Following on from my previous thread about HT vs Gravel bikes. I don’t think a gravel bike is for me, I’ll keep my road bike for road riding. This will be to accompany my 160mm full sus.

I think the way to go for the odd road/bridleway/spontaneous adventure will be a XC type hardtail for me. Nothing too fragile/race bike
These seem commonly criticised as being ‘too racey’ but I’m suspecting they are going to be better than a full rigid gravel bike? And have a lot more off road ability.
Something 100mm ish travel for a bit of comfort.
But efficient enough to pedal for hours and still nice enough on flat gravel tracks or road connecting spins.

Something like a specialised chisel, cube reaction type thing?
Its very hard as everything is focused on ‘longer lower slacker’ and ‘descending focused’

Anyone understanding where I’m coming from and anyone got any bikes to consider?
£2k budget but doesn’t all need to be spent!
Don’t want gucci spec as the SE sand will soon ruin everything quickly. 🙂

New Sonder Dial?

https://alpkit.com/collections/sonder-dial-xc-bike

Thanks!
I like that Sonder, exactly the kinda thing I’m after

Super impressed by my Stanton Sherpa – definitely fun. Designed around 120 mm. Guess efficiency on road would depend on tyres (I’ve not been in a position for long rides yet due to illness but I’m optimistic). Full standard build with Taiwanese frame (which Shackleton has and really likes) £2.3k but maybe could be done cheaper with some second hand parts.

I’d have to +1 the Sonder

Also some of the Sensa stuff at Merlin looks like good vfm.

I was going to say also look at the ‘adventure’ style MTBs as these tend to be around 66-68 HA, 100-120mm fork, made for all day comfort and efficiency.

Canyon Grand Canyon? Very happy with mine which gets used when it’s a bit too much for the cx bikes.

On-one Whippet with plenty of of budget for some upgrades
https://www.planetx.co.uk/c/q/bikes/mountain-bikes/on-one-whippet

Guess efficiency on road would depend on tyres

I am stating the obvious but it is all about tyres. Put a set of 25c 200 gram road tyres on an MTB and it feels like it flies on the road. Put a set of knobbly 2.2 tyres on same bike and it feels slow and sluggish.

Answer, minimise time on the road or just accept it is slower and save your energy for off road.

I agree about the tyres thing.

My 120mm Marin Nail Trail HT kept up with my son on his CX bike for some light touring – when I put my 1.8 Mezcal’s on at 40psi….

I think your right about too much KoolAid (Rich Energy?) being drunk over Long Low Slack and a lot of focus on gnar, rather than 80% of the riding most folk do.

That Sonder looks ideal.

absolutely smitten with my gen 3 Stanton Slackline. £2.2k build from Stanton is OK, but if you’ve got some parts or happy to play a bit of bikediscount.de fun then there’s a ace build to be had at top of budget.

Slackline not really a xc hardtail mind, more of a trail bike.

Anyone understanding where I’m coming from and anyone got any bikes to consider?
£2k budget but doesn’t all need to be spent!
Don’t want gucci spec as the SE sand will soon ruin everything quickly.

I have a gucci specced carbon XC HT … I find myself using the over specced steel HT instead..with the wheels off the carbon XC…

Typically it’s 25-30kmm SE bridleway/towpath to the trails then 25-30km trails and 25-30kmm back so I’m surprised myself.. especially as its rocking a 160mm Pike but the reality is the 50-60k commute part is restricted in speed due to being on shared bridleways/towpaths etc. and the XC bike feels a bit like driving a tuned sports car through town… feels like it needs to go faster all the time (plus I’m very unfit at the moment so I’d be knackered)

It also doubles as a bike park bike.

I like the On one whippet.
But SRAM SX stuff is junk (from experience, its on my partners bossnut) so would need an instant upgrade, parts shortages and prices being high means the price instantly jumps up to the point of being more economical to just buy the nicer spec in the first place!

Also weight isn’t everything, but due to pretty mediocre spec (suspect cost saving to allow use of a carbon frame) it weighs over 13kg! With a rigid fork that certainly isn’t light.

Thanks for all opinions.

My eye was caught by a nukeproof digger also, but they are maybe a bit too ‘gravelly’

I bought the Whippet and immediately swapped the SX Eagle kit out for 11sp SRAM GX – it’s better quality, more reliable, I don’t need the 50T on an XC bike, and because 12sp is out of stock everywhere the cost-to-change is minimal after I’ve sold the 12sp setup. Win-win.

What about a Brother Mehteh? It’s very much like a drop bar rigid HT but more importantly it looks great!

Small bump.

I’m back looking at this, sonder seems top of the list.

Any other suggestions before I pull the trigger? 😬

I have a Whippet and it does exactly what you want. As per my many posts about it, it’s been through a few formats and rides well in every one.

The Sonder looks equally good though. If you can get a ride on one, a SC Chameleon might not be a bad thing to have a quick ride on.

A bit more playful but also rides well and can cope with more if you want to give it some.

I was looking at building up a Sonder as they look great but then I started looking at their other bikes and got confused by all the choice. If you get one, can you post your build on here?

Cheers.

There are always loads of secondhand xc bikes for sale as people either a) get the bug and want an 8kg carbon rocket or b) sack it because they aren’t fit enough and sell the bike.

I bought a (albeit non boost) Trek superfly with sid wc’s, xtr and carbon wheels about a year ago (when bikes were hot cakes) for £1400. Keep a hunt out? That sounder is nearly 5kg heavier!

Ref. your comments about the SX on the Whippet – PX now showing it with GX if that helps?

https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBOOWHGX/on-one-whippet-sram-gx-mountain-bike

£1300 leaves enough for a decent fork if you wanted one, though I really like the Selcof carbon.

Found myself in a similar position. I have a 140mm trail bike and a 130mm chameleon with plus tyres and a set of 29ers. I bought a whippet. Changed the components over and have an 11kg race ready 120mm hardtail now.
Go for the Whippet plus upgrades.

onecheshirecat, you interested in selling the Chameleon? 😁

@didnthurt that would be the last of my bikes to be sold. Super versatile!

Ive just got a Scott scale, basic spec, but has 12 speed, lockout for the fork and rides great. I’m no downhill loon but it’s seems to handle rocky, muddy stuff quite well in the peaks, doesn’t mind going up steep road climbs or gravel climbs, and can handle some woodland twisty bits too. I’d think any reasonable xc bike would be the same?

Can’t blame a man for trying 😉