I used to ride an 853 Inbred but didn’t like the ridiculously wide chainstays and lack of chainring clearance. I changed to a Pipedream 853 Sirius which I like a lot (and which won a big steel hardtail test in WMB). The Sirius is out of stock but the lighter (same geometry) 853 Scion has just become available and I’d have thought that that was worth a look. The price is £350ish, so a tad over your budget.
I am in a similar position, I definately want a steel hardtail…it is between the Cotic Soul or the Pipedream Scion…anybody have a frame weight for the Scion? Need to decide soon before I go mental.
The WMB grouptest was a rather eclectic (read ‘odd’) mix of bikes. If I remember rightly it was the Genesis Altitude (now replaced by the Latitude), Cove Handjob and Pipedream Sirius plus the Ragley Blue Pig, On-One 456 and Cotic BFe (longer travel bikes). The Sirius won but there’s no direct comparision to the Cotic Soul. For anyone interested the Sirius review is on Bike Radar (see the Related Articles box for the other reviews).
There were some comments early on on various forums that the Sirius was a bit ‘portly’ (although with my robust kit and less that sylvette frame I can’t say I notice it), possibly as a result of unplanned CEN testing; I like mine though! The Scion is meant to be the same geo. with narrower stays and geared (rather than sliding) dropouts – apparently it’s about 250g lighter than the Sirius.
Here’s mine set up as a ‘do it all’ on-road/off road/commutter and general riding around having fun bike.
— Edit —
No one’s mentioned the Merlin Rock Lobster 853, I’ve no experience of them but they’re often recommended on here and seem really light; currenty sub-£300. There doesn’t seem to be any info. on fork height though.
Also interested in trying/buying a piglet. Although does anybody know what steel the frame is made of or indeed the weight?
Piglets are built from our own design of tube, externally and internally butted tubing called Fathead. The material is 4130 chromoly. Worth pointing out the 30.9mm seat tube too for dropper post compatibility. And of course a 3 finger bridge for tyre and chainring clearance.