UK designed 120mm steel hardtail conundrum

badgerjockey

Evening,

The time has come for me to buy my first hardtail and I'm really looking forward to it if I cold just make up my chuffing mind as to what I go for. More to narrow the field down than anything I have limited it to a few UK designed steelies which are (somewhat predictably):

On One Inbred
On One 456 (not evo) in Beefy Brown - If only I could get my hands on one...
Ragley Piglet
Genesis Latitude
The Dialled Prince Albert turned my head but otherwise know nothing about it.

I know there are more out there but I need to whittle down my choices or I'll be here forever.

I'm 6'1" or 6'2", cant really remember, but on the gangly side... 19" or 20" frames.

I'm looking to run it with some 120mm forks, along the lines of Recon gold airs, SLX kit and some decent fairly light wheels.

I'm just after an allrounder that will be able to scrabble up technical ascents and decend without me needing to pack brown trousers. It will ideally need to be at home in Bristol trails (tame XC), Afan and Cwm Carn reds, and other local singletrack and all-day XC rides. Don't plan to be dropping it hard but will be in the air every now and then, nothing mad. Yes, basically I want the moon on a stick.

Any advice people??
Much appreciated

H

rockmonkeysc

I would go for the Genesis. Better grade of steel than the others and a nice SPEC. Looks nice in Orange as well.

hucking_fell

I'd get a Cotic Soul. An orange one.

Have you ridden any of these though ?

Slow Loris

I'm obviously biased here, but from your shortlist I'd pick the Genesis. Mine is specced as you say, recon gold rl air and full slx drivetrain and brakes, dt swiss wheels, and it is such a nice bike to ride. Quite light for a steely but immensely strong, like all of genesis' bikes.

Something not on your list for consideration surely, is cotic's soul?