Which hardtail? (Sorry!)
Discussion
So, I did post another thread the other day, and some of you will remember my old bike... A 2020 Kona Big Honzo ST.
Anyway, long story short, they gave me a full refund on that bike. Positive; but of course now there are stock issues and prices have gone up. Damn.
I'm getting more and more confident in what I want, but would love other people's views.
I am certain I want bolt-thru now. This is a must, because it just makes life so much easier.
I definitely want 1x, but this is pretty much a given these days.
I'd definitely want a 'decent' fork. The forks on the cheaper options below are all Recon Silver RL, which I think is 'OK'. My Kona had a Revelation, so I don't want to go too far backwards.
I am torn between perhaps a 'lesser' (in terms of gears) Shimano drivetrain, vs more gears in the SRAM Eagle range. My experience of my NX/SX mix on my Kona was that it seemed pretty good, but it did get out of alignment fairly quickly.
I know I definitely don't want steel again. I realised it was just too heavy to be enjoyable.
So that's kind of where my head is at. Current contenders are a bit different, but hear me out...
Ragley Big Al 2.0 (£1100) - I'd love a 29'er, but I'm not sure I'll have the patience to wait for this one.
Sonder Transmitter SX (£1000) - A 27.5+ bike. Now, although I actually found the Kona quite painfully slow on the 2.8 tyres, perhaps some of that was due to it being steel. Also, I have a 27.5+ wheel set spare, with an NX cassette already sat on it, which I bought for the Kona. This'd save me selling this setup, which I've not used, and cost me around £250.
There's also the Ragley Marley 2.0 (£1100) - Same spec as the Big Al above, but in 27.5 guise. I can get hold of one of these sooner, albeit only a couple of months.
Then there's the "sod it" option of the Bird Zero AM (another 27.5 bike). This I'd spec with: Deore 12-speed, Pike Select, Deore M6100 brakes. This comes in around £1650 if I leave off the dropper post. £1750 if I keep the dropper option. Likely though, this is perhaps overkill and not as good value as the other options.
I'm happy to go up to £2000 for any alternatives suggested, though closer to the Ragley price point the better.
Anyway, long story short, they gave me a full refund on that bike. Positive; but of course now there are stock issues and prices have gone up. Damn.
I'm getting more and more confident in what I want, but would love other people's views.
I am certain I want bolt-thru now. This is a must, because it just makes life so much easier.
I definitely want 1x, but this is pretty much a given these days.
I'd definitely want a 'decent' fork. The forks on the cheaper options below are all Recon Silver RL, which I think is 'OK'. My Kona had a Revelation, so I don't want to go too far backwards.
I am torn between perhaps a 'lesser' (in terms of gears) Shimano drivetrain, vs more gears in the SRAM Eagle range. My experience of my NX/SX mix on my Kona was that it seemed pretty good, but it did get out of alignment fairly quickly.
I know I definitely don't want steel again. I realised it was just too heavy to be enjoyable.
So that's kind of where my head is at. Current contenders are a bit different, but hear me out...
Ragley Big Al 2.0 (£1100) - I'd love a 29'er, but I'm not sure I'll have the patience to wait for this one.
Sonder Transmitter SX (£1000) - A 27.5+ bike. Now, although I actually found the Kona quite painfully slow on the 2.8 tyres, perhaps some of that was due to it being steel. Also, I have a 27.5+ wheel set spare, with an NX cassette already sat on it, which I bought for the Kona. This'd save me selling this setup, which I've not used, and cost me around £250.
There's also the Ragley Marley 2.0 (£1100) - Same spec as the Big Al above, but in 27.5 guise. I can get hold of one of these sooner, albeit only a couple of months.
Then there's the "sod it" option of the Bird Zero AM (another 27.5 bike). This I'd spec with: Deore 12-speed, Pike Select, Deore M6100 brakes. This comes in around £1650 if I leave off the dropper post. £1750 if I keep the dropper option. Likely though, this is perhaps overkill and not as good value as the other options.
I'm happy to go up to £2000 for any alternatives suggested, though closer to the Ragley price point the better.
I've recently bought a Merida Big Trail 500 and I'm really enjoying it - good geometry (65.5° head tube, 75.5° seat tube) and solid spec for the money - 140mm Recon, Shimano 1x11 (32 x 11-51 range), Shimano brakes (though only 2-pot), 29x2.4 Maxxis Dissector tyres.
The Recon is ok but (as expected for the price) doesn't compete with the Fox 34 Performance Elite on my other bike - I upped the pressure a bit and run it with 2-3 clicks of compression for a bit more support.
The Big Trail 600 version upgrades from the Recon to a Marzocchi Z2 (which I understand is basically a cut-price Fox 34 Rhythm) and Shimano 1x12. That would have been nice but the 600 doesn't seem to be available here in NZ yet, and the 500 was a sharp price.
Giant Fathom (current 2021 model) looks a good option too, its what I was looking for until I discovered the Big Trail at my local bike shop.
Now that the 1x11 (and maybe even some 1x10?) drivetrains have the same range as 1x12 I don't see any real advantage in the 1x12 - a couple of years ago it seemed that you had to go 12-speed to get a wide enough range on a 1x, but that isn't the case anymore. The Shimano 1x11 on the Big Trail shifts just as well if not better than the GX Eagle 1x12 on my Trance.
The Recon is ok but (as expected for the price) doesn't compete with the Fox 34 Performance Elite on my other bike - I upped the pressure a bit and run it with 2-3 clicks of compression for a bit more support.
The Big Trail 600 version upgrades from the Recon to a Marzocchi Z2 (which I understand is basically a cut-price Fox 34 Rhythm) and Shimano 1x12. That would have been nice but the 600 doesn't seem to be available here in NZ yet, and the 500 was a sharp price.
Giant Fathom (current 2021 model) looks a good option too, its what I was looking for until I discovered the Big Trail at my local bike shop.
Now that the 1x11 (and maybe even some 1x10?) drivetrains have the same range as 1x12 I don't see any real advantage in the 1x12 - a couple of years ago it seemed that you had to go 12-speed to get a wide enough range on a 1x, but that isn't the case anymore. The Shimano 1x11 on the Big Trail shifts just as well if not better than the GX Eagle 1x12 on my Trance.
Edited by GravelBen on Thursday 25th March 04:00
Sonder Signal TI. Picked one up about 15months ago and its incredibly versatile. I picked the base spec SX as I figured I'd swap out bits the to spec I wanted as they wore/broke. it didn't take long for me to bust the rear SX/NX? mech (snapped at mount following a chain jam mis-shift) swapped to a GX mech, The cheap SRAM cartridge BB rattled to death in 6mths, swapped for a raceface crank/bb I had lying around). I replaced the relatively heavy wheels on a whim as I wanted an XD driver cassette (GX 10-50) and lighter rolling, found some raceface wheels in a sale. I kept the old wheels as spares ready for road/gravel rides (with suitable tyres) . I fitted a dropper seat post and ended up swapping the front forks (rockshox Recon?) for some Pikes as the originals are fooking heavy. though they did a robust if basic job of keeping it suspended. All in it still cost me less than the higher end specs Signal TI versions. I guess the only fly in the ointment these days is availability and costs have gone up since I got mine at a bargain price. I've since swapped to shimano XT RD and shifter as the GX mech decided to go on a go slow on downshifts, luckily before parts availability dried up. The original WTB tyres were ok in most of the local peat/mud/roots conditions if a little draggy, swapped to my fav Schwalbe MM soft front and just fitted a Maxis Recon soft on the rear as its started to dry out locally and what's not to like about easier rolling on the uphills.
Mereda Big Trail with the bomber fork, though I don't rate the 34 rhythm that well, lacks small bump sensitivity when like me you've been spoiled with rockshox pikes.
Bike itself is nice and slack and low at the rear like a trail bike should be. Maybe upgrade the forks on one of the lower models
Bike itself is nice and slack and low at the rear like a trail bike should be. Maybe upgrade the forks on one of the lower models
GravelBen said:
I've recently bought a Merida Big Trail 500 and I'm really enjoying it - good geometry (65.5° head tube, 75.5° seat tube) and solid spec for the money - 140mm Recon, Shimano 1x11 (32 x 11-51 range), Shimano brakes (though only 2-pot), 29x2.4 Maxxis Dissector tyres.
The Recon is ok but (as expected for the price) doesn't compete with the Fox 34 Performance Elite on my other bike - I upped the pressure a bit and run it with 2-3 clicks of compression for a bit more support.
The Big Trail 600 version upgrades from the Recon to a Marzocchi Z2 (which I understand is basically a cut-price Fox 34 Rhythm) and Shimano 1x12. That would have been nice but the 600 doesn't seem to be available here in NZ yet, and the 500 was a sharp price.
Giant Fathom (current 2021 model) looks a good option too, its what I was looking for until I discovered the Big Trail at my local bike shop.
Now that the 1x11 (and maybe even some 1x10?) drivetrains have the same range as 1x12 I don't see any real advantage in the 1x12 - a couple of years ago it seemed that you had to go 12-speed to get a wide enough range on a 1x, but that isn't the case anymore. The Shimano 1x11 on the Big Trail shifts just as well if not better than the GX Eagle 1x12 on my Trance.
I am definitely worried about a Recon being 'just OK', but I'm sure I am not talented enough to notice the difference. Besides, my previous bike was a Cannondale SL3 from 2012 with a coil fork!The Recon is ok but (as expected for the price) doesn't compete with the Fox 34 Performance Elite on my other bike - I upped the pressure a bit and run it with 2-3 clicks of compression for a bit more support.
The Big Trail 600 version upgrades from the Recon to a Marzocchi Z2 (which I understand is basically a cut-price Fox 34 Rhythm) and Shimano 1x12. That would have been nice but the 600 doesn't seem to be available here in NZ yet, and the 500 was a sharp price.
Giant Fathom (current 2021 model) looks a good option too, its what I was looking for until I discovered the Big Trail at my local bike shop.
Now that the 1x11 (and maybe even some 1x10?) drivetrains have the same range as 1x12 I don't see any real advantage in the 1x12 - a couple of years ago it seemed that you had to go 12-speed to get a wide enough range on a 1x, but that isn't the case anymore. The Shimano 1x11 on the Big Trail shifts just as well if not better than the GX Eagle 1x12 on my Trance.
Edited by GravelBen on Thursday 25th March 04:00
On the Ragley (my current favourite), the 10-speed is only 11-46 range, rather than the newer stuff which has 11-51 I believe? I'm not sure how big a difference that'll make. My NX/SX mix on the Kona had a 11-50 range. Anyone got thoughts on this? That's my biggest concern. In reality, I spend most of my time either in the lowest gear, or in the highest gear, so the range isn't as important per se.
Love the look of the Big Trail. 3x mounts for bottles / tools are a huge plus for me. Also has the higher range of gears, which could answer some issues too. Great suggestion.
Bathroom_Security said:
Mereda Big Trail with the bomber fork, though I don't rate the 34 rhythm that well, lacks small bump sensitivity when like me you've been spoiled with rockshox pikes.
Bike itself is nice and slack and low at the rear like a trail bike should be. Maybe upgrade the forks on one of the lower models
That's the feedback I've seen across most places - the Pikes are hard to beat. I think if I was spending that sort of money (£1500) then I'd be better spending that tiny bit more for the Bird Zero AM and getting that with a Pike. Wouldn't I?Bike itself is nice and slack and low at the rear like a trail bike should be. Maybe upgrade the forks on one of the lower models
Trouble like you say in your origional post is stock.
Canyon - out
Saracen - Out (but looks great https://www.saracen.co.uk/collections/hardtail-lsl...
Ragley - Out ( the purple is delicious https://www.wiggle.co.uk/ragley-mmmbop-hardtail-bi...
Or buy the right one
https://www.stifmtb.com/collections/santa-cruz-cha...
Absolutely love mine, use it in 29er flavour and Plus
Canyon - out
Saracen - Out (but looks great https://www.saracen.co.uk/collections/hardtail-lsl...
Ragley - Out ( the purple is delicious https://www.wiggle.co.uk/ragley-mmmbop-hardtail-bi...
Or buy the right one
https://www.stifmtb.com/collections/santa-cruz-cha...
Absolutely love mine, use it in 29er flavour and Plus
vwsurfbum said:
Pulse said:
As an additional question, does anyone know if you can upgrade from Deore 10-Speed in the future to Deore 12-speed without hub changes, etc.?
Yes but you would still need new mech and shifter.So there is potential that a 12-speed SRAM SX/NX may be a better base, given that is Microspline, and would allow for upgrade in future to Deore/SLX/XT 12.
vwsurfbum said:
Trouble like you say in your origional post is stock.
Canyon - out
Saracen - Out (but looks great https://www.saracen.co.uk/collections/hardtail-lsl...
Ragley - Out ( the purple is delicious https://www.wiggle.co.uk/ragley-mmmbop-hardtail-bi...
Or buy the right one
https://www.stifmtb.com/collections/santa-cruz-cha...
Absolutely love mine, use it in 29er flavour and Plus
The Santa Cruz is lovely, and it's long been a dream for me to own a Santa Cruz (ever since playing California Games on the Master System!), but the spec just isn't there, and I don't need or want the other features like modular dropouts. I had that on the Kona, but it wasn't a reason I bought it.Canyon - out
Saracen - Out (but looks great https://www.saracen.co.uk/collections/hardtail-lsl...
Ragley - Out ( the purple is delicious https://www.wiggle.co.uk/ragley-mmmbop-hardtail-bi...
Or buy the right one
https://www.stifmtb.com/collections/santa-cruz-cha...
Absolutely love mine, use it in 29er flavour and Plus
You're right on stock though. The purple is now on the Big Al 2.0, which is the one I really want, but it's September delivery. That's just too long for me to wait, I think.
My other option is to buy something 'stop gap' like a Vitus Nucleus (currently only the 8-speed version is in stock though), and then buy another bike later in the year and flog the Vitus.
Pulse said:
vwsurfbum said:
Pulse said:
As an additional question, does anyone know if you can upgrade from Deore 10-Speed in the future to Deore 12-speed without hub changes, etc.?
Yes but you would still need new mech and shifter.So there is potential that a 12-speed SRAM SX/NX may be a better base, given that is Microspline, and would allow for upgrade in future to Deore/SLX/XT 12.
SRAM is better anyway
If you are interested in a Merida then I would suggest giving their head office a call. I spoke to a super helpful guy who was able to tell me which LBS were getting stock and when. Quick call to the first one on the list (Primera Bournemouth), they had what I wanted in stock (Big Trail 500 like the poster above), result. Saved me having to call round endless shops to find one.
Terra1 said:
If you are interested in a Merida then I would suggest giving their head office a call. I spoke to a super helpful guy who was able to tell me which LBS were getting stock and when. Quick call to the first one on the list (Primera Bournemouth), they had what I wanted in stock (Big Trail 500 like the poster above), result. Saved me having to call round endless shops to find one.
Cheers. The Merida is certainly a good proposition. Ideally I want to buy with Halfords Cycle2Work vouchers, which is making things a little bit more tricky!Pulse said:
Cheers. The Merida is certainly a good proposition. Ideally I want to buy with Halfords Cycle2Work vouchers, which is making things a little bit more tricky!
I was in the exact same position, you can use those at Primera alongside a load of other LBS'. For me the delay is not the stock but waiting for the frigging vouchers to be processed via my benefits system! The bike is sitting there with my name on it, sad times.Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff