Which Hardtail?

[EddyBee]

I took my on one steel 26” hardtail out for the first time since having my full suspension bike and now I’ve got the urge to buy a modern HT.

Budget is around £2000 (£2400 max I’d say)
Criteria; I like 29ers but wouldn’t rule out 27.5 (or mullet) 130-150mm travel & preferably with internal cable routing (I hate how cluttered cables make the top tube look)

I was initially looking at a Santa Cruz chameleon;

https://www.stifmtb.com/products/santa-cruz-chamel...

But it seems to be a lot of money for the name the components aren’t the best.

I keep coming back to the Commencal Meta HT;
https://www.commencal-store.co.uk/meta-ht-am-race-...
I already have 2 commencal bikes and I love them.
I’ve got a 2021 Meta TR and one of their commuter/city bikes (FCB) that I use to get to work.

I would just get the Meta HT but I seem to be becoming a Commencal fan boy. They’re just great value for money though.

Yes the recipe is quite similar to my Meta TR but surely being a mullet and being a hardtail would make enough difference?

If anyone else has any ideas that would be great as I just seem to be blinded by one brand!

I did really want a titanium framed bike but they seem so expensive. The only one in my price range was the Ribble HT Ti but there’s just something I’m not sold on that I can’t put my finger on and I just hear that the BB is far too high?


Edited to add; fortunately I don’t mind waiting as this is definitely an additional bike!

Edited by EddyBee on Tuesday 25th January 20:14

Edited by EddyBee on Tuesday 25th January 20:22

[numtumfutunch]

Id check out stock availability before drawing up a shortlist

Times are hard - the Commencal quotes June delivery

Cheers

[EddyBee]

Yeah June is the expected date for stock but I don’t mind waiting.

It’ll mainly be used for winter riding so it’ll arrive in time for next year haha!

[GravelBen]

In a much lower budget range than the Chameleon, I bought a Merida Big Trail 500 about a year ago and its been great, especially after upgrading the fork from the original Rockshox Recon to a Marzocchi Z2 (which comes factory on the higher spec Big Trail 600).

140mm 29er with well sorted trail geometry (65.5° head tube, 75.5° seat tube, 435mm chainstays) and good value component spec for solid reliability.

Main negative is being a fairly burly trail hardtail its no lightweight, getting on towards 14kg - though I'm sure you could take a good chunk off that with lighter wheels and tyres if you were more XC-inclined, its no heavier than its competition. Still climbs well (like most hardtails), just uses a bit more energy than a light XC bike on longer climbs.

Its a lot of fun to ride and rips the descents, replacing a short travel FS in my garage.

Naseby Mountainbiking by Ben, on Flickr

A few other mainstream options to look into - Giant Fathom, Specialized Fuse, Canyon Stoic, Marin San Quentin (the San Q is far too low in the stack for my taste, but some people like a low front end). New 2022 Trek Roscoe looks good too.

Check out 'hard tail party' youtube channel for inspiration and reviews of a whole heap of bikes.

Edited by GravelBen on Wednesday 26th January 03:57

[chrislusty]

I'm going to throw the Whyte 905 into the mix. It's bang on the budget and is

[dukeboy749r]

Ribble seems to have some great bikes at the moment. However, they all quoting between 5-6 months to receive your order. There's more than just a chip shortage going on, seemingly!

[LordHaveMurci]

chrislusty said:

I'm going to throw the Whyte 905 into the mix. It's bang on the budget and is

Keep trying to convince myself I don’t need to replace my 2001 Cannondale Scalpel with one of these!

[Pablo16v]

My LBS had a Marin El Roy in stock recently for under £2K. Looked a fun and reasonably well spec'd bike.

https://www.marinbikes.com/gb/bikes/2021-el-roy#sp...

[chrislusty]

LordHaveMurci said:

Keep trying to convince myself I don’t need to replace my 2001 Cannondale Scalpel with one of these!

They are cracking bikes, I don't even test its abilities.

[EddyBee]

That Marin is very slack!
I thought the Meta was at 64°!

The whyte is lovely it’s made my short list.
Thanks for the replies keep em coming.

[TT1138]

EddyBee said:

That Marin is very slack!
I thought the Meta was at 64°!

The whyte is lovely it’s made my short list.
Thanks for the replies keep em coming.

Slack hardtails are fun!

SRAM NX (good though it is), Rockshox Recon and SRAM Level brakes on a hardtail costing nearly £2.5k makes me cry a little inside. Every time I see how much Santa Cruz charge for the spec their bikes have I’m consistently surprised, not in a good way.

I’ve spoken about mine on here before, but I have an On One Hello Dave and an On One Big Dog. Big Dog for long days out, trail centres, Hello Dave for uplifts and fun (albeit there is quite a bit of crossover, I just like burly steel slack hardtails). Both very good, and astonishing value for money if you wait for Planet Xs regular sales. Titus Moto Loco is a Titanium Hello Dave if you’re feeling flash!

That said, have a look at Ragley too, my old Marley was very good. Ribble HT 725 also worth a bit of research.

My issue with a lot of the mainstream brands is that their geo is very conservative. The smaller brands aren’t afraid to push the envelope a little. I’d also say go Boost 29er, mostly just for parts compatibility.

[EddyBee]

My Meta TR took some getting used to at 64° coming from my in one 456 at 67.5.

The front wheel felt like it just wanted to flop and I had a few offs.
I’ve learned to ride it properly now though haha.

I love this breed of long slack bikes. They just feel so capable.

[scenario8]

I’m in no position to comment from personal experience but I recall a similar thread last year where a few contributors rated the Orbea Laufey H Ltd.

Although I note the 2022 version has gained 10% in cost.

https://www.mtbmonster.com/orbea-laufey-h-ltd-dark...

[Simes205]

I built a chameleon in October 2020. It was supposed to be a budget winter bike built up out of an Ali frame and left overs from upgrades of another bike.
Well that went out of the window when stiff didn’t have any Ali frames and so I got their last carbon one.
Then made it a 29’er and well it ended up being completely brand new from parts I ordered. Hope brakes, hubs, carbon bars etc

In summary I ride it more than my full suss, it is such a fun thing to ride I find myself going out on it far more often. I wasn’t on a weight saving mission but even with dropper it’s 11kgs.

Edited by Simes205 on Wednesday 26th January 23:19

[BaronVonVaderham]

Bird Zero. Had one since may last year and it’s brilliant. 27.5, 150mm Pike Ultimates, 4pot deore brakes and 1x12. 13kg without pedals. Uk designed and assembled.

[AMacA]

scenario8 said:

I’m in no position to comment from personal experience but I recall a similar thread last year where a few contributors rated the Orbea Laufey H Ltd.

Although I note the 2022 version has gained 10% in cost.

https://www.mtbmonster.com/orbea-laufey-h-ltd-dark...

I upgraded to a Laufey H30 last year from a 2006 Specialized Rockhopper… love it!

[blippo1984]

Could you build a Stanton Sherpa within that budget?
I think it’s possible

[EddyBee]

Sherpa isn’t too far off from my on one 456 geometry wise.

I my have bought a secondhand on one Tik Tik with a view to harvest the parts onto another frame but I think I’ll try it out as is and see if there’s any point.

Hope I’ll enjoy 27.5!

[missing the VR6]

If 27.5 is now an option, I'd have a good look at the Ragley Mmmbop, I've got a custom build one and it's a weapon. Perfectly happy at a bike park or the local woods. Definitely ride it more than my much more expensive full sus.

[iansp]

Another vote here for the Whyte 905.
I know you said you do not mind waiting but I was surprised to see Wheelbase has the V4 in stock.