What hardtail?

Thinking about replacing my much loved but over- stretched Pinnacle Lithium with a proper hardtail. The lithium is a good all rounder, but I tend to ride it like a mtb rather than a hybrid these days, meaning I’d rather get something more specific that is more capable.

Criteria:

approx £1000 but could maybe go a little higher, ideally a bit lower though!

120-140mm fork

Boost axles

1x drivetrain

compliant rather than over built and harsh frame. I tend to keep bikes a long time and happy to upgrade over the years, so I want to get the frame right.

modern geo – 64 to 66 ha and 76+sta / decent reach figure available

reasonable seat tube length – I’m 6ft 2 with long legs.

any material considered but budget will probably mean alloy

ideally not a monotone colour – my full suss is grey and i hate it!

Ideally available from a retailer that does cycle to work

I’ve seen quite a few models that look decent and meet most of the criteria above – Orbea Laufey / Merida Big Trail / voodoo bizango – but not got experience of any of them.

thanks – anyone with specific experience of what any recommendations ride like would be particularly helpful!

Orbea Laufey / Merida Big Trail / voodoo bizango

All get reasonable reviews.

I built up a Ragley Marley frame from the Chain Reaction closing down sale, that would probably also fit your criteria.

I’d probably look for a 2nd hand deal on a Merida Big Trail… These have been very popular bikes during COVID, but now clogging up the classifieds for a fraction of their original price with minimal miles under their tyres…

Anyway… Great bike, would fit the bill very well. I’ve seen the higher spec version with Marzocchi Z2 fork, 12spd Shimano etc. for as little as £750 2nd hand in VGC…

One word of warning though… Size up! They do come out a little small… At 6ft2 you’ll firmly be on the XL…

Calibre Line T3 29 or 275. Under £1k, really good geometry, can go and sit on them in a real life shop (Go Outdoors), they ride really nice and there’s nothing on them that needs to be upgraded straight away.

Orange Crush 29 comp £1099 from sunset cycles

https://www.sunsetmtb.co.uk/shop/index.php?product_id=11495&category_id=82

Or Orange P7 for £1400 from the same shop.

on one scandal has to be on the shortlist.

Thanks all for the suggestions so far. The Calibre looks great value, hadn’t considered them. The Orange looks nice but reading the description might be more in the robust and very stiff camp rather than compliant for general trail riding? Will see what test rides I can sort, just always good to hear real world experience from people on here!

6’2″ and also with long legs, I’ve an On One Scandal in large.

Feels good and highly capable – everything from trail riding to bike-packing.

It’s comfy, done plenty of +70 mile off-road days on it and handles well.

Running a 200mm dropper.

Bizango carbon if you can stretch. I impulse bought one recently and it’s a really nice bike