Does anyone still make a 2x XC hardtail?

Having sold my ‘gravel’ bike, and acknowledging that I just don’t like skinny tyres and drop bars (until the next time I think I ought to try it once more) I’m in the market for a new (to me at least) XC bike.

Budget is about a grand.

I want a 29er, XC orientated, 100mm – 120mm fork, 2x up front if possible. New or second hand, but appreciate new will be alloy at that price and not so sure on second hand carbon… Needs to be able to do everything including a sprint triathlon in the autumn, mtb marathons, bikepacking, and general trail riding.

Thoughts much appreciated.

Trek X Caliber 7 is still 2x in 2020. The X Caliber 8 from last year might still be available

https://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/cube-reaction-c-62-race-grey-n-orange-2×12-896204

Specialised Chisel fits all your criteria … other than 2x

https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/4137/products/cube-reaction-sl-29er-2018-hardtail-mountain-bike-mint.aspx

Cube still have some with 2x, saw them in shop yesterday….

Cotic SolarisMax frame is still 2x compatible, but not offered as a full build

Buy my Kinesis FF29 frame and I will leave the 2x XT stuff on there for you 🙂

edit, hadn’t read the price bit

You can get a 2x Specialized Chisel just not in this country. This is in budget even with postage from Germany:

https://www.bike24.com/p2351739.html?q=Specialized+chisel

I think that unless you’re at the pointy end of a sprint triathlon, which I doubt as you’re considering doing it on a MTB, then why limit yourself by only looking at 2x bikes?

1×11 or 12 will be more than enough IMHO. 32×11 can happily be span along at over 30kph, step that up to 34 at the front and you’re a couple of kph faster. In the case of 12 speed 34×10 gives you over 40kph @ 90rpm and more than enough low range to winch yourself up anything

1×11 or 12 will be more than enough IMHO.

And IMHO you are wrong. But then the OP wasn’t asking for either of our opinions.

I looked into this but even if you go for a 2x the largest chainrings they seem to offer are quite small, 36t I think?? Gone are the days of the huge range you could get with 3x.

It’s all a massive conspiracy scam to reduce the versatility of MTB’s so you have to buy more bikes!!!!

The range is still there, it’s just shifted down a bit. And wheel sizes are typically bigger, so a little  less of a loss at the top end than the gearing alone would indicate.

1×11 or 12 will be more than enough IMHO

This. It will open up to a much greater choice of bikes too.

1x does give much more choice, but I do envisage a fair bit of road bashing on mixed rides. I suppose SRAM or new Shimano 12sp with the 10t on the rear would do, with a 32t or 34t up front. Doable for bottom end with a 50t big ring on the casette.

I really liked my 2×10 on my Scandal 29er. 26/38 up front and 11-36 rear.

Anyone ridden an Orbea Alma?