North Shore hardtails a thing of the past?

PB Forum :: Freeride & Slopestyle
North Shore hardtails a thing of the past?
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Posted: Aug 24, 2015 at 20:23 Quote
I'm starting to realize that I'm an old school kinda guy. I like 2005-2007 Norco Sasquatch and Cove Stiffee North Shore - Freeride type hardtails.

Are companies still coming out with similar types of bikes today in 2015? I've stopped keeping track...but they seem strictly like a thing of the past...

Unsecure image, only https images allowed: http://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/products/1866/photos/1642/s1600_Cove_Stiffee_2011.jpg?1299665550Unsecure image, only https images allowed: http://myphone.info/uploads/k3gQwF297hIwbRg1pErvMhNnbm963nTa.jpg

Posted: Aug 24, 2015 at 20:29 Quote
Theres plenty of enduro-y ht's that could perform the task with an angry build kit.
the only DH hardtails in production at the moment are boutique british ones, the BTR and Curtis.

Posted: Aug 24, 2015 at 20:35 Quote
MtHuttRider wrote:
Theres plenty of enduro-y ht's that could perform the task with an angry build kit.
the only DH hardtails in production at the moment are boutique british ones, the BTR and Curtis.

so in other words a thing of the past then? These used to be mainstream bikes...

Posted: Aug 24, 2015 at 22:24 Quote
This is the problem in having now. Trying to replace my 2003 Kona Roast. They are a thing of the past. However, Norco is apparently bringing a new model out next year.

Posted: Aug 25, 2015 at 17:40 Quote
bromontrider wrote:
I'm starting to realize that I'm an old school kinda guy. I like 2005-2007 Norco Sasquatch and Cove Stiffee North Shore - Freeride type hardtails.

Are companies still coming out with similar types of bikes today in 2015? I've stopped keeping track...but they seem strictly like a thing of the past...

Unsecure image, only https images allowed: http://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/products/1866/photos/1642/s1600_Cove_Stiffee_2011.jpg?1299665550Unsecure image, only https images allowed: http://myphone.info/uploads/k3gQwF297hIwbRg1pErvMhNnbm963nTa.jpg

Here you go: 2016 Norco Torrent (sorry, it's in German - there are two models, the base costing $1,835 according to Westwood Caps). The upper -according to my memory - was to be in the neighbourhood of $2,700. If you're curious, I can pm you the dealer pre-order release dates).

http://m.mountainbike-magazin.de/news/bikes-parts/neu-2016-norco-torrent-trail-hardtail-mit-laufrad-format-27-5.1396374.2.htm

The other option for us comes by way of Cannondale's Beast of the East. Three models to choose from.

http://cannondaleclub.blogspot.ca/2015/06/cannondale-beast-of-east-2016.html?m=1

Personally, I'm planning on ordering the base model 2016 Norco Torrent to replace my '03 Roast.

Oh yah, the Kona Explosif is another option, but at $2,400+ CDN, tis a bit rich for me (starving MA student & all).

Posted: Aug 30, 2015 at 20:51 Quote
Cove is still open and in production.
Though it does seem most companies stopped producing regular joe hard tails back in 2010.
I

Posted: Sep 11, 2015 at 19:28 Quote
North Shore hardtails have faded away because more modern AM/Enduro hardtails do the job better than old northshore hardtails ever could.

You can see the evolution by looking through this thread: https://www.pinkbike.com/forum/listcomments/?threadid=112056&pagenum=2

Posted: Sep 12, 2015 at 8:04 Quote
Ragley Bagger?Unsecure image, only https images allowed: http://fcdn.mtbr.com/attachments/all-mountain/636495d1314571118-ragley-bagger-ubbthreads.php-ubb%3Ddownload-number%3D67165-filename%3Dhelt%2520ferdig.jpg

Posted: Sep 19, 2015 at 7:47 Quote
Yeah, they pretty much are a thing of the past. It was an era, and it has passed.

So take really good care of your pre-enduro days bikes kids.

O+
Posted: Sep 20, 2015 at 17:15 Quote
Chromag stylus seems like it would fit the bill.
Also, some custom Frame builders could build you one for a decent price

O+
Posted: Sep 20, 2015 at 21:53 Quote
I ride a chromag and i love it but the stylus is 27.5 and most old-school people don't like that

Editor O+ FL
Posted: Sep 21, 2015 at 11:27 Quote
By and large, overbuilt hardtails have been relegated to the history books, but that doesn't mean that you can't accomplish the same riding feats on a modern hardtail. Frame and component technology has greatly improved in the ten years since bikes like the Norco Sasquatch, Cove Stiffee, and Banshee Morphine had their heyday, and there's no longer a need to head off into the woods on a 40 pound hunk of aluminum and rubber. As an added bonus, the lighter weight of modern hardtails makes it possible to gasp> ride uphill as well - no more trudging up fireroads as the XC crowd spins on by. Smaller companies like Chromag, Cotic, Stanton, and Ragley, just to name a few, have built their reputations on producing high quality hardtails, and although full-suspension bikes have become more and more affordable, the hardtail doesn't show any signs of going extinct.

There are also more wheelsize options than before, and where 10 years ago 29ers suffered from awkward handling due to their old-school geometry, the bigger wheelsize is now a viable option, with bikes like the Kona Honzo or Transition TransAm able to easily take on technical terrain. The 27.5+ wheelsize is also starting to gain momentum, and while I'm still not sold on the fatter tires for full suspension bikes, I do think it has potential for hardtails, where it can soften harsh landings and mute chattery sections of trail. The takeaway from all of this? The freeride hardtail may be dead, but it's been replaced by a wide range of options that will all deliver loads of fun out on the trails. -

Posted: Sep 23, 2015 at 14:39 Quote
Funny, I never had a problem biking uphill on my Roast in Moab or on the North Shore (Seymour, Whistler, Grouse, & random foothills/mountains in Abby, Mission, Chilliwack). That's the problem full suspension bikes had back in the day because lock-outs hadn't been popularized yet. Always ripped past them!

Ah well, I'm stoked for my Torrent 7.2. Hopefully it fits the bill as I didn't feel like building up a Rampage, SP3, or Cove frame.

Posted: Nov 16, 2015 at 16:15 Quote
The NS Clash 1 kinda seems like a modernized version.

http://www.ns-bikes.com/ns-bikes-clash-2015,1187,pl.htm

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Posted: Feb 9, 2016 at 8:04 Quote
Cotic BFe is a great option... Ragley Blue Pig, NS Eccentric, Chromag Stylus, Transition TransAM. Lots of hardcore hardtails out there.

I have a Cotic BFe 27.5 and its my do it all bike. Trail bike, dirt jumper, DH.

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