Best (smoothest) hardtail ? XTC, Epic, other..
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At what point do you think running a hardtail with big soft tyres might be better just having a full sus?
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Ah, one of the difficult questions.
Depends on dozens of factors, not least of which is the course/terrain and how good the rider is...
Depends on dozens of factors, not least of which is the course/terrain and how good the rider is...
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I'm running 2.3" tyres front and rear, a 120mm fork and just installed a dropper and its made my hardtail weaponised! For someone like me who is reluctant to give up the hardtail I think this is a great setup to be a capable bike in most situations, without going to the full suspension. If I could find some 2.4" tyres in stock I would put them on too.
What frame are you doing that on? I wonder if my scale would like a 120mm fork or if it would change geo too much
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Specialized Epic. Going up to a 120mm fork made no perceiveable difference at all to geometry or the way it handles. I just had to drop the stem down lower to get the same riding position as before, but at least that looks better than having 30mm of spacers under the stem, and stem flipped up like I had before! Gives a little more pedal clearance too, being a bit higher up. No drawbacks that I can see.
Maybe to late. But how about a aluminum HT at 8.5 kg. And with some room to loose more weight.fastezzie wrote:Hi all considering building a new hardtail for next season. I rode a Scott Scale for several years, excellent bike. Looking for lighter weight (Scale frame was 1300g) more tire clearance, longer reach, and a boost/thru-axle hub.
Top two options now are Giant XTC SL and Spec Epic HT. Anyone have ride quality feedback on these bikes? too close to call? any others I should consider?
Prefer something other than Scott for variety sake.
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Which make, model and how much? 8.5 kg sounds great for a hard tail if I can afford it. Seems like most of the ones I look where closer to 14+ kg.Protsi wrote: ↑Sun Nov 21, 2021 1:18 amMaybe to late. But how about a aluminum HT at 8.5 kg. And with some room to loose more weight.fastezzie wrote:Hi all considering building a new hardtail for next season. I rode a Scott Scale for several years, excellent bike. Looking for lighter weight (Scale frame was 1300g) more tire clearance, longer reach, and a boost/thru-axle hub.
Top two options now are Giant XTC SL and Spec Epic HT. Anyone have ride quality feedback on these bikes? too close to call? any others I should consider?
Prefer something other than Scott for variety sake.
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I would look into a BMC TwoStroke. All the carbon models have the same frame so pretty upgradeable. I haven't weighed mine, but it is light and feels like it descends better than my Orbea Oiz...
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hwyix wrote:Which make, model and how much? 8.5 kg sounds great for a hard tail if I can afford it. Seems like most of the ones I look where closer to 14+ kg.Protsi wrote: ↑Sun Nov 21, 2021 1:18 amMaybe to late. But how about a aluminum HT at 8.5 kg. And with some room to loose more weight.fastezzie wrote:Hi all considering building a new hardtail for next season. I rode a Scott Scale for several years, excellent bike. Looking for lighter weight (Scale frame was 1300g) more tire clearance, longer reach, and a boost/thru-axle hub.
Top two options now are Giant XTC SL and Spec Epic HT. Anyone have ride quality feedback on these bikes? too close to call? any others I should consider?
Prefer something other than Scott for variety sake.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
. specialized chicel And is large the one in the pic.hwyix wrote:Which make, model and how much? 8.5 kg sounds great for a hard tail if I can afford it. Seems like most of the ones I look where closer to 14+ kg.Protsi wrote: ↑Sun Nov 21, 2021 1:18 amMaybe to late. But how about a aluminum HT at 8.5 kg. And with some room to loose more weight.fastezzie wrote:Hi all considering building a new hardtail for next season. I rode a Scott Scale for several years, excellent bike. Looking for lighter weight (Scale frame was 1300g) more tire clearance, longer reach, and a boost/thru-axle hub.
Top two options now are Giant XTC SL and Spec Epic HT. Anyone have ride quality feedback on these bikes? too close to call? any others I should consider?
Prefer something other than Scott for variety sake.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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I have a 2021 Giant XTC SL1 and it is fantastic