What 27.5&29er hardtail

[Hugo Stiglitz]

I recently had a Genesis Tarn 29er hardtail with Pikes and loved it. I regret selling it....



So frame, got to be compatible with both wheelsizes upto circa 2.4/2.6 width, not too slack.

Light but not mega expensive.


Suggestions?

[Simes205]

Santa Cruz Chameleon.
Mines on 29 but I can run 27.5 too.

[GravelBen]

How slack is too slack for you? 64? 67? 69 deg XC bike?

Edited by GravelBen on Sunday 16th May 08:29

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Around 67 I'd good. 64 and I won't want to pedal it on the flats etc.

[ar-em-en]

Depends on your budget but stanton make some fantastic hardtails- frames or full builds but theres a wait involved particularly for full builds.

I'm very pleased with my switchback but it seems youd be looking more at a sherpa or slackline if you went with them.

[Mr E]

I keep looking at Bird Zero’s - and then wincing at the price.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Looking at bogstandard 4130 chromo frames. They are now 650-700?+ Wtf.

[GravelBen]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

Around 67 I'd good. 64 and I won't want to pedal it on the flats etc.

Obviously far from the only factor in geometry and feel, but a good starting point. I find the 65.5 of my Merida Big Trail pretty good all-round, but maybe not quite what you're after.

Trek Roscoe is 67 (also shorter reach and slacker seat tube than newer designs). But maybe not as light as you're after?

Canyon Grand Canyon 67.5.

Giant Fathom, Kona Honzo, Norco Fluid, Specialized Fuse all 66 - 66.5 trail hardtails (and options I was looking at before ending up with the Merida).

Specialized Chisel 68 and lighter more XC weight, might suit you?

I'm not too familiar with the smaller less mainstream manufacturers you get there though, probably plenty more options I don't know of.

Edited by GravelBen on Sunday 16th May 11:08

[yellowjack]

Mr E said:

I keep looking at Bird Zero’s - and then wincing at the price.

Now that's inflation!

Back when I last wanted a new MTB a complete bike could be had from the high £900s from Bird. I'm glad things appear to be looking rosy for them, but I'm not sure I'd want to be paying "from £1840" for one...

[Hugo Stiglitz]

What do you expect! They price to be competitive to their competition.

Orange has been at if for years.


If sales dip companies will adjust their prices.

[Wildfire]

Mr E said:

I keep looking at Bird Zero’s - and then wincing at the price.

Some of that will be due to component availability. But bikes are creeping up. For what you get with Bird, you'll be hard pressed to get anything else as good.


On that front, I regularly do 40-50km rides on my Zero 29, no real issues. It's not as efficient as my mate's carbon Epic, but way more capable on the descents etc.