New Hardtail choices

[Numnut]

I want to replace my winter hardtail with something less hateful... The Whyte 603 has done a good job, but it's just not a nice thing to ride compared to the Bird.

There's lots of really good deals around at the moment, and I've found a few potentials. The sweet spot is about a grand and I'd like a decently slack HA and a decent fork.

On the list so far - I'm not bothered about 27.5 or 29 wheels, I've got a decent stock of 27.5 tyres with plenty of life in them!

https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/bikes/mou ... ack__12674

https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/bikes/mou ... nge__14074

https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/bikes/mou ... red__14073

https://www.stifmtb.com/collections/sti ... 9563812975

Does anyone have any better choices?

[weeksy]

The Stif has the best forks, but crappy brakes and crappy NX gear stuff.

I'm not aware of anyone who rates the Rockshox 35s on anything...

So me.... https://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/mountain ... iNEALw_wcB

the Trek Roscoe.

[weeksy]

I want to replace my winter hardtail with something less hateful... The Whyte 603 has done a good job, but it's just not a nice thing to ride compared to the Bird.

A question though is... why is it hateful and what needs to be different to make the new one less hateful

[weeksy]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/277128446834 ... R4yz2pfiZQ

go used and get something a bit more fancy.

[Numnut]

I want to replace my winter hardtail with something less hateful... The Whyte 603 has done a good job, but it's just not a nice thing to ride compared to the Bird.

A question though is... why is it hateful and what needs to be different to make the new one less hateful

Really it's an old, cheap bike with older style geometry and I'm just not comfy riding it. I much prefer the longer reach, slacker HA of my full sus bikes and feel much more stable on them. The 603 in comparison is a shorter bike with a steeper HA and is much more like the bikes I rode when I was younger.
Really, I should've got a medium frame instead of a large, but no amount of adjusting the bike ever makes it feel like I'm in the right position. That and it's got old style QR wheels, no dropper etc.

A used SC is a nice suggestion...I'll see if there's any mediums!

I quite like the lower spec drivetrain - a PGxxxx sram cassette runs on an hg free hub and those cassettes are so much cheaper than xd drive ones, especially on what will be the rubbish weather/winter bike!

[Mr Moofo]

Stif are in the process of closing down - if that makes any difference to you
I have never really forgiven the new Orange for morphing from the old Orange and stiffing a load of suppliers. But that’s just me.
If you want long and slack look at a 2nd hand Cotic Bfe

[Beancounter]

If you want long and slack look at a 2nd hand Cotic Bfe

Cotic was the first brand I thought of then I moved quickly to Ragley...

[Mr Moofo]

Medium Bfe max frame on the Cotic FB group for 250 quid!

[Numnut]

Cheers, I do like the look of the Cotic bikes, hadn’t looked at ragley yet though…I’ll take a look now

[Mr Moofo]

Cotic owners and fans FB page - I can’t link

[mboy]

I'd go for a Merida Big Trail myself... Best spec one you can find in your size for your budget (the frame is the same regardless).

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/116504059252 ... d_source=1

They're great for doing a bit of everything, longer and slacker than HT's of old, but not so ridiculously long/low/slack (like that Stif Squatch) that you'll notice too many compromises of not being on a full sus.

Also, the 600 model came with a Marzocchi Z2 fork, which is miles better than the ubiquitous Rockshox 35 at this price point...

[Numnut]

Cotic owners and fans FB page - I can’t link

Cheers, Just waiting to be let in...

I'd go for a Merida Big Trail myself... Best spec one you can find in your size for your budget (the frame is the same regardless).

Cheers, I'd not looked at those - I'll see what I can find.

[weeksy]

It depends what you want it to do in some ways. Some HTs are more or even less suited to pedalling than others. The fact it's newer or different won't necessarily mean it covers ground better on the commute. The fact you're looking at LLS bikes means it's already likely to pedal worse than something more XC based, if your commute is mostly gravel/tracks/flat, then do you really want a LLS HT ?

[Numnut]

It's mainly for winter and bad weather, but I'd prefer to have something that I don't mind riding. It is a very flat commute so whilst it's a good deal, and probably a good bike, the Stif isn't going to be the one for this, likewise I've discounted the Oranges too.

It doesn't have to be stupidly LLS but I'd prefer something longer and slacker than the old 603. I'm liking the Merida that mboy suggested, and there might be a deal to be had on a bird zero too, but I think that's going to be a bit pricey,

[weeksy]

It's mainly for winter and bad weather, but I'd prefer to have something that I don't mind riding. It is a very flat commute so whilst it's a good deal, and probably a good bike, the Stif isn't going to be the one for this, likewise I've discounted the Oranges too.

It doesn't have to be stupidly LLS but I'd prefer something longer and slacker than the old 603. I'm liking the Merida that mboy suggested, and there might be a deal to be had on a bird zero too, but I think that's going to be a bit pricey,

Bird Zero is going to pedal the commute terribly though mate.

I think like the Roscoe
https://www.blazingbikes.co.uk/shop/bik ... 86/option/

or the Cube Reaction Pro
https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/bikes/mou ... ack__10992

Is just going to be a lot nicer at the pedalling part

[Numnut]

Yeah the Bird might not be ideal, it'd look nice though... The roscoe looks alright, it's got similar numbers to the Merida.

I've got a few options now though which is helpful, and a few bikes ruled out which is also helpful - I think I'll show them all to my children and let them pick their favourite colour and buy that one!

[rusty]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/277128446834 ... R4yz2pfiZQ

go used and get something a bit more fancy.

If you're looking for something decent and cheap then I've got one of these Chameleon frames in a large that I'd do for £300 then you can build it up from there to whatever spec fits your budget.

[Numnut]

Cheers, but I bought one this afternoon… I went for the Merida, my daughter has one and it’s a nicely built thing with lovely paintwork so thought I’d copy her!

Cheers for everyone’s suggestions and advice.

[mboy]

Cheers, but I bought one this afternoon… I went for the Merida, my daughter has one and it’s a nicely built thing with lovely paintwork so thought I’d copy her!

Cheers for everyone’s suggestions and advice.

Great choice. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

They really are the jack of all trades “budget” hardtail of choice for most these days, at least since the demise of Nukeproof/Ragley as we know them…

Make sure you show it off in here when it arrives!

[Numnut]

Make sure you show it off in here when it arrives!

It's due on Monday or Tuesday so there'll be a new thread when it turns up!