Pure XC hardtail choices?

[WildCards]

I'm bored at work again, so bare with me.

Before next winter I want to buy myself a decent 80-100mm hardtail for general year round XC use. Now, I don't intend to buy anything immediately, but if the right offer came along I reckon I could make provision for it. I'm looking for anything that fits the bill, new, used, frame only as long as I can build it up into a light, pure cross country race machine.

I'd like something querky, something you don't see everyday and something reliable. I'm not interested in anything carbon. So what should I be keeping my eye out for? what manufacturers make frames and or full bikes that I'm likely to find?

Ta

Oh, and the budget will be around £1000 give or take a few hundred squid.

[atom111]

I've got a Commencal Flame as my pure HT Hardtail, don't see many around but it's a cracking bike, you'll have to buy Frame only on the budget set and buy components wisely current my build of this bike is 24.85lbs.

[sjg]

Charge Duster if you like steel. Either a frame for £350 or their "hi" spec build for £1100 - 100m air Recons, X7/X9, Juicy 5s, etc.

Or the Focus Raven that wiggle are doing for a grand at the moment is great value - alu frame, X9/X0, Fox 32 RLs, DT Swiss hubs, etc.

On-One Scandal is probably worth a look too - it's semi-custom build to your spec, or frame only as with the Charge.

[dubbs]

Litespeed's titanium frame isn't seen often.

[atom111]

WildCards said:

I'd like something querky, something you don't see everyday

This rules out an on-one especially if they do the summer for £100 as is rumoured.

[mk1fan]

Dave Hinde Oltmpic frame - very XC - Very light.

[s4avant]

The Genesis Altitude 30 seems to be a good bike and is striking in lime green! The Orange P7 Pro is also a good bet.Both are steel framed and just that little bit different.

[WildCards]

Hmm, that Dave Hinde stuff looks very racy. Cheers guys, good suggestions there, my shortlist has been amended.

[Pablo16v]

I had a Voodoo Bizango (853 steel frame) which was fantastic. Designed by the same guy (Joe Murray) that did all the old steel Konas but nowhere near as common. The whole build cost me just under a grand.

[atom111]

So Wildcards what is the short list?

[936ADL]

Please PLease on't buy anything Dave Hinde. Just google him and see what you find.

[WildCards]

Blimey ADL, good call, you may have saved me some grief there.

As for my shortlist, currently it's looking like this. I think my budget may have to be increased!

• Focus Raven (On the face of it, a huge amount of bike for the money)
• Genesis Altitude 853 frame
• Salsa Moto Rapido frame
• Cove Handjob XC frame
• Pace RC305 frame
• Giant XTC frame
• Kinesis Maxlight Pro 2 frame

If I pick up a frame, the build will consist of X0/X9 kit where I can pick it up cheaply enough, a DT wheelset, Magura Durin forks and Marta SL disc brakes, oh and Thompson finishing kit. The frame, forks and brakes are the only things I want new, all the other stuff i'm happy to pick-up on the used market.

Edited by WildCards on Thursday 10th April 23:10

[PomBstard]

WildCards said:

Blimey ADL, good call, you may have saved me some grief there.

As for my shortlist, currently it's looking like this. I think my budget may have to be increased!

• Focus Raven (On the face of it, a huge amount of bike for the money)
• Genesis Altitude 853 frame
• Salsa Moto Rapido frame
• Cove Handjob XC frame
• Pace RC305 frame
• Giant XTC frame
• Kinesis Maxlight Pro 2 frame

If I pick up a frame, the build will consist of X0/X9 kit where I can pick it up cheaply enough, a DT wheelset, Magura Durin forks and Marta SL disc brakes, oh and Thompson finishing kit. The frame, forks and brakes are the only things I want new, all the other stuff i'm happy to pick-up on the used market.

Edited by WildCards on Thursday 10th April 23:10

Nice list. I'm currently with a XTC Zero - lovely stiff and direct frame, absolutely no wasted energy going through the pedals. Makes a great commmuter with a pair of slicks, and only takes a quick tyre change to turn it into a XC race bike.

I'd be chuffed with any on that list, though.

[atom111]

WildCards said:

Blimey ADL, good call, you may have saved me some grief there.

As for my shortlist, currently it's looking like this. I think my budget may have to be increased!

• Focus Raven (On the face of it, a huge amount of bike for the money)
• Genesis Altitude 853 frame
• Salsa Moto Rapido frame
• Cove Handjob XC frame
• Pace RC305 frame
• Giant XTC frame
• Kinesis Maxlight Pro 2 frame

If I pick up a frame, the build will consist of X0/X9 kit where I can pick it up cheaply enough, a DT wheelset, Magura Durin forks and Marta SL disc brakes, oh and Thompson finishing kit. The frame, forks and brakes are the only things I want new, all the other stuff i'm happy to pick-up on the used market.

Edited by WildCards on Thursday 10th April 23:10

Nice list let us know what you end up getting, There are some interesting Dave Hinde threads on STW every now and then never used them so can't comment but it's an interesting read.

[mk1fan]

I've never used DH either - It would appear that if you visit the shop, the items in stock all present and correct then you maybe get what you want!!

Wildcards,
Merlin are currently doing X9 rear mech and shifters for £70 or £80 - '07 models I believe.

[WildCards]

Cheers Fan, my next few months bike expenditure will be going towards kit I need for a few races i've been roped into, after that i'll start looking towards getting the components I need, then it'll probably come down to what frame has the best deal on at the time. I may re-visit the Dave Hinde frames nearer the date and pay the shop a visit as you suggest.

I was out again last night, just coing an XC loop with some locals and a girl there had the XTC Zero, it looked very purposeful, loved it.

[gbbird]

I would also suggest a Scott Scale for pure XC stuff. They are very good, expecially the higher specced ones. I think you can get the Scale 40 for about 1k

[dubbs]

I'd go for the Cove if using off-road... not heard a bad thing about it and it's still on lots of people's wish list

[PomBstard]

WildCards said:

...a girl there had the XTC Zero...

So, what ya saying??? Eh? Eh? C'mon, ou'wivit!!!

[atom111]

Think he mean't

WildCards said:

and a girl there had the XTC Zero, she looked very purposeful, loved it.