I am looking to swap my hardtail for something with longer reach than the On-One parkwood I currently have. I bought an XL sentinel last year and am loving the longer reach but want something lighter and snappier for flatter easier rides. I see Ragley bike out of the UK has a new aluminum hardtail 29 called the big al with solid geometry (480 reach, 65HA) and its cheap. https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/us/en/ragley-big-al-hardtail-frame-2019/rp-prod176549
Anyone have experience with this brand? I would be able to build the frame using current parts with only a few adapters needed so it would be a pretty cheap experiment.
Yup, I've had Ragley hardtails for the past 8 years ...a Blue Pig, a Blue Pig X, and the current one is a Big Wig, and I've had zero issues with them. For the same reason as you I'm going to replace the Big Wig for something with more reach and my short list is down to two...the Cotic SolarisMax and the new Big Wig.