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I'd like to get a bike for some all round biking around the woods. Figured a 29" hardtail with 100-120mm of travel would be suited. I really like the look of the steel frames, and I've also hard they are somewhat more forgiving due to rigidity.
I've been looking around at bikes for some days, but can't really make up my mind. For reference, I am 185cm (6'1) and have an inseem about 90 cm (35.4").
[b]Here are some bikes I've been looking at:[/b]
*[b]Ritchey P29er[/b]-perhaps a little too race oriented for my needs (2.25" tires max)
*[b]On one Ti 29er[/b]-This is a titanium bike but it really seems to tick some of the boxes for me. PlanetX also seems to have some deals on this right now. (2k sterling for SRAM X01 and RS reba forks).
*[b]Niner SIR 9[/b]-I really like the Niner SIR 9, and have so ever since I first saw it some years ago. Being American made it will really cost some coins to get it here to Sweden.
*[b]Stanton slackline[/b] - I really like this bike but it seems a bit pricey aswell. Do they do any discount rounds around fall?
Any other advice for steel hardtails? It seems this time a year it shouldnt be impossible to get a discounted bike.
Appreciate any advice. Have a great weekend!
Stanton Sherpa I've had two of them and it's a bike I really regret selling
Slackline is 650b. You need the Sherpa.
That said I'd also look at the Cotic Solaris (I am biased here).
Just built and shake down ridden a large P29er. Lovely frame, fun to ride, very chuckable and easy to maneuver, doesn't feel too racey even though I have 2.1s F n R. Obviously if you need more cush then an option that I went for is a suspension seat post.
Genesis Tarn 29 is a fun bike.
Onza Payoff? Have a large for sale if interested, but is a genuinely goo steel frame.
Pace r127+ which you can run plus or 29er.
Cotic Solaris?
Production privee shan gt, but won't be discounted....
Cotic Solaris Max which will take either normal 29 wheels or 27.5Plus (mini Fat). I demoed both (takes just a min to swap wheels over) and the Fat version certainly made me smile ! Sort of two bikes in one. Now on my woshnlist of I move from 26 for my hardtail. Have a look to see if there is a demo near you soon.
http://www.cotic.co.uk/product/solarisMAX
Curtis are always a good option. UK made, brazed lovelyness.
The Stanton Sherpa seems like a really nice bike. It's quite similar to On One Ti 29er, but slightly more head angle. I suppose the 2 degree angle is negligable in difference?
The Cotic Solaris seems great too.
Production Privee fits the bill aswell, but there are no complete bikes.
Do Stanton or Cotic ever do any fall sales? I'd preferably like to buy a complete bike since I don't have any parts lying around.
Thanks for all the response!
Both Stanton and Cotic do complete bikes (they will even go custom to an extent). I know as I've done exactly this from both.... 😳
Cotic only tend to discount when they are at the end of a particular model (or colour), not time driven.
Last year Stanton did a pretty hefty Black Friday discount but I've no idea if it'll be repeated this year.
I'm talking about in the UK though.
At 6'1" you might find the Sherpa a touch short. Check the numbers.?
Ye I've seen they have complete bikes! Production Privee didnt though.
I figured the 19" Sherpa could fit me, but perhaps it's too small. are you saying even the 21" is too small?
Kona Honzo, it's like taking a nuke to a knife fight.
I figured the 19" Sherpa could fit me, but perhaps it's too small. are you saying even the 21" is too small?
I'm saying I personally find the large at 6' a touch short for me. YMMV. Check the numbers, but even better, get a demo (if you can). Might be perfect for [i]you[/i], who knows. 😀
Sorry, bit of reading comprehension failure by me on the complete bikes bit.... 😳
This is my first MTB in some time, so when it comes to sizing I don't have much to go by other than recommendations.
Is there no love for the On One Ti 29er? Does titanium ride differently from steel?
I suppose the 2 degree angle is negligable in difference?
Two degrees is a lot - the slacker bike with be noticeably more confidence inspiring on steep or rough trails.
FTFY.... 😉Two degrees is a [b]hell of a [/b]lot
You'd definitely notice that amount!
On One are not in the same quality league as your other choices, hence the price tag. And Ti ain't steel neither... 😉
What you want to ride and how you want it set up makes a difference (hence my Sherpa short comment) if you don't mind a 70mm stem no probs, running 50mm was for me a mistake....
Ragley bigwig would be worth A look, long,low and sensibly slack. Pretty good frame and if interested I'm selling my XL one 😉 that would be a good fit for you and at a good price due to upgrade
Cotic tend to offer discounts on frames when they are moving to a new version or have extra frames to move on, eg I got my BFe for £300 vs £400 list that way. Occasional ex-demo bike sales. They don't offer autumn sales as such as they don't have an annual release schedule. I would buy a good used Solaris (£1000-1500) before a new bike for similar money from another brand. Might struggle to find a Max but you could get lucky or just stick with the 29 setup
On One people have had various good and bad experiences. Certaintly appealing price wise
Loving my Niner Sir 9. The EBB makes taking the wheel out very easy so no bothering about taking a spanner and Allen key when you are out riding and re adjusting the brake caliper every time you have a puncture. It also means changing to a geared set up is straight forward as well and the frame comes with both a gear hanger and single speed version. For added fun the carbon forks make winter riding stress free with fork servicing.
IME, the whole assumption that steel is more comfortable ended when CEN came along.
The flip side is, I reckon that designers have worked a lot harder since to improve design and and the days of 7.5lb trail hard tails are gone (anyone remember the first post CEN Orange P7?)
Anyway, my point is that choosing a steel hardtail because 'its more comfortable' is basically a misnomer these days.
It seems like you already know what kind of riding you want it for, so I'd shortlist some based on geometry and reviews and completely ignore frame material; then test ride where possible and choose the one you like the most. At 6ft 1, I reckon you'll be looking at the L/XL crossover point.
Will have an xl cotic Solaris up for sale soon, pm me if you're interested and I can send you some pics/details
Did someone mention Stanton Sherpa?
[url= https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4257/35885840765_be92ff78af_o.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4257/35885840765_be92ff78af_o.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/WF7jdv ]Woods behind the Nationwide, Swindon.[/url]
Pity they chopped down the trees. Still it opened up the views.Woods behind the Nationwide, Swindon.
There was an article in 'news' a couple or three months ago about how Charge bikes were getting back into steel. Might be worth a look.
Definitely worth considering the Cotic Solaris!
Cotic Solaris / SolarisMAX and Stanton Sherpa both seems like great bikes fitting the bill.
Lummox, I can't pm you regarding the Solaris. I really would be interested in buying a used bike, but isnt an XL too big for me?
I haz a Curtis XC9 and a Niner MCR9 (forebear of the SIR9 but without the EBB)
Both are brilliant. The MCR has better rear mud clearance but the rather old skool steep HA makes it a bit more 'playful'.
If I was doing it again I'd go for the Onzo Payoff - not ridden one but looks really good and very cheap.
I'd not touch an On One - geo rarely matches tables on website, issues with quality control, customer service etc
Hi again
I'm 6'5" and the frame has great stand over for me, not sure on the actual recommended size for the xl, I do know they're 'rare' for the simple reason that the market for tall folk is more limited.
Happy to answer more questions if you like, if I get myself sorted I'll have it in the classifieds this weekend with pictures etc.
I ride a 21'' Sherpa and find it a good fit at 6'3 (on a good day)
I'm shorter in the leg that the OP and can comfortably run a 125mm reverb.
Standover would only be a problem in flip-flops right by the HT with a 120mm fork.
Another Onza Payoff owner here. Rides really well and I have had lots of people comment on how nice it looks. Good value as well.
I'm the same height as you, my choice was between the Solaris & Sherpa.
Wanted something steel (or Ti), not massive & certainly not a stupid long and slack thing, it was for riding work work on the SDW, winter blatting around the local woods, pub bike, occasional XC races, winter training etc. Essentially a bit of everything.
I ended up with a 19" Solaris, just because that's what came up second hand first.
Not having had a HT for a long time, I was a little apprehensive of if I would like it or not. Turns out i'm really enjoying it.
Thumbs up. I'm sure i'd feel the same with the Sherpa 🙂
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Just leave this here
Last FastForward most capable hardtail I have ever owned, and I have had a few.
Thanks for all the advice. It seems no matter what I am looking at I'm always falling back on the Cotic Solaris. If anyone has a large they'd like to sell, please let me know!
Cotic Solaris you say?
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Here's mine. Tested one back-to-back with a Sherpa and much preferred it. Not for sale though. In fact, if I were to die, you'd probably have to fight my mates for it 🙂
I have a large mk1 frame in blue available, only done 400 miles from new if interested
My near new ragley big wig is still here £295 Ono! Worth a look
