• This topic has 23 replies, 17 voices, and was last updated 4 years ago by Clink.
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  • What fast, comfy hardtail?
  • Clink
    Full Member

    I want something fast and with a little ‘give’ for local riding in Somerset and the odd marathon. To complicate things I ideally want something that can also be run ss in winter and take a dropper.

    I’ve had a Trek alu superfly and a superfly ss in the past and stupidly sold them. They were great for fast xc/light trail riding.

    Currently I’m thinking SC Chameleon – possibly alu as can’t stand the carbon colour and apparently due to chain stay position you can’t run 32×18 on the carbon frame. Another option is a custom geo version somewhere between Sonder Broken Road and Signal.

    What else are people using for this type of bike? I’m not averse to steel but suspect they will be heavier than I want.

    DrP
    Full Member

    Can you afford Ti??

    Honestly, my travers angus SS (running rigid) is Sooooo comfy…

    I know one of the travers riders is selling a whole russTi with lauf for about £2k…

    DrP

    Clink
    Full Member

    Hello DrP!

    I can afford Sonder ti, Travers is a bit more spendy. TBH the I don’t like the look of the Travers frame, particularly the cable routing on the headtube.

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    DrP
    Full Member

    Coolio… having gone from Alu 29er (which was fine and dandy) to a ti frame, the comfort is pretty significant..

    Let us know what you go for!

    DrP

    guandax
    Free Member

    Stanton Switchback

    ianpv
    Free Member

    I’ve got a nearly new large chameleon in the sage green colour that I’m thinking of selling as a frame or maybe full bike – I’ve only had it a couple of months. I’m in Bristol if you want a look/go!

    bigginge
    Full Member

    I can give a thumbs up for the chameleon in this context. Strava says it’s pretty fast round my local trails and with 29×2.35 nobby nics on it is a comfy place to spend a good few hours.

    Clink
    Full Member

    Thanks – ianpv I have pm’d you.

    dove1
    Full Member

    Giant XTC Advanced?
    Can run 27.5, 27.5+ and 29 wheels and has sliding dropouts so can also run ss.

    thegeneralist
    Free Member

    Trek Procaliber.

    Clink
    Full Member

    Trek Procaliber.

    Ideal other than not a ss frame.

    fivealive
    Full Member

    transition vanquish… no looking back. Also some great 2018 frame deals around, max 34T front.

    al2000
    Full Member

    Stanton Slackline for 650b, or Sherpa for 29″.

    steve_b77
    Free Member

    Carbon or Ti if you want comfort and speed.

    mariner
    Free Member

    Stooge. Mk4 comes with ECB or can be spec’d with ti.

    Gotama
    Free Member

    I wouldn’t say the chameleon has give or is comfy. Sure there is some jiggery pokery at work when you slam the rear end into something but when you’re just riding along it’s as harsh as anything else. So as a marathon bike, not comfy per se, as a trail hardtail then it does have some give. By marathon i mean riding seated along bridleway/fire roads etc versus trail which is being rad to the max with jumps, smashing berms ya de ya de ya. I’m talking the alu model here. Certainly nothing like as comfy as my highball which i appreciate is carbon and also doesn’t fit your spec but as a comfy comparison it’s a different league.

    Clink
    Full Member

    Have you got the latest Highball Gotama? I like the look of the geo but no sliding drops.

    PJay
    Free Member

    There’s a new Singular Pegasus available on pre-order but details are a bit sparse on the Singular website; I’m sure Sam would give you the details.

    http://www.singularcycles.com/shop/titanium/

    Gotama
    Free Member

    Have you got the latest Highball Gotama? I like the look of the geo but no sliding drops.

    Yes, latest one. Santa Cruz rate it up to 120mm fork as well which would give it more of a trail orientation. The comfort in the stays/carbon lay-up etc is very noticeable when switching between hardtails. As you say though, if you want sliders/SS without a tensioner then it rules it out. Limitation with dropper as its a 27.2 post although the KS Lev i have seems to work perfectly well.

    Not sure where your budget lies given you mention custom but a Pivot Les would maybe fit the bill?

    Daffy
    Full Member

    Trek Stache?

    kynasf
    Free Member

    The SC Highball is a great bike. I found it plenty comfortable for long rides. I had a brief demo of the Transition Vanquish, but wasn’t so keen.

    kittyr
    Free Member

    I find my canyon exceed pretty comfortable for long XC rides

    bowglie
    Full Member

    I’ve got a Sonder Broken Rd and OH has a 1st generation Stanton Sherpa, both very nice but for me, I prefer the lighter weight and slightly softer edge of the Broken Rd.

    Clink
    Full Member

    Cheers for all the replies. Got a good offer on alu Chameleon from ianpv so will probably go for that. Giant would be a winner but as ever with their mtbs the medium is too small (sestpost past min insertion) and large too big (silly seat tube length/stand over).

    Bowglie are you running 29er wheels on BR and how nimble is it in singletrack with its long chainstays?

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