27.5" LT HT's

The Northern Monkey

I'm starting to like the idea of a 27.5" long travel (130/150mm) hardtail to replace the Specialized.

Shortlist so far is:
Orange Crush £1300 - I really do like the look of this one, the spec seems ok for the price and I've had a sit on one and it felt great. Takes a dropper post (can spec a reverb for extra, but I'd buy without and get one after). Shimano gearing and Rockshox forks and reasonable wheelset... not much not to like imo.

Commecal Meta HT 1 £1600 - Again looks good, however it comes with SRAM gearing and a FOX evo fork (2 things I'm not a fan of). Does come with a dropper, but its a cheap and super heavy ETEN. Also not too sure on the wheelset.

Saracen Zen £1600 - Seems overpriced when looking at the above 2. Alvivo shifters, own brand bars and stem etc. A shame because it looks great, but the pictures show a different spec to what is listed.

Anything else out there? Looking around the £1500 mark.

stuisnew

I've heard reports (unconfirmed) that On-One are preparing some 27.5 but it depends on how long you want to wait.

The only thing I was going to add here was that you can quite often pick up Zen's (as with most bikes admittedly) at way below RRP. My brother picked up a 2011 Zen for half the RRP. Bit you may not be able to wait that long!

The Pace RC127 looks good but at £500 frame only you may have to compromise a build to get it in around the £1,500 mark.

http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/categ ... -13-47564/

lawman

Whyte 905?

http://www.whytebikes.com/2014/product. ... 2&xSec=112

Looks pretty sorted, good fork, good wheels (pro2 rear hub), can take a dropper post too and it looks good value. A bit bland looking imo, but the 909 with X01, Fox fork and much better spec is a lot more expensive!

There's also the Kona Explosif

http://www.konaworld.com/explosif.cfm

Decent spec and a nice steel frame too with a rear through axle and it can also take a dropper post. It also comes with a warranty on the frame. Of those two and the three you linked I'd say the Kona was the one to go for.

The Northern Monkey

Hmm..

The Whyte looks nice, but value for money is lacking IMO. Own brand stuff (Bars, stem, rims) and low spec for the most part. Pro2 rear hub does nothing for me!
Had written off the Kona though as its nearer £1700 and is 120mm travel.

The Orange Crush is the one to beat imo!

pesky_jones

I rode one of those whyte 905s at the weekend, completely stock. Nice bike!

rockmonkeysc

Have you ridden a Crush? Very harsh ride.
On One are doing a 27.5 version of the 456 which will probably be a bit harsh but not as bad as the Crush.

The Northern Monkey

I was considering a frame swap and using a 456 EVO2, but I really don't like On One so can't bring myself to buy from them.
I've had very bad dealings with their "customer service" in the past and vowed never to go back.

But no, I've just sat on a Crush in a shop. Geometry was spot on, but I can see why it would be harsh though, you don't get much damping on a stiff alu frame! Def something to think about.

rockmonkeysc

I rode one at a demo and it was really harsh, even compared to the alu Giant XTC I had at the time. The Orange P7 was much nicer.

The Northern Monkey

See I had an Orange P7 (custom build) and I liked it until it was pushed hard and the rear flexed a little too much..

passout

lawman wrote:

Whyte 905?

http://www.whytebikes.com/2014/product. ... 2&xSec=112

Looks pretty sorted, good fork, good wheels (pro2 rear hub), can take a dropper post too and it looks good value. A bit bland looking imo, but the 909 with X01, Fox fork and much better spec is a lot more expensive!

I'd say this too - I've just ordered the 26er 2012 version of the 905 as it happens. Orange Crush is also 27.5 this yr - looks fun. Pace now have a 27.5 bike (or frame) too.

passout

Also this: http://www.commencal-store.co.uk/PBSCPr ... D=12501748

The Northern Monkey

passout wrote:

Also this: http://www.commencal-store.co.uk/PBSCPr ... D=12501748

Someone needs to read the original post again

But yeah the Crush and Meta HT are on my shortlist.

paul.skibum

That Kona is very pretty!

benpinnick

Coming out towards the end of the year... www.birdmtb.co.uk. 1500 will get you:

Zero (designed for 140mm travel). 6061 T6 Alloy, stealth routing, tapered HS, 142x12 rear.
Xfusion Velvet 140mm forks
SLX Brakes
Evolve 1x10 NW cranks
Zee mech
SLX Cassette
RaceFace Turbine wheels or Bird AM or AMX wheels. 15mm Fr, 142 Rr.
RS Reverb Stealth
Choice of tyres run tubeless
TurbineBasic stem (50/60 or 70)
Evolve bars (720 or 750)
Cane Creek 40 Headset
Charge Saddle
Choice of grips... etc.

Sorry to plug my bikes but hopefully you'll agree I've been hanging round this forum long enough to justify at least one blatant plug Check out some pics on our FB page - www.facebook.com/birdmtb.co.uk.

welshkev

benpinnick wrote:

Coming out towards the end of the year... http://www.birdmtb.co.uk. 1500 will get you:

Zero (designed for 140mm travel). 6061 T6 Alloy, stealth routing, tapered HS, 142x12 rear.
Xfusion Velvet 140mm forks
SLX Brakes
Evolve 1x10 NW cranks
Zee mech
SLX Cassette
RaceFace Turbine wheels or Bird AM or AMX wheels. 15mm Fr, 142 Rr.
RS Reverb Stealth
Choice of tyres run tubeless
TurbineBasic stem (50/60 or 70)
Evolve bars (720 or 750)
Cane Creek 40 Headset
Charge Saddle
Choice of grips... etc.

Sorry to plug my bikes but hopefully you'll agree I've been hanging round this forum long enough to justify at least one blatant plug Check out some pics on our FB page - http://www.facebook.com/birdmtb.co.uk.

Do you make these mate?

The Northern Monkey

benpinnick wrote:

Coming out towards the end of the year... http://www.birdmtb.co.uk. 1500 will get you:

Zero (designed for 140mm travel). 6061 T6 Alloy, stealth routing, tapered HS, 142x12 rear.
Xfusion Velvet 140mm forks
SLX Brakes
Evolve 1x10 NW cranks
Zee mech
SLX Cassette
RaceFace Turbine wheels or Bird AM or AMX wheels. 15mm Fr, 142 Rr.
RS Reverb Stealth
Choice of tyres run tubeless
TurbineBasic stem (50/60 or 70)
Evolve bars (720 or 750)
Cane Creek 40 Headset
Charge Saddle
Choice of grips... etc.

Sorry to plug my bikes but hopefully you'll agree I've been hanging round this forum long enough to justify at least one blatant plug Check out some pics on our FB page - http://www.facebook.com/birdmtb.co.uk.

Sounds interesting... let me know if you need someone to test it

welshkev

The Northern Monkey wrote:

benpinnick wrote:

Coming out towards the end of the year... http://www.birdmtb.co.uk. 1500 will get you:

Zero (designed for 140mm travel). 6061 T6 Alloy, stealth routing, tapered HS, 142x12 rear.
Xfusion Velvet 140mm forks
SLX Brakes
Evolve 1x10 NW cranks
Zee mech
SLX Cassette
RaceFace Turbine wheels or Bird AM or AMX wheels. 15mm Fr, 142 Rr.
RS Reverb Stealth
Choice of tyres run tubeless
TurbineBasic stem (50/60 or 70)
Evolve bars (720 or 750)
Cane Creek 40 Headset
Charge Saddle
Choice of grips... etc.

Sorry to plug my bikes but hopefully you'll agree I've been hanging round this forum long enough to justify at least one blatant plug Check out some pics on our FB page - http://www.facebook.com/birdmtb.co.uk.

Sounds interesting... let me know if you need someone to test it

Hey! That's what I was going to say

The Northern Monkey

Ha gutted!

Might head over Sunset soon to have another sit on the Crush... haven't found anything to sway me yet.

benpinnick

The Northern Monkey wrote:

benpinnick wrote:

Coming out towards the end of the year... http://www.birdmtb.co.uk. 1500 will get you:

Zero (designed for 140mm travel). 6061 T6 Alloy, stealth routing, tapered HS, 142x12 rear.
Xfusion Velvet 140mm forks
SLX Brakes
Evolve 1x10 NW cranks
Zee mech
SLX Cassette
RaceFace Turbine wheels or Bird AM or AMX wheels. 15mm Fr, 142 Rr.
RS Reverb Stealth
Choice of tyres run tubeless
TurbineBasic stem (50/60 or 70)
Evolve bars (720 or 750)
Cane Creek 40 Headset
Charge Saddle
Choice of grips... etc.

Sorry to plug my bikes but hopefully you'll agree I've been hanging round this forum long enough to justify at least one blatant plug Check out some pics on our FB page - http://www.facebook.com/birdmtb.co.uk.

Sounds interesting... let me know if you need someone to test it

In answer to the questions... You'd be more than welcome. We have some demos available to test now in our 3 builds (SLX/Velvet, XT/Velvet, XT/Sweep, XT/Pike coming soon). Seriously, if you'd like a go on one just say, we're quite prone to popping to Afan/Cwmcarn/BPW/FOD etc. (Your neck of the woods I am guessing if you are going to Sunset) It would be a pleasure to let you swing a leg over my bird...

welshkev wrote:

Do you make these mate?

Yes I got bored of the day job (software) and so I jacked that in and started Bird with two guys I know from riding, one financial background, one an engineer. The frames are fabricated in Taiwan but the bike is assembled here. All to our design and spec. They ride amazingly (I would say that) but seriously, its the opposite of a 456 in terms of weight and acceleration (<26lbs for a Zero.2 with Reverb), and the opposite of a 456c in terms of comfort. We are seriously happy with the way these have come out. Assembly is all done in the UK and you can customise the hell out of most of it and pay only when you up spec. Stuff like changing stem lengths, bars sizes, tyres etc. is free.

We've got 100 coming in to the UK for assembly in Jan as a first run, and they are already selling well . We're hoping to shift quite alot in 2014!

2 Alu FS models and steel and carbon hardtails already underway for release mid 2014 too. Watch this space!

supersonic

Look good value but the website is appalling!!!

benpinnick

Thanks SS

Theres a new one in the works for launch.

TheNorthernTrain

Had a quick peek on facebook. They look pretty tidy, especially in blue. It's actually sort of swaying me into wanting to try a 650b.

If I did that though I'd have to douse myself in acid. 26ers forever!

cooldad

Buy one, Ben has a young daughter to feed.
Think of the children.

passout

TheNorthernTrain wrote:

Had a quick peek on facebook. They look pretty tidy, especially in blue. It's actually sort of swaying me into wanting to try a 650b.

If I did that though I'd have to douse myself in acid. 26ers forever!

Quite right. I'm waiting for 24ers to beome popular before we all finally decide that actually 26ers are the best compromise.

supersonic

benpinnick wrote:

Thanks SS

Theres a new one in the works for launch.

Lol. Well I'll try and offer contructive advice - frame geometry? And also reasons behind the suspension layout?

benpinnick

Geometry on the launch model is here: https://db.tt/GCkswUon