My wrists definitely feel it during a ride on the hardtail. I think my weight distribution and body language is significantly different on that bike and I'm certainly more "gripped."
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My wrists definitely feel it during a ride on the hardtail. I think my weight distribution and body language is significantly different on that bike and I'm certainly more "gripped."
I'm running HT only this year ('15 TranAm 275, Fox 36) in the south San Juans. Need to sell my Warden while it's still worth something so there it is. I don't find it to be a limiting factor with the trails I choose to ride, but to some extent with how I ride them. If you want to go full attack mode, you certainly can on a modern hardtail, but something's got to give, and that something is usually me. For daily rides around town, I don't even bother with a FS bike. For big rides in the high country, well, it slows me down some on descents, but I'm trying not to get killed out there anyway. I'm not one to go balls out if it means I'm going to blow up a wheel, but I can still get around plenty good on the HT in anything I'm riding around here. If I lived in Moab, well, that would pretty much suck.Quote:
Originally Posted by Toddball;6051966
Next question: [how much
So you all are soft?!
I always want to do this, also for apartment reasons. I never do because I don't like riding alone and my buddies are never going to ride hardtails. If you usually ride solo, I say go for it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Toddball
side note, I clicked on the link in your sig and "the park next to the Woodland Park Zoo" cracks me up.
I am 5'9 as well, with 27 inch inseam. Not sure what that is in Ape index.....Quote:
Originally Posted by Toddball
So I just tried a little costly experiment and at the last minute switch my order M N9 to a L N9. I can for sure say that the position of my hands was too high and to long the bike was ride able and eerily calm but it was harder to turn and made my hands hurt.... I have been riding either 2011 Honzo (420 mm reach yuck) or a 2015 Trance (440 mm reach :)) and 475mm was too much. With that said your hands will hurt more on hardtail especially until you get more active. The more active you get with pumping/jumping obstacles the less they will hurt. I suspect that once I have size M Nimble 9 that my hands will be fine riding most anything. One thing to note is if you buy a new N9 that the reach is 450 on M and 475 on L now. The seat tube is super short and I could easily fit a 180mm one up dropper on a size L with a 27 inch inseam, and 210 would probably be possible.
ill have my M built up on thursday or friday and I ll report back, but this was the longest bike I ever rode and it for sure hurt my hands more. With that said I would never do a hardtail as an only bike. Its not even necessarily technical trails that make me not want a hardtail, its faster chunky stuff that no amount of pumping could ever make right.
Attachment 337830
You know whats comfy than a layback post? A dropper :P.Quote:
Originally Posted by NuMexJoe
Seriously its 2020 no hardtail can be progressive if you cant get the seat post out of your way.
Isn't that bike simply too big for you?Quote:
Originally Posted by Toddball
Haha! We had more patience for content creation when King County was in the throes of stay-at-home. Maybe if it rains again there will be a return to quality long-form journalism.Quote:
Originally Posted by caulfield
I have a 32" inseam. The N9 I'm riding had 1" cut off the seat tube to allow for a longer dropper, which I think is a 170mm PNW Bachelor slammed to the collar. If It were my bike I would try to reduce max saddle height by 10mm. Interesting that the new N9s have significantly shorter seat tubes, that's a good move.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bushwacka
Maybe. I do think my Riot (at somewhere between 430-440mm reach, considering geo adjustments) is too small, although that does help on tight trails and on jump lines that aren't enormous. The N9 feels much more stable and confidence-inspiring on steeper trails, and after a few more rides on it (with some fiddling-around of brake lever position) my hands are a little less brutalized. The long reach/steep SA does make seated pedaling on rolling terrain (new climb trail at Raging River, if you're in Western WA) feel weird.Quote:
Originally Posted by El Chupacabra
I think I would buy a 450-475mm reach FS bike with a slightly lower standover. The new Commencal Meta TR looks pretty good in that regard.
I don't think a 475 reach for a 5'9" person is necessarily too big, but I also think hardtails are sometimes a little more fun when they're sized down a little bit. Makes them more flickable and fun on jumps. Comes at the cost of high speed stability, but high speed stability isn't exactly the forte of hardtails anyways.
450 is basically size M and 475 is basically size large in most major brand with modern Geo. The M Nimble 9 coming to me is a 450mm reach(10mm longer than my Size L 2015 Trance) with an effective TT shorter than my current Trance. My trance has pretty good geo IMO except the seat tube.Quote:
Originally Posted by Toddball
this pretty much sums up my local riding, steep flowly loam, with tighter turns, and small drops and jumps.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDHFS3Uj..._web_copy_link
Maybe I just do not need a "sled" for this riding, despite the sometimes 20+ degree pitches.
But reach measurement alone is not the end-all of frame sizing. ETT still matters, unless you never sit down.
on SS hardtail I almost never sit down....stand to climb , stand with seat dropper to go down. only time I sit is for mellow climbs/traverses.
I think my new Cotic Bfe Max belongs herehttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...b8ff53eb37.jpg
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The blue looks sweet. I bet that thing's a hoot.
I'm late to this party but keep in mind, the new NN in large has a 475 reach, the XL is 500. BUT it also has a WAY steeper STA (77* vs 73*) which will put you much closer to the bars when seated. I'm 5'7" with a 33" inseam and +3 ape. I'm usually between small and medium but always ride mediums. Still end up with a long seatpost but with steeper STAs these days it's not an issue with being too stretched out. I have neck issues that bug me if I am so I prefer a more upright position. My med NN (450 reach, 5mm shorter than my firebird) feels short when seated and spot on when standing. I'm geared so spend the majority of time climbing in the saddle, it's very comfy. I feel like the large will be good for you. As far as it being your only bike. With the exception of Moab terrain or hucks to flat, I don't feel like it'd be a huge issue. My hands get a bit more tired than on my Firebird but then that one's got 20mm more travel to work with and I run it more plush off the top. I run the front end a bit firmer on the NN and have less travel to work with. That said, the fork on there is pretty good, Marz Z1. I highly recommend the bike, even as your only ride, but I definitely wouldn't skimp on the fork if your having hand issues.Quote:
Originally Posted by Toddball
This is baller!Quote:
Originally Posted by Robik
x2! Stoked to see the Mezzer on there.Quote:
Originally Posted by beaterdit
With an overall dimensions of this bike (510mm reach, 1271mm wheelbase, 444mm chain stays) Mezzer doesn't look out of place. It's a beefy build for sure.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dantheman
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It's a totally appropriate fork for that bike. I'm just a huge Manitou/Hayes homer and it's great to see them getting recognized for how good their new stuff really is.
I might just slap Dominion A4 in place of my current Magura MT7 as all the reviews rave about them.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dantheman
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Hardtail fanatics, curious about rear tire pressures.
Care to share? Frame, wheel/rim and tire size, plastic or metal rims, liner or no, riding weight and terrain would be helpful.
Currently on 29 x 2.4, 35mm IW aluminum rims, GG Pedalhead, steepish clay and loam with some roots and rocks but not aweful, jump and flow trails too ... 135 lbs 145 kitted.
22-23 back there is fine on flow trails. But I get my ass kicked on rooty and rocky step down trails above 21 psi. I like how it rides at 19.5 in that kind of terrain but I’ve had bottom outs and a rim dent.
I’m gonna go up to a 2.6 to get more volume in which should help a smidge with bottom out ... but I’m thinking I need a liner in the rear ...
Tire insert?Quote:
Originally Posted by SchralphMacchio
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I am MUCH heavier than you. 200lb running a 2.6 Spez Ed Eliminator BLCK DMND casing on 35mm internal rims and can run as low as 15-16 psi in rooted terrain and do nt get rim hits... I have to run about 19 on flow trails or I get rollover. The heavier casing and large volume really let me run lower pressure. My guess is at your weight GRID trail would be all that is needed.Quote:
Originally Posted by SchralphMacchio
The reality is a hardtail would never be ideal for really small chunky terrain especially on faster/flatter sections. I feel like I suffer less when its steep, but if its flattish and chunk I start to hate my Hardtail.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Robik
That looks SICK!
Here’s my new SS project. Hope to build over the winter:
Attachment 339135
I'll be curious to hear how you like it. I'm thinking about picking one up soon. Been a long time since I've been on a hardtail.Quote:
Originally Posted by iriponsnow
The 2021 geo is much different than the 2020 and eariler. Supposely the 2021s ride more supple as well.....Quote:
Originally Posted by snowaddict91
Yeah, the 2021 DL is what I think I'm after. As cool as the ESD looks, I don't know if a 63 HA is what I need for crushing desert miles. I wouldn't mind throwing a leg over one though.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bushwacka
If the Honzo ESD has your interest, On One has the "Hello Dave" with similar ultra slack geometry. Current sale has the complete bike at about $2000 US shipped to US.
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBOOHD...-mountain-bike
I like the parts on the Kona more, and if it's on any sort of sale at all, it'll be close in price.
Since you already have the frame, any further advices won't be much useful. For single speed on more aggro side I'd also recommend RSD Middle Child.Quote:
Originally Posted by snowaddict91
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You’re so right about steeper terrain vs faster flatter sections. When I ride trails that drops like 700’ or more in well under a mile, with huge ass rocks and chunk, I love this bike. I rode one that dropped 1500’ in over 3 miles with roots and small rocks and suffered - mostly on the less steep bits.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bushwacka
How does that Eliminator do with wet clay? I was planning on putting a 2.6 Butcher Grid in the back as soon as it rains, because that’s what I run up front and it clears mud so well. I am skeptical that a Purgatory Grid will bite and then clear wet clay as well as the Butcher. But the Eliminator pattern doesn’t look too bad for clogging up, and probably rolls faster than the Butcher.
Right now I’m running a 2.4 Trail King, which clears mud, but only bites well when it’s leaned over on edge, and yeah I like the feel of 2.6 better.
My Bronson is out of commission right now, so I pulled my daughter’s bike seat off the front and swapped back in my short stem wide bar cockpit to ride this as my main ride for all trails until my Bronson is up and running again. Love this thing!
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The eliminator does nt clear well... it does how ever roll pretty fast for such a "burly" tire.
I might go Hilly Billy Front, and Butcher Rear for leaves / mud once season changes here. I only posted because you can get much lower air pressures on the stiffer sidewalls.
Cool thanks. I’ll stick with 29 x 2.6 Butcher grid front and back, dial in the pressure for best feel, and if I bottom out again I’ll get an insert for the rear.
Seems like the geometry is pretty progressive on the new Giant Fathom, right?
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/bikes-fathom-2021
Not sure how I feel about their in-house fork though, but I suppose for that price one could swap it out.
I have a question for all you hardtail aficionados: how do you address the undamped pedal bob from the rear wheel? Or does it just not bother you?
I had a Chameleon for about a year and a half, and eventually sold it because I never really had fun on it. Part of it was that the geometry was shit, but an equal part was that the undamped pedal bob coming from the rear wheel drove me nuts. It started out with 27.5x3.0 tires, went down to 27.5x2.8, then 2.6, then 29x2.4/2.5. I tried pressures everywhere from 12 psi on the clown shoes to 22 psi on the 29" tires. I weigh about 165 without gear. Rim width was 40mm on the clown shoes and 27mm for 29. Are tire inserts the key to making hardtails not feel like shit? For what it's worth, I hate riding with my full suspension bike locked out too, for the same reason.
Not running big dumb balloon tires, and putting more air in them?
I'm generally running ~32psi rear in 2.4ish tires on my hardtail. I weigh about 165 and am in western WA, so not super rocky.
Yeah that. And I'm really picky about my tire pressures. I shoot for not too much squish to bottom out or squirm around/roll over too much but is compliant enough to soak up the little things and give that stuck to the ground feeling. On a 2.25 vittoria mezcal and like 23psi by my gauge. I'm about 160. And the bigger the tire, the more of a difference even 1-2psi makes so it's somewhat important to have a good gauge.
The other thing is you kind of get used to it. When I've been riding road a lot I notice the tire squish more. But my cyclocross tubulars for example are a lot softer sometimes, like 20/22psi in a 33 for a muddy race. That you definitely notice on a hardpack/paved section. Almost bouncing off the rim on a hard pedal stroke.
I’m about to throw on oval ring on mine, not much else to do when PM2.5 has been between 400 and 600 ug/m3 all week!
I think get used to it is part of it, or maybe more like adjust. You get used to the butt kicking some but you also end up spending more time out of the saddle, especially pedaling through crud.
I tried low pressure when I installed inserts and it felt way more harsh to me than running normal pressure. Hard things would compress the foam and it almost felt like the wheel was being held up.
I run super low pressure 200lb, 35mm rim 2.6 x 29 BLCK DMND casing. Literally rode yesterday at 15psi, no roll over , no dings, and no pedal bob. How the hell do you run 32 psi?
Seriously.
He rides faster, in rougher terrain?Quote:
Originally Posted by Bushwacka