006 Rocky Mountain Blizzard was much better!
Am I limiting myself by focusing on the svelt weight of the Solaris?
help me spend my money 🙂
pipedream moxie wont take a 29 wheel. well, it will, but 2.3 max. They used to advertise it as taking 29 but have since added a caveat that the width is limited due to buyers reporting rub. the frame flexes and a 2.35 schwalbe in the rear rubs.
What about those BR ones (name?)
edit BTR
What about Orange?
I wouldn't discount the Eccentric just because of the weight.
My thoughts on the frame:
I've been looking for exactly the same, went for the solaris in the end, XL frame landed yesterday, looking forward to building it.
I had the 130 travel boost forks already so that ruled out some of the longer travel frames like the Bardino.
I couldn't find anything else on paper that suited 29 and 27.5+ as well as the solaris. Bb drop appears to be smack in the middle of the 2 wheel sizes at - 58 ish.
Liked the new pace frames but the 529 was tight for big 29 tyres and bb was prob too low for plus.
The solaris will take a 29 x 2.6 nobby nic easily so I've seen so that's another tyre option to play with too.
Going to be interesting as I've not owned a HT in about 20 years.
"Chromag Primer, bit porky and pricey, nice that its welded in Squamish though"
Will Mike Truelove make you want you want with lighter tubes and less cost than having the Chromag mark up?
It is all very well choosing a frame which will take a fat 29" tyre, but the bb height difference between fat 29 and a 27.5 x 2.8 is going to be noticeable. At least, that's what I've found.
Have you checked the Solaris is good for 3in tyres?
It's great with 2.8 b-plus or 29in anyway - handles the BB difference fairly well - so long as you like a low BB!
I’ve just ordered a 2019 genesis tarn bit from what I recall it’s heavy. Takes 3” tyres or 2.4 29r though. Fair but cheaper than their others you mention.
If money was no object BTR would be on wish list.
Shug is bang on weight wise and would need xl for the reach.
Seems odd it's framekit only though as I wouldn't want that fork.
Bird zero 29 looks good
But if you back hurts what about a Tallboy🤑
Seems odd it’s framekit only though as I wouldn’t want that fork
Its not, even though it says that on the page. The frame is £995.
Not looking for an alloy frame, already at n+1 so no room for another full squish bike 😉
Pipedream reviewed the width on the rims, not the tyres. And keep in mind that's for the shortest chainstay position.
When I had mine I used to run 2.4 Ardents on Flows EX with dropouts in the rearmost position and had a ton of clearance. Could go easily for a 2.5 tyre.
How's that for "pipedream Moxie wont take a 29 wheel"??
A Genesis Tarn with an angleset would come close. 27x3 and 29x2.6 compatible. Be a good 'budget' alternative (although doesn't ride like a budget alternative)
My moxie only works with the 2.3 DHR in the longest setting, wheel won't turn otherwise. Great frame, but shit cs yoke design.
Solaris St was too slack for me, and the bird BB drop looks like a pedal bashing nightmare (and has old fashioned long seat tubes).
So, Solaris, moxie, shug...in ascending price order.
I've done my stint on a pink bike (Raleigh apex) and not sure I could carry it off again though 😉
Cheers all.
Howsyourdad1, sorry if it sounded Aggro, wasn't the intention.
Anyway, for me the only Moxie problem was the chainstay length. The short position is too short and besides compromising tyre clearance it makes the rear end too nervous and removes weight from the front.
If I was the designer, the longest position would be my short one.
My mate has a Moxie. He has 29 wheels for it, but not used them much. He loves it on the chubbies - took him a while to get used to it, but he loves it now. It’s a nice looking thing… felt quite different to my SolarisMax. They are both M but his is loooooong.
I run my SolarisMax with a 140mm fork. As I’ve said before, at 5ft11 and short legs, Cy reckons I should be on a large but I just prefer the smaller frame. This version has the extra length in the TT where I need it and I can easily run a 170mm dropper.
The 29 thing is interesting. I wanted to be able to run 29 for the winter. But with a Magic Mary 2.8 on the front and a ForeKaster 2.6 on the back, there’s no need to switch wheels sizes to get ‘better’ tyres. I’ve ridden this and the previous gen solarismax on 29 and I much prefer it on the chubbies.
Final thing I’d say is while it’s good to use dimensions/angles etc to narrow down your choice, I’m not convinced they offer anything more than that. Got to ride them before you choose one!
Good point Alex, the Solaris' long chainstays will offer a bit more comfort than some of the rivals with shorter ones - I strongly suspect.
As a previous back pain sufferer, I didn't think I'd be riding rugged terrain on a HT again - but it's quite do-able on the new Solaris.
I’m on the wrong side of 50 and suffered with back issues like anyone spending too long sitting in chairs and staring at screens 😉 I’ve ridden my SolarisMax in the Quantocks, a couple of rocky Black Mountains routes, Long Mynd and many full day rides out in the FoD.
Back has been fine. There’s something about the spring in the frame (possibly placebo) and the fat tyres at 12PSI (definitely not placebo!). Also 8 months of Pilates might be helping.
It’s been keeping my Bird Aeris 120 in the shed. I just love riding it. And not cleaning it!
A Genesis Tarn with an angleset would come close. 27×3 and 29×2.6 compatible. Be a good ‘budget' alternative (although doesn’t ride like a budget alternative)
Can't fit an angleset to a Tarn, external cups top and bottom (34/47 internal head tube diameters). They didn't change that for the new style 2019 frames either, according to their website.
But I agree, I love mine, feels right with the 68 degree head angle.
On my Moxie I always use the longest position, and have plenty of room for 29 2.35 Hans Damph 2, or 2.4 DHR 2 WT. I have 30mm internal width rims and absolutely love this bike.
How much adjustment is there from short to long?
Web says 415+ but not +how much.
Can’t fit an angleset to a Tarn, external cups top and bottom (34/47 internal head tube diameters). They didn’t change that for the new style 2019 frames either, according to their website.
Ah fair enough. I hadn't realised that, just assumed you could due to the tapered headtube. Like you I like mine at 68 degrees.
For comfort, I'm running 29er 2.3 tyres on 30mm rims on my Solaris - its a fair bit faster and more choice out there than Plus, but pretty close in comfort. Was planning on getting a Plus wheelset eventualy but not sure I'll bother now.
The Moxie's dropouts have 16mm of adjustment range
Im very tempted by a ritchey Timberwolf at the moment
Merlin has the large reach as 406 on the timberwolf. Think that rules it out under the opening request for "long". That's about 80mm shorter than the minimum I'd expect for a long
@BearBack you seen my Brodie Climbmax? Another option? I've not tried it 29 yet and not sure on clearance for massive 29 tyres but I'm enjoying it with 27.5 x 2.8 with plenty of clearance. I'm sure you could pop down to YVR to check one out in the flesh too?
This sort of stuff is well beyond me I'm afraid, but it's unusual for a thread like this not to mention Curtis bikes; they're pricey I believe (for steel) but do do custom options.
Pete, yep, i was looking at these the other day whilst trying to go through all local/builder with history.
Looks great but a little short still. Seem to be sold out also.
Hope you're well!
Curtis, yep $$
Fingers crossed for Boxing Day frame sales.. !
Production privee gt goes to 2.8, maybe even 3.0 and is a beautiful frame.
https://www.sunsetmtb.co.uk/shop/index.php?product_id=6829&category_id=297
Bargain.
No ones mentioned the On One dee dar yet, is that because they really are monumentally budget?
I'm also looking for a reasonably priced steel 29 hardtail.
Has anyone ridden a p7 29 and a Solaris max? Looking for the most compliant rear end really, also for my poor old back.
Kryton the dee dar is not 29er or 650b+, is not at all long and is only moderately slack. Probably why its not mentioned!
Shan GT is super nice but 1 lb heavier and really quiet short out front.
On-One, even if they had a frame that fit the bill, I couldn't do it, sorry 😉
Stanton sherpa? Rode the shat out of a 1st gen for 3 years & just started riding the 2nd gen & loving it.
Stanton bikes are brilliant to deal with & Dan stanton not only knows his stuff but is a really nice bloke 😎
Update, Solaris max ordered!
28.5lbs with the heavy rear tire.
Will throw a 2.4 MK3 with a SendNoodz once I've taken the opportunity to get fit with the Trail King!
Fun snow ride door to door! Mad hatter, Eds bypass, Man Boobs, Leave of Absence, Rollercoaster for those who've ridden Squamish
Can’t fit an angleset to a Tarn, external cups top and bottom (34/47 internal head tube diameters). They didn’t change that for the new style 2019 frames either, according to their website.
You can on the beautiful but speedy Ti version. It’s also slightly slacker with stock headset.