New Hardtail?

roughjaw

I currently have a 2010 Boardman HT Pro. The only changes have been upgrading the drivetrain to a Shimano XT 1x32 11-46 (when the previous has worn out) and a dropper.

I fancy a change after 9 years and am looking to get a new bike. Not sure what wheel size. I rode a Specialised 29er while in NZ a few months back and had fun on that. Was surprised by how much it got over on technical climbs compared to the 26”. Didn’t really get any downhill stuff to test the apparent benefits of the bigger wheels.

So I was looking at either a 29er or 27.5+ but not sure which one - as I am with all this talk of slack angles, xc bikes, trail bikes etc

I’m thinking of a HT.
I’m one of these fit people who are silly enough to enjoy the challenge of a climb. There’s an occasional bone-shaker of a ride, and I’m sure a FS would be nice to have, but on the whole I think a HT is sufficient for my riding.

My usual rides during the week are around the Shropshire hills - blasting up and down the Long Mynd and the Stiperstones which aren't that technical. Eastridge, which is quite rooty and technical, occasionally. With maybe a weekend ride at Llandegla or Cannock. The TransCambrian on an annual basis.

Budget: I could stretch to approx £1500. In no particular order are bikes that I’ve heard good things about and am considering. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated. I'm guessing 29ers aren't that popular as I haven't found much on the Whyte 529/629 or Sentier 29er.

Sonder Transmitter
£999 with recon forks https://www.alpkit.com/sonder/bikes/son ... -nx1-recon
£1299 with revelation forks https://www.alpkit.com/sonder/bikes/son ... revelation

Whyte 905
https://whyte.bike/products/905
Or a 29er
https://whyte.bike/collections/trail-29er/products/629


Vitus Sentier 27.5
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vit ... prod173165 £1000

Or for £250 more, revolution forks and SRAM chainset instead of Sectors and Shimano/Sunrace
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vit ... prod173159

Vitus Sentier 29 No one seems to talk about or review this bike!
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vit ... prod173162

Boardman MHT 8.9
https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/ ... ntain-bike

Bizango
https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/ ... -22-frames

mrb123

Orange Clockwork also worth a look. Available in 29er or 27.5.

JBA

As well as the bikes you have listed, have a look at the Bird Zero TR and Zero 29.

geomickb

I am in pretty much exactly the same position.

I'm currently edging towards a Transmitter and will be testing one next month.

Keep us updated.

Cheers,

Mick

roughjaw

JBA wrote:

As well as the bikes you have listed, have a look at the Bird Zero TR and Zero 29.

Thanks, I had a look and looks a good option.

geomickb wrote:

I am in pretty much exactly the same position.

I'm currently edging towards a Transmitter and will be testing one next month.

Keep us updated.

Cheers,

Mick

I'm going to arrange a demo of a Bird at their HQ or at Cwmcarn. Though with work commitments it may have to wait until the end of may to mid-June. I'll try and find a Whyte to demo as well. Don't think I'll be able to demo a Sentier which is a pity as a few rave about the brand.

roughjaw

Ended up buying a barely used 2017 Trance 2. Thought it was too much of a bargain at £900 to turn down. Definitely an underused bike as the paintwork was pristine when I got it. It's not now - the paintwork is the only rubbish thing on the bike. Scuffs and scratches are appearing, even along the top surface of the top tube, with no obvious cause.



I'll probably look at getting a 29 HT as autumn/winter kicks in.

JBA

Nice one. The Trance is a great bike and you got an absolute bargain.
Invisiframe do a kit for the Trance and will sell individual pieces. I was getting scuffs on the top tube of my Trance, I assume from my shorts flapping and rubbing, and sorted it by fitting the top tube protection piece. It was only £12 but fits perfectly and is saving my paintwork.

roughjaw

Good idea, if I had thought of Invisiframe beforehand... I've now come round to having a dinged up mountainbike